ANNIVERSARY 2020 1 Preface

Baltic and East European Graduate School

20ANNIVERSARY 2020 1 Preface

e are proud to celebrate BEEGS’ twen- BEEGS’ alumni, though fortunately both are tieth anniversary with this publication. growing in number every year. Each year, doctoral W We have updated and expanded the students receive their degree and the pen and, each information collected from all alumni since the year, new doctoral students from varied back- anniversary celebrations of 2015. grounds arrive at BEEGS and study their first year We have included all the doctoral alumni to have at CBEES. We welcome continued applications. presented their thesis over these 20 years, the first being from 2004. They represent different subjects WE ARE ALSO honoured to publish a statement from and countries, but share the BEEGS’ experience our financier and sponsor, the Foundation for Bal- and the focus on area studies. The broad spectra tic and East European Studies. covered by BEEGS’ alumni is striking, and follo- We hope that you enjoy reading this anniversary wing their different paths through the years is exci- text and its presentation of BEEGS’ journey through ting. They are presented in chronological order. the first 20 years.● We have also asked randomly selected alumni to tell us about their own memories and reflections Florence Fröhlig, Director of Studies, BEEGS on BEEGS and area studies, and to provide advice for current doctoral students. Naturally, we are also delighted to share their individual experiences and grateful for their inspirational words.

OUR CURRENT doctoral students, have not been for- gotten and are also listed. We have invited Söder- törn University’s four research areas for doctoral studies to introduce how their BEEGS’ doctoral students contribute to the research conducted in their area. In 2020, BEEGS not only celebrates its twentieth year, but also our alumni number 100, Eva Karlberg. On 15 December 2020, she and the other © Södertörn University 2020 doctoral graduates will receive the very spe- Editor Ninna Mörner Layout Sara Bergfors, Serpentin Media cial BEEGS pen at our annual pen ceremony. Cong- Proofreading Clare Barnes ratulations! Print Elanders Sverige AB The pen club is as exclusive as the circle of

3 Contents

Preface �� 3 Contents �� 5

Alumni �� 6–44 2004 �� 6 2005 �� 6 2006 �� 6 2007 �� 10 2008 �� 13 2009 �� 19 2010 �� 20 2011 �� 20 2012 �� 23 2013 �� 25 2014 �� 27 2015 �� 31 2016 �� 33 2017 �� 38 2018 �� 38 2019 �� 39 2020 �� 42

BEEGS Pen Club �� 44 BEEGS’ journey �� 45 Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies �� 48

Current doctoral students �� 50 Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society �� 50 Historical Studies �� 52 Critical and Cultural Theory �� 54 Environmental Science �� 56

About BEEGS �� 58

4 5 2004 PIOTR WAWRZENIUK Cosmopolis. Petrov’s research interests are broad cuses on ethnic minorities, experts and memory History, 16 December 2005 (no. 3) and include problems within political philosophy, politics. His most recent publications include the JOLANTA AIDUKAITE Thesis: Confessional Civilising in Ukraine. The medical humanities, cultural history, aesthetics and edited anthologies Sámi Educational History in a Sociology, 15 November 2004 (no. 1) Bishop Iosyf Shumliansky and the Introduction the philosophy of science. Comparative International Perspective (Palgrave Thesis: The Emergence of the Post-Socialist of Reforms in the Diocese of Lviv 1668–1708 2019), Ethnic and Religious Minorities in Stalin’s Welfare State. The Case of the Baltic States: KARIN SÖDERHOLM LINDELÖF Soviet Union. New Dimensions of Research (Sö- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Piotr Wawrzeniuk has participated in four re- Ethnology, 9 June 2006 (no. 5) dertörn Academic Studies, 2017) and the article search projects, all sponsored by the Foundation Thesis: “If we now are going to be like Europe” “State, experts and Roma. Allan Etzler and the After receiving her doctoral degree, Jolanta for Baltic and East European Studies, and been – The Creation of Gender and Normality Among pseudo-scientific racism in Sweden”, Scandina- Aidukaite worked at Södertörn University for teaching at Södertörn University. He has also Young Women in Poland (Om vi nu ska bli som vian Journal of History (2019) four years (2005–2008), in the Sociology contributed to commissioned research assignme- Europa. Könsskapande och normalitet bland Department. Since 2009, she has worked at nts for the Swedish Army Museum. In 2012, he unga kvinnor i transitionens Polen) JOHNNY RODIN the Lithuanian Social Research Centre, Vilnius moved to the Swedish Defence University, and Political Science, 15 September 2006 (no. 7) University and Mykolas Romeris University. She the Department of Military History, where he is After receiving her doctorate in 2006, Karin S. Thesis: Rethinking Russian Federalism: currently holds a chief researcher position at the currently teaching at military and civilian courses. Lindelöf worked first as a teacher in Gender Stu- The Politics of Intergovernmental Relations and Lithuanian Social Research Centre. She also held dies and at Demos/the European Programme at Federal Reforms at the Turn of the Millennium visiting fellow positions at Hokkaido University in Södertörn University. She subsequently worked Sapporo (Japan, 2016), the European University as a consultant on gender equality issues, with After being awarded his doctorate, Johnny Rodin in Florence (Italy, 2018), the University of Utrecht 2006 investigations for SIDA and the Swedish Trans- held various postdoc positions at Södertörn (the Netherlands, 2020), and the Department port Administration. In 2010–2012, she held University, focusing on research into discourses of Sociology at Stockholm University (Sweden, KRISTIAN PETROV a postdoc position at Stockholm University’s of demography, health and parenthood in Rus- 2019). She has been involved in numerous History of Ideas/Intellectual History, Department of Ethnology and, from 2012, she sia. During some periods his work also involved international and national research projects and 2 June 2006 (no. 4) has taught and conducted research at Uppsala teaching and educational projects financed by is currently engaged in a Horizon 2020 project, Thesis: Back to the Future: Modernity, University, in both Ethnology and Gender Stu- the university. Johnny Rodin has worked at the ‘The Future of European Social Citizenship’ Postmodernity and Generational Identity in dies. She is currently Docent/Associate Professor Swedish Police Authorities, since 2013, on deve- (Eusocialcit). Jolanta has also been an active Gorbachev’s Glasnost and Perestroika (Tillbaka in Gender Studies and has held a permanent lopment issues in continuing and further profes- member of various international research associ- till framtiden: Modernitet, postmodernitet och position as senior lecturer at the Centre for sional education for staff at a national level. ations, an elected board member of the Interna- generationsidentitet i Gorbačevs glasnost´ och Gender Research in Uppsala since 2016. Her tional Sociological Association Research Commit- perestrojka) research interests remain femininities and gender ARNE EK tee 19 “Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy” relations, like her doctoral thesis, but now prima- Sociology, 22 September 2006 (no. 8) and board member of the European Network for Kristian Petrov is reader in the History of Ideas and, rily within a Swedish context and in relation to Thesis: To Construct an Adaptation to the Only Social Policy Analysis (EspaNet). since 2015, senior lecturer and subject representa- recreational sports and outdoor life. Way (Att konstruera en uppslutning kring den tive for Cultural Studies at Karlstad University. After enda vägen. Om folkrörelsers modernisering 2005 receiving his doctorate in 2006, he has worked as ANDREJ KOTLJARCHUK i skuggan av det östeuropeiska systemskiftet) a lecturer, public inquirer and researcher at the History, 10 June 2006 (no. 6) XAVIER FRAUDET University of Gothenburg, the University of Borås, Thesis: In the Shadows of Poland and Russia. After completing his doctorate, Arne Ek conti- History, 20 May 2005 (no. 2) the Public Health Committee of Region Västra The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Sweden in nued to work at Södertörn University as a senior Thesis: French Foreign Policy in the Baltic Sea Götaland and Södertörn University. In 2010, he re- the European Crisis of the mid–17th Century lecturer, mainly in teaching or the administration Region, 1871–1914. The Strategy in the Baltic ceived a postdoc position at CBEES in the research of undergraduate education. He has focused Sea Region through the French Materials theme of Cultural Theory: Kosmopolis, Technologi- Andrej Kotljarchuk is currently working as a se- on starting and developing the subject of Social es of Culture and Cultural Public Spheres, and later nior researcher at the Institute of Contemporary Work, which is now offered at Södertörn Univer- continued working on the research project East of History, Södertörn University. His research fo- sity.

6 7 2004 2005–2006

Piotr Wawrzeniuk 2005 (no. 3)

What do you remember are using BEEGS’ cash to stuff the holes in their from your time as a BEEGS budgets. There has been a tendency towards student? What did you take “studies” in which Sweden and another country with you from your experience in the Baltic region is included in the study when here? applying, and then the other country somehow – I worked at BEEGS gets “lost” in the process, once funding has been during its building-up years obtained. of 2000-2005, so I recall a – I believe these studies suffer due to Södertörn dynamic and growing institution that was separate University’s monopolisation of funding from the to the academic schools, a milieu with rich and real Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies international contacts. The sky was the limit :) – why make an effort? At the same time, there is What are your reflections on current studies plenty of talent around the country. The situation in the area? is unlikely to change, but the Foundation for Baltic – I believe there has been a backlash towards and East European Studies should challenge it BEEGS and area studies, the academic schools somehow, and refuse funding. ●

Jolanta Aidukaite 2004 (no. 1) “I made friends for life and Agnes Ers 2006 (no. 6) What do you remember from Europe. I also appreciated being in an interdisci- your time as a BEEGS student? plinary, international environment, although it was experienced Swedish culture” What did you take with you not always properly appreciated by the university. from your experience here? I took all that with me, and felt strengthened in my What do you remember from your time as a understanding regarding many societal proces- – I was accepted as a identity as an ethnologist and researcher used to BEEGS student? What did you take with you ses that are taking place in this part of the world. doctoral student at BEEGS in discovering and appreciating perspectives from from your experience here? For instance, in my field of study – social policy, 2000, the first year. I remem- different disciplines. I also took with me the cer- – BEEGS offered a multidisciplinary environ- the welfare state – there is a lack of comparative ber a feeling that everything tainty that I could perform fieldwork in extremely ment, exceptionally good working conditions and studies focusing on outward migration and its was possible, a feeling of freedom from old conser- varied circumstances, which made me confident. excellent supervisors. At BEEGS, I learnt to work consequences for social policy development in the vative structures that I had previously experienced Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS independently and as a part of the team. I met won- CEE countries; the ageing population has been at university. But there was also a feeling of insecu- doctoral students? derful people, made friends for life, experienced an important issue in many CEE countries and is rity – what was BEEGS going to be about ...? I really – Don’t be afraid to ask senior researchers and Swedish culture and Swedish work ethics. still under-researched; family policy and gender appreciated the opportunity to discover a whole others for advice. Participate in seminars. Embrace What are your reflections on current studies equality issues are important topics that need to be new country (Romania) through the research I the opportunity for intellectual exchange. Embrace in the area? addressed in the CEE. The recent Covid-19 crisis did, and new perspectives and knowledge about the opportunity for adventure. ● – Studies of the Baltic Sea region and Central and its consequences for social policy have to be in- and Eastern Europe have progressed greatly since vestigated, as well as climate change and its impact I was a BEEGS student in 2000-2004. Neverthe- on social policy in the Baltic Sea region and Central less, there is still a lack of knowledge and deeper and Eastern Europe. ●

8 9 2007 AGNES ERS MATILDA DAHL Ethnology, 27 October 2006 (no. 9) Business Administration, 25 May 2007 (no. 12) Thesis: In the Name of Humanity: An Ethno- Thesis: States under Scrutiny: International Orga- logical Study of a Swedish Development Aid nizations, Transformation and the Construction Project in Romania (I mänsklighetens namn. of Progress En etnologisk studie av ett svenskt biståndprojekt i Rumänien) After her doctorate, Matilda Dahl was awarded a research grant by Handelsbanken and continued Agnes Ers started work as an investigator and examining issues that focused on how interna- evaluator at the Swedish National Agency for Hig- tional organisations monitor and rank states. She her Education in 2007. Stationed at the Swedish is currently employed at Uppsala University as Agency for Cultural Policy Analysis, Ers primarily assistant professor in Business Administration. worked as an investigator in charge of cultural policy analyses. She currently works as an opera- MARGRETHE B. SØVIK tional strategist at the Director General’s Office at Slavic Languages, 2 June 2007 (no. 13) the Swedish Higher Education Authority. Thesis: Support, Resistance and Pragmatism: An Examination of Motivation in Language Policy ANDREW STICKLEY in Kharkiv, Ukraine Renata Ingbrant 2007 (no. 14) Sociology, 24 November 2006 (no. 10) Thesis: On Interpersonal Violence in Russia in After her doctorate, Margrethe B. Søvik participated the Present and the Past. A Sociological Study in research projects with colleagues from Söder- törn University. In August 2012, she started working “An inspiring and exciting After receiving his doctorate, Andrew Stickley at the public library in Bergen, Norway, and in 2013 worked at the Stockholm Centre for Health and she completed a Master’s degree in Library and In- research environment” Social Change at Södertörn University, before formation Science at the University of Borås. This has undertaking a postdoc at the London School of led her into health sciences, working as a research What do you remember from your time as a What are your reflections on current studies Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is currently librarian in an institution where nurses are educated, BEEGS student? What did you take with you in the area? working and conducting research in Japan, and to a stay at the Health Sciences Library at the from your experience here? – My research has involved interdisciplinary both at the University of Tokyo and the National University of Washington in Seattle, US, as a Ful- – I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to studies with a focus on gender issues, but as a Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry. The main bright scholar, 2017–2018. After returning from the be a part of the international community of docto- researcher I have moved within different areas focus of his research is mental health with an US, she took a new path and is currently working as ral students at BEEGS. It was an inspiring and exci- (literature, culture, history, politics) and fields emphasis on ADHD, ASD, psychosis and suicidal an international coordinator and research advisor ting research environment because we specialised (women’s history, masculinity studies or Holocaust behaviour. at VID Specialized University in Bergen, Norway. in so many different areas, not to mention all social studies). This is undoubtedly linked to my previous interaction that took place both at the campus and doctoral education at BEEGS, which encouraged 2007 RENATA INGBRANT outside, during our study trips, conferences and interdisciplinary perspectives. Despite my specia- Slavic Languages / Literature, meetings. Some of us made friends for life and I lisation I still enjoy and find it enormously valuable PETER BÖTKER 15 September 2007 (no. 14) think many of us still engage in different research to attend conferences and meetings at CBEES and Sociology, 19 April 2007 (no. 11) Thesis: From Her Point of View: Woman’s projects and maintain professional contact in one venture into subject areas outside my own. Thesis: Leviathan in the Archipelago: State, Anti-World in the Poetry of Anna Swirszczynska way or another, or at least meet occasionally at con- Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS Administration, and Society: The Case of Estonia ferences, in the corridors of different educational doctoral students? (Leviatan i arkipelagen. Staten, förvaltningen och Renata Ingbrant is currently employed as senior institutions and universities or follow one another – Remember that the friends you make there may samhället. Fallet Estland) lecturer in the Department of Slavic and Baltic on social media. become your research associates in the future.●

