Urban Markström

Urban Markström is a Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Social Work at Umeå University, Sweden. His research focuses on community mental health services, service user involvement, and policies addressing psychiatric disabilities. He leads research groups such as the Disability and Participation Group and the Userinvolve Group, focusing on participatory approaches in mental health service development. His work emphasizes evidence-based practices, implementation strategies, and social sustainability in urban and rural contexts.

Key research areas include:

• Policy development for mental health services
• User-led monitoring and quality improvement
• Cross-sectoral collaboration in urban planning
• Supported accommodation models for individuals with psychiatric disabilities

Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding:

• Evidence-based interventions in rural areas
• Service user involvement in policy implementation
• Impact of crises (e.g., pandemic) on mental health organizations
• Role of social services in healthy city development

He has coordinated research projects funded by the Swedish Research Council (Formas, Forte), focusing on stigma reduction, implementation science, and digital mental health initiatives.