Research

Research at the Multicultural Centre is undertaken on matters related to international migration, ethnic and transnational relations – some of which is publicly financed analysis and evaluation work. We also work with our own projects and with researchers from universities and university colleges in our area. The profile is interdisciplinary and both qualitative and quantitative methods are used. A number of theoretical perspectives with a focus of power analyses in e.g. postcolonial theory and gender perspective constitute the research platform. These generate questions about everyday racism, structural discrimination, representation and exclusion.

At present researchers with expertise in the fields of anthropology, ethnology, sociology, history of literature, cultural studies, linguistics and dramaturgy work at the centre and often maintain a close connection with people and activities in the field. Our aim is to provide new approaches and perspectives and create a basis for balanced discussions.

The research has cultural studies and urban studies as common denominators. These include ongoing studies and new projects. One theme is Organisations in Complex Societies. Here studies of diversity in both public stewardship and civil society are assembled. Contemporary Urban Culture is another emphasis, this time with a focus on different kinds of presentations and representations and studies relating to learning and knowledge processes. Within the theme Urban Living Conditions studies are conducted on lived and planned life in towns and cities, e.g. matters pertaining to urban development in underprivileged areas, violence and security, consumption and lifestyles, and children’s and young people’s situations.
The Multicultural Centre and Södertörn University have formed a long-term collaborative partnership, the aim being to reciprocally cooperate in knowledge development and knowledge dissemination with a focus on the role of migration for cultural heritage, social and cultural sustainability and urban development.

We communicate our results continuously through the publication of books and reports via our in-house publishing company, exhibitions, open programme evenings, lectures, seminars, educational courses and conferences.