Conversations on the conditions of research
In 2024-2025, the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research is organising a series of discussions on the conditions for research. The aim is to provide a forum for knowledge development, exchange of ideas and in-depth discussions with relevance in terms of research policy.
The conversations address current challenges in research and higher education, drawing on concepts such as academic freedom, hope labour and meritocracy. Speakers with relevant expertise are invited to reflect on a concept or issue affecting the higher education sector, in the form of short presentations followed by discussions between participants. The talks take place in front of an invited audience and are organised in collaboration with other stakeholders.
News about the conversation series
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27/11 In collaboration with the activities of Jonsereds herrgård in Vasaparken
Who is free in academia? How lack of resources and work environment affect conditions for research
The health of academic freedom has been the subject of much debate in Sweden in recent years. However, dominant themes in the public sphere are not reflected among researchers themselves, according to a major survey by UKÄ. Their report from this spring shows that the conditions of research funding, informal networks and political influence are limiting freedom, rather than “cancel culture” or easily offended students. So what is academic freedom, and what is its value?
The fact that academic freedom encompasses real space for researchers to shape their own research, teaching, publishing and other communications is rarely discussed in public. What conditions favor or hinder this freedom? Should it be seen as an individual right or a prerequisite for the quality and societal benefit of research? This also raises questions about temporary employment, downsizing and workload, self-censorship and informal networks, research funding and political control. Who actually has the actual preconditions to be considered academically free in a substantial sense?
The conversation is organized by Jonsered Herrgård in collaboration with the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, both at the University of Gothenburg.
Martin Bergman senior analyst, Office of the University Chancellor, Åsa Wikforss professor of philosophy, member of the Swedish Academy and Git Claesson Pipping director of SULF 2006-2022.
Moderators: David Brax senior analyst at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, and Lena Ulrika Rudeke director of Jonsered Herrgård.
Read more about the idea and practice of the Jonsereds Seminar here:
Jonseredsseminarier | Jonsereds herrgård, Göteborgs universitet
NOTE: The talk will be held in Swedish
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INVITATIONS
Personal invitations to the seminars will be sent out. The number of places is limited.
Time 09:00 - 12:30
Location University of Gothenburg main building in Vasaparken, Universitetsplatsen 1, Gothenburg
DO YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE? KNOW SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE?
Are you a stakeholder interested and wish to participate in the seminar, if there are places available? Do you have a colleague or partner who would like to participate? Email your or their interest to jonseredsherrgard@gu.se together with name, organization and role within it, as well as input to the seminar topic.
EARLIER CONVERSATIONS
Conversation at the Göteborg Book Fair
26/9, 10:00 - 10:45 at the University of Gothenburg stand
‘Hope labour’ in academic work
Conversation between Kim Silow Kallenberg, Associate Professor of Ethnology at Södertörn University and member of Humtank, and David Brax, Senior Analyst, Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research.
‘Hope labour’ is work performed for no or inadequate pay in the hope that it will lead to better working conditions in the future. This type of labour is common in academia and carries a number of risks, such as burnout and exploitation of precarious workers. In particular, this is a problem if the ‘hope’ is never realised. What can we do to make visible, problematise and counteract the negative aspects of this work?
The conversation will be moderated by Inga-Bodil Ekselius, Communications Officer, Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research.
NOTE: The talk will be held in Swedish
Conversation at the University of Gothenburg
4/11, invited guests only
Is academia thriving on hope?
The term 'hope labor' refers to work performed for no, or inadequate, pay in the hope that it will lead to better working conditions in the future. This type of work is common in academia and carries a number of risks, such as increased risk of burnout and exploitation of precarious workers. In particular, hope labour becomes a problem when the 'hope' is never fulfilled, or when the financial space to carry out such work is unevenly distributed. What are the consequences of hope labor in academia? How important is it for the academy to carry out hope labor? And what can we do to make visible, problematize and counteract negative aspects of this work
The talk will feature:
Anna-Carin Fagerlind Ståhl, MD, author of the report "In the shadow of uncertainty: on external funding, precarious employment and work environment in higher education", and working on a project on "Challenges in the work environment for research and teaching staff in the higher education sector", for the Swedish Work Environment Authority. https://sulf.se/nyhet/kvinnor-i-akademin-paverkas-mer-av-otrygga-villkor/
Kim Silow Kallenberg, associate professor of ethnology at Södertörn University and member of Humtank. She has written about stress and exhaustion in academia: http://humtank.se/oandliga-krav-och-andliga-resurser-om-stressade-akademiker-och-en-utmattad-akademi/
Sara Kalm, Associate Professor of Political Science at Lund University. She has written about academic household work: https://sociologiskforskning.se/sf/article/view/19503
David Brax, PhD in practical philosophy and senior analyst at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research.
NOTE: The talk will be held in Swedish