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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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
This page will be updated with more talks soon...