10 11 Languages, Finnish, Dutch and German at focused on political populism in the Baltic region, (1884–1935)” and “Textuality of culture: Yuri education systems and provides European-level Stockholm University. She is the author of the and on security policy on the theme of the emer- Lotman’s semiotic theory in the interdisciplinary comparative information for evidence-based monograph From Her Point of View: Woman’s gence of a multipolar security complex in the research”, both at Södertörn University. From policy making. She coordinates all reports and Anti-World in the Poetry of Anna Świrszczyńska Baltic region during the interwar period. Eellend 2010-2012, Semenenko was involved in post- inquiries related to early childhood education and (Stockholm, 2007) and a book on gender issues is currently a researcher at the Swedish Defence doctoral research on the project, “The Power care. Akvile has co-authored numerous reports in Polish culture and politics after 1989, Kvinnligt Research Agency. of Myth: Mikhail Zhvanetskii’s Texts as a Guide on general education topics, including reading och manligt i Polen. Två studier om genus, kultur to Soviet Reality” at Stockholm University. He is literacy, teaching languages, mathematics, sci- och politik [Femininity and Masculinity in Poland. PETRA GARBERDING currently finishing the Foundation for Baltic and ence education, teachers, gender differences in Two studies on Gender, Culture and Politics] Ethnology, 23 November 2007 (no. 17) East European Studies-funded project, “Yuri educational outcomes, situation of young people (Stockholm, 2013). Her research interests inclu- Thesis: Music and Politics in the Shadow Lotman’s Semiotic Theory in the Study of Cogni- in Europe, etc. de modern Polish literature and culture, women’s of Nazism: Kurt Atterberg and Swedish-German tion” and is associate professor in Russian at studies, cultural and masculinity studies, and Musical Relations (Musik och politik i skuggan Umeå University. TOVE LINDÉN Holocaust studies. av nazismen. Kurt Atterberg och de svensk-tyska Political Science, 21 April 2008 (no. 21) musikrelationerna) VYTAUTAS PETRONIS Thesis: Explaining Civil Society Core Activism YULIA GRADSKOVA History, 21 December 2007 (no. 19) in Post-Soviet Latvia History, 24 September 2007 (no. 15) After receiving her doctorate, Petra Garberding Thesis: Constructing Lithuania. Ethnic Mapping Thesis: Soviet People with Female Bodies. was funded by the Swedish Research Council in Tsarist Russia, ca. 1800–1914 Tove Lindén has combined her education in Performing Beauty and Maternity in Soviet for postdoctoral work on the project “Scholarship journalism with her doctorate in political psycho- Russia in the mid 1930–1960s and politics: Connections between Swedish and After receiving his doctorate, Vytautas Petronis logy to pursue her own business. She combines German ethnology and folklore 1930–1960”, was employed as an ESRC postdoctoral fellow in research projects, investigative journalism, and After being awarded her doctorate, Yulia based at Uppsala University, 2009–2011. This Central and East European Studies at the Univer- analyst consulting with work as an educator and Gradskova has worked on several research project resulted in Garberding publishing several sity of Glasgow. Petronis then moved on to work therapist. Her research initially focused on the projects as a postdoctoral researcher at CBEES articles in Swedish, German and English, and a as a DFG postdoctoral researcher at the Herder Soviet Union, post-Soviet Russia and the Bal- and as co-researcher for the project on “trave- monograph in Swedish. Her research focuses Institute for Historical Research on East Central tic States from a combined political, financial, ling” gender equality at Stockholm University’s on the relationship between politics and the Europe, at the Institute of the Leibniz Associa- sociological and behavioural perspective. Her Department of History. She is currently associate scholarship of Folklife Studies/Ethnology, that is, tion in Marburg, Germany. He has worked as a dissertation focused on civil society core acti- professor in History and working on a Swedish how knowledge is produced and influenced by researcher at the Lithuanian Institute of History vism in post-Soviet Latvia and the role of gender, Research Council project about the Women’s the political environment in different national and in Vilnius since 2013, and is also editor-in-chief positive role-models, self-confidence and having International Democratic Federation, based at international contexts. Since 2011, she has been of an English-language academic journal “Lithua- the knowledge of how to organise activity and Stockholm University. She is also a lecturer in employed as a lecturer in European Ethnology at nian Historical Studies”. change. These results later lay the ground for Gender Studies at Mid-Sweden University and the Institute for History and Contemporary Stu- her work as a therapist and coach. Her current teaches Gender Studies at Södertörn University. dies at Södertörn University, and is also respon- 2008 research focus on violence in close relationships sible for the European Programme. with an inter-perspective approach: how the per- JOHAN EELLEND AKVILE MOTIEJUNAITE petrator structures violence; how violence effects History, 28 September 2007 (no. 16) ALEKSEI SEMENENKO Sociology, 7 March 2008 (no. 20) the survivor’s psychological and physical health; Thesis: Cultivating the Rural Citizen. Modernity, Slavic Languages, 15 December 2007 (no. 18) Thesis: Female Employment, Gender Roles, and the most efficient treatment methods. She Agrarianism and Citizenship in Late Tsarist Thesis: Hamlet the Sign: Russian Translations and Attitudes: The Baltic Countries in a Broader also studies alternative sexual identity, explaining Estonia of Hamlet and Literary Canon Formation Context different BDSM practices as a combination of coping mechanisms. After receiving his doctorate, Johan Eellend After being awarded his doctorate, Aleksei Se- On completing her doctorate, Akvile Motiejunaite worked at the Institute of Contemporary History menenko participated in two research projects, started work as an analyst for the European at Södertörn University on a research project that “Avant-garde Critic and Engineer Ivan Aksenov Commission in Brussels, Belgium. She studies

12 13 2008 ZHANNA KRAVCHENKO Stockholm, as part of a multidisciplinary research Sociology, 20 May 2008 (no. 22) group focusing on the study of civil society and Thesis: Family (versus) Policy. Combining Work voluntary work. In 2015, he was appointed as- and Care in Russia and Sweden sociate professor at Ersta Sköndal University College, but continued teaching and participating Zhanna Kravchenko completed a postdoctoral in research projects at Södertörn University and project at Lund University’s School of Social Work Lund university. He has worked on research (2009-2012) and a research project on transition projects about Swedish popular education, civil to adulthood supported by the Foundation for society engagement with the EU, and discourses Baltic and East European Studies (2009-2015). on fatherhood in Russia, among other things. Since 2013, Kravchenko has worked as a senior Most recently, he has worked on a research lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Upp- project focusing on Swedish thinktanks, and is sala University, teaching courses in sociology, now starting a new project that dealing with rural social policy and social work at undergraduate civil societies. level. She also participates in several research projects at Södertörn University, including the ANDERS NORDSTRÖM Egle Rindzeviciute 2008 (no. 27) project “The impact of civil society organisa- Political Science, 3 June 2008 (no. 24) tions on the educational achievements of young Thesis: The Interactive Dynamics of Regulation. people in marginalised urban areas of Stockholm Exploring the Council of Europe’s Monitoring of and St Petersburg”, financed by the Foundation Ukraine “I remember my studies as a time for Baltic and East European Studies. She is currently project leader for the project “Supporting After receiving his doctorate, Anders Nordström of multidisciplinary learning” democracy and human rights in illiberal regi- stayed on at Södertörn University working on mes – a case study of a ‘closing space’ for civil research projects and held a postdoc position at What do you remember from your time as a developments as a genuinely integral part of global society in Russia”, financed by the Foundation for CBEES. He continued and expanded the same BEEGS student? What did you take with you history. The explorations of East-East relations and Baltic and East European Studies. Kravchenko’s research theme and was involved in several from your experience here? the links between the state socialist countries and research interests include sociological theory, multidisciplinary projects. He studied the inter- – I remember my studies at BEEGS as a time the global south have brought significant new in- comparative methodology, social policies (inclu- municipal cooperation in the Baltic Sea region as of multidisciplinary learning, attending seminars sights into the complex configurations of power and ding housing and education), transition to adult- a partially organised area, European monitoring that ranged from the philosophy of science to the social, going beyond the nation-centred frame hood, civil society, and social mobilisation. She in the South Caucasus as a form of institutiona- linguistics and economic history, vivid intellectual that dominated much of the earlier research. In ad- has been associate professor in Sociology at the lised cosmopolitanism and emerging forms of exchanges with fellow BEEGS doctoral students, dition to this, environmental humanities is another School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University external auditing of the Swedish police after the enriching expeditions to Baltic and East European extremely important addition to area studies that since 2016. latest police reform. He has been active in Police cities, such as Vilnius, Moscow, Helsinki, and Lviv speaks directly to the concerns of the present. Education at Södertörn University since 2015, — these are just a few places among many oth- Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS PELLE ÅBERG and is currently working full time with teaching ers. What I took from this experience are lasting doctoral students? Political Science, 30 May 2008 (no. 23) and organising police work as an academic friendships and love for Sweden. – My advice would be: aim to finish your thesis Thesis: Translating Popular Education: subject, including the development of a research What are your reflections on current studies on time, keep writing from day one, develop your Civil Society Cooperation between Sweden environment. in the area? national and international networks by attending and Estonia – One of the most exciting developments in East summer schools, conferences and workshops and, European area studies is the “globalisation turn”. last but not least, enjoy, as this is a fabulous oppor- Since receiving his doctorate, Pelle Åberg has Researchers have begun to treat East European tunity to develop your own original research. ● worked at Ersta Sköndal University College in

14 15 2008 2009–2010 Vinnova. About four years ago, I switched to the Swedish Transport Administration, where I now Jenny Svensson 2009 (no. 31) work as chief strategist in the field of research and innovation. What do you remember from your – Even though I did not remain in academia, I time as a BEEGS student? What still work with research and innovation. The Swe- did you take with you from your dish Transport Administration provides funding experience here? to research projects in a wide range of topics, from – Mostly positive memories traffic modelling to self-driving vehicles. I have di- come to mind: new colleagues scussions with researchers, innovative companies who became friends, challen- and public authorities on emerging trends and pos- ging theoretical and methodolo- sible new projects on a regular basis. The transport gical discussions, new ideas and perspectives etc. sector is undergoing a transition to the digital era Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS and it is exciting to take part in this process. doctoral students? Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS – Have fun! Which means, taking the time to be doctoral students? social and choosing courses, conferences and the – The life of a doctoral student can be both like that you really want to attend (rather than ones rewarding and intimidating: there will be moments you “should” or “ought to”). of feeling lost and alone, as well as those of joy and Rein Jüriado 2008 (no. 26) achievement. Doing a PhD requires a considerable amount of self-discipline and long-term determi- nation, so genuine interest in your research topic Carl Cederberg 2010 (no. 35) makes it easier to stay on track. It is also about “Being part of BEEGS perspective: doctoral students have four years of a What do you remember from your reasonably flexible and free life, without too many time as a BEEGS student? What broadened my perspectives” deadlines, and they can spend most of their time did you take with you from your studying a subject that is of great interest to them. experience here? What do you remember from your time as a the foreign doctoral students lived in Flemingsberg Having a positive attitude helps you get through – We were a fun group of doc- BEEGS student? What did you take with you during our first years at BEEGS. This meant that the difficult times. toral students, brought together from your experience here? we met up in the evenings for board games and – I guess most doctoral students also find that by the strange notion of area – From a professional point of view, I recall that even took some daytrips at the weekends. I have they become highly specialised in their field of studies. The bonds between us the interdisciplinary seminars at BEEGS were stayed in touch with some of my fellow doctoral research, which could make it harder to receive were more social than scientific in character. both a challenge and a revelation. Prior to BEEGS, students from the BEEGS years. detailed comments from their peers. So, one piece Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS I had not experienced such a variety of academic What did you do after receiving your doctorate of advice would be to build a network of fellow doctoral students? disciplines in a single setting. Not surprisingly, it and what is your current occupation? doctoral students and other researchers with – Enjoy these years – it is an extreme luxury showed that linguists, sociologists and historians – After getting my PhD, I started a postdoc whom you can discuss, share drafts and perhaps to be allowed to pursue a research project so have very different views on what kind of research position in Uppsala, but got an offer to work in even collaborate on journal articles. thoroughly. methods could be applied, for example. Being Brussels shortly after that. I decided to take this A specific piece of advice to the non-Swedish part of BEEGS, as diverse a group as it is, certainly unique opportunity, moved to Belgium and worked doctoral students is to learn as much Swedish as broadened my perspectives on my own field of for a number of years with transport research at you can. It will help you integrate better in society research. the European Commission. In 2012, I returned to and increase your chances of finding employment – From a more personal point of view, most of Stockholm and joined Sweden’s innovation agency, in Sweden after your studies. ●

