Gender And Violence in Social Work (GAVIS)
GAVIS conducts interdisciplinary research focusing on violence as a gendered and socially situated practice. The group’s overarching aim is to initiate, develop, and disseminate research-based knowledge about the forms of violence, its actors, and the cultural and structural contexts that enable and sustain violence. GAVIS also serves as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange between students, practitioners, and researchers from different academic disciplines.
Research Focus
Freedom from violence is a fundamental human right. Nevertheless, violence remains a persistent feature of both private and public spheres. Its consequences are far-reaching, resulting in human suffering, diminished life opportunities, and substantial societal costs.
The state and welfare institutions carry a central responsibility for preventing, addressing, and responding to violence. GAVIS contributes to this work by generating in-depth knowledge, developing educational initiatives, and strengthening collaboration between academia, professional practice, and society at large. The research aims to provide a robust knowledge base for designing effective interventions, policies, and practices within social work and related fields.
Activities
The research group engages in a wide range of activities that support knowledge development and dissemination:
- Seminars and workshops – regular academic forums for methodological development, theoretical discussion, and critical analysis.
- Collaboration with other universities – national and international partnerships that enhance the research environment and enable joint projects.
- Collaboration with social practice – close dialogue with professionals in social services, healthcare, education, and the justice system to ensure relevance and practical applicability.
- Collaboration with professional education programmes – integration of current research into curricula to strengthen the competence of future practitioners.
- Educational initiatives – lectures, courses, and professional development activities for practitioners and organisations.
- Research projects – ongoing and planned projects that explore the complexity of violence from various theoretical and empirical perspectives.
- Knowledge dissemination – scientific publications, reports, conference contributions, and public engagement.
Staff
- Caroline Emma Hansén Senior lecturer
- +46 470-70 84 87
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- Cecilia Kjellgren Associate professor
- +46 470-70 83 42
- +46 72-701 83 42
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- Charlotte Lebeda Henriksson Lecturer
- +46 470-70 80 78
- +46 70-618 11 36
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- Kerstin Arnesson Associate professor
- +46 480-44 73 66
- +46 73-380 01 44
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- Kristina Gustafsson Associate professor
- +46 470-70 86 47
- +46 70-290 83 27
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- Lotta Gross Senior lecturer
- +46 470-70 83 12
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- Maria Wemrell Senior lecturer
- +46 470-70 83 80
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- Marie Eriksson Senior lecturer
- +46 470-70 80 56
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- Ola Kronkvist Senior lecturer
- +46 470-70 81 62
- +46 70-618 82 32
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- Rickard Ulmestig Professor
- +46 470-70 83 38
- +46 76-201 58 86
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- Roddy Nilsson Senior professor
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- Torun Elsrud Associate professor
- +46 480-44 61 10
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