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Across societies, dislocations of contemporary social, technological, environmental and economic structures produce urgent challenges for democratic orders. In the research group on power, politics and governing we draw on post-structuralist thought as we analyze and theorize the implications and origins of such dislocations. Our approach is informed by – but not limited to – Assemblage thinking, Critical policy analysis, Discourse theory, Feminism and Governmentality studies.
The research group on power, politics and governing is based in political science at Karlstad university, Sweden where we host seminars, arrange workshops and organize symposiums and other research activities. We maintain strong connections with international and national research venues as we run and participate in different networks, invite guest researchers and regularly organize panels and sessions at important conferences. Currently, we conduct research financed by the Swedish Research Council, Riksbankens jubileumsfond and Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation. In our work, we strive to connect research, education, teaching and community activities.
We view our work as ‘knowledge interventions’. We design and conduct studies in empirical fields where we identify an urgency and a responsibility to study manifestations, practices and effects of contemporary power, politics and governing. We contribute to ongoing theoretical discussions by developing and contesting concepts and frameworks for political analysis. We also work actively with advancing poststructural research methods and methodologies.
Three current research themes
1
// Politics of place: Regional and local development
Power and space are intimately intertwined concepts in political science. The physical environment in which people live and work can affect their access to resources, opportunities, and political influence.
2
// The Politics of AI, Algorithms and Data
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform many areas of political life, from policy-making to election campaigns. AI can be used to analyze vast amounts of data, to identify patterns and trends, and to make predictions about future events.
3
// Marketization
and managerializationManagerialism is a management philosophy that emphasizes efficiency, performance, and accountability in organizations. It is a way of thinking that puts a premium on measuring and monitoring outcomes, and on using data to inform decision-making.