16 17 FREDRIK DOESER EGLE RINDZEVICIUTE sible for meta-data specifications, xml-schema, TOMMY LARSSON Political Science, 10 June 2008 (no. 25) Studies of Social Change and Culture, XSLT, contacts with developers and deliverers, Segerlind Business Administration, Thesis: In Search of Security after the Collapse 29 August 2008 (no. 27) and digital preservation. Since October 2016 he 29 May 2009 (no. 30) of the Soviet Union: Foreign Policy Change Thesis: Constructing Soviet Cultural Policy: has been working as a research data analyst at Thesis: Team Entrepreneurship: in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, Cybernetics and Governance in Lithuania Stockholm University Library, advising resear- A Process Analysis of the Venture Team 1988–1993 after World War II chers and curating/managing their research data. and the Venture Team Roles in Relation For the last three years (2018–2020), he has to the Innovation Process After completing his doctorate, Fredrik Doeser Since receiving her doctoral degree, Egle given a lecture on the History of Science in Rus- has worked as a lecturer in Political Science Rindzeviciute has taught cultural policy at De sia at a course run by the Department of Slavic After being awarded his doctorate in 2009, at Södertörn University (2008-2012) and as a Montfort University in Leicester (UK) and has and Baltic Studies, Stockholm University. His Tommy Larsson Segerlind worked as a lecturer lecturer in International Relations at Stockholm completed postdoctoral research into the history lecture builds upon previous work in his thesis in Business Administration at Södertörn Univer- University (2012-2014). Between 2010-2014, he of national museums in the Baltic States at from BEEGS. sity. He has also held positions such as subject also worked as a researcher at the Swedish In- Tema Q, Linköping University (2008-2011). In coordinator, deputy head of school, head of de- stitute of International Affairs. Since then, he has 2009-2012, Rindzeviciute received a Browaldh 2009 partment. He is currently programme coordinator been associate professor in War Studies at the scholarship and was affiliated as a researcher for the multidisciplinary Bachelor’s in Innovation, Swedish Defence University. Currently, his main at Gothenburg Research Institute (GRI), Univer- SOFIE BEDFORD Entrepreneurship and Markets. He still works as research interest is in the relationship between sity of Gothenburg. In 2012, Rindzeviciute was Political Science, 27 February 2009 (no. 29) a lecturer on several courses at all levels, and culture and foreign policy. awarded the title of Associate Professor (Docent) Thesis: Islamic Activism in Azerbaijan: Repression is assistant supervisor for a doctoral student at in Culture Studies by Linköping University. Rind- and Mobilization in a Post-Soviet Context BEEGS. His research is still mainly related to the REIN JÜRIADO zeviciute was appointed chargée de recherche at same topics as his thesis – team entrepreneur- Business Administration, 11 June 2008 Centre d’études européennes at Sciences Po in After obtaining her doctorate on Islamic activism ship and management of innovation. (no. 26) Paris, where she was a member of the Futurepol in Azerbaijan, Sofie Bedford continued empirical Thesis: Learning Within and Between project, funded by the European Research Coun- and theoretical research that overlapped with her JENNY SVENSSON Public-Private Partnerships cil (2012-2015). Since 2015 she has taken up a thesis work, first as a postdoc and then as a re- Business Administration, Rein Jüriado joined the University of Agricultural position as a lecturer and later associate profes- searcher at the Institute for Russian and Eurasian 5 June 2009 (no. 31) Sciences as a postdoctoral researcher, but left to sor, in Criminology and Sociology at Kingston Studies at Uppsala University. Her main research Thesis: The Regulation of Rule Following. work at the European Commission’s Directorate University. Rindzeviciute is also an associate project, funded by the Swedish Research Coun- Imitation and Soft Regulation in the European General for Mobility and Transport. In 2012, he editor of Culture Unbound, an international, open cil, problematised the concept and phenomenon Union started work at VINNOVA, the Swedish innova- access peer-reviewed academic journal that pro- of ‘opposition’ in authoritarian states, focusing tion agency, as a programme manager in the motes novel, interdisciplinary cultural research in on Azerbaijan and Belarus. At the same time, Until recently, Jenny Svensson worked in Busi- Division of Societal Development – Transport, Sweden. she was contributing to another project related to ness Administration and Management at Söder- Environment and Regions. About four years ago, threat perceptions and the protracted conflicts in törn University. She started out in a postdoctoral he switched to the Swedish Transport Adminis- JOAKIM PHILIPSON South Caucasus. Thanks to the projects, she had position and has worked as a lecturer since tration, where he is currently working as chief Slavic Languages, 5 December 2008 (no. 28) the opportunity to work as a visiting researcher 2015. Svensson has been teaching and resear- strategist in the field of research and innovation. Thesis: The Purpose of Evolution: “Struggle at the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, ching within broadly the same area as her docto- Rein has also been the chair of the Estonian for Existence” in the Russian Jewish Press as well as the Institute for Humanities (IWM) in ral thesis: public administration and governance. Choir in Stockholm and a member of the Esto- 1860–1900 Vienna. She is currently teaching East European She is currently conducting research on cultural nian Swedish Chamber of Commerce. Studies at the Department of Political Science, policy and cultural policy change, as well as the Joakim Philipson began work as a librarian at Vienna University and writing a book about op- challenges currently facing the Swedish school the National Library of Sweden in 2008, at the position in post-Soviet authoritarian states. sector. She also works as a performance auditor department of Foreign Literature. In 2013, Phi- for Region Stockholm. lipson was named a meta-data librarian, respon-

18 19 CHARLOTTA HILLERDAL Democracy Commission and was subsequently Kunz works on Nordic security, closely following, She currently works with research, education and Archaeology, 4 December 2009 (no. 32) the principal inquiry secretary for the government notably, the Swedish debate and developments in development at Skillebyholm educational cen- Thesis: People in Between. Ethnicity inquiry tasked with presenting new legislation to the Baltic Sea region. Finally, the Weimar Triangle tre in Järna, Sweden. Among other things, she and Material Identity, a New Approach regulate public funding for faith communities, (France, Germany and Poland) is important to conducts research into tacit knowledge among to Deconstructed Concepts and the inquiry on public funding for civil society Kunz’s work, as well as current Russian foreign organic/biodynamic farmers and coordinates a organisations (SOU 2019:39). In 2019 he worked policy and its repercussions on European security. project called “2000m2 Baltic – Co-creating Food During her doctoral studies, Charlotta Hiller- on a research project at Chalmers on climate Culture and Innovation” with partners in Poland, dal worked as a field archaeologist in Alberta, denial. In 2020, he started work as the principal ANDERS BARTONEK Estonia and Sweden. Canada. In 2010, Hillerdal was appointed to the inquiry secretary for the national Campaign for Philosophy, 21 January 2011 (no. 37) position of lecturer in Archaeology at the Univer- Media Literacy. Thesis: Subjunctive Philosophy. Nonidentity as SUSANNA SJÖDIN LINDENSKOUG sity of Aberdeen’s School of Geosciences. the Place for the Possibility of the Utopian in History, 20 May 2011 (no. 39) CARL CEDERBERG the Negative Dialectics of Theodor W. Adorno Thesis: The Outer Border of Masculinity. MAKIKO KANEMATSU Philosophy, 18 December 2010 (no. 35) (Philosophie im Konjunktiv. Nichtidentität als Ort Trials for Bestiality in Livonia, 1685–1709 Ethnology, 11 December 2009 (no. 33) Thesis: Resaying the Human. Levinas Beyond der Möglichkeit des Utopischen in der negativen (Manlighetens bortre gräns. Tidelagsrättegångar Thesis: Fairytale and Reality: Production Humanism and Anti-humanism Dialektik Theodor W. Adornos) i Livland åren 1685–1709) of Children’s Books in Post-Soviet Latvia (Saga och verklighet. Barnboksproduktion Carl Cederberg is a lecturer and associate profes- Anders Bartonek has worked at Södertörn Susanna Lindenskough has worked as a project i det postsovjetiska Lettland) sor at the Centre for Studies in Practical Know- University since 2011, teaching courses in manager at the Swedish Higher Education Autho- ledge at Södertörn University. He has worked on Philosophy and on both the Teacher Education rity and is currently senior research officer at the After being awarded her doctorate and comple- a research project funded by the Foundation for Programme and the European Programme. Bar- Swedish Defence Research Agency. ting a course in archival science, Makiko Ka- Baltic and East European Studies called “Narrati- tonek worked on the research project, “Hegelian nematsu has worked as an archivist for several ves of Europe”. Marxism” (with Anders Burman) from the Foun- DOMINIKA V. POLANSKA organisations and authorities on a temporary dation for Baltic and East European Studies. Sociology, 20 May 2011 (no. 40) basis. She is currently employed as an archivist 2011 Thesis: The Emergence of Enclaves of Wealth and registrar at Karolinska Institutet. SOFI GERBER, and Poverty. A Sociological Study of Residential BARBARA KUNZ Ethnology, 11 March 2011 (no. 38) Differentiation in Post-communist Poland 2010 Political Science, 14 January 2011 (no. 36) Thesis: East is West but West is Best. East Thesis: Kind Words, Cruise Missiles and German Identity Formation in Unified Germany After receiving her doctorate, Dominika Polanska DANIEL LINDVALL Everything In Between. A Neoclassical Realist (Öst är Väst men Väst är bäst. Östtysk identitets- began a two-year postdoctoral position at CBEES, Sociology, 15 January 2010 (no. 34) Study of the Use of Power Resources in U.S. formering i det förenade Tyskland) working for a year at the University of Gothen- Thesis: The Limits of the European Vision policies towards Poland, Ukraine and Belarus burg in a research project. Polanska has worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An Analysis of 1989–2008 After receiving her doctorate in 2011, Sofi Gerber as a research fellow at the Institute for Housing the Police Reform Negotiations taught at Södertörn university, mainly on the and Urban Research in Uppsala and has recently Barbara Kunz is currently a senior researcher Bachelor’s level European Programme, which she been appointed to a position at Södertörn Univer- After receiving his doctorate, Daniel Lindvall at the University of Hamburg after four years also coordinated for a year. In 2012, she had the sity. Her research interests encompass urban was employed by the Government Offices of as research fellow with the French Institute of opportunity to work in the EU Baltic Sea Region social movements, extra-parliamentary activism, Sweden. In 2013, he became deputy director at International Affairs in Paris, where she works on project, BERAS Implementation. The project’s radicalism, squatting, informal organisation, and the Ministry of Justice, in charge of the drafting Franco-German relations and, more specifically, aim was to reduce eutrophication of the Baltic non-traditional forms of civic engagement. process of the government communication on on France and Germany within the European Sea by recirculationg nutrients in agriculture and democratic policy and the action plan on preven- security architecture. This includes France and changing food habits in the Baltic Sea countries. ting violent extremism. From 2014 to 2016, he Germany and the EU’s Common Security and Since then, she has continued to work with worked as the principal inquiry secretary for the Defence Policy, as well as NATO. Moreover, sustainability in relation to food and agriculture.

20 21 2011 2011–2012

Barbara Kunz 2011 (no. 36) Steffen Werther 2012 (no. 44)

What do you remember from your – A week after my disputation time as a BEEGS student? What I made a long trip to Indonesia for did you take with you from your leisure, but I was invited to join a experience here? research application and ended – What was most rewarding up writing my part in a bungalow to me at BEEGS was gaining on Java. The Swedish Research insights into the Baltic Sea Council financed the project, on region and more broadly Central the Moral Economy of Famine and Eastern Europe. I am also very grateful for the Relief, and I continued working as researcher and thorough methodological training I went through, lecturer at Södertörn University. Afterwards, other even though that what hard for me, as I came from research applications were also successful, so this a school were all the focus was on empirical know- is what I have been doing ever since. Despite some ledge. As a non-Swede, I also discovered Sweden hardships, I have the privilege of doing work that I and Northern Europe -- and I became fluent in love (at least most of the time). I have recently spent Swedish, which is something I would not want to some periods as a guest researcher in other countries, miss. but I never considered leaving Sweden for good, as it has become my Heimat, and that of my children, in Dominika V. Polanska 2011 (no. 40) the best meaning of this German word. ●

“It was fantastic to be part Linus Andersson 2012 (no. 48) of the BEEGS collective” What do you remember from your time as a Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS BEEGS student? What did you take with you doctoral students? What do you remember from your time as a doctoral student. For instance, my thesis revolved from your experience here? –First of all, understand that you are part of BEEGS student? What did you take with you around what was then a rather “new” phenomenon – My main impression is that BEEGS was a what makes up the research environment and that from your experience here? in CEE countries – gated communities – and I am generous and diverse, multidisciplinary research your contribution to it is as important as anyone – It was fantastic to become part of the BEEGS sure that research dealing with gated communities environment. I remember the social events: back- else’s. Doing a PhD is a process that involves collective, and that welcoming feeling that came in the area has since developed significantly. gammon nights, academic Friday wine, Christmas periods of doubt and loss of confidence, so it is from the administrators who worked like spiders Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS parties and field trips, spontaneously arranged important to remember that you are an asset to the in a web and had the answers to all our questions. doctoral students? reading groups. I also recall two-hour lunches environment. Secondly, accept that multidiscipli- I am particularly thinking of Lena Arvidson, Nina – Enjoy your time as a doctoral researcher and engaged in discussions about research, politics, and nary work can be time-consuming and sometimes Cajhamre and Ewa Rogström. take this fantastic opportunity to learn something culture. I remember a supportive staff of administra- challenging. But it is rewarding as well, at BEEGS What are your reflections on current studies about the world outside and inside academia. Don’t tors who always had the doctoral students’ best inte- you will meet colleagues and make friends that you in the area? forget that there is life outside of work and after rests in mind. In 2006 there was a pioneering spirit, probably would not meet at a homogeneous uni- – It depends on what research field we are your doctorate! ● and the doctoral students participated in building discipline department. Finally, have fun and enjoy talking about. If it is studies in the Baltic Sea the research environment. I visited tons of doctoral the benefits of a fully funded doctorate at one of region, I think it has evolved since I first became a defences, and ate a considerable amount of cake. Sweden’s most vibrant universities. ●

