Malin Eriksson

Malin Eriksson is a Professor in Social Work and holds an Associate Professorship in Public Health at the Department of Social Work, Umeå University. Her research focuses on preventive social work, community development, social sustainability, and the role of social capital in health and well-being. She has led projects on neighborhood social capital during the pandemic, socially sustainable urban planning, and mental health interventions for youth. Her interdisciplinary work combines qualitative methods with mixed approaches, often collaborating with municipal authorities and international researchers.

Education: MA in Social Work; PhD in Public Health Science (2010 thesis: 'Social capital, health and community action – implications for health promotion').

Key Research Themes: Social capital measurement, health inequalities, asylum-seeking minors' welfare, policing in vulnerable areas, and structural interventions for sustainable development. She has conducted studies in Sweden and internationally (Tanzania, Ukraine, Indonesia, etc.).

Notable Projects: Leader of the 'SoCap YMH' study on youth mental health and social capital, principal investigator in police work analysis in Stockholm's vulnerable areas (2018–2020), and collaborations on pandemic-era social support dynamics. Current work includes measuring social capital's role in neighborhood resilience.

Expertise: Grounded theory methodology, qualitative data analysis, and policy-oriented research. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations addressing social sustainability and health promotion.