Karl Gustafsson

Karl Gustafsson is a Professor at Stockholm University within the Department of Economic History and International Relations. His work bridges security studies, collective memory, and digital research methods in international relations.

• Current Role: Professor of International Relations, Stockholm University
• Previous Positions: Post-Doc at Lund University, Researcher at Swedish Institute of International Affairs
• Visiting Appointments: University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Keio University, Academia Sinica, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies

Research Focus: Karl specializes in memory politics, ontological security, and anxiety-driven international dynamics, particularly in Sino-Japanese relations and digital platforms. His studies explore how historical narratives and online memory construction influence state identity and policy.

Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Wang Gungwu Prize (2014) and Stockholm University Association’s award (2011). Holds Swedish Research Council and Marianne & Marcus Wallenberg Foundation grants for projects on apologies in international politics and digital memory in East Asia.

Publications: His work appears in journals such as International Studies Quarterly, European Journal of International Relations, and Memory Studies, addressing topics like narrative power in East Asia, anxiety’s role in policy change, and digital humanities applications in IR.