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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.

• International Relations
• Security Studies
• Collective Memory in Global Politics
• +2 more

Paul O'Shea is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University, Sweden. He holds a joint Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield and Tohoku University, Japan (2012), and has held academic positions at the Stockholm School of Economics, Aarhus University, and Lund University. He rejoined Lund in 2016 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020. Ph.D. in International Relations, University of Sheffield and Tohoku University (2012) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stockholm School of Economics Lecturer, Aarhus University, Denmark (2013–2016) Associate Senior Lecturer, Lund University (2016–2020) Senior Lecturer, Lund University (2020–present) His research centers on East Asian international relations, particularly Japanese foreign and security policy, US-Japan-China dynamics, territorial disputes, military alliances, and the societal impacts of international politics. He explores how global politics shapes everyday life, including food safety, environmental policy, rural development, and immigration. His work combines theoretical frameworks like punctuated equilibrium theory with empirical analysis of policy shifts in Japan. The recent articles reflect a consistent focus on Japan’s evolving security posture, alliance dynamics with the United States (especially concerning Okinawa), the political and social implications of the Tokyo Olympics during the pandemic, and comparative governance of crises in Japan and Sweden. His publications span academic journals, policy briefs, and public commentary in outlets like The Conversation , The Guardian , and The Diplomat . He has received the Tohoku Creativity Grant and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. His work engages with political science, sociology, and public policy. O'Shea supervises PhD and MA students and teaches courses including International Relations of East Asia, Contemporary Japanese Society, and Politics and Governance in Asia. He has supervised theses on topics such as food risk in Japan and US-Japan security relations. He has also led and participated in multiple research projects, including EU-funded initiatives on the Indo-Pacific and Chinese governance practices. He is active in public engagement, having participated in media debates (e.g., Al Jazeera’s The Stream) and public lectures on WWII memory and East Asian politics. His research is widely cited and has influenced public discourse on Japan and pandemic governance.

• International Relations
• East Asian Studies
• Japanese Foreign Policy
• +12 more

Johan Eriksson is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University's Department of Art History, serving as Head of Department and Program Manager for the Master's Program in Digital Art Studies. His work integrates traditional art historical scholarship with cutting-edge digital methodologies, focusing on cultural heritage reconstruction and virtual museum development. His research spans digital art history , visual communication , and Renaissance studies , with specialized expertise in Italian and Japanese art traditions. Eriksson pioneers digital pedagogy through projects like The Digital Seminar 2.0 , examining how virtual reconstructions of historical sites (e.g., Royal Palace Stockholm) transform art historical methodology and public engagement with cultural heritage. His scholarship reveals strong interdisciplinary connections between art history, computer science, and urban studies. Eriksson's publication trends demonstrate consistent focus on virtual museum development as both research tool and preservation strategy, with growing emphasis on cross-cultural exchange (particularly Sweden-Japan collaborations) and sustainable heritage tourism. His work bridges technical innovation with deep art historical analysis, notably in reconstructing historical display contexts and examining visual rhetoric in Renaissance courts. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. As Program Manager for the Master's Program in Digital Art Studies and Chair of JSPS SAC, Eriksson actively mentors graduate students while securing research funding for major projects including The Virtual Museum and Visual Communication in Early Modern Japan . His grant portfolio reflects strong institutional support for digital humanities initiatives at Uppsala University. Through leadership of JSPS SAC and project teams like Renaissance Rooms , Eriksson coordinates international research networks focused on digital reconstruction methodologies. His current initiatives emphasize collaborative development of virtual environments that integrate art historical research with immersive technologies for both scholarly and public applications.

• Digital Art History
• Visual Communication
• Renaissance Art
• +7 more

Ming Zeng is a Senior Lecturer in Financial Economics at the University of Gothenburg, affiliated with the Department of Economics and the Centre for Finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Singapore Management University (2018), a Master’s in Financial Engineering from ESSEC Business School (2012), and a Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2011). Education Ph.D. in Economics, Singapore Management University (2018) Master of Financial Engineering, ESSEC Business School (2012) Bachelor of Applied Mathematics, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2011) Research Interests His research focuses on Empirical Asset Pricing , International Finance , and Financial Econometrics . Key themes include currency carry trades, political cycles in asset markets, inflation risk, and the dynamics of real exchange rates. He explores topics like sovereign credit risk, firm efficiency, and term structure models of equity and bond yields, often linking macroeconomic factors to financial market outcomes. Teaching He teaches courses in Financial Markets and Asset Pricing , International Finance , Financial Econometrics , and Macroeconomics , integrating theoretical frameworks with practical applications in quantitative finance. Research Trends Zeng’s work emphasizes global financial markets and political economy effects , with recent studies analyzing presidential cycles, inflation ambiguity, and policy uncertainty. His methodologies bridge empirical finance with macroeconomic theory, addressing questions of market efficiency and risk pricing. Labs/Teams He contributes to the Centre for Finance at the University of Gothenburg, fostering interdisciplinary research in financial economics and econometric modeling.

