Josefin Persdotter

Josefin Persdotter is a postdoctoral researcher at Chalmers University, specializing in Sociology within the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) division at the Department of Technology Management and Economics. Her work bridges sociological theory with practical insights into hygiene technologies and menstrual health.

Research Focus: Persdotter’s research interrogates how societal norms and technological design perpetuate the stigmatization of menstruation as 'dirty.' She analyzes hygiene technologies like menstrual cups and bidet showers, exploring their cultural, environmental, and gendered implications. Her current FORMAS-funded project (2025–2027) compares Swedish and Finnish bathroom standards to assess their impact on menstruants’ quality of life.

Publication Trends: Her scholarship spans critical menstrual studies, Nordic gender research, and sociocultural analysis. Articles like Menstrual Dirt and Exploring Critical Menstrual Studies highlight intersections of technology, environmental sustainability, and gender norms.

Scientific Awards:

• Recipient of the Swedish Sociological Association’s prize for best dissertation (2022) for Menstrual Dirt: An exploration of contemporary menstrual hygiene practices in Sweden

Broader Contributions: Persdotter co-founded the network Menstrual Studies in Scandinavia and co-authored a workplace adaptation handbook with MENSEN – Forum for Menstruation. She has been featured in Swedish Radio’s New Science Radio for her public engagement on menstrual stigma.