2009-12-04 | Press Release

Research into discrimination receives SEK790 000 boost.

Mats Hammarstedt, Ali Ahmed and Lina Andersson, researchers in economics at the soon-to-be inaugurated Linnaeus University, have been awarded SEK 786 000 in project funding by the Institute for Labour Market Policy Evaluation. The funding has been earmarked for the project examining discrimination of non-heterosexual job candidates in the recruitment process.

The project will look into whether a person’s sexual orientation affects their employability. The researchers will examine the extent of discrimination in the Swedish labour market with the help of an experimental method which involves researchers sending out fictitious job applications aimed at real-life job advertisements. They will also look into whether there are any variations with regards to discrimination on the basis of occupational area and geography.

‘It is particularly pleasing to receive funding for project like this’, says Ali Ahmed, associate professor in economics at Växjö University. Very little research has been carried out into the discrimination of non-heterosexual people in the labour market, both in Sweden and internationally. Here in Växjö we have been working with these issues for several years and it is encouraging to receive support for the continuation of our work. It is a recognition of the work we have done’ adds Ali.

For information, contact
Ali Ahmed, Associate Professor , 070-515 24 25
Mats Hammarstedt, Professor, 073-061 91 94
Christina Dahlgren, Press Officer, 0470-70 85 51, 070-572 26 56