• Empirical Asset Pricing
• International Finance
• Financial Econometrics
• +3 more

Alexandra Herlitz is an Associate Professor in Art History and Visual Studies at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg. She also serves as a museum educator at Gothenburg Museum of Art since 2006. Doctoral degree in Art History (2013), University of Gothenburg Academic training at University of Stuttgart, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, and University of Hamburg Her research focuses on 19th-century Scandinavian art historiography , artists' colonies , artistic national identity , and transnational art networks between Scandinavia and Germany. She explores these themes through publications, podcast episodes, and archival research. Recent publications highlight Nordic rural artists' communities , gender dynamics in art history , and critical analysis of art forgery . Her work spans from 17th-century Scandinavian art to contemporary feminist perspectives , with particular attention to under-documented networks and alternative historiographies. Herlitz co-hosts the art history podcast Konsthistoriepodden , covering topics from medieval religious art to modernist movements , demonstrating her commitment to public art education and multimedia scholarship .

• Critical historiography
• Scandinavian art history
• Sociology of art
• +4 more

Michael Azar is a Professor at the Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion at the University of Gothenburg. His work spans philosophy, cultural analysis, and historical inquiry, often intersecting with existentialist themes and contemporary sociopolitical issues. University: University of Gothenburg Department: Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion Academic Rank: Professor Email: michael.azar@lir.gu.se His research focuses on existentialism, cultural studies, and the philosophical implications of historical events. He explores themes such as self-perception, mortality, and the ethical dimensions of war and revolution. Articles like "The Cultural Imaginary of Terrorism" and reflections on Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre highlight his intellectual range. Recent publications analyze absurdism, the role of festivity in human existence, and the legacy of Cold War-era narratives. His work appears in platforms like Sveriges Radio, Dagens Nyheter, and academic journals.

• Philosophy
• Existentialism
• Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Birgit Tremml Werner is an academic at Linnaeus University, affiliated with the Linnaeus University Centre for Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies. She holds a Mag. phil. and Dr. phil. in History from the University of Vienna, with a minor in Japanese Studies. Her career includes postdoctoral research at the University of Tokyo (2013–2015), a HERA project at the University of Zurich (2016–2019), and a visiting professorship at the University of Vienna (2019/20). She teaches global history, colonial studies, and diplomatic history, focusing on East and Southeast Asia before 1900. Her research explores early modern diplomatic practices, colonial encounters, and intercultural relations in Southeast Asia. Education: M.A. and Ph.D. in History from University of Vienna Postdoctoral research at University of Tokyo (revising her dissertation) Research Interests: Global history, colonial and postcolonial studies, diplomatic history, early modern Southeast Asia, intercultural diplomacy, and imperial expansion. She leads projects like EcoDip SEA, examining diplomatic practices in 17th–18th century Southeast Asia, challenging Eurocentric narratives. Her work emphasizes Southeast Asian agency in political and economic developments. Publications: Over 10 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including works on Spanish-Japanese relations, Qing-Russian diplomacy, and global intellectual history. She co-edited a handbook on early modern diplomacy and hosts the global history podcast 15past15 . Awards: Secured H2020 MSCA funding (EcoDip SEA project, 2020–2023). Co-founded the Global Diplomacy Network to advance transregional diplomatic history. Grants and Teaching: Supervised BA/MA theses in Japanese and global history. Taught at Linnaeus University’s Colonial and Postcolonial Studies program, emphasizing theories and methods in global history. Shared research through global seminars with students in the Philippines and Spain. Labs/Teams: Member of the Linnaeus University’s Colonial Connections and Comparisons Research Cluster and the Concurrences Center.

• Global History
• Colonial and Postcolonial Studies
• Diplomatic History
• +3 more

Daniel Hjorth is a Professor at Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM) , holding the Lindén Professorship in Aesthetics and Business Creativity . He serves as Centre Director for the Centre for Aesthetics and Business Creativity (ABC) and is a Service Point 10 member. His work bridges entrepreneurship , organizational creativity , and aesthetic-economy relationships . Research Focus : Organization-creation processes, interdisciplinary creativity, philosophy-humanities integration, and posthumanist management. Projects : Active in AI-driven opera innovation (2025), craft as alternative organizing (2024), posthumanist education (2024), and transformative management (2024). Recent Publications explore organizational entrepreneuring failures, heterotopia in management, Japanese dining traditions, and spatial learning in entrepreneurship education. His work connects entrepreneurship to UN Sustainable Development Goals through business administration, art history, and ethics. Activities : Hosted international scholars (2024), organized ABC Centre opening (2024), and served as Editorial Board for multiple journals.

