معرفی
Josefina Syssner is a Professor of Cultural Geography at Linköping University, working at the Center for Municipal Strategic Studies (CKS). She previously served as head of the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS) before stepping down at the turn of the year to focus full-time on research. Her academic career spans decades of publications and research projects focused on local development in geographically disadvantaged areas, with expertise in understanding how communities adapt to demographic decline.
Professor Syssner's research primarily concerns local policy, planning and development in areas with long distances, declining population bases, and other geographical disadvantages. She is particularly interested in the ideas and visions for the future that arise in these areas and how they translate into practical action. Her work challenges conventional development paradigms by examining communities where traditional growth metrics don't apply.
Her current research portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on understanding the dynamics of shrinking communities, with particular attention to:
- Local economic sustainability in rural Sweden (funded by Formas)
- Development goals in geographically disadvantaged areas (funded by Länsförsäkringar's research fund)
- State governance in municipalities with socio-economic challenges (funded by Tillväxtverket)
- Local development policy and planning across different demographic contexts (funded by Kommuninvest)
Professor Syssner's publications reveal a strong trend toward understanding how communities adapt to demographic decline rather than focusing solely on growth-oriented policies. Her work bridges geography, public administration, and social policy to develop place-based approaches for communities facing population decline. The research spans theoretical frameworks for understanding demographic adaptation while maintaining practical relevance for local policymakers.
Her notable achievements include:
- 2023's Best Leader and Manager at Linköping University
- Janne Carlsson Scholarship for academic leadership
- Expert participation in the government investigation on future regional development and rural policy
- Authorship of the influential book "Pathways to demographic adaptation" (2020)
Professor Syssner currently leads multiple externally funded research projects and maintains active engagement with municipal stakeholders through CKS. Her recent book "Hopeful Places?: On Hope and Hopefulness in the Periphery" (2024) explores what communities hope for in non-growing societies, challenging the assumption that development must equate to growth.
As director of CKS, she oversees a research environment dedicated to supporting municipalities in strategic decision-making, with strong connections to municipal stakeholders ensuring research remains practically relevant to local government challenges.
