SÅNT ÄR LIVET i Sverige!

Professor (in Law) Claes Martinson - THINK FOR YOURSELF

Today I welcome Claes Martinson Professor in Private Law, Excellent Teacher, from the University of Gothenburg he is also the holder of the Torsten Pettersson chair in Maritime and Transport Law.
Listen to Professor Martinson reflect on the evolving role of the university—its purpose, and whether its direction is increasingly shaped by business interests or government agendas. He shares candid insights into the challenges of teaching in today’s academic landscape and how the student body has changed since he first entered the profession.
Professor Martinson also explores whether Artificial Intelligence poses a genuine threat to university teaching and governance, offering a thoughtful take on how AI may reshape higher education.
The conversation briefly touches on the disturbing influence of the current U.S. administration’s stance on diversity—and its potential ripple effects in Sweden—highlighting the need for vigilance and resistance.
This is essential listening for anyone considering a future in law, educators navigating today’s academic realities, or anyone curious to hear a brilliant professor speak openly about his work, his concerns, and his enduring belief in the university’s vital role in society. 
Enjoy, comment, debate and remember to share widely,
 
See his profile 
Claes Martinson
https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/claesmartinson
Research areas
Private Law
Property Law and Finance Law
Scandinavian legal approach
Maritime and Transport Law
Research in progress
Regulatory models (Poseidon Principles, The Atmosphere as Property, etc)
Legal embeddedness
Legal science beyond its permanent state of inchoateness
Teaching areas
Private Law
Property Law and Finance
Mergers and acquisitions Law - Private Equity Finance Law
Maritime and Transport Law
    Publications - please see his GU Profile

Approaching Technology and Student Connection with CARE

Welcome to this short episode where I share some thoughts and research on education—with a little help from my two new best friends: robots.
Yes, this episode is only 16 minutes and 32 seconds long, but I hope it offers something meaningful. I’ve been reflecting a lot on how we, as educators, are navigating the space between technology and human connection. And I’m concerned.
I’m concerned that we sometimes hesitate to embrace new technologies. Or we rush in without care. I believe we need to approach both technology and our relationships with students with intention—and above all, with care.
As technology continues to develop at incredible speed, we can’t ignore those without access to it—even those right beside us. Nor can we overlook the very real harm caused by overuse, by disconnection, by losing ourselves in the digital world.
This is where we come in.
As educators, we have a responsibility to understand not just how technology can support learning—but also where it might cause harm.
For me, technology is just that: a tool.
It will never replace students I meet. It will never replace the power of a real, caring human connection.
My approach is grounded in three principles:
Trust students.
Believe in students.
Inspire students to grow.
And the foundation is Care.
Care for students—not just for their academic growth, but for who they are as human beings. My goal is to guide them through the digital landscape so they don’t lose themselves, but learn to use technology in ways that are ethical, meaningful, and human. This means I too need to continue learning and that makes life & living truly meaningful
Thank you for listening. I hope this sparks something in your own reflections. Let's keep learning, together. / Remember TO BE KIND to you and those around you / Liisa