• Entrepreneurship
• Organizational Creativity
• Aesthetics and Economy
• +7 more

Alexandra Fried is a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, specializing in medieval and modern art history. Her research bridges Scandinavia and the Americas, focusing on religious imagery and contemporary visual culture. University of Gothenburg Department of Cultural Sciences Senior Lecturer Education: BA and MA in Art History from Baruch College and Queens College, New York PhD from University of Leicester (dissertation: "The Swedish Madonnas: A Comparative Study of Wooden Sculptures of the Virgin and Child between 1250 and 1350") Research Interests Alexandra's scholarly work spans two primary domains: Medieval Scandinavian Art: Systematic analysis of wooden religious sculptures, St. Bridget of Sweden's iconography, and Hanseatic League artistic exchanges Modern & Postmodern American Art: Critical examination of 20th-century visual narratives and their cultural implications Selected Publications Her recent output demonstrates a commitment to accessible academic discourse through Konsthistoriepodden, with notable 2024 episodes exploring Japanese printmaking, Renaissance altarpieces, and modernist photography. The 2022 journal article "Fakes matter – as a matter of fakes" in Konsthistorisk Tidskrift represents her peer-reviewed contributions. Conference Participation 2014: Gender and Medieval Studies Conference on St. Bridget's pilgrimage 2014: International Medieval Congress on Baltic/Scandinavian studies 2013: Multiple presentations at South Eastern Art Conference and International Medieval Congress She maintains active academic communication through podcast formats while preserving traditional conference engagement.

• Medieval Scandinavian art
• Medieval sculpture
• St. Bridget of Sweden
• +1 more

Janina Priebe is Associate Professor in the History of Science and Ideas at Umeå University , holding the Arctic Five Chair in Environmental History since June 2022. She serves as Assistant Program Leader for Umeå University at Future Forests and represents Umeå in the MIRAI 2.0 collaboration between Swedish and Japanese universities. Current projects: Route to Paris (Formas, 2021-2025) and Peripheral Visions (Svenska Litteratursällskapet i Finland, 2022-2025) Past roles: Senior Research Assistant (2020-2022), Postdoctoral Researcher in environmental history (2018-2020) Her research focuses on historical and cultural perspectives of Arctic sustainability transformation , forest-climate dynamics , and local climate pathways . She employs transdisciplinary methods to analyze resource modernization , societal transformation , and co-produced climate action in Arctic and forest contexts. Her recent publications address: Historical knowledge brokering in Swedish forestry Unbuilt hydropower and oil projects in Greenland Climate-smart forestry implementation challenges Co-production of climate action pathways Comparative forest restoration practices in the US She integrates environmental humanities perspectives into teaching courses like Environmental Humanities and Rethinking Forests , emphasizing global-local tensions and critical sustainability analysis . Collaborations include institutions like SLU , Skogforsk , and World Forest Forum . Her work bridges historical narratives with contemporary policy for sustainable Arctic and forest futures.

• Environmental History
• Sustainability Transformation
• Arctic Contexts
• +3 more

Montserrat Lopez Jerez is a Visiting Research Fellow at Lund University's Department of Economic History, specializing in Economic Development of the Global South. She is actively involved in research examining the long-term economic impacts of colonialism and processes of economic transformation, with particular focus on East Asia. Her research interests span development economics and economic history, with specific focus on the interaction between equality of opportunities and economic transformation processes. She investigates the long-term impact of colonialism, examining economic and institutional effects of factor endowments and extraction, with current work focusing on the formation of the fiscal colonial state during late colonization in Asia. Her publication portfolio demonstrates strong expertise in Vietnamese and Korean economic development, colonial fiscal systems, and rural transformation processes. Her research shows consistent focus on how historical institutional frameworks shape contemporary economic development trajectories in formerly colonized regions. Asian Exceptionalism? – The Institutional Impact of Japanese Colonial Extraction (2017) Wallander Stipendium (2016) Board Representative (2016) As a supervisor for doctoral research, she guides students working on projects related to colonial extraction impacts. She actively participates in academic conferences including the European Workshop on Asian Economic History, the Asian Historical Economics Conference, and the World Economic History Congress, where she has served as presenter and session chair. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction and economic development.

