New graduate school in Islamic studies – collaboration between seven higher education institutions

The new graduate school in Islamic studies, the academic study of Islam, is a joint initiative between seven Swedish higher education institutions. These are Linnaeus University, Lund University, University of Gothenburg, Stockholm University, Södertörn University, Uppsala University, and Umeå University. The graduate school will take in a total of 12 doctoral students, with placement at the different higher education institutions. Linnaeus University will coordinate the graduate school.

A group of nine professors of religious studies with specialisation in Islam, around the country, are behind the initiative. Jonas Svensson is Linnaeus University’s representative.

“For quite some time, we have been discussing within the group how to guarantee the continuity of the subject Islamic studies in Sweden. When we learned that the Swedish Research Council was announcing funds for graduate schools, we started mapping out competencies and making lists of possible doctoral courses in the field”, explains Svensson, professor of religious studies with specialisation in Islamic studies.

They put together an application and have now been granted SEK 24.8 million in partial funding over four years by the Swedish Research Council. The graduate school is also co-funded by the higher education institutions.

The graduate school will admit students with a one-year or two-year master’s degree, mainly in religious studies and Islamic studies, but also other backgrounds may be considered. The announcements of the doctoral positions will be international.

“The field covers a breadth of religious studies, and we do not want to micromanage the research questions. In Sweden, there is a certain focus on contemporary Islam, but we are also hoping to attract doctoral students with an interest in historical issues. One of the announced positions will be reserved for education”, Svensson continues.

Why is research on Islamic studies important?
“Islam is the second biggest religion in the world and a major minority religion in Sweden. It is a religion with great political and social influence in many parts of the world. Just like other religions, Islam is characterised by diversity and change over time. Islamic studies is a field that uses scientific methods to study and explain the expressions of Islam, both historically and in our time”, Svensson concludes.