From elite floorball to professorship – Niklas Bolin follows the curiosity

When Niklas Bolin looks back on his path to the professorship, it is not a long-term career plan he remembers.

"Certainly not. Even after four semesters of political science, I didn't have a thought of becoming a researcher. It was only after I was offered a position as a research assistant that I opened my eyes to what research means for the first time.

The meeting with study counsellors was crucial

The road to academia went through sports. For many years, he invested in floorball, played at an elite level and moved to Umeå to continue his sports career. At the same time, he worked in a sports store and thought about the future. He had already studied a little; industrial economics and computer science. But neither computer nor math were subjects he really liked.

"I've always been interested in social issues and followed the news and so on, but I've never thought that it should be something I could work with.

A meeting with a study counsellor was crucial. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Niklas researches the role of political parties in democracy. 

"Among other things, it has been about questions such as why parties succeed in achieving electoral success, how they conduct election campaigns, and in what way they organize themselves and how they function internally.

In recent years, he has been particularly interested in the parties' youth leagues and young people's way into politics.

A milestone but not a stamp

He sees becoming a professor as an important milestone, even if his feelings are mixed.

"It's a stamp that you've done something good, but it can take a while before you feel confident in the title. 

Niklas lives with his partner and two teenage daughters in a house near Sundsvall. In his spare time, sport is still a natural part of life. Niklas still plays floorball and participates every year in the Swedish Veteran Championships with his old team from Umeå. The last two years the team has won gold.

"In addition to playing sports, I like to watch sports as well. And I like to cook.

What do you do when you need new energy or inspiration?

"I think I have the most energy when I exercise regularly and when I feel that I have just the right amount to do at work. I get inspiration from listening to colleagues' presentations and reading about new research.

When do you feel like you've had a really good day at work?

– In general, it always feels good when you have managed to tick off many things from the to-do list. Of course, it is also very satisfying when you have managed to write a text you are happy with. And then you can't hide the fact that there is still a special feeling in receiving an acceptance notice on an application or a submitted article.

More about the Academic Ceremony

Here you can read more about Niklas Bolin's inaugural lecture