• Development Economics
• Economic History
• Colonialism
• +6 more

Andreas Kittel is a Lecturer at the University of Gothenburg 's Design Unit , where he contributes to academic discourse through his expertise in visual communication and design practice. Holding an MFA in Design, he has maintained a dual career as both a creative practitioner and educator, blending professional experience from 25 years as Design Director/Senior Partner at Happy Forsman & Bodenfors with his academic work. His research and creative practice emphasize publication as editorial and artistic practice , reflecting through contributions to newspapers, magazines, and specialized outlets like Ordkonst and Populär Poesi . Recent publications analyze AI-generated imagery, typography in public spaces, and cultural symbolism in design, demonstrating his critical engagement with contemporary visual culture. Andreas Kittel's scholarly output intersects with design philosophy , cross-cultural analysis , and material culture studies . His work spans from analyzing Japanese design influences to exploring the commercialization of solidarity symbols, maintaining a consistent focus on the intersection between artistic integrity and societal context. His professional website at andreaskittel.org showcases this interdisciplinary approach. As part of the University of Gothenburg's academic staff, he continues to shape design education while maintaining active participation in professional design discourse through writing, editing, and critical design projects that challenge conventional aesthetic norms.

• Visual Communication
• Editorial Design
• Artistic Practice
• +3 more

Per Faxneld is a Professor at the Department of History and Contemporary Studies, Södertörn University. His research spans esotericism, alternative spirituality, new religious movements, and secularization, with particular attention to legitimization strategies, religious authority, identity creation, and the intersection of esotericism with art, literature, and martial arts. He is currently leading a Swedish Research Council-funded project analyzing spirituality debates within Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu (Ninjutsu) communities in Sweden. Primary academic affiliation: Södertörn University Core research themes: Esotericism, secularization, religious modernity, gender dynamics in Satanism, esoteric dimensions of martial arts Publication record: Over 15 recent articles (2025-2020) covering Satanic feminism, occult art, martial arts spirituality, and transnational religious exchange His work bridges historical and contemporary esoteric traditions, examining their cultural adaptation and symbolic resonance. Publications frequently address the tension between secularization and spiritual persistence, particularly in martial arts contexts. He has contributed to academic anthologies like EASTSPIRIT and Buddhist Modernities , and his 2021 article Martial Arts Spirituality in Sweden: The Occult Connection remains influential. Current trends in his research include: gender politics in Satanic traditions, esoteric symbolism in modernist art and literature, and cross-cultural spiritual exchange. While no formal awards are listed, his 2017-2022 publications solidify his position as a leading scholar in Western esotericism and contemporary religious studies. Teaching roles and lab affiliations remain unspecified in available sources.

• Esotericism
• Alternative Spirituality
• New Religious Movements
• +6 more

John Hennessey is an Associate Professor in the History of Ideas and Sciences at Lund University's Faculty of Humanities, with affiliations to the Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences and a Senior Lecturer role in the Department of History. His research spans colonial history since 1850, modern Japanese history, transimperial history, and racial taxonomies. Doctoral degree in History from Linnaeus University (2018) Master's in Asian Studies from Lund University (2011) Bachelor's in History and French Literature from Notre Dame (2009) Current research funded by the Swedish Research Council examines Ainu people's classification in Western racial biology (1850-1940), revealing insights into historical perceptions of 'whiteness.' His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to racial theory and indigenous studies. Key themes in his publications include: Transimperial dynamics and occupational roles Economic botany in colonial Hokkaido Evolutionary theory's influence on scientific racism

• Colonial History
• Modern Japanese History
• Transimperial History
• +5 more

Bernadett Kiss is a Lecturer at The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University, Sweden. Her research and teaching focus on sustainability, urban resilience, and nature-based solutions with significant contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and sustainable cities. Her research interests span Nature-Based Solutions (100% focus), Sweden (81%), Energy Conservation (81%), Urban Areas (75%), Learning (73%), Policy (72%), Efficiency (59%), and Economic and Social Development (58%). Her work investigates how urban areas can implement nature-based approaches to enhance resilience while addressing climate change challenges through interdisciplinary and participatory methods. Analysis of her publications reveals a strong thematic focus on governance dynamics of nature-based solutions, with particular attention to citizen participation, transformative learning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Her recent work shows increasing emphasis on educational approaches to climate resilience and the political dimensions of urban nature governance. Bernadett Kiss actively contributes to research networks and collaborative projects addressing urban sustainability challenges. As Principal Investigator for the CLARITY project (2023-2026), she leads efforts in developing transformative climate resilience education for children and youth, moving from climate anxiety to resilience, creativity, connection, and regeneration.

• Nature-Based Solutions
• Urban Resilience
• Sustainability Science
• +5 more