22 23 EMELIE LILLIEFELDT 2012 has been a postdoctoral researcher in the inter- tureship in Media and Communication Studies at Political Science, 9 December 2011 (no. 41) national project on “New Religious Cultures in Södertörn University and continues to research Thesis: European Party Politics and Gender. STEFFEN WERTHER late Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia” based at Jo- and teach on questions of democracy and media Configuring Gender Balanced Parliamentary History, 17 February 2012 (no. 44) hannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2018. technologies. Anne Kaun has also been director Presence Thesis: SS Visions and Borderland Realities. Within this project, she also founded the New of studies at BEEGS. The Fate of the “Greater Germanic” Ideology in Age in Russia blog, dedicated to research on Political Science graduate Emelie Lilliefeldt South Jutland, (SS-Vision und Grenzland-Realität esoteric movements in Russia since the 1960s. LINUS ANDERSSON currently works as an investigator at Saco, the – Vom Umgang dänischer und „volksdeutscher” Media and Communication Studies, Swedish Confederation of Professional Associa- Nationalsozialisten in Sønderjylland mit der KRISTIN ILVES 5 October 2012 (no. 48) tions, where she is responsible for education and „großgermanischen” Ideologie der SS) Archaeology, 25 May 2012 (no. 46) Thesis: Alternative Television: Forms of Critique research issues. Thesis: Seaward Landward. Investigations on the in Television Produced by Artists (Alternativ tele- Steffen Werther currently works as a senior Archaeological Source Value of the Landing Site vision. Former av kritik i konstnärlig TV-produktion) ANDREAS JOHANSSON lecturer at Södertörn University’s School of Category in the Baltic Sea Region Political Science, 15 December 2011 (no. 42) Contemporary History and has been involved as Immediately after completing his doctorate, Linus Thesis: Dissenting Democrats. Nation and a researcher in the project, “The Moral Eco- After receiving her doctorate in 2012, Kristin Ilves Andersson started working for the Swedish Media Democracy in the Republic of Moldova nomy of Global Civil Society: A History of Private spent a year as a lecturer in archaeology at the Council on a report that came out in 2013, “Pro- Transnational Food Aid”, funded by the Swedish University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Thereafter, violent and Anti-democratic Messages on the In- In 2011 Johansson started to work at Sida’s Research Council. Werther has also published she worked for five years as an antiquarian at the ternet”. At the same time, Andersson remained at Eastern Europe Unit and defended his doctoral on environmentalism within the contemporary Cultural History Museum on the island of Åland. Södertörn University to teach Media and Commu- thesis later the same year. His thesis has been German far right and on SS-veteran organisa- She then moved to Norway where she had “one of nication Studies. In 2014, Andersson also started translated into Romanian. In addition to a strong tions’ memory work in the Baltic Sea region and the most creative and fun jobs ever”, working with teaching at Konstfack University College of Crafts geographical focus on Eastern Europe, Johans- Eastern Europe after 1990. He has been invol- archaeological film within development-led archa- and Design, where he taught Media and Visual son has worked for more than six years at the ved in the research project “Police, Experts and eology at the University Museum of Bergen. In Communication. In July 2015, Andersson started Swedish Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Race – Handling the ‘Gypsie Plague’ in Denmark, 2018, she received a tenure-track professorship in his current position as lecturer in Media and He is currently employed as senior advisor at the Sweden and Latvia 1930–1945” since 2016, maritime archaeology at the University of Helsinki, Communication Studies, at Halmstad University. Asia Unit, Sida, Stockholm. studying “Danish ‘Gypsy Experts’ 1920–1950 and therefore sees her academic future as tightly – A Sonderweg?” bound with the city of Helsinki in Finland. 2013 OLA SVENONIUS Political Science, 16 December 2011 (no. 43) ANNA TESSMANN ANNE KAUN FREDRIK STIERNSTEDT Thesis: Sensitising Urban Transport Security. Study of Religions, 16 May 2012 (no. 45) Media and Communication Studies, Media and Communication Studies, Surveillance and Policing in Berlin, Stockholm, Thesis: On the Good Faith. A Fourfold Discursive 1 June 2012 (no. 47) 18 January 2013 (no. 49) and Warsaw Construction of Zoroastrianism in Contemporary Thesis: Civic Experiences and Public Connection. Thesis: From Radio Factory to Media House Russia Media and Young People in Estonia (Från radiofabrik till mediehus. Medieförändring After receiving his doctorate, Ola Svenonius och medieproduktion på MTG-radio) remained at Södertörn University as a resear- Since 2012, Anna Tessmann has worked as After receiving her doctorate, Anne Kaun worked cher, and has been coordinating the research a lecturer at the Institute for Islamic Studies as research fellow in Media and Communica- After being awarded his doctorate, Fredrik Stiern- project, “Like fish in water: Surveillance in post- at Heidelberg University, where she has been tion Studies at Södertörn University. After seven stedt received a lectureship in Media and Com- communist societies”, funded by the Foundation responsible for courses in Persian language and months, she received a VR international postdoc munication Studies at Jönköping University, where for Baltic and East European Studies. After a various seminars in History of Religions in Iran. In grant and moved to the US, more specifically he worked 2013-2015. As of September 2015, postdoc position at Stockholm University, he has 2015, she collaborated with Michael Stausberg Philadelphia, to work on a project on media prac- Fredrik is again at Södertörn University, as a lec- been employed as a senior researcher at the and Yuhan. S.-D. Vevaina on the Wiley-Blackwell tices within protest movements. Since returning turer in Media and Communication Studies. In ad- Swedish Defence Research Agency. Companion to the Study of Zoroastrianism. She to Sweden in January 2015, Kaun has held a lec- dition to teaching, Stiernstedt leads two research

24 25 2013–2014 projects: one on the practice and practitioners of rent research project, based at Södertörn Univer- media industries (financed by FORTE 2015-2018), sity and funded by the Swedish Research Council, Anna Kharkina 2013 (no. 54) and one on social class and media (financed by she is studying young women’s experiences of the Swedish Research Council 2015-2018). living in marginalised areas in Stockholm with the What do you remember from your time as a BEEGS aim of understanding how more equal and sus- student? What did you take with you from your ELISABETH HEMBY tainable cities can be built. She is also currently experience here? Art History, 1 March 2013 (no. 50) involved in an international survey about stress and – BEEGS was an island, where those who were Thesis: History Painting and Pictures from Every- coping with stress during the coronavirus pande- interested in studying Baltic region could find sup- day Life. The Artistry of Tatyana Nazarenko in the mic, which includes countries such as Sweden, port and build a research community. I found both Soviet Union during the 1970s (Historiemåleri och Bulgaria, China and Brazil. teachers and students highly dedicated to area bilder av vardag. Tatjana Nazarenkos konstnär- studies. It was also a place where we could speak skap i 1970-talets Sovjet) BEATE FELDMANN EELLEND so many languages, a real international place for Ethnology, 24 May 2013 (no. 52) young researchers. Elisabeth Hemby continues conducting research, Thesis: Visionary Plans and Everyday Practices. What are your reflections on current studies maintaining contact with the Uppsala Centre for Post-military Landscape in the Baltic Sea Area in the area? Russian and Eurasian Studies, and applying for (Visionära planer och vardagliga praktiker. Post- – I was researching the Nordic and Nordic- funding for further projects. She also cultivates militära landskap i Östersjöområdet) Baltic cultural cooperation. Not so much has been contact with museums, and her doctoral thesis written in this field since, but I know that my thesis was particularly relevant to a recent exhibition at Beate Feldman Eellend has worked as a research provided inspiration for several related studies in Sweden’s Nationalmuseum. Hemby participated administrator for Formas Research Council and is art history and gender studies. ● in the CBEES’ 2014 annual conference (Baltic currently a handling officer at the National Library Sea Region and Eastern Europe: A new genera- of Sweden, responsible for issues concerning tion on the move), with the presentation, “Stories publishing and Open Access. of Kinship. Tatyana Nazarenko and the Image of Fredrik Jörgensen, 2014 (no. 57) Anna Danielsson 2014 (no. 58) Loss and Memory.” NIKOLAY ZAKHAROV Sociology, 14 June 2013 (no. 53) – My firm has two lawyers What do you remember from your TANYA JUKKALA Thesis: Attaining Whiteness. A Sociological Study and is expanding. The research time as BEEGS-student? What Sociology, 12 April 2013 (no. 51) of Race and Racialization in Russia I did on law and economics and did you take with you from that Thesis: Suicide in Russia. A Macro-sociological legal sociology has given me a experience? Study After receiving his doctorate in 2013, Nikolay far greater understanding of – A great and rewarding Zakharov has published the highly acclaimed how law works. I am the only international and multidiscipli- After receiving her doctorate, Tanya Jukkala had re- book Race and Racism in Russia (2015), fol- PhD in Business Administration nary environment. Do you have search funding from the SCOHOST project, “Health lowed by Post-Soviet Racisms (2017, with Ian that I know how who regularly any advice for our new BEEGS and population developments in Eastern Europe in Law). In 2017, he joined the Department of Social litigates in Sweden. doctoral students? the conditions of economic crisis” and taught So- Sciences at Södertörn University on a tenured – I miss research somewhat, and will launch my – I would advise them to simply spend time at ciology at Södertörn University. From 2014 to 2015, position as a senior lecturer in Sociology. He thesis “The Law Businessman” in Swedish. I will BEEGS, go to the seminars, and try to find a good Jukkala worked as a lecturer in Social Psychology currently leads two research projects: on anti- present my thesis online, in videos. I think all resear- balance between being involved in BEEGS and in at the University of Skövde. Recently, she has racism in Brazil, South Africa, Sweden, and the chers should make an online resume of their doctoral your ‘home’ department. ● worked on a large multidisciplinary research project United Kingdom (financed by Swedish Research research online – it would be more personal and ac- on marginalised areas in Stockholm, funded by the Council), and on religion and nation-building in cessible than in writing. It surprises me that not every Knowledge Foundation, with a focus on meeting Belarus (financed by the Foundation for Baltic researcher makes a clip online about their publica- places, social capital and wellbeing. In her cur- and East European Studies) tions to make them more accessible to everyone. ●

26 27 ANNA KHARKINA and the county councils of Stockholm and Ble- CARINA GUYARD University. This position, and a general longing for History, 23 September 2013 (no. 54) kinge, amongst others. She has also carried out Media and Communication Studies, less stress, took his family to Nora, a picturesque Thesis: From Kinship to Global Brand: research on two submarine wrecks from World 14 February 2014 (no. 59) town north of Örebro, where, according to Erik, you The Discourse on Culture in Nordic Cooperation War II in the Sea of Åland, funded by a research Thesis: Communication Work from a Distance find the best ice cream in Sweden. after World War II grant from the Government of Åland. The results (Kommunikationsarbete på distans) of this project are presented in the book, Stalins ERIKA LUNDELL After her doctorate, Anna Kharkina chose to ubåtar: En arkeologisk undersökning av vraken Carina Guyard received her doctorate in 2014, Ethnology, 10 June 2014 (no. 62) complement her academic background with efter S7 och SC-305 [Stalin’s Submarines: An and has taught Media and Communication Thesis: Embodied Fiction and Fictionalized a vocational education in Archival Science at Archaeological Investigation of the Wrecks of S7 Studies at Södertörn University, where she is cur- Bodies. Live Action Role-playing in the Baltic Sea Stockholm University. She is currently working as and SC-305], published by Södertörn University rently employed as senior lecturer. Region (Förkroppsligad fiktion och fiktionaliserade an archivist and records manager. in September 2015. kroppar – levande rollspel i Östersjöregionen) MARKUS HUSS FLORENCE FRÖHLIG FREDRIK JÖRGENSEN Literature, 9 May 2014 (no. 60) After receiving her doctorate, Erika Lundell has Ethnology, 27 September 2013 (no. 55) Business Administration, Thesis: The Acoustics of Resistance: taught Gender Studies and Ethnology at Söder- Thesis: A Painful Legacy of World War II: Nazi 24 January 2014 (no. 57) On Language and Noise in the Works of Peter törn University and Linneaus University. She has Forced Enlistment: Alsatian/Mosellan Prisoners Thesis: The Law BusinessmanTM: Five Essays Weiss 1946–1960 (Motståndets akustik. Språk also been involved in evaluating courses and of War and the Soviet Prison Camp of Tambov on Legal Self-efficacy and Business Risk och (o)ljud hos Peter Weiss 1946–1960) teaching at the Department of Design at Linneaus University. She is currently working as a lecturer After her thesis and a couple of years devoted Fredrik Jörgensen works as a business and legal After being awarded his doctorate in 2014, Mar- at Malmö University’s Department of Childhood, to teaching, Florence Fröhlig has held postdoc- consultant and runs currently his own law firm, kus Huss worked as a research coordinator and Education and Society. Her current research toral positions, one on the NORFACE research Ekonomie Doktor Fredrik Jörgensen Rättsakuten lecturer at Södertörn University. After six months project focuses on play-based education and programme about the future of welfare states in AB, in Stockholm. He mostly litigates business as visiting lecturer in Scandinavian Studies at the conditions for play in a/symmetrical relationships. a transnational Europe (TRANSWEL) and the se- law for domestic and international clients. University of Massachusetts, US, in the spring cond in the research project “Nuclear Legacies: of 2017, followed by four months as lecturer in NIKLAS ERIKSSON Negotiating radioactivity in France, Russia, and ANNA DANIELSSON Comparative Literature at Karlstad University, in Archaeology, 26 September 2014 (no. 63) Sweden”. She is currently working in the “Atomic Political Science, 30 January 2014 (no. 58) 2018 he was employed as assistant professor Thesis: Urbanism and Sail: An Archaeology Heritage Goes Critical” research project. She Thesis: On the Power of Informal Economies in German literature at Stockholm University’s of Fluit Ships in Early Modern Everyday Life has also been involved with the development of and the Informal Economies of Power: Rethinking Department of Slavic and Baltic Studies, Finnish, Romani Studies at Södertörn University and ad- Informality, Resilience and Violence in Kosovo Dutch and German. He is chair of the Scholarly After receiving his doctorate, Niklas Eriksson held ministrates the RJ research programme ”Romani Advisory Council for the Baltic Worlds journal. a postdoc position on the “Ships at War” project Language Repertoires in an Open World”. She is After receiving her doctorate, Anna Danielson remai- at Södertörn University. He has been involved in currently director of studies at BEEGS. ned at Södertörn University to teach. In late 2014 ERIK LÖFMARCK several shipwreck studies and wrote the mono- and early 2015, Danielson worked as a postdoctoral Sociology, 5 June 2014 (no. 61) graphy Riksäpplet: Arkeologiska perspektiv på ett 2014 fellow at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Da- Thesis: The Hand that Feeds. A Study of Risk, bortglömt regalskepp. During his second postdoc nielson received a three-year postdoctoral position Food and Motherhood in Sweden and Poland at the Centre for Maritime Studies at Stockholm ANNA MCWILLIAMS at the Department of Political Science at Uppsala (Den hand som föder dig. En studie av risk, mat University he wrote a book about Medieval and Archaeology, 10 January 2014 (no. 56) University, financed by the Swedish Research och moderskap i Sverige och Polen) Early Modern sailing routes in the Stockholm Thesis: An Archaeology of the Iron Curtain: Council. As part of the project, she spent two years archipelago from a maritime archaeological Material and Metaphor in Aberystwyth, UK, and one year in Uppsala wor- After his doctorate, Erik Löfmarck has continued perspective (under publication). He has been as- king on the epistemic conditions of peacebuilding. his research about risk and uncertainty in different sociate professor and employed as a researcher Anna McWilliams has worked as a consultant and Danielson is currently an assistant professor in war realms of society, first as a postdoc and currently as at the Department of Archaeology and Classical researcher for the Swedish Maritime Museums studies at the Swedish Defence University. associate professor and head of division at Örebro Studies at Stockholm University since 2019.

28 29 2015 HENRIETTE CEDERLÖF rate, and is currently teaching future journalists Slavic Languages/Comparative Literature, and conducting research about documentary “I appreciated the truly 27 September 2014 (no. 64) photography education in Russia and Sweden. Thesis: Alien Places in Late Soviet Science Following her doctorate, she worked as a lecturer Fiction: The “Unexpected Encounters” of Arkady at various Swedish universities and on a research international profile” and Boris Strugatsky as Novels and Films project about journalistic culture in Ukraine.

