Who am I?
I have a PhD in sociology, and I am conducting research at the Climate Leadership Initiative at the Department of Earth Sciences, at Uppsala University. My research revolves around climate and energy transition, justice aspects, and democracy.
I am the author of several books, and also work as a consultant, and through my own company, I have served as an advisor, lecturer, discussion moderator, and report writer.
I have worked at the Government Offices with democracy issues and have held roles such as Deputy Director and Head Secretary for the 2014 Democracy Cmmission, the review of state support for religious communities, the Democracy Conditions Investigation, and the National Initiative for Media and Information Literacy.
For several years, I lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, working for the EU and the Office of the High Representative. My dissertation focused on the international state-building in Bosnia and how it influenced the relations between ethnic groups.
Research
I conduct research on issues related to climate and energy transition, social acceptance of climate policy measures, justice aspects, and the capacity of democracy to handle the climate crisis. Currently, I am involved in four different research projects funded by Formas, Mistra, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. I also serve as an advisor for the democracy organization International IDEA.
Writer and Consultant
I have worked as a consultant through my own firm and for the company 2050. I primarily give lectures to authorities, organizations, and municipalities but have also written reports for government investigations.
Principle Inquiry Secretary for the National Initiative on Media and Information Literacy and Democratic Dialogue
In 2020, I led the committee's work addressing how digital environments affect people's participation and involvement in democracy, with a focus on challenges such as disinformation, propaganda, and online hate. Refer to SOU 2020:56.
Principle Inquiry Secretary for the Democracy Conditions Investigation
From March 2018 to June 2019, I served as the head secretary for the Democracy Conditions Investigation, tasked with proposing a unified, legally secure, and clear democracy condition for state funding to civil society. Refer to SOU 2019:35.
Principle Inquiry Secretary for the Review of State Support for Religious Communities
From August 2016 to March 2018, I led the review of state support for religious communities, aiming to propose new legislation for state support to religious communities, new goals for support, and suggestions for democracy criteria. Refer to SOU 2018:18.
Principle Inquiry Secretary for the 2014 Democracy Investigation
From 2014 to 2016, I was the head secretary for the 2014 Democracy Investigation, which proposed measures to increase and broaden engagement in representative democracy and strengthen individual participation and influence in political decision-making between general elections. Refer to SOU 2016:05 and SOU 2015:96.
Deputy Director of the Democracy Unit at the Government Offices
From December 2009 to July 2014, I worked in the democracy unit, now located in the Ministry of Culture. I had overall responsibility for deepening and developing democracy policy, contributing to the government's document "A Policy for a Living Democracy," and the government's action plan "Protecting Democracy against Violent Extremism."
Ph.D. Candidate
From February 2004 to December 2009 (on leave in 2005 and 2007-2008), I pursued my Ph.D. at the Baltic East European Graduate School at Södertörn University. My research focused on ethnic relations, reconciliation processes, and the security sector reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I defended my dissertation in January 2010.
Political Advisor to EU Police Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
From April 2007 to June 2008, I served as a political advisor to EUPM in Bosnia, providing advice on issues related to politics and security and participating in negotiations on police reform within the framework of EU's negotiations for a Stabilization and Association Agreement. I also had responsibilities regarding advice on organized crime and corruption.
Senior Media Development Officer
From February 2005 to October 2005, I was a Senior Media Development Officer at the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was responsible for the reform of Bosnia's public broadcasting system within the framework of EU's negotiations for a Stabilization and Association Agreement. This work included lobbying, negotiations, advising the High Representative, and preparing materials and speeches, etc.
Advisor to the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina
From June 2001 to January 2004, I was an advisor to the Ombudsman for Human Rights in Bosnia, seconded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was responsible for advising on political issues and the institution's administration, writing annual reports, reports, speeches, articles, etc. I also provided lobbying and advice on specific human rights cases and in negotiations with other international organizations.
Education
I studied at Uppsala University from 1995 to 2001, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in sociology and also studying history, political science, statistics, and Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian. From 2004 to 2009, I pursued my Ph.D. at Stockholm University, Södertörn University, and the Baltic East European Graduate School. I defended my dissertation in January 2010 with the thesis "The limits of the European Vision in BiH – An analysis of the police reform negotiations." The dissertation analyzed the internationally led efforts to rebuild a state in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how this affected ethnic relations and the post-war reconciliation process.