Sandra Karlsson

I am a senior lecturer in social work at Södertörn University. I hold a PhD in Planning and Decision Analysis with a specialization in Urban and Regional Studies from the Division of Urban and Regional Studies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

I received my PhD in 2017 with the dissertation Area-Based Policy – Opportunities for Structural Change (in Swedish). My doctoral research explored community development initiatives in marginalized urban areas, examining how these initiatives constructed and addressed place-based social issues. At Södertörn University, my research continues along similar lines, focusing on community development—that is, preventive, socially oriented, and place-based development practices.

Before pursuing my doctoral studies, I worked with rural development in Mexico, conducting field studies on land and water management within a watershed perspective. This work aimed to engage local communities in reducing risks of erosion and flooding while safeguarding local livelihoods. Since completing my dissertation, rural development has re-emerged as a key area of interest, particularly concerning alternatives to strengthen the resilience of small-scale rural livelihoods.

My research is primarily qualitative and participatory, often combined with holistic frameworks such as the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. In my teaching, I have an interdisciplinary role, contributing to courses in the Social Work program, the Police Education program, and Urban and Regional Planning.