Nationally funded CER PhD student on site

Tell us a little bit about yourself – who are you?

Absolute! I am originally from Ringdalen outside Ånge. My journey here to Mid Sweden University has not exactly been straight, but I took the way around the world here, you could say. Before I came here, I have lived in the Swedish mountains and on the west coast as well as abroad, in Brazil, Spain, Austria and Australia. My most recent stop was at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg, where I finished my master's studies earlier this year. By working and studying in many different places, I have developed a great adaptability and become accustomed to meeting new people, cultures and perspectives.

My curiosity is my main driving force, and makes me like to immerse myself in how things work and are connected – both at work and in daily life. I like to take responsibility and drive projects forward, but I also enjoy when I can collaborate and develop ideas together with others. For me, life is about being in motion in one way or another, for example by learning new things and contributing where I can make a difference.

Tell us more about your dissertation project – what are you going to do? Who is the main supervisor and financier?

My project is about lifelong learning in a digitalized financial sector. As tasks and skill requirements change rapidly as a result of technological advancements, employee learning becomes a key issue for the development of organizations. I will explore the relationship between individual and organizational learning, and how these processes interact to support organizational adaptability and change. The project aims to understand how learning can be integrated into work practices, how organizations can create conditions for continuous competence development, and how this affects both the individual's and the organization's development over time. 

The project is part of a larger investment in lifelong learning at Mid Sweden University and is funded by the Knowledge Foundation. It is also linked to the research environment at CER and the graduate school GRADE. My main supervisor is Peter Öhman and I am really looking forward to working with him. His solid experience in industry-related research on banking and insurance issues will add valuable knowledge and experience that can lift the project further.
 
How did you come to be interested in deepening yourself in this field?

My interest in organizational development grew already during my bachelor's studies. I am fascinated by how organizations change over time, both through planned change initiatives and through processes that arise spontaneously. This was why I chose to study a master's degree in Management, where I could immerse myself in issues related to learning and change in organizations.

When I heard about this project, I immediately felt that it was right for me. It combines the issues I am passionate about with the opportunity to link research to real working life challenges. The project focuses on issues that affect people's everyday lives, both inside and outside the workplace. I think it is important that research can make a difference in practice, and there is a clear opportunity to contribute. What drives me particularly is that the project can contribute to strengthening the supply of skills in our region – an important part of the work for the whole of Sweden to live and develop, not just the big cities in the south.

Returnees and new to the job – what are your expectations both in terms of the job and as a newcomer in the region?

I look forward to becoming part of the research environment in Sundsvall and contributing to CER's work. My expectations for the job are to develop in close interaction with supervisors and colleagues, and to have the opportunity to test ideas in both academic and practical contexts. As a newcomer to the region, it feels valuable to hopefully be able to 'give back' with the help of the knowledge and experience that I have accumulated over the years. 

Apart from the work itself, I am very happy to live close to my family again and I am very much looking forward to the winter. Nothing makes me as happy as whizzing down the mountain on skis or across a frozen lake on skates.