Jennie Brandén

Jennie Brandén is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Sweden. Her research focuses on the governance of social issues like safety and gendered violence through feminist, postcolonial, and Indigenous perspectives. She leads and participates in several research projects, including the Nordic Network on Gendered Violence in Sámi and Inuit communities (Nordforsk, 2025-2027) and studies on gender-based violence in Sápmi (FORTE, 2025-2027). She is affiliated with Lávvuo—Research and Education for Sámi Health, Umeå Centre for Gender Studies, and the Arctic Centre.

Brandén holds a PhD in Political Science and teaches courses such as 'Introduction to Gender Studies' and 'Violence in Close Relations.' Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing systemic inequalities and marginalized communities.

• Education: PhD in Political Science

Her research explores how public policies and institutions construct and respond to safety and violence, particularly in contexts of Indigenous rights and gender equality. Notable projects include analyzing violence against Sámi women (2021-2025, Sámi Parliament) and civil society’s role in creating safe public spaces (Formas, 2024-2027).

Awards:

• 2024: Award for study on sexual violence against Sámi women

Grants and Projects:

• Nordic Network on Gendered Violence in Sámi and Inuit communities (Nordforsk)
• Gender-based violence in Sápmi (FORTE)
• Violence against Sámi women (Sámi Parliament)
• Together for Safety: Civil Society and Safe Public Spaces (Formas)

Labs/Teams: Lávvuo, Umeå Centre for Gender Studies, Arctic Centre.