Once a Model of Academic Freedom, the Nordics Are Not Immune to Pressure
With strong public universities, transparent governance, and deep-rooted social trust, the Nordic countries have become synonymous with stability and integrity in higher education and research. Yet recent developments are prompting a closer examination of how secure that foundation truly is.
Distrust, Ideology, and the Turn to Alternative Media
In recent years, far-right movements have gained traction across Europe, and Scandinavia is no exception. At the same time, the public sphere has been reshaped by a hybrid media landscape that offers new opportunities for these political forces to grow and reach audiences.
The Nordic Journalism Students Project: 20 Years of Charting Ideals in Flux
In 2025, more than 3,000 journalism students across the Nordic region are participating in what is likely the world’s most comprehensive and long-running study of journalism students and their professional orientations. The Nordic Journalism Students Project – known also as Hovdabrekka – brings together 26 major institutions from across the Nordic countries to examine students’ perspectives on journalism, their education, media habits, and professional values.
Beyond NordMedia Conferences: Why You Should Embrace Annual National Research Associations’ Meetings
Across the Nordic region, the NordMedia conferences serve as a central meeting place for scholars in media and communication studies – a forum for presenting research, exchanging ideas, and building networks. Yet there is another arena that merits equal attention: the annual meetings of the national research associations. Read on to find out how these gatherings complement the NordMedia conferences, contribute to researchers’ professional development, and prove especially valuable for early-career scholars.
How Can Social Scientists Contribute to Society - Reflections from a Panel Hosted by Nordicom
At NordMedia25, Nordicom arranged a panel bringing together scientists and practitioners with broad experience in research communication, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Among the topics discussed were how social scientists can contribute to society and what expectations society places on scholars. What barriers do social scientists face when collaborating and trying to share their findings with broader audiences, and what may a “more livable future” look like for research collaboration and communication?
Navigating Challenges Together: Doctoral Pre-Conference as a Space for Sharing, Learning, and Belonging
Deadlines in the holidays, parental duties, papers piling up – how much is enough? Doctoral researchers at the Nordmedia2025 pre-conference discussed the realities of academic life while presenting their own work. As described by the participants, the pre-conference is experienced as a safe environment to train academic skills in an international setting.
SEK 40 Million Donation to Film and Theatre Research
The research fields of cinema and theatre studies at Stockholm University have received a donation of SEK 40 million from the Anders Sandrew Foundation. A significant portion of the donation will fund doctoral positions in both disciplines.
Schibsted’s Success Factor Vanished. Can It Return?
In many ways, the new Schibsted has put all its eggs in one media basket – making the company more vulnerable, argues Professor Ole J. Mjøs, author of the new book Schibsted: The Digital Transformation of a Nordic Media Giant.
Beyond the Mainstream – Niche Influencers and the Search for Authenticity
From beauty tips to financial advice and political commentary, influencers increasingly shape how we communicate, connect, and consume information. A new issue of Nordic Journal of Media Studies examines the role of influencers as cultural, economic, and political actors.
Upcoming Special Issue to Explore Visual Political Communication
An upcoming special issue of Nordicom Review will explore the evolving landscape of visual political communication in the Nordic countries. A Call has been issued for contributions addressing not only the content, strategies, and effects of visual political communication, but also accounting for their broader impact on society. A particular focus is on how visual strategies interact with core Nordic democratic values, such as openness, inclusivity, and (political and media) trust.
A Closer Look at Media and Democracy in the Nordics
What do we know about media, communication, journalism, and democracy in the Nordic region? A new special issue of Nordicom Review brings together literature reviews that aim to answer just that. We spoke with Magnus Fredriksson, professor and co-editor of the issue, about why these kinds of overviews are needed now, and how they might support both research and public understanding.
Scandinavians Among the Most Surveilled Citizens – Without Knowing It
Citizens in Scandinavia routinely access tax-funded public services online – unaware that their personal data is being harvested in the process. In this interview, media scholar Helle Sjøvaag discusses new research revealing how municipal websites across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden use commercial trackers that collect personal data, raising concerns about privacy, transparency, and the integrity of the Nordic welfare model.
Novel Methodological Approach Combines Data Donation and Surveys
Nordicom has recently published, in collaboration with DATALAB – Center for Digital Social Research, at Aarhus University, an in-depth reporting of a novel methodological approach combining data donation and surveys. The publication demonstrates how data donation can be scaled to national population level to understand trends in digital media usage and potential challenges for digital democracies. Kristin Clay, manuscript editor at Nordicom, spoke with co-author Anja Bechmann about the study’s main findings and their broader relevance.
Study: Climate Topics Receive Limited Attention in Nordic Journalism Education
There are differing views on whether climate change should be treated as a distinct field within journalism or simply as one topic among many. These perspectives are reflected in journalism education across the Nordic countries, according to new research.
Amid US Political Tensions, International Scientists Rethink Transatlantic Conferences –Where Do Nordic Researchers Stand?
The Trump administration’s attacks on science and education drew strong criticism from scientists around the world, including in the Nordic countries. Cuts to funding, threats to academic freedom, and ideological interference, along with denied entry to scholars, have raised alarm. With the ICA Conference scheduled for June in Denver, many international media scholars are now reconsidering whether to attend. Within the Nordic community, the dilemma also persists: whether to take part, and how best to engage with the developments unfolding in the United States.
Your Work, Their Words: How Others See Us (Part 2)
Innovative, methodologically well-structured, and open to diverse academic traditions – these are just some of the qualities that international scholars value and appreciate about Nordic media and communication researchers. In the second article in our series "Your Work, Their Words: How Others See Us", we spotlight more voices from international scholars and their reflections on the contributions of Nordic researchers. Here’s what they had to say.
Greenland is Vulnerable to Disinformation
Greenland’s journalistic media are few and small, while social media are important, writes Signe Ravn-Højgaard, director of the Digital Infrastructure Think Tank, which co-published a report on the topic.
Your Work, Their Words: How Others See Us
Though modest in size, the Nordic countries play a significant role in global media and communication research. The field benefits greatly from your contributions, which extend far beyond national and regional boundaries. Yet amid the pressures of proposals, publications, and conferences, there is little time – or perhaps even interest – to reflect on the broader impact of this work. To gain perspective, we asked your international colleagues how they view the contributions of Nordic researchers. Here is the first glimpse into what they had to say.
Influencers: A Political Force for Engagement?
In recent years, the role of social media influencers has extended beyond brand endorsements and lifestyle content, entering the realm of political discourse. While much of the conversation around influencers and politics focuses on concerns such as misinformation and polarisation, new research highlights the potential of influencers to positively impact political engagement.
The Swedish Media Landscape 2025: Key Insights for Nordic Media Researchers
Nordicom has released the sixteenth edition of MedieSverige [MediaSweden], a comprehensive report on Sweden’s media landscape. The report covers policy shifts, digital trends, and industry developments, but its insights also extend beyond Sweden’s borders.