Anna-Lena Almqvist, Professor of Social Work

Her doctoral thesis focused on how families combine work and childcare in five European countries. She recently started her employment at Karlstad University.

"My most current research focuses on people in vulnerable life situations. It is about bringing their experiences to the fore. These experiences can, in turn, also be linked to professionals at the organisational level and to citizens at the community level in the form of governing documents and laws. For me, it is important to share knowledge to support individuals in vulnerable life situations and to give a voice to those rarely heard."

Anna-Lena Almqvist’s research findings are used by professionals working in social services and mental health services. The findings are also an important part of knowledge generation and accumulation, sharing knowledge that students and other researchers can use.

"My research also covers collaboration with disciplines such as history, education, psychology, political science, nursing and, of course, sociology. It has been exciting and interesting to take part in a SIDA exchange and to teach at a higher education institution in China for a period. It also allowed me to visit a school in the countryside where I taught Chinese children a few words in English, like cat and dog. I have also been involved in collecting empirical research group interviews together with PhD students in Thailand, which was another special experience.  In the long run, I would like to contribute knowledge within the areas of young people in vulnerable life situations and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as deepening and broadening these areas regionally in Värmland as well as internationally through collaborations."

In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Anna-Lena Almqvist has an interest in culture and enjoys going to the cinema and the theatre. She also enjoys travelling to European countries as well as more distant destinations, and she occasionally mixes her trips with horseback riding.