Sami law

Research in Saami law forms part of the broader field of international Indigenous law. It has been carried out through both nationally funded projects supported by government research agencies and through collaboration in international research initiatives. Crucially, this research is also supported at the university level through dedicated financial resources.

Historically, Saami law research within the legal discipline in Sweden has focused primarily on Sami land rights while the research at Mid Sweden University has focused on administrative law in relation to legal regulations governing Saami livelihoods and land rights. This work has led to the publication of several international research reports and contributions to a number of international anthologies.

Currently, Saami law research is conducted by Associate Professor Eivind Torp and Postdoctoral Researcher Ekaterina Zmyvalova. Torp’s research focus primarily on admistrative law while Zmyvalova focuses on Saami children’s language rights in education and broader human rights issues concerning the Saami people in Saepmie.