Yuliya Yurchuk 2015 (no. 69) Henriette Cederlöf’s thesis received the Royal ANDERS BLOMQVIST Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Anti- History, 15 November 2014 (no. 67) quities research award, Björnestjernska priset. Thesis: Economic Nationalizing in the Ethnic What do you remember from your time as a Cederlöf has visited Japan several times since Borderlands of Hungary and Romania: Inclusion, BEEGS student? What did you take with you August 2015, when she participated in the IC- Exclusion and Annihilation in Szatmár/Satu-Mare from your experience here? CEES IX World Congress in Makuhari, Japan. She 1867–1944 – As BEEGS student I appreciated the truly currently works at a government agency and is international profile of the students who were also involved in the formulation of a research project After his doctorate, Anders Blomqvist was a doctoral students at that time, as well as multina- on popular culture and the new space age. researcher on a project at Södertörn University, tional profile of the lecturers whose courses we “Roma Holocaust in Ukraine”. He taught also took. Many of these students became my good EKATERINA KALININA history at Uppsala University and worked at friends. Interdisciplinarity was not only a word, Media and Communication Studies, Upplandsmuseet as an administrative manager. it was the spirit of our doctoral programmes and I 3 October 2014 (no. 65) In 2019, he started work as a researcher at the liked it a lot. For me, my years as a BEEGS student Thesis: Mediated Post-Soviet Nostalgia Hugo Valentin Centre, Uppsala University, wor- were the best introduction into the world of aca- king on the comparative project: “The Unwanted demia I could imagine as a student: I could attend After her doctorate, Ekaterina Kalinina has worked Citizens: The Holocaust and the Aryanization of all the conferences I was interested in, the library at the Swedish Defence University, Örebro Univer- Jewish Property in Romania and the Indepen- assisted in getting all books I needed, I did research sity and Stockholm University, teaching media and dent State of Croatia (NDH), 1940–1945”. travels to archives and conducted fieldwork as communication and researching Russian culture. In often as I needed. It was great time! I am working now there is a better understanding of fluidity of 2016, she received two postdoctoral grants (one from ANN-JUDITH RABENSCHLAG now on new projects with many of the people I the concepts we use to approach the Baltic and Swedish Institute and another one from Swedish History, 12 December 2014 (no. 68) met as BEEGS student, with some of them we have East European region and we are more aware of the Research Council) and moved to Denmark to work Thesis: Peoples’ Friendship as Required: worked together on different projects in the past, situatedness of the knowledge we use and produce. on digital archives. Since her return to Sweden she Foreign Workers in the Perception of GDR State co-authored articles, organised conferences, and I am convinced that studies in this area will be topi- has been employed by Jönköping University and is and People (Völkerfreundschaft nach Bedarf: arranged panels at big international conferences. I cal for years and decades to come, considering the developing cultural exchanges between Sweden and Ausländische Arbeitskräfte in der Wahrnehmung used my time as BEEGS student to the maximum gaps in the knowledge we have and the everchang- Russia, using a Swedish NGO’s platform, Nordkonst. von Staat und Bevölkerung der DDR) and I really enjoyed it. ing context we are living in. What are your reflections on current studies Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS LIUDMILA VORONOVA After receiving her doctorate, Ann-Judith Ra- in the area? doctoral students? Media and Communication Studies, benschlag worked for two years as a lecturer – Studies in this area are a vibrant field. On – My advice for the new BEEGS doctoral 24 October 2014 (no. 66) in History and research coordinator for Histo- the one hand, we can see that the area itself has students is very brief: use your time wisely, enjoy Thesis: Gendering in Political Journalism: rical Studies at Södertörn University. In 2016, disintegrated. What area are we talking about? The being a doctoral student in such a vibrant intellec- A Comparative Study of Russia and Sweden she started an international postdoc from the situation in 1990s was quite different, for instance, tual environment, try your most courageous ideas Swedish Research Council and has worked as from that what we have now. On the other hand, we but, first of all, enjoy this unique opportunity to Liudmila Voronova has continued working at a researcher at both Stockholm University and can still see gaps in knowledge about the countries, concentrate on something you truly love for four Södertörn University after receiving her docto- Freiburg university, Germany. regions, people that belong to the “area”. I think years, this time is precious. ●

30 31 2015 IVETA JURKANE HOBEIN NIKLAS NILSSON MARCO NASE Sociology, 27 March 2015 (no. 71) Political Science, 18 September 2015 (no. 73) History, May 27, 2016 (no. 75) YULIYA YURCHUK Thesis: I Imagine You Here Now. Relationship Thesis: Beacon of Liberty: Role Conceptions, Thesis: Academics and Politics. Northern History, 28 January 2015 (no. 69) Maintenance Strategies in Long-Distance Crises and Stability in Georgia’s Foreign Policy, European Area Studies at Greifswald University, Thesis: Reordering Meaningful Worlds: Memory Intimate Relationships 2004-2012 1917–1991 of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalist and Ukrainian Insurgent Army in Post-Soviet Ukraine After completing her doctorate, Iveta participated After his doctorate, Niklas Nilsson worked as a After his doctorate, Marco Nase began a postdoc in a research project at the University of Latvia lecturer and research coordinator for the Swedish project and spent a great deal of time teach- Since receiving her doctorate, Yuliya Yurchuk has on “Emigrant Communities of Latvia”, where her Network of European Studies at the Department ing. As he says, “I never wanted to become a worked at the Centre for Baltic and East Euro- focus was on the national identity building of of Government, Uppsala University. He has been teacher, but it turns out I love it”. pean Studies, Södertörn University, where she is Russian-speaking Latvian migrants in Sweden employed as an assistant professor at the Swe- responsible for organising the weekly advanced and the UK. She then changed her research dish Defence University since 2017. JENNI RINNE seminars. She held a research position in Media focus and joined the market insights team at the Ethnology, June 3, 2016 (no. 76) and Communication Studies on a project dedi- Carlsberg Group in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since 2016 Thesis: Searching for authentic living through cated to the role of propaganda in the Ukrainian- the end of 2016, Iveta has worked at the RepTrak native faith: The Maausk movement in Estonia Russian conflict. Her main fields of interest inclu- Company, previously known as Reputation Insti- FRANCESCO ZAVATTI de memory politics in East European countries, tute. Iveta is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. History, May 20, 2016 (no. 74) After her doctoral studies, Jenni Rinne returned the history of the Second World War, nationalism, Thesis: Writing History in a Propaganda to Finland where she is working as a university and state- and nation-building in Ukraine. She KATHARINA WESOLOWSKI Institute. Political power and network dynamics lecturer in European Ethnology at the University is currently completing her postdoctoral project Sociology, 17 April 2015 (no. 72) in communist Romania of Helsinki. Besides writing peer-review articles, about the role of the church and religion in the Thesis: Maybe Baby? Reproductive Behaviour, she has been editor-in-chief of the anthology formation of public representation of history and Fertility Intentions, and Family Policies in Post- After being awarded his doctorate, Francesco Emotions and Affects in Cultural Studies. Jenni the applicability of post-colonial theory in the communist Countries with a Special Focus on Zavatti has lectured at Stockholm University and Rinne is currently vice-chair of the learned analysis of cultural memory in Ukraine. Ukraine at Roma Tre University. He has also been invol- society Ethnos Ry, which connects ethnologists ved in several research projects. One project, nationwide and publishes and organises semi- JAAKKO TURUNEN After receiving her doctorate, Katharina Weso- “The moral economy of the global civil society”, nars and conferences. Political Science, 13 February 2015 (no. 70) lowski worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the led by Professor Norbert Götz at the Institute of Thesis: Semiotics of Politics. Dialogicality Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm Contemporary History at Södertörn University, CECILIA ANNELL of Parliamentary Talk University, for around two years. From 2017 to led him to the Italian ecclesiastical archives. Cur- Comparative Literature, June 8, 2016 (no. 77) 2019, she was a lecturer on courses in quantita- rently, Zavatti is lecturer at Roma Tre University Thesis: Begärets politiska potential. Feministiska After receiving his doctorate in 2015, Jaakko Tu- tive methods for the Department of Sociology at and is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute motståndsstrategier i Elin Wägners “Pennskaftet”, runen first taught political science at the Depart- Uppsala University. From 2019 to 2020, she was of Contemporary History at Södertörn University, Gabriele Reuters “Aus guter Familie”, ment of Political Science and then increasingly in director of studies for Bachelor’s and Master’s on the project “Memory Politics in Far Right Hilma Angered-Strandbergs “Lydia Vik” och the Department of Social Work, both at Södertörn levels at the department. She has published Europe: Celebrating Nazi Collaborationists in Grete Meisel-Hess “Die Intellektuellen” University. where he successfully applied for a several articles as the sole author, as well as wor- Post–1989 Belarus, Romania, Flanders and Den- lectureship in 2019. king papers in cooperation with demographers mark”, financed by the Foundation for Baltic and After receiving her doctorate, Cecilia Annell from Stockholm University. In September 2020 East European Studies, and led by former BEEGS taught at Södertörn University for a few years, she started a permanent position as a lecturer in student Andrej Kotljarchuk, with Madeleine Hurd before moving to the University of Gävle. Sociology at Örebro University. and former BEEGS student, Steffen Werther.

32 33 2016 2017 whose help later became pivotal for my fieldwork. Linn Rabe 2017 (no. 79) It was a pleasure to meet them all at the last CBEES conference in 2019! What are your reflections on current studies What do you remember from your in the area? time as a BEEGS student? What – I would say that the multidisciplinary ap- did you take with you from your proach of Baltic and East European Studies is a experience here? necessity in order to analyse complex scholarly – Conducting and com- matters. I can tell you about my present expe- municating research in such a rience, in order to make my point. In my present heterogenous and challenging, postdoctoral project, I am focusing on the memory yet rich, environment was a politics of the Romanian far right after 1989. The great experience for me. Through this experience, theoretical and methodological tools that I have I strongly believe I became better suited to naviga- acquired during my graduate studies mainly from ting international and multidisciplinary working history, and ethnology, sociology, but also from groups. I am particularly pleased with the expe- Mark Bassin’s BEEGS doctoral course on natio- rience I gained in workplace related organisation, nalism, are now essential for exploring memory editorial processes and research communication. studies and analysing the subject matter. I think What are your reflections on current studies that without a proper training in East European in the area? Francesco Zavatti 2016 (no. 74) Studies, and without previous knowledge of the – I am very intrigued by the emerging, truly region’s history and culture, this task would have multidisciplinary projects, especially within the been difficult – if not impossible. The most recent human/nature nexus. To understand complex “I was amazed by the truly CBEES conference, on 1989, was particularly questions regarding environmental degradation, inspiring, having granted me the opportunity to shrinking democratic space, food sovereignty and network with many experts in memory studies, climate change adaptation, we need multidisci- international environment” and to present our project’s preliminary research plinary collaborations, area studies and creative in a very lively panel. scholars like the ones fostered by BEEGS. What do you remember from your time as a doctoral courses, seminars, and conferences with Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS BEEGS student? What did you take with you a focus on Baltic and East European Studies, and doctoral students? doctoral students? from your experience here? the wide horizon of research interests, theories and – Well, I say “congratulations” and “welcome” – Take this opportunity to explore different per- – I enrolled in BEEGS as doctoral student in methods that were discussed. I am convinced that to the first year BEEGS students. I would invite spectives, challenge your research biases and play 2011, together with 14 colleagues in history, socio- learning is a never-ending process and the time at them to focus for the first two years on the docto- with different approaches. Apart from developing logy, political sciences, ethnology, and business ad- BEEGS was very inspiring (and pleasant) in this ral courses, so that they can gradually improve (or your skills as a researcher, this is life experience ministration. I came from the University of Mode- sense. even rethink) their project; a second suggestion is for critical thinking, providing and dealing with na and Reggio Emilia in Italy, and more specifically – This was on a general level. More specifically, to make use of the resources of the Södertörn Uni- constructive criticism, networking and managing from a Master’s that focused on conflict resolution, the focus on Baltic and East European countries versity Library – the librarians always fulfil your projects. Try to have some fun with it, nurture your my education has involved history, sociology, anth- has shown me new ways of thinking that I interna- wishes for interlibrary loans and, 99% of the time, communal spirit and take interest in your fellow ropology, and linguistics, so I was not completely lised and used in my doctoral thesis. So, beside be- even for book and journal acquisitions. Finally, I’d doctoral students. Meaningful relationships, allies, new to multidisciplinary encounters. However, in ing inspiring and pleasant, this experience has also suggest that they network as much as they can, safe space and friends are crucial in this line of this regard I was amazed by two things: by the truly been rewarding. As well as theories and methods, since the global contacts they will develop thanks work. ● international scholarly environment that BEEGS I also remember that the professors at CBEES to their doctoral studies at BEEGS will stay with had put together and was developing through helped me to network with colleagues in Romania, them for many years after the dissertation. ●

34 35 RAMONA RAT SANJA OBRENO JOHANSSON projects. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at JULIA MALITSKA Philosophy, October 21, 2016 (no. 78) Sociology, March 17, 2017 (no. 81) Umeå University. History, Juni 2, 2017 (no. 87) Thesis: Un-common Sociality: Thinking Sociality Thesis: Från kombifeminism till rörelse. Thesis: Negotiating Imperial Rule: Colonists with Levinas Kvinnlig serbisk organisering i förändring. NATALYA YAKUSHEVA JARLEBRING and Marriage in the Nineteenth Century Black Environmental Science, May 12, 2017 (no. 84) Sea Steppe Since her PhD, Ramona Rat has worked as a Directly after finishing her doctorate, Sanja Thesis: Parks, Policies and People: Nature senior lecturer at Södertörn University and as Obrenović Johansson was employed as a senior Conservation Governance in Postsocialist EU After completing her doctorate in 2017, Julia visiting lecturer at Uppsala University. She is lecturer in Social Work at Södertörn University, Countries Malitska worked as a lecturer at the School of currently teaching courses in Philosophy and on where she is still working. Historical and Contemporary Studies at Söder- Teachers Education at Södertörn University. After completing her doctoral, Natalya joined the törn University. She has been a postdoc resear- MARYAM ADJAM Department of Forest Sciences at the University cher at CBEES since 2019. 2017 Ethnology, March 23, 2017 (no. 82) of Helsinki as a postdoc in international forest Thesis: Minnesspår – Hågkomstens rum policy. Her project focused on exploring the MAARJA SAAR LINN RABE och rörelse i skuggan av flykt EU’s forest-related policies and their implications Sociology, September 29, 2017 (no. 88) Environmental Science, for EU climate commitments. She particularly Thesis: The Answers You Seek Will Never 24 February 2017 (no. 79) After completing her doctorate, Maryam Adjam investigated the multiple interests and power Be Found At Home: Reflexivity, biographical nar- Thesis: Participation and legitimacy – Actor worked as researcher and curator at the Nordic relations among the stakeholders. In her role as ratives and lifestyle migration among involvement in planning for Nature Conversation Museum, Stockholm, exploring decolonising a postdoc, she has also enjoyed teaching and highly-skilled Estonians approaches to museum collections of stories creative public outreach assignments. She has Following the completion of her doctorate, Linn and memory tales. Her current postdoctoral also continued her involvement with internatio- Maarja Saar is currently working as a postdocto- Rabe is now working as head of education and project, “The Heritage of the Missing”, focuses nal development cooperation and worked as a ral fellow at Södertörn University and has been communication at the Swedish office of Framtids- on absence as a concept in relation to processes consultant on climate change and sustainability employed there ever since she completed her jorden, an international network of environmental of remembrance and heritage making. Maryam related policy matters. doctorate. civil society organisations who use participation Adjam is currently a postdoctoral researcher at as their fundamental method for change. the Department of Culture and Media Studies, KRYSTOF KASPRZAK LOVISA ANDÉN Umeå University. Her research interest includes Philosophy, May 24, 2017 (no. 85) Philosophy, 6 October 2017 (no. 89) EKATERINA TARASOVA the fields of memory studies and critical heri- Thesis: Vara – Framträdande – Värld: Thesis: Litteratur och erfarenhet i Merleau-Pontys Political Science, March 10, 2017 (no. 80) tage studies. Using imaginative ethnographical Fenomenets negativitet hos Martin Heidegger, läsning av Proust, Valéry och Stendahl [Literature Thesis: Anti-nuclear movements in discursive methodologies, such as ethnographic poetics, Jan Patocka och Eugen Fink and Experience in Merleau-Ponty’s Reading and political contexts: Between expert voices she explores the intersection between ethno- of Proust, Valéry and Stendahl] and local protests graphy, art and literature, focusing on practices After his doctorate, Krystof Kasprzak has taught of remembrance in relation to experiences of war at Södertörn University and is now employed at Lovisa Andén is currently a postdoctoral fellow in After her doctorate, Ekaterina Tarasova taught at and state-sanctioned violence. the Centre for Studies in Practical Knowledge. He Aesthetics at Södertörn University, on a project Södertörn University and Stockholm University. is currently working on a postdoc funded by the funded by the Foundation for Baltic and East She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at JENNY INGRIDSDOTTER Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies. European Studies. Tema T, Linköping University. Ethnology, May 5, 2017 (no. 83) Thesis: The Promises of the Free World: MARTIN KELLNER Postsocialist Experience in Argentina and Environmental Science, June 1, 2017 (no. 86) the Making of Migrants, Race, and Coloniality Thesis: Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in the environment: Effects of citalopram on fish After completing her doctorate, Jenny Ingridsdot- behaviour ter has worked as a research assistant on various

36 37 JULIA VELKOVA ÖBERG 2018 2019 rent environmental challenges. Namely, forming Media and Communication Studies, a baseline for the ecological carrying capacity 8 December 2017 (no. 90) KARIN EDBERG ALEXANDER STAGNELL for coastal fish populations from historical and Thesis: Media technologies in the making: Sociology, 28 March 2018 (no. 93) Diplomacy, 5 April 2019 (no. 96) archaeological sources, and investigating medi- user driven software and infrastructures for Thesis: Energilandskap i förändring: Inramningar Thesis: The Ambassador’s Letter: aeval cod fishing in the central Baltic, which may computer graphics production av kontroversiella lokaliseringar på norra Gotland On the Less Than Nothing of Diplomacy shed light on a recently (re)discovered population (Changing energy landscapes: framing controver- of cod, almost fished to extinction during histori- After her doctorate, Julia Velkova Öberg started a sial localisations on northern Gotland) Since receiving his doctorate, Alexander Stag- cal times, genetically adapted to the less saline postdoc position at Helsinki University and is cur- nell has worked part-time as a senior lecturer in central Baltic and hopefully a genotype that will After completing her doctorate, Karin Edberg rently assistant lecturer at Linköping University. rhetoric at Södertörn university. be able to save this species despite ongoing worked with teaching and administration at climate change. Södertörn university. In the autumn of 2018 she KARIN JONSSON CHRISTIAN SOMMER lived in Visby, working as a lecturer for Uppsala History, 14 December 2017 (no. 91) Environmental Studies, ELISE REMLING University’s section for wind energy, before starting Thesis: Fångna I begreppen? Revolution, tid och 23 September 2019 (Fil. Lic.) Environmental Science, 25 November 2019 parental leave in 2019. To her current postdoc po- politik i svensk socialistisk press 1917–1924 Thesis: Processes and factors governing benthic (no. 99) sition in environmental sociology at Örebro Univer- community dynamics – environmental change in Thesis: Adaptation, now? Exploring the Politics sity, she did some teaching at Södertörn Univer- After completing her doctorate, Karin Jonsson the Baltic Sea of Climate Adaptation through Post-structuralist sity, Uppsala University and the Swedish Defence has taught at Södertörn University. She is cur- Discourse Theory University. She is now involved in a Formas-funded rently a postdoctoral researcher at Södertörn MATHILDE REHNLUND research project entitled “Energy-related practices University, financed by the Foundation for Baltic Environmental Science, 8 November 2019 After her doctorate, Elise Remling started work in transition – e-bikes, policies and everyday life”. and East European Studies. (no. 97) as a researcher at the Stockholm International Thesis: Getting the transport right – for what? Peace Research Institute, on a team working on MARIA LÖNN NADEZDA PETRUSENKO What transport policy can tell us about the climate-related security risks. Gender Studies, 25 May 2018 (no. 94) History, 26 December 2017 (no. 92) construction of sustainability Thesis: Bruten vithet: Om den ryska femininite- Thesis: Creating the Revolutionary Heroines: EVA KARLBERG tens sinnliga och temporala villkor The Case of Female Terrorists of the PSR Since completing her doctorate, Mathilde Sociology, 13 March 2019 (no. 100) (Russia, Beginning of the 20 th Century) After her doctorate, Maria Lönn has taught Rehnlund has taught at Örebro University Thesis: Organizing the Voice of Women: gender studies and worked with research into and Södertörn University. A Study of the Polish and Swedish women’s Directly after completing her doctorate, Nadezda sensory orientalism in the performing arts. movements’ adaptation to international structures Petrusenko started work as a lecturer in history OSCAR TÖRNQVIST at Örebro University (2017/2018). In the sum- IRINA SEITS Archeology, 20 November 2019 (no. 98) Since completing her doctorate, Eva Karlberg has mer of 2018 she started at Umeå University as Philosophy of Arts, 7 December 2018 (no. 95) Thesis: Röster från ingenmansland: En identitets- taught Sociology at Södertörn University and par- a research assistant for a Swedish Research Thesis: Building New Living Space in the arkeologi i ett maritimt mellanrum ticipated in some research projects as a research Council project focusing on Swedish environme- Twentieth Century: Russian Constructivism, assistant. ntal businesses. She worked with the project for European Functionalism, and IKEA After completing his doctorate, Oscar Törnqvist 18 months, conducting her own research and returned to his previous field of expertise and assisting her senior colleagues with their studies. After completing her doctorate, Irina Seits worked works as a marine geologist, focusing on investi- She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Sö- in administration at CBEES, before starting a gating the marine environment. Törnqvist has dertörn University, on a project financed by the two-year postdoctoral project on the Swedish participated in a range of archaeological and en- Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies. architectural heritage in St. Petersburg in January vironmental research. In his work for the Swedish 2020, The project is funded by the Foundation Agency for Marine and Water Management, he for Baltic and East European Studies. is involved with two research projects on cur-

38 39 2018 2019 geographic area for researchers from different academic fields with various educational and cultural Elise Remling 2019 (no. 99) backgrounds. It is an area where many conventional geopolitical, socioeconomic, and cultural What do you remember from your time as a constructions still exist and interact, while also BEEGS student? What did you take with you urging their re-thinking and re-definition. In this from your experience here? region, the ‘Western world’ meets the ‘East’, while – I truly enjoyed my BEEGS cohort, many of still defining it as the ‘post-Soviet’ or the ‘former whom over the years not only became trusted col- socialist’ region, when in fact these definitions leagues but also very good friends. Every doctoral have long lost their relevance. The challenges the journey has its ups and downs, and being able to world is currently facing reveal that its geographic, share these experiences with a group of people political, and national borders do still matter and going through the same motions was really im- that natural, historic, political, and cultural lands- portant. capes continue to play key roles in constituting What are your reflections on current studies and regulating our contemporary everyday lives, in the area? as well as in outlining our future. In this sense, the – My research has never really fit into a classical Baltic Sea region is a bottomless source of inspira- understanding of area studies. I am a geographer tion for all kinds of research in every academic by training, so I tinker with concepts of space and field. The area’s complexity and diversity provides politics, by drawing on less established poststruc- space and resources for the multiple interdisci- turalist theories from political science. I find that plinary approaches to, and academic perspectives this cross-fertilisation of different epistemological on, various local and global scientific and humani- and ontological angles and working across traditio- Irina Seits 2018 (no. 95) tarian problems. This is well reflected in the great nal disciplinary boundaries is what’s really needed diversity of the research projects associated with to tackle some of the key challenges of the day, BEEGS, in the Baltic Worlds scholarly journal, biodiversity loss and climate change being two of “My doctoral studies at BEEGS and in the thousands of pages of the hundred-plus the major ones. But it is challenging: disciplinary doctoral thesis that have been publicly defended at traditions, journals and conference formats are BEEGS. not always open to such non-disciplinary ways of was a life-changing experience” Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS doing research. doctors? Do you have any advice for our new BEEGS What do you remember from your time as a over a decade. I very much appreciated the opportu- – First of all, I would like to congratulate the new doctoral students? BEEGS student? What did you take with you nity to work on an interdisciplinary research project BEEGS doctors on the successful public defence – Yes, three things: 1) Build up a network of col- from your experience here? at BEEGS and the School of Culture and Education of their thesis! If I may give some advice, then I leagues who you trust and who trust you. – The period of my doctoral studies at BEEGS at Södertörn University. I started exploring a new would like to say: you need to know that there is 2) If your supervisor is not a good fit for you perso- was literally a life-changing experience, because academic field, aesthetics, and was introduced to a indeed life after your doctoral defence and that the nally and/or for your project, change immediately! once I was accepted as a BEEGS doctoral student vibrant international community of great colleagues future is full of opportunities and great moments, 3) Follow your hunches! If you feel like you are back in 2012, I moved with my family to Sweden, from various parts of the world. Today, CBEES/BE- although sometimes it can be challenging to get onto something, don’t let others convince you (too which has become my new home. A totally different EGS is still an important part of my everyday life and over the feeling of insecurity and uncertainty. Being easily) otherwise. ● life began, and it was here, at BEEGS, where I met is truly my academic and intellectual home. a BEEGS scholar and defending a doctoral thesis is my new lifelong friends. In my previous life I was an What are your reflections on current studies a great achievement, so keep on working passiona- art historian, running research projects in St. Peters- in the area? tely and patiently on your subject, and you will be burg and had worked in international tourism for – In many ways, the Baltic Sea region is a unique rewarded! ●

40 41 2019 2020 CENTRE FOR BALTIC AND EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES (CBEES) ADRIÁ ALCOVERRO PÉTER BALOGH “The dynamism Political Science, 29 May 2020 (no. 101) Human Geography, 9 May 2014 Thesis: The University and the Demand for Thesis: Perpetual borders: German-Polish Knowledge-Based Growth: The hegemonic cross-border contacts in the Szczecin area really gave food for thought” struggle for the future of higher education institutions in Finland and Estonia Péter Balogh is now a Oscar Törnqvist 2019 (no. 98) lecturer at Eötvös Loránd INGRID FORSLER University’s Department What do you remember from your time as a Media and Communication Studies, 5 June 2020 of Social and Economic BEEGS student? What did you take with you (no. 102) Geography, Hungary. from your experience here? Thesis: Enabling Media: Infrastructures, imagi- Following his doctorate, – Used to perhaps more conservative or subject- naries and cultural techniques in Swedish and he returned to Hungary centric study and research, the interdisciplinary Estonian visual arts education as a Marie Curie postdoc environment at BEEGS really carried me like a in 2014. He worked at the wind-blown leaf across and beyond the Baltic. OLENA PODOLIAN Hungarian Academy of Whether we focused on police reform in Bosnia, Political Science, 25 September 2020 (no. 103) Sciences for 4½ years and at the Central Euro- demographic problems in Ukraine or the challen- Thesis: The Challenge of ‘Stateness’ in Estonia pean University for six months. In 2016 he was ges of long-distance relationships, the seminars and Ukraine a visiting fellow at CBEES for three months, and and the ensuing, sometimes animated, discussions made repeated contributions to Baltic Worlds. really made me think twice about the character LENA NORBÄCK IVARSSON Through the lens of critical geopolitics, he is and role of contemporary research and the posi- Environmental studies, 6 November, 2020 researching the intentions behind, and effects tion of my main focus of interest; the often – quite doctorate in mediaeval coastal archaeology to my (no. 104) of, various geographical narratives. His work has frankly – mouldy or at least moss-covered subject analytical skills in current environmental challen- Thesis: Tracing environmental change and further revolved around borders and centre- of archaeology, in this wild mix of subjects. But I – ges. Namely, forming a baseline for the ecological human impact as recorded in sediments from periphery relations in both discursive and geo- like all my fellow students, no doubt – soon learned carrying capacity for coastal fish populations from coastal areas of the northwestern Baltic Proper economic terms. to embrace the plurality, and to go from fascination historical and archaeological sources, and investi- to open-minded curiosity. Traits I earned which gating mediaeval cod fishing in the central Baltic, SARA PERSSON have led me down interesting paths and avenues which may shed light on a recently (re)discovered Business Studies, December 11, 2020 (no. 105) over the last couple of years. population of cod, almost fished to extinction Thesis: Corporate Social Hegemony – A study of What did you do after receiving your doctorate during historical times, genetically adapted to the community grievances and sustainability stan- and what is your current occupation? less saline central Baltic and hopefully a genotype dards in the Albanian oil industry – I now work as a marine geologist but focus that will be able to save this species despite ongo- on investigating the marine environment. I have ing climate change. had the opportunity to participate in not only – So, the circle has closed, with my own profes- archaeological research (at the time writing, I am sional history rediscovered and applied to my new eagerly awaiting the result of a couple of grant interdisciplinary research interests, in completely applications), but also, through my previous areas novel fields of research where marine biology, of work, in environmental research. In the work climate change and the future of the Baltic sea is I do now for the Swedish Agency for Marine and strengthened by a long historical perspective and Water Management (Havs- och Vattenmyndig- the finds of small, but significant, fish bones and heten), at least two research projects connect my pieces of old and obscure parchment.

42 43 BEEGS’ journey What are your reflections on current studies example, and we continue to develop ways of in the area? cooperating and legislating. For our historical – I was researching the Nordic and Nordic- understanding of our connectedness and interde- Baltic cultural cooperation. Not so much has been pendence, we learn more and more and now put written in this field since, but I know that my thesis even the “crown jewels” of national history, such as provided inspiration for several related studies in the Vikings, through various post-colonial, gender art history and gender studies. and power-theory tests. Given these strengths, – Working with history and the natural envi- my sole and humble view is that academics must ronment for the government and in research, the take a more active role in societal transformation idealist in me has learned some lessons. The chal- and not only conduct research for research’s sake. lenges to the environment have never been greater In the post-truth era, given the nervous glances than now. Never have the outlooks for the future we cast at future threats, hard facts from science In 2010, CBEES seemed so bleak and dreary. Never have we had so carefully placed in discursive fields and pushed invited BEEGS' doc- many ominous, looming menaces (future resource into political agendas can and will reshape the toral students and and power struggles, problems with globalisation future. It only takes bold researchers, who realise staff on a study trip and the Putin-Trump world view, currently even the potency of knowledge, perspective and the will to Ukraine. the coronavirus pandemic!) above the horizon. Yet, to do good. After all, if the idealist, the dreamer and the Baltic, once separating us, is at the same time the insightful researcher do not take the responsi- The Birth of BEEGS a body which connects us. For the environment, bility to steer the ship, blatant populism and greedy we have a joint understanding of our imminent consumerism will. And we all know where that challenges through the HELCOM initiative, for route leads. ● “Created to abolish mutual ignorance after the Cold War”

n the late 1990s, Södertörn Helene Carlbäck, the to close gaps and unite the Baltic University’s management first Director of Studies Sea region. The Soviet Union had I initiated a broad collegial dis- at the Baltic and East collapsed as an entity and empire, cussion about the organisation of a European Graduate and Sweden seemed to have an im- multidisciplinary and multicultural School, held a much- portant task in promoting processes graduate school. Södertörn Univer- appreciated speech at of change in the former Soviet repu- sity took three Ms as its trademark: the 15th anniversary in blics, especially in neighboring are- mångvetenskap [multidisciplina- 2015. This is an extract as such as the Baltic States. The fall rity], mångkulturalitet [multicul- of it, formerly published of the Berlin Wall created new sorts turality], and medborgerlig bild- in Baltic Worlds Inhouse of relations with Poland, the Czech ning [education as an instrument Edition 2016. Republic and other states that had WELCOME TO BEEGS’ EXCLUSIVE PEN CLUB, MEMBER NO. 100! for democratic culture]. The new abandoned their former systems of Eva Karlberg was awarded BEEGS’ 100th doctorate 2020, and for this – like everyone graduate school would be characterised by two of planned economy and centrally governed political else – she will receive a pen. Due to Covid-19, celebrations for this occasion have these three Ms: multidisciplinarity and multicul- regimes for market economies and parliamentary been downplayed this year. However, for each person each year, the pen is a symbol turality, or internationalization. political systems. To make the economic and po- of a great achievement and many years of tireless work – and joy! The BEEGS’ pen Prominent discourses in society and politics at litical aspects of the changes understandable and club is an exclusive club to yearn to be part of, and now has just over 100 members. Eva Karlberg the time, the late 1990s, regarded it as important relevant, studies of cultural and historical contexts

44 45 BEEGS’ journey and processes were also considered indispensable It is a well-known truth that multidisciplinarity by those who planned BEEGS. has its specific challenges. The wider the common A TALL PILE OF The Baltic and East European Graduate School object of research, the trickier it can be to find ways 74 COMPLETED THESES opened in September 2000. On the homepage one towards a focused multidisciplinary cooperation. Kristy Beers Fägersten, director could read that BEEGS had been created with the At BEEGS, the common object is a geographic of studies at BEEGS, arranged aim of abolishing a mutual ignorance between the region that the PhD students approach in quite dif- the 15th anniversary of BEEEGS two sides of the Baltic Sea. The studies, it said, ferent ways. When I worked with BEEGS I realized in 2015 with a festive event at were aimed at reintegrating experiences in regions the difficulty of planning for a given result of the the opening of that year’s CBEES that had been separated during large parts of the multidisciplinary education. Instead we used to Annual Conference. She also pro- 20th century, above all during the Cold War. talk about doctoral students who married. But we duced an ambitious booklet with weren’t thinking of those among the BEEGS stu- presentations of 74 former docto- FOUR ACADEMIC subjects initially formed the backbo- dents who actually started families: we were refer- ral students and their theses. The ne of BEEGS: Political Science, Business Adminis- ring to those who married “scientifically”, and not cover illustration was an image tration, Ethnology, and History. Two to 18 students necessarily in couples, but often in polyamorous of all the thesis produced during per year were accepted in the first four years. This constellations — metaphorically speaking of those 15 years, in one pile. was a big commitment; these years were filled course. These were students who really benefited

with an optimistic pioneer spirit but also a certain from being confronted with the way other discipli- WORLDS BALTIC An in-house edition from the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES), Södertörn University. March 2016 In-house

edition

degree of anxiety. BEEGS went through occasional nes framed a certain question. Exploring and conducting critical area studies 2016 March Edition In-house BALTIC infantile disorders. The admission process was The first edition of Baltic Worlds’ “In- Landwehr Sydow, Vasileios Petro- WORLDS not perfect in the early years: although we did FROM THE VERY beginning BEEGS was regarded house” was produced to celebrate giannis, Linn Rabe, Elise Remling, Conducting critical recruit some very good students, a certain number as the engine that would start the machinery of Södertörn University’s twentieth anni- Irina Seits, Ekaterina Tarasova, and area studies disappeared from the system without taking their doctoral studies at Södertörn University. The work versary. It focused on the research Jaakko Turunen. Working with the

Södertörn University exam. However, the number of applications rose was finally crowned in 2010 when Södertörn Uni- conducted by scholars who were editor, they created an edition that celebrates 20 years Södertörn University in the midst constantly and the admission process became bet- versity was conferred the right to examine its own both at Södertörn University and affi- was widely circulated. It is available of Eastern Europe

ter organized, being run by the academic discipli- doctoral students. I haven’t been following the acti- liated with the university, in the Baltic as open access on the journal’s University Södertörn

nes and BEEGS together — although not always vities of BEEGS that closely myself since 2011, but Sea region and Eastern Europe. The website, and is still downloaded, not years 20 research profile

Illustration: Ragni Svensson MEDIA IN CHANGE / GENDER DISCOURSES / ROMANI STUDIES without friction; I do remember some pretty tense I sense that some of the focus points that united editorial board was composed of least for educational purposes, as it / THE FALL OF THE WALL / POLITICS OF MEMORY negotiations on whether to admit certain candi- quite a few students in the early years, illustrated doctoral students at BEEGS, namely: provides an overview of and diffe- Image cover In-house dates. The rate of doctors graduating in relation by buzz words such as “transition” and “West loo- Adrià Alcoverro, Eva Karlberg, Sophie rent perspectives on area studies. Edition 2016 to students admitted improved considerably over king at East” — here we discussed implications of the years. Today (2015) 74 dissertations have been postcolonialism, Orientalist views of “the Other” — produced in 15 subjects by students admitted from that these discussions have partly been replaced by BEEGS’ Director of Studies 2000 to 2011. other concerns: environmental and ecological is- Soon several BEEGS dissertations are to come sues regarding the Baltic Sea are dealt with by both in six new subjects, all connected to environmental life science and political science PhD students; studies. BEEGS has always been a multicultural BEEGS students focusing on Ukraine from various environment with students from many countries disciplines take into account the new geopolitical besides Sweden, mostly but not only from the Baltic configurations and agendas created by Russia; and Sea region, Eastern and Central Europe, and Russia. various studies are concerned with memory and The proportion of non-Swedish students has varied the public use of history. In this respect, I would over the years from 25 to 40 percent. The gender say that BEEGS is a living organism reflecting what Helene Carlbäck Ann-Cathrin Jungar Kristy Beers Anne Kaun Florence Fröhlig proportions have been fairly even over time. is going on in the surrounding world.” ● 2001–2011 2011–2014 Fägersten 2014–2016 2016–2019 2019–

46 47 The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies – proud funder of BEEGS

he Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies financed of the highest possible quality in areas related to the Baltic Sea region and the founding of the Baltic and East European Graduate School, Eastern Europe at Södertörn University. The Foundation has also formulated BEEGS, and has supported its activities ever since. What has the a list of priorities, of which two are of significance for doctoral education. One Foundation’s role been, and what is its opinion of the graduate is internationalisation, where the Foundation prioritises funding for interna- Tschool’s importance? tional cooperation, network building and mobility of researchers and doctoral students. The second relates to the academic career, where the Foundation SOME FIGURES and statistics about doctoral-level education in Stockholm and in prioritises support for every stage. Sweden provide a context in which we can observe the Foundation for Baltic Supporting BEEGS and the doctoral students at the graduate school and East European Studies’ support for BEEGS. is a form of support that contributes to fulfilling the purpose given in the According to statistics from the Swedish Higher Education Authority, there Foundation’s statutes and aligns with its objectives and priorities. The re- were 17,000 doctoral students in Sweden in the autumn of 2019. The most search contributed by BEEGS’ doctoral students is vital to what the Founda- common form of income provision is a doctoral studentship, at 68 per cent. A tion usually calls “relevance to the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe”, i.e. report from the Stockholm Academic Forum has more figures with a bearing a clear association with the Foundation’s geographic area. Recruitment to the on doctoral education: the proportion of international doctoral students in graduate school is international and contributes to increased mobility, inter- Stockholm increased by 14 per cent between 2008 and 2018; in the autumn of national cooperation and network building. Supporting doctoral students by 2018, 43 per cent of Stockholm’s doctoral students came from a country other providing secure conditions in the form of doctoral studentships is integral to than Sweden. In 2019, the Swedish Research Council’s The Swedish Research the Foundation’s priority of providing funding at every stage of the academic Barometer showed that doctoral students are the staff category that perform career. the most person-hours of research in Swedish higher education. Research is – and must be – international. Doctoral students at BEEGS con- These figures – the 17,000 individuals, 14 and 43 per cent – include the doc- tribute hugely to a creative research environment through their research focus toral students at BEEGS. The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies and their presence. The networks to which doctoral students contribute and is delighted to contribute to this work. gain through their doctoral education may be of great importance, both for the individual and for the research environments at the university, long after their THE FOUNDATION for Baltic and East European Studies has funded BEEGS since thesis is completed and the doctoral degree awarded. it started, also during the build-up phase. A look at the financing from recent years shows that from 2010 to 2020, the Foundation for Baltic and East Euro- WE ARE DELIGHTED that our financial support has contributed to doctoral educa- pean Studies has granted 375 million kronor to BEEGS. tion at BEEGS and we are grateful for the research that focuses on our geo- The objectives of the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies are graphic area of interest to which the doctoral students have contributed. We founded on its statutes. The Foundation has clarified the focus of its funding wish all the past and present doctoral students continuing success. through a specific programme statement in 2020. The overall objective is that the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies provides funding for Britta Lövgren, Research Director, The Foundation research, doctoral education and infrastructure that should generate research for Baltic and East European Studies

48 49 Current BEEGS’ students at Södertörn University

BEEGS’ doctoral students spend their first year at the Centre for Baltic and East European Stu- dies, CBEES. They often share an office with other doctoral students and get to know each other very well, encountering a multidisciplinary and international research environment and being introduced to critical area studies in the region. After this first year they move to the department to which their main subject belongs, joining one of the four different research areas for doctoral studies at Södertörn University, while remaining part of BEEGS. We have invited representatives from these research areas to present how doctoral students are currently contributing to the work of these areas and within their subjects. Current doctoral students are listed with the year of admission. We look forward to them successfully completing their doctorates and joining the ranks of BEEGS’ alumni. Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society

SUBJECTS: Business Studies, Economics, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology Sofia Beskow, 2020, Sociology: The paradox Ellinor Hamrén, 2014, Political Science: of tolerance and self-defense: state repression A Nationalism of Good Intentions esearch into the Baltic Sea region and post- ture, innovation, business development, health and against radical nationalist movements and its Vasileios Kitsos, 2014, Sociology: Urban Change communist countries of Europe is strong at living conditions, social protection and exclusion, consequences. the School of Social Sciences, home to the populism, propaganda, racism, urban develop- in Overlooked Territories R David Birksjö, 2011, Business Studies: Innova- research area of Politics, Economy and the Organi- ment, and the politics of technology (e.g. space and Xiaoying Li, 2018, Economics: Energy Efficiency, tions, Standards and Industry Development sation of Society. BEEGS’ doctoral students play a surveillance). Building Regulation, and the Heating Market crucial role in carrying out this research, as well as Research into the Baltic Sea region and the post- Nina Carlsson, 2016, Political Science: One Na- Helena Löfgren, 2011, Business Studies: tion, One Language? Immigrant Integration within the multidisciplinary research conducted at communist countries of Europe is mainly funded by Det legitima ägandet – Den politiska debatten in Multinational States the School of Social Sciences. the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, kring ombildning av allmännyttans hyresrätter i In addition to the geographical focus on the Bal- but external funding is also provided by the Swedish Cagla Demirel, 2018, Political Science: Politics Stockholms stad mellan 1990–2015 tic Sea region and the post-communist countries Research Council, Formas, Forte and various foun- of Competitive Victimhood in the Context of of Europe, the area has several themes. Identity, dations within the EU system, among others. Resear- Reconciliation Processes. Tony Mickelsson Blomqvist, 2020, Social Work: Swedish sport as a social work practice: the inte- migration and ethnic relations is one, and cuts chers collaborate intensively with leading scholars Hugo Faber, 2020, Political Science: Contested ● gration of Eastern European immigrants across several subjects. Another theme is gover- in Europe and other parts of the world. energy transitions nance within political parties, public administra- Anna Nyqvist, 2011, Business Studies: Green tion, civil society, and business – from the local to Fakhreddin Fakhrai Rad, 2018, Business Studies: Industrial Marketing: With Emphasis on Strate- , 2020, Sociology: Power, Insights into Digitally Enabled Supply Chain Inte- the global level. Environmental and climate-related Mattias Alvarsson gies, Industrial Relationships and Green Trust Network, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine gration – Toward Next Challenges, Opportunities, issues constitute a third major interdisciplinary and Required Capabilities Johan Sandén, 2016, Business Studies: Lärare theme. Other research themes are also prevalent, Hamdija Begovic, 2020, Sociology: Bosnian och digitalisering including democracy and human rights, agricul- Islamism in a regional context: the case of SDA Erik Gråd, 2016, National Economics: Essays in Sustainable Development in the Baltic Sea Region

50 51 Historical Studies

SUBJECTS: Archaeology, Ethnology, History, History of Ideas, Study of Religions

he research area of Historical Studies cur- litical aspects of social mobilisation. Paul Sherfey Martin Englund, 2019, History: The Life Stories Lovisa Olsson, 2017, History: rently has eleven doctoral students who are is studying collective gardens as sites for activism, of the Refugees who Came to Sweden During the The Fragile Web: Social Networks and Trade T funded via BEEGS. Their work makes sig- exploring the different types of heritage that Anti-Semitic Campaign in Poland 1967–1972 in Early Modern Baltic Towns nificant contributions to their disciplines’ regional influence how gardeners experience the present Tomas Englund, 2015, Archaeology: An Archa- Aleksandra Reczuch, 2019, Ethnology: profile in Baltic Sea region and Eastern European and envision the future. Aleksandra Reczuch is eological study of the Battle at Baggensstäket On Post-political Initiatives and Civil Society in studies. The span of topics is illustrated by the two analysing the connection between (post-political during the Russian Ravaging of the East Coast Poland: Protests, Social Movements and Non- thesis projects in Archaeology, Tomas Englund’s aspects of ) mainstream party politics and Polish of Sweden 1719 Governmental Organisations as Political Actors study of a 1719 battleground from the war between civil society. These topics enable them to draw on Kristin Halverson, 2017, History of Ideas: Tools Jane Ruffino, 2019, Archaeology: Black Box Sweden and Russia, and Jane Ruffino’s study of Södertörn scholars’ strong focus on bottom-up of the Trade: Medical Devices and Historical Archaeology: Contemporary Data Ecologies contemporary data ecologies in the Baltic region. processes and the political as a sphere of ethnologi- Meanings in Sweden and Denmark, 1850–1900 in the Baltic Region Together, their studies reflect and expand on their cal observation. senior colleagues’ interest in maritime sites and Liza Jakobsson, 2019, History of Ideas: A Great Paul Sherfey, 2017, Ethnology: Cultivating innovative approaches. FINALLY, WITHIN THE Study of Religions, Kateryna Zo- Investment: Constructing a Financialized Home Revolutions: Activism and Political Culture Historians Martin Englund and Lovisa Olsson rya is investigating esoteric currents in post-Soviet in Sweden and the Baltic Region, 1970-2000 in Collective Gardens exemplify a similar temporal breadth, analysing Ukraine, whereas Douglas Mattsson is exploring Marie Jonsson, 2015, History of Ideas: To Live Kateryna Zorya, 2017, The Study of Religions: the 1968 generation of Polish-Jewish migrants to the development of black metal subcultures and in Accordance with Nature and Science: A Study ‘The Government Used to Hide the Truth, but Sweden and the emergence of territorial states in their use of blasphemy. These topics aptly illustrate of Vegetarianism in the Early 20th Century Now We Can Speak’: Contemporary Esoteric the context of trade relationships in the Baltic Sea the interest shown by Södertörn’s academics in Currents in Post-Soviet Ukraine, 1990–2010 Douglas Mattsson, 2019, The Study of Religions: region, respectively. On one hand, they represent phenomena with a religious significance beyond We Despise the Crescent: Black Metal, Blasphe- research strands in contemporary oral history conventional places of worship and established my, and Subcultural Evolvement in Turkey and identity construction and, on the other, the religions. 1990–2020 document-oriented study of economic and politi- Doctoral students from BEEGS are the backbo- cal history, together highlighting different facets of ne of the research area of Historical Studies. They History at Södertörn University. are a major asset to their subjects, facilitating mu- tually beneficial conversations between scholars at THE SUBJECT OF History of Ideas is represented different stages of their careers. They highlight Sö- by Liza Jakobsson’s study of Swedish and Baltic dertörn University’s international profile and open investment in the home, Marie Jonsson’s study of new channels for the circulation of ideas. Perhaps vegetarian movements, and Kristin Halverson’s most significantly, they enhance our thriving regio- comparative work on the trade in medical tools and nal studies environment with a focus on the larger their meanings in Denmark and Sweden. Notably, Baltic Sea area as well as East-Central and Eastern they all address aspects of materiality, thereby joi- Europe, supporting Södertörn University’s status ning, but to some degree also challenging, their se- as a leading site for research and higher education nior colleagues at Södertörn University in pointing in this field.● out innovative research perspectives. Both thesis projects in Ethnology examine po-

52 53 Critical and Cultural Theory

SUBJECTS: Aesthetics, Art History, Comparative Literature, Gender Studies, Media research area has also developed new perspectives demonstrates the relevance of critical and cultural and Communication Studies, Philosophy and the Theory of Practical Knowledge on feminism and gender issues, colonialism and theory for research into the former Eastern Bloc, antisemitism. Uniting philosophical and theoretical but also the importance of introducing, comparing ritical and Cultural Theory is a research and aims to help us understand and deal with such reflection with empirical and historical studies, the and judging issues and Eastern European pheno- area for doctoral studies that is dedicated dilemmas by applying philosophical, historical wide range of topics in the research area not only mena in Swedish and international contexts. ● C to the critically motivated study of cultural and ethnographic methods. The phenomena and artefacts and practices. Artworks, literary and phi- problem fields currently being explored by docto- losophical texts, media technologies and social and ral students in the Theory of Practical Knowledge political practices lie at the heart of this research. include the resistance strategies used by doctors Karin Larsson, 2019, Media and Communication Researchers in the area are united by a shared con- when issuing sick leave certificates, practitioner Erik Bryngelsson, 2012, Philosophy: The Science Studies: The Smart City: Digital Urbanism as the cept: the idea that the humanities are where human mindsets in integration-related practices, midwife of Subjectivity: Lacan’s Return to the Subject Logistics of Future society examines and gains awareness of itself. One approaches to prenatal diagnostics in meetings Mats Dahllöv, 2017, Aesthetics: Det absoluta och important profile area comprises critical and cultur- with patients, primary school teachers’ views on det gemensamma: Benjamin Höijers konstfilosofi Karl Katz Lydén, 2017, Philosophy: Critique and al studies related to the Baltic Sea region and Eastern the professional collective and collective knowled- Practice of Truth: Foucault’s Political Economy Martin Elfsberg, 2012, Education: Restoration of and the Emergence of Collective Subjects Europe. This profile cooperates with the Baltic and ge in teaching, and psychiatric professionals’ ways Voice in Education Eastern European Graduate School and Centre for of understanding and applying diagnostic catego- Maria Mårsell, 2019, Comparative Literature: Anna Enström, 2012, Aesthetics: Om sinne, Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES). ries in and through their meetings with patients. Fred och feminism: Frida Stéenhoff, Elin Wägner stämning, skratt och hypokondri: sinnlighet och Since its inception, receiving its first doctoral och Edith Södergrans litterära gestaltningar av en estetisk erfarenhet hos Kant students in 2010, Critical and Cultural Theory MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION Studies offers doctoral tanketradition i Östersjöregionen ca 1900–1940 has consolidated a unique platform for multidis- education in collaboration with one national net- Mirey Gorgis, 2018, Rethoric: On linguistic Iwo Nord, 2012, Gender Studies: Bodies En- ciplinary research in the humanities, focusing on work and several international networks, including violence tangled: Gender Affirming Surgeries in Glocal the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. Some highly ranked universities in the UK, Germany, Gabriel Itkes-Sznap, 2012, Aesthetics: Precisio- Belgrade subjects included in the research area can only be Portugal and Brazil. Research focuses on the nens skrift: Gombrowicz, Christensen, Müller found at Södertörn University, such as the Theory contemporary digital media society from a critical, Joel Odebrant, 2019, Art History: Spirituell konst i of Practical Knowledge, while others have a pro- cultural, and historical perspective, blending ap- Ellen Jacobsson, 2019, Theory of Practical Know- en rationell tid: en studie av det informella måle- file that is unique within the field of study. The proaches from the social sciences and the humani- ledge: Ursprunglighetens politik: en undersökning riets politik av människokategorisering, politiska identiteter research area is defined by its scholarly and critical ties. This international research embraces a wide Kirill Polkov, 2019, Gender Studie: (Homo) och professionella överväganden i integrationsre- approach to the issues, phenomena and philoso- range of critical and timely topics. Many research Sexual Nationalisms in Russia and Sweden: laterade praktiker i Sverige och Ungern phies that are relevant to the region, historically projects relate to the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern National and Individual Identities and in the present day. Europe and all the doctoral students’ projects are Emma Kihl, 2017, Comparative Literature, De Mani Shutzberg, 2015, Theory of Practical Know- kroppar som rör sig i de rum/tider som formas well integrated in the department’s research. ledge: The Virtue of Critical Praxis in Medicine THE THEORY OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE is a multidisci- Research in the area of Critical and Cultural innan och utanför Agneta Enckells poesi Oscar Svanelid, 2015, Art History: Formande liv: plinary research subject, which primarily adopts Theory that focuses on the Baltic Sea region and Laura Lapinske, 2015, Gender Studies: Care to konstruktivism som yrkespraktik i São Paulo och its theories and methods from the scholarly tradi- Eastern Europe is characterised by the combina- live: precarious livelihoods and everyday survival Rio de Janeiro (1954–1984) tion of the humanities, including subjects such tion of a humanistic and critical cultural approach, strategies of single mothers in Lithuania as Philosophy, the History of Ideas, Aesthetics, which aims at deepening knowledge about relevant Oscar von Seth, 2017, Comparative Literature: Camilla Larsson, 2015, Art History: Framträdan- Pedagogy and Ethnology. Research targets the pro- contemporary and historical phenomena. Using its Desiring the Other: Queer readings of Hermann dets politik blems and challenges of contemporary working life knowledge and understanding of the region, the Hesse’s “Peter Camenzind” and “Der Steppenwolf”

54 55 Environmental Studies

SUBJECT: Environmental Science

esearchers and doctoral students engage in lysis of climate adaptation, physiological respon- Mohanad Abdelgadir, 2018: Functional ecological Tatiana Sokolova, 2020: Transdisciplinary research and scholarship with the aim of ses of fish to contaminants, as well as qualitative adaptation to environmental change in the Baltic studies of the Baltic Sea: A comparative analysis R understanding and governing the complex case studies of nature conservation initiatives and Sea: impact of habitat fragmentation of contexts, approaches and policy implications interactions between society and the environment transport planning. Wouter Blankestijn, 2020: From Exploited Patrick Spets, 2020 Why Estonia? Explaining in the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe, using Resource to Aquatic Agent A Cross-country Below Average Antimicrobial Resistance in One concepts and methods from the natural and social SIMILARLY, CURRENT BEEGS students contribute to Discourse Analysis on (Bio-)Diversity for out of the Three Baltic States sciences. Ongoing research includes the gover- our multifaceted and vibrant research environ- Environmental Justice in the Baltic Sea Igne Stalmokaite, 2016: Sustainability transitions nance of terrestrial and marine environments and ment by engaging with a wide set of interconnec- Viviane Griesinger, 2020: Networks and their in Baltic Sea shipping resources, how knowledge of paleoenvironments ted and relevant research problems and metho- narratives: Environmental protection in the context can contribute to current understandings of ongo- dologies. For example, two projects are analysing Olena Vinogradova, 2016: Land use changes of natural resource exploitation in Eastern Europe. ing environmental change, as well as how sustai- long-term environmental change and human during the past 3000 years: pollen analysis from nability challenges are perceived and addressed in impacts in the Baltic Sea over the last 3000 years Thérese Janzén, 2018: Peri-urban landscapes in southwestern Baltic Sea onshore coastal zone the Baltic Sea region – new hazard and relevance agriculture and the shipping sector. by examining Baltic Sea sediments as ‘libraries’ of Kseniia Zakharova, 2020: Aesthetic impact of for public health This work emphasises the understanding of environmental change. Other projects use more natural and urban landscapes on human well- interactions between contemporary societal deve- qualitative case study methodologies to explore Sophie Landwehr Sydow, 2015: Media Techno- being: biodiversity and public health lopment patterns and their relationship to sustai- sustainability challenges and pathways in the logy, Experiencing Making – Unpacking Material Erika Öhlund, 2012: Perspectives on sustainable nability problems, as well as working with partners shipping and aquaculture sectors. Finally, one set and Social Dimensions of the Maker Movement agriculture: governance, degrowth and values of outside academia to forge sustainable pathways. of projects is analysing how changes in urban com- Ola Luthman, 2018: Sustainable aquaculture land in a Swedish context¨ Researchers take an inter- and transdisciplinary munity gardening practices and the equestrian and governance, what is it and why do we need it? approach to engaging with sustainability, which recreational use of rural areas close to cities might considers how multiple dimensions of sustainabi- influence, among other things, ecosystem services Nikolina Oreskovic, 2018: Cultivating Environ- lity interact, including cultural, economic, environ- and human health/wellbeing. mentality – The role of urban community gardens mental, political, and societal aspects. In September 2020, a new generation of five in the making of environmental subjects highly qualified doctoral students in Environmen- THE RESEARCH PROJECTs of previous and current doc- tal Science enrolled at BEEGS. Like their predeces- toral students enrolled at BEEGS have been vitally sors, their research interests and methodologies important to the development and significance of vary and complement each other, further contribu- our environmental science research. ting to our interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary Since 2010, when Environmental Studies at research. While it will be hard work, and someti- Södertörn University received the right to award mes challenging, we are confident that our shared doctoral degrees, six BEEGS students have defen- journey will be rewarding and enjoyable. Most ded their doctorate or licentiate theses in Environ- importantly, the theses will provide relevant and mental Science. In line with the broad and interdis- significant insights into: environmental justice, en- ciplinary approach of our research, these previous vironmental protection networks and narratives, BEEGS’ projects reflect a wide set of research transdisciplinary research practices, biodiversity methodologies and topics including discourse ana- and public health, and antimicrobial resistance. ●

56 57 BEEGS is a part of CBEES at Södertörn University

The Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS) is located at Södertörn University in southern Stockholm, Sweden. BEEGS is part of the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies, CBEES.

EEGS is a unique environment for research studies in the Swedish academic world. The international composition of doctoral students, B the multidisciplinary emphasis of the postgraduate studies combined with specific disciplinary studies and a special emphasis on regional studies of the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe creates specialists with a particular expertise. During their employment, doctoral students write their theses, take courses and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences. Normally they also work part-time as teaching assistants in undergraduate programmes at Söder- törn University. BEEGS’ doctoral students receive a salary, office space and other benefits for a period of four years. BEEGS’ doctoral students normally spend a period of their PhD education at CBEES (Centre for Baltic and East European Studies) in a multidisciplinary environment with area specialists, and attend academic events and seminars. During this time, they participate in the doctoral course Contemporary Research into the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe, 7.5 credits, and other courses offered by CBEES/BEEGS. They also participate in an annual internal conference specifically designed for junior scholars to present their ongoing research. Parallel to these activities at CBEES/BEEGS, doctoral students also take postgraduate courses within their own disciplines and research areas and be- gin to work on their theses in cooperation with their supervisors. The supervisors may be employed at Södertörn University or at another University. During their last years, doctoral students continue to participate in activities, postgraduate courses, workshops, conferences, seminars etc. arranged by CBEES/BEEGS, while spending most of their time at the school at Södertörn University that hosts their research area and subject. Applications for admission to BEEGS are usually invited once per year. Applicants from all countries are welcome to apply. Fluency in English is required. ●

For more information please visit www.sh.se/beegs

58 BEEGS 20 BEEGS TH

The Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS) 2020 ANNIVERSARY is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2020. This publication presents all of BEEGS’ alumni and shares their experiences from their time as doctoral students. We also list BEEGS’ current doctoral students, now at different stages of research for their theses.

BEEGS TH

20ANNIVERSARY 2020