Johan Sandberg McGuinne - The Indigenous SAAMI People of the Nordic Countries

In this very special 1 hour episode meet Johan Sandberg, a truly unique Swedish Indigenous Saami & Scottish Gaelic.
He is an Indigenous scholar, language rights activist and a teacher, translator and academic (linguistics, literature and indigeneity) currently residing in Liksjoe, Sweden.
He is the Head of the Department of English and Saami Studies at Finnbacken Secondary School at Lycksele Kommun. 
As of May 2018, I am the President of the Saami Writers’ Centre in Jokkmokk, and I am passionate about making sure that Saami literature is afforded the space and resources it deserves to thrive.
He introduces himself on his wordpress website
(https://johansandbergmcguinne.wordpress.com/)
As a member of an indigenous community and a minority culture, I’m also passionate about decolonisation, education and endangered languages, as well as questions of authenticity and identity politics from an indigenous perspective.
The South Saami’s ancestral lands cover Sweden and Norway from Dalarna in the south to Dearna and Raane in the north, and my own family hails from Vualtjere in the northern parts of our territory. In South Saami, which is only spoken by between 500 and 1000 people today, our country – unlawfully colonised by the Swedish and Norwegian settler states since the late 16th century – is called Saepmie. I was raised in Ubmeje and later moved to Linköping, before attending university in Gothenburg, Freiburg-im-Breisgau (Germany) and Sruighlea (Scotland).
My Gaelic family comes from Nìs on the Isle of Lewis, and as part of a reclamation process of the second of my two endangered languages, I taught Gaelic and was a member of a Scottish Gaelic choir in Sruighlea where I was resident until mid-2013.
I intend to use this space to write long, as well as shorter posts about the following subjects in English, Swedish and, occasionally, South Saami and Scottish Gaelic:
Decolonisation
Education
Linguistics
Endangered Languages
Indigeneity
Post-colonialism
Poetry
Johan's Profile and Linkedin contact,
linkedin.com/in/johan-sandberg-mcguinne-84029115b
Author
“Duan is Dàn – I Occupy the Liminal Spaces in Between”, (kommande)
“Ett koloniserat sinne sjunger inte“ för Provins 2:2018, ed. Åkerlund, (2018)
“Elsa i Saajvoe-Kungens Rike” (Barnradioteater) 2017
Editor /redaktör
Noerh Tjaelieh / Nuarah Tjállieh – Unga Samer Skriver, (2018)
Sápmi 2.0 – Subaltern No More, (2016)
Translator/översättare
Mojhtestasse, Marja Helena Fjellheim Mortensson (2018)
Tråante 2017 – The Centenary Year in pictures, ed. Morten Olsen Haugen, (2018)
Aarehgïjre, Marja Helena Fjellheim Mortensson (2017)
Jielemen Aavoe – The Joy of Life, Rawdna Carita Eira (2017)
Goevtegæjnoste Gaelpiedualjan / From Kautokeino to Kalvskinnet (2017)
Orda – This is My Land, Sofia Jannok, (2016)
Lådtjies vïlluojde, Thea Viklund (2016)
Languages: Sydsamiska, Swedish, English and German
Other Interesting Webpages relating to indigenous issues:
Samediggi (2025) Home Page of Sami Parliament Sweden https://www.sametinget.se/
UN (2021) The Sámi: We are the natives of this country
https://unric.org/en/sami-we-are-the-natives-of-this-country/#:~:text=They%20have%20been%20subjected%20to,with%20abuses%2C%20violations%20and%20racism.

Anikka Kjeller / Former ECEC Principal, Breast Cancer survivor and author

Meet Anikka Kjeller, an educator/pedagogue, former ECEC principal, grief and family counselor, Breast Cancer survivor and operations manager with many years of experience working with children and young people, as well as their families, in grief and difficult situations.
She also specializes in coordinating systematic quality work for workgroups and leadership within the education sector—both public and private—as well as in nonprofit organizations, for example at Kraftens Hus Göteborg, a meeting place for individuals affected by cancer.
Contact: Annika Kjeller
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/annikakjeller
Website:
K Mentorway Heartful Empowerment
https://www.kmentorway.se/
Book
Barnboksdebut ”SORGSÖRJAN och Livsgnistan” av Annika Kjeller https://idusforlag.se/bok/sorgsorjan-och-livsgnistan/
The reviews of the book are amazing, including one from Ullakarin Nyberg psykiater suividforskare
"Annika Kjeller har skrivit en livsviktig bok. Barn som sörjer behöver vuxna som klarar att möta dem och den här boken kan hjälpa till med det. 💛
 
Article
Kjeller, A (2024) Annika Kjeller debuterar med SORGSÖRJAN och Livsgnistan. Boktugg.
https://www.boktugg.se/2024/05/10/annika-kjeller-debuterar-med-sorgsorjan-och-livsgnistan/
 Swedish Television - Nyhetsmorgon 11/8-24 in Swedish (10.32min)
https://www.tv4play.se/klipp/9fa7d4263f98f9fb358c/video-att-prata-med-barn-om-sorg-vaga-saga-sanningen
Social media
 Instagram / Facebook” kmentorway”

Deep Dive into Liisa's career as an Academic

 
Hello Colleagues and LinkedIn Friends,
I am sure most of you are a bit like me, that is, I do NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT MY CV and guess what I do not NEED to.  Do have a listen to a deep dive where two presenters present yours truly BRILLIANTLY - all I did was I uploaded my CV on NotebookLM,and VOILA - I was IMPRESSED WITH ME, the presenters PRONOUNCED some Swedish words wrong but hey, so what, they did a great job.
ok I added the music and did a bit of editing. BUT that part was fun - Those of you who know me will recognize some of the work I have been involved in, and all the brilliant students THANK YOU - Gosh I sound GREAT. HAVE A HAPPY REST OF THE WEEK / Liisa

Magnus Jägerskog - A Unique Opportunity to Learn About Children's Rights in Sweden.

Today's guest on Sånt är livet i Sverige or That's life in Sweden ! is the Secretary General Magnus Jägerskog for BRIS a Swedish Children's rights organisation. Magnus holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Stockholm University. Since the early 2000s, he has held various leadership positions within the nonprofit sector as well as in state-owned enterprises.
Between 2011 and 2016, Magnus served as the CEO of IQ, a subsidiary of Systembolaget. Prior to that, he worked as the Head of Marketing and Communications at the Friends organization.
Since 2016, Magnus has been the Secretary General of BRIS (Children’s Rights in Society), advocating for children's rights and well-being in Sweden.
 
Contact: Magnus Jägerskog 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/magnus-j%C3%A4gerskog-956b8921?lipi=
BRIS website
bris.se (Company)
Altinget - Articles written by and about Magnus Jägerskog with Sofia Walan in Swedish
https://www.altinget.se/person/magnus-jagerskog
 
YOUTUBE
Dagens människa, avsnitt 136 (Nov 18, 2024) Magnus Jägerskog  (36:10min) In Swedish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqlWbxahts0
RF-SISU Skåne (Feb 13, 2023) Intervju Magnus Jägerskog, Generalsekreterare BRIS (5:38min) in Swedish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQSYmJXmeQE
Equmeniakyrka (Oct 2020) Magnus Jägerskog. Vetekornsdagar (21:09min) in Swedish 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8GYW0FLfBo
 
 
 
 

Alexandra Uusimaki - Breast cancer survivor, and CEO (volunteer) for a Swedish Breast cancer assoc

Sweden's Breast Cancer Association's membership pledge states: "No one should have to face  breast cancer alone." Alexandra Uusimäki, chairperson of the Breast Cancer Association Johanna Gothenburg, Sweden, contributes greatly to ensuring that the pledge is upheld.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Sweden, affecting over 9,000 individuals annually. The chances of being cured have increased over recent decades. Today, 9 out of 10 women survive breast cancer, largely due to earlier detection and advancements in research. This progress is also thanks to passionate individuals like Alexandra, whose tireless dedication has led to informing thousands of people about how to perform self-examinations on their breasts.
Alexandra's commitment further involves staying updated on new treatments, following international research, and influencing guidelines and decisions as a member of the management team at Sahlgrenska Hospital – the only hospital in Sweden certified at the European level for breast cancer care.
"My most important role is probably to see the bigger picture, to connect our operations with healthcare by informing decision-makers, politicians, and working with companies willing to support us. If not with financial contributions, then for example by providing conference spaces or gym memberships," she says.
Summer 2024 marked ten years since Alexandra was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, she is cancer-free and dedicates her efforts to helping others who are affected. This is especially evident in her voluntary role as the chairperson of the Breast Cancer Association Johanna Gothenburg, which was founded back in 1979 as one of the first local breast cancer associations in the country.
Through events and communication initiatives, the membership has grown by 17 percent in just under two years since Alexandra assumed the role of chairperson. Today, the association has 720 members.
Alexandra is described as an individual who never gives up in the fight against one of the toughest diseases and who, in her role as a patient advocate at Breast Center West, does not hesitate to fight from a patient perspective. When she was diagnosed herself, she experienced how difficult it was to understand and absorb everything on her own. Now, she is passionate about helping others affected by this deadly disease. She also spreads knowledge that can lead to more cases being detected early, which saves lives.
Alexandra was awarded the title of ELDSJÄL of the Year 2024 at Folkspel's Eldsjäl Gala at Cirkus in Stockholm on Thursday, April 11. Alexandra Uusimäki, being a finalist, received a personal scholarship of 10,000 SEK, an additional 15,000 SEK for winning, and 50,000 SEK towards a specific project.
Swedish
Sveriges Bröstcancerföreningar har ett medlemslöfte som lyder: ”Ingen ska behöva vara ensam med sin bröstcancer”. Alexandra Uusimäki, ordförande för Bröstcancerföreningen Johanna Göteborg bidrar i allra högsta grad till att se till att det löftet efterlevs.
Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancersjukdomen bland kvinnor i Sverige där drygt 9000 drabbas om året. Möjligheterna att bli botad har ökat de senaste årtiondena. Idag överlever 9 av 10 sin bröstcancer. Mycket beroende på att fler fall upptäcks i tid och att forskningen går framåt. Också tack vare eldsjälar som Alexandra, som med ett outtröttligt engagemang sett till att informera tusentals personer om hur man själv undersöker sina bröst. Hennes engagemang innebär dessutom att hålla sig ajour med nya behandlingar, att följa forskning internationellt, att som ingående i styrgruppen på Sahlgrenska – det sjukhus i Sverige som är certifierat på Europanivå gällande bröstcancer – påverka riktlinjer och beslut.
"Min viktigaste roll är väl att se det stora perspektivet, att knyta ihop vår verksamhet via kontakt med vården, genom att informera beslutfattare, politiker, att bearbeta företag som vill vara med och stödja oss. Om inte i likvida medel exempelvis genom att upplåta konferensutrymmen eller gymkort".
Sommaren 2024 var det tio år sedan Alexandra drabbades av bröstcancer. I dag är hon cancerfri och verkar för att hjälpa andra som drabbas. Inte minst i sin ideella roll som ordförande i Bröstcancerföreningen Johanna Göteborg, vilken startade redan 1979 som en av de första lokala bröstcancerföreningarna i landet. Genom events och kommunikationsinsatser har medlemsantalet ökat med 17 procent på knappt två år och sedan Alexandra tog över som ordförande. I dag uppgår medlemsantalet till 720.
Alexandra beskrivs som en individ som aldrig ger sig i kampen mot den tuffaste av sjukdomar och som inte tvekar i rollen som patientföreträdare i Bröstcentrum Väst att strida utifrån ett patientperspektiv. Då hon själv drabbades märkte hon det svårt i att förstå och ta in allt på egen hand. Nu brinner hon för att hjälpa andra som drabbats av den dödliga sjukdomen. Hon sprider dessutom kunskaper som kan leda till att fler upptäcker sjukdomen i tid, vilket räddar liv.
Alexandra tilldelades priset årets eldsjäl inom kategori hälsa på Folkspels Årets eldsjälsgala på Cirkus i Stockholm torsdagen den 11:e april. Utöver äran får Alexandra Uusimäki som finalist ett personligt stipendium på 10 000 kronor, ytterligare 15 000 kronor i personligt stipendium för vinsten samt 50 000 kronor till ett specifikt projekt.
 
LinkedIn
Alexandras Profile
linkedin.com/in/alexandra-uusimäki-09444566
Facebook (in Swedish)
Bröstcancer - Vikten av tidig upptäckt (45:45min) Conversation style interviewer Fanny Uddman. In addition to Alexandra, the program include Swedens Breast Cancer Organisation’s General Secretary Marit Jenset.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1070528385080718
 Radio (in Swedish)
Swedens Radio P4 (2024) Brist på läkare – då stryks kontroll efter bröstcanceroperation
 Articles (in Swedish)
Berntsson, J. (2025/2026) Skulle förstora bröst – mot hennes vilja. https://www.expressen.se/gt/skulle-forstora-brost--mot-hennes-vilja/
Bröstcancerförbundet (2024). Alexandra Uusimäki är årets eldsjäl https://brostcancerforbundet.se/aktuellt/alexandra-uusimaki-vinnare-av-arets-eldsjal-inom-kategori-halsa/
 
 

Dr Sanna Brauer - Keeping up with the Finns - Competence-based Digital Open Badges and Micro- Credentials

Meet Dr Sanna Brauer a Researcher and Trainer in Teacher Professional Development at the University of Tampere Finland. Sanna's expertise is on the use and development of Digital Open Badges in teaching and learning. She has published numerous scientific articles and books addressing competence-based learning and the impact of digital badges on motivation and learning outcomes. Her doctoral dissertation was the first to explore the use of badges in learning processes.
Brauer’s publications include guides and studies that concentrate on the development of digital pedagogy. Additionally, she has conducted systematic literature reviews on competence-oriented higher education and students’ perceptions of the skills required in the workforce. Her academic publications often focus on digital learning environments and lifelong learning through digital badges at different levels of education
She has also been involved in various national and international projects, such as MEDigi, which focuses on the digitalization of Finnish medical education, and the Smart Campus RDI network, which promotes innovation and business development in Finnish universities.
 
Sanna’s Profile
linkedin.com/in/sannabrauer
 
References:
Brauer, S., Kettunen, J., Levy,A., Merenmies, J., & Kulmalaet, P. (2023) The  Educational Paradigm Shift— A Phenomenographic Study of Medical Teachers’ Experiences of Practices. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04013-w
Brauer, S. & Korhonen, A. (2022). 360-Degree View of Digital Open Badge-Driven Learning. In D. Piedra (Ed.), Innovations in the Design and Application of Alternative Digital Credentials (pp. 95-130). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7697-7.ch005
Brauer, S. (2021). Towards competence-oriented higher education: a systematic literature review of the different perspectives on successful exit profiles. Education + Training, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-07-2020-0216
Brauer, S., Ratinen, I., Kumpulainen, K., Kyrö-Ämmälä, O., Nikander, L., & Väänänen, I. (2021). Agency, expertise and working life skills : Students’ conceptions of the generic competences required in the world of work. European Journal of Education Studies, 8(5).https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v8i5.3710
Brauer, S., Ruhalahti, S., Hallikainen, V., (2018). Digital professional learning: triggers in an online badge-driven process. Education in the North, 25(1-2), pp. 64-86.
Brauer S. Kettunen J. Hallikainen V. (2018). “Learning Online” for vocational teachers— Visualisation of competence-based-approach in digital open badge-driven learning.The Journal of Professional and Vocational Education: Vocational Education and Training in the Nordic Countries, 20(2), 13–29.

Prof Fariborz Zelli - The link and impact of Politics, Power, Control on Biodiversity and Climate Change

Meet Prof Fariborz Zelli whose work and interest is on interlinkages between climate change, biodiversity, human rights, trade and security – both on a global scale and locally with a focus on Latin America and the Amazon.
His concerns links to today’s international relations, which is a growing degree of institutional fragmentation and complexity. Based on ongoing regulation and legalization processes that have led to material and functional overlaps between political institutions.  This institutional fragmentation matters: it alters aspects of power, justice legitimacy and effectiveness of governance processes.
Professor Fariborz’s projects involve investigating the degree, causes and consequences of institutional fragmentation for global environmental governance. This includes, for instance, our Lund-based NAVIGOV project with its focus on climate engineering and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). His many research interests also include overlaps between climate, trade and security governance; the Anthropocene; environmental peacebuilding; and the legitimacy of global governance.
Fariborz’s Profile
linkedin.com/in/fariborz-zelli-07974313
Websites
svet.lu.se/fariborz-zelli
lunduniversity.lu.se/
Research:
Zelli, F, Gerrits, L., Möller, I., & Widerberg,O. (2023), Institutional Complexity and Political Agency in Polycentric Governance', (in Frank Gadinger, and Jan Aart Scholte (eds), Polycentrism: How Governing Works Today) Oxford Academics, https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192866837.003.0004,
Zelli, F., Droste, N., Alkan Olsson, A., Hanson, H., Knaggård, Å., Lima G., Lundmark, L., & Thoni, T. (2022). A global overview of biodiversity offsetting governance. Journal of Environmental Management 316 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115231
Sommerer, T., Agne, H., Zelli, F., & Bes, B.(2022) Global Legitimacy Crises - Decline and Revival in Multilateral Governance Decline and Revival in Multilateral Governance. Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780192856326 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192856326.001.0001
Edited volumes:
Environmental Politics and Governance in the Anthropocene (Routledge, 2016).
Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Governance and Politics (Elgar, 2015).
A special issue with Global Environmental Politics (2013).
Global Climate Governance beyond 2012 (Cambridge University Press, 2010).

Professor João Mattar & President of The Brazilian Distance Education Association

In this episode meet Professor João Mattar, a specialist in distance education with the Catholic University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. João is also the President of ABED - Brazilian Distance Education Association that is a member of the Brazilian Society for the Development of Science - SBPC and is affiliated to international institutions including the International Council for Open and Distance Education – ICDE.
He is recognized internationally as Chair in Distance Education (CUED) of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) of Spain, for his expertise at the Agency for  Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) of Portugal and he is a Member of the International Board of Advisors of the UNESCO. 
João’s Profile
linkedin.com/in/joão-mattar
Facebook: joaomattar
Twitter: joaomattar
Professor João Mattar, a specialist in distance education with the Catholic University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. Jaou is also the President of ABED - Brazilian Distance Education Association that is a member of the Brazilian Society for the Development of Science - SBPC and is affiliated to international institutions including the International Council for Open and Distance Education – ICDE.
International Specialist at the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) of Portugal Chair in Distance Education (CUED) of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) of Spain as well as a  Member of the International Board of Advisors of the UNESCO.
YouTube:
Leaders and legends of Online Learning – interview by Mark Nichols, April 2024 (28.45min)
https://onlinelearninglegends.com/podcast/101-professor-joao-mattar/
Articles:
Mattar, J., Santos, C. C., & Cuque, L. M. (2022). Analysis and comparison of international digital competence frameworks for education. Education Sciences, 12(12), 932. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/12/932
Ramos, D. K., Anastácio, B. S., Da Silva, G. A., Rosso, L. U., & Mattar, J. (2023). Burnout syndrome in different teaching levels during the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 235. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-023-15134-8
Baxto da Silva, W., Amaro, R., & Mattar, J. (2019). Distance education and the Open University of Brazil: History, structure, and challenges. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 20(4), 99-115. https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/4132
Mattar, J. (2020). Active Methodologies in Distance Education: literature review. Rev. Bras. Aprend.Aberta. I: e388. https://seer.abed.net.br/RBAAD/article/view/549/372