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• 2026-09-24

  New doctoral thesis challenges the view of young people as passive screen users

  Screen time is often associated with concerns about declining reading habits and lower educational attainment. A new doctoral thesis by Sofia Oldin Cederwall, new PhD in Comparative Literature at Karlstad University, shows that upper secondary school students who watch television series are doing more than simply consuming entertainment. They analyse narratives, interpret characters, and engage in sophisticated discussions about plot and storytelling.

  In her thesis, Sofia Oldin Cederwall examined how upper secondary school students discuss and interpret television series such as Breaking Bad, Euphoria, Friends, Gossip Girl and Stranger Things. The study shows that watching television series is not only a form of entertainment, but also involves interpreting narratives, understanding characters, and analysing plots and themes.

• 2026-09-22

  Digitalisation creates both opportunities and barriers for older migrants

  Digital technology can strengthen contact with family and friends across national borders, but it can also create new barriers for older people with a migrant background. This is shown by research from Sweden, Finland and Japan examining how digitalisation affects older people’s everyday lives, relationships and access to welfare services.

  The research shows that digital technology can create important opportunities for older migrants, for example by making it easier to stay in touch with family and friends in different countries. At the same time, digitalisation can create new barriers as essential services in healthcare, social care and public services become increasingly digitalised.

• 2026-09-21

  Alum of the Year 2026: Jerry Lidberg

  Jerry Lidberg, head of operations at Region Värmland’s Neurology and Rehabilitation clinic, has been named Alum of the Year 2026 by Karlstad University. Through his commitment to clinical practice and leadership, he demonstrates how a role of great societal importance can take many different forms.

  Jerry Lidberg graduated as a registered nurse in 2010 and completed his specialist nursing qualification in intensive care in 2013. He is delighted to receive the Alum of the Year award.

  – It feels incredibly rewarding and honouring to be named Alum of the Year. It was not something I expected, so I was both pleased and surprised when I received the news, he says.

• 2026-09-17

  Psychological flexibility correlates with performance and wellbeing in athletes

  Psychological flexibility plays an important role in both performance and wellbeing. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis by Lis Johles, which examined the relationship between psychological flexibility, mindfulness, mental health and performance among competitive athletes.

  “Psychological flexibility is about the ability to handle distressing thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations while continuing to act in accordance with one’s goals and values,” says Lis Johles, who recently completed her PhD in Psychology at Karlstad University.

  The findings show that athletes with higher levels of psychological flexibility report both better performance and a higher quality of life. The study included elite athletes, both senior athletes  and high school athletes from football, ice hockey, handball, floorball, basketball and cross-country skiing.

• 2026-09-16

  Only When We Understand Unsustainability Can We Create Sustainability

  Many companies want to contribute to sustainable development, but their efforts often have limited impact.
  – Many of the companies I studied focused, for example, on putting ‘recycled material’ on a package, says Kristin Caravelli-Svärd. Such an initiative is often very small in relation to the company’s actual impact.

  In her dissertation, Un/sustainability: Why Business Sustainability Efforts Are Systemically Insufficient, Kristin Caravelli-Svärd, who recently earned her PhD in Business Administration at the School of Business and conducted research at the Service Research Center (CTF), demonstrates that many companies today actively address sustainability issues while environmental and social problems continue to worsen globally.

• 2026-09-16

  Welcome to This Year's Associate Professor Lectures at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

  On 15 October, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Karlstad University invites staff, students, and members of the public to attend this year’s open associate professor lectures. Everyone is warmly welcome.

  Throughout the day, newly appointed associate professors will present their research on topics including responsible digitalisation, reading promotion in primary education, fall risk management, new methods for increasing physical activity among inactive children, and much more. The lectures are designed for a general audience and are open to all. No registration is required.