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Public Administration Theory research group

Studying the governance and organisation of society

On this page, the Public Administration Theory research group is presented, including the conveners, researchers in the group, selected publications, and upcoming seminars.

About the group

Departing from key concepts such as power, democracy, government and ethics, the members of the Public Administration Theory research group study issues that broadly concern the organization and governance of/in the public sector. Past and present research projects deal with themes such as marketisation, depoliticisation, juridification, projectification, and bureaucratisation - focusing on, amongst other things, public sector reform, expert rule, climate politics, social impact initiatives, autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence.

Public administration research takes an interest in all political levels, from international to sub-national , in democracies as well as authoritarian regimes. Also, issues of the governance and organization of the public sector and public services includes private companies and civil society organizations. 

Therefore, we are open to new members from a wide range of research fields and disciplines to take part in our activities. If you would like to join the group's mailing list, contact the conveners listed below.

Mats Fred
E-post: mats [dot] fred [at] svet [dot] lu [dot] se

See the members' personal pages by clicking on each name under the heading 'Researchers in the group' or visit Department of Political Science - Research output - Lund University

Selected publications

  • Kang, Y. H. (2025). Promise or Peril: How AI Is Discussed in International Environmental Negotiations. Oxford Intersections: AI in Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780198945215.003.0028
  • Hedlund, M., & Persson, E. (2025). Distribution of responsibility for AI development: Expert views. AI & Society: Knowledge, Culture and Communicationhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-02167-9
  • Knaggård, Å., Eriksson, K., & Persson, E. (2025). Disrupting climate adaptation lock‑ins? Swedish local civil servants’ strategies to enable adaptation. Regional Environmental Change25(47). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-025-02382-0
  • Paulsson, A., & Fred, M. (2024). Making apps, owning data: Digital sovereignty and public authorities’ arrangements to “byte” back. Organization. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505084241246073
  • Fred, M., & Mukhtar-Landgren, D. (2024). Promoting public sector innovation: who does what, when and how? Public Policy and Administration. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09520767241271848
  • Chertkovskaya, E., Hasselbalch, J., & Stripple, J. (2024). Assembling a Zero-Waste World: From situated to distributed prefiguration. Organization Studies45(2), 297-318. https://doi.org/10.1177/01708406231200726
  • Krantz, O., Melander, S., & Bahner, J. (2023). The Personal is Political – And Then What? Ideology, Representation, and Legitimacy in a Swedish Disability Organisation. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research25(1), 198-211. https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.1001
  • Mulinari, S., Pashley, D., & Ozieranski, P. (2024). Patterns of company misconduct, recidivism, and complaint resolution delays: A temporal analysis of UK pharmaceutical industry self-regulation within the