Stellan Vinthagen

Stellan Vinthagen is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and holds an Endowed Chair in the Study of Nonviolent Direct Action and Civil Resistance. He is also affiliated with the University of Gothenburg's Department of Sociology and Work Science. His primary research focuses on Resistance Studies, Nonviolent Action Strategies, and Social Movements & Change, with a particular interest in how transnational movements disrupt systemic functions through nonviolent disobedience.

He leads the Resistance Studies Initiative at UMass and serves as Editor of the Journal of Resistance Studies. Current research projects include studies on civic resistance's impact on democracy, unarmed resistance to military occupation, and Indigenous peoples' resistance. Vinthagen has authored/co-authored influential works like Conceptualizing ‘Everyday Resistance’: A Transdisciplinary Approach (2019) and contributes regularly to platforms like Waging Nonviolence.

His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing constructive resistance strategies and the intersection of power dynamics with nonviolent movements. Vinthagen is active in international organizations such as the War Resisters’ International and the Resistance Studies Network, advocating for peaceful conflict resolution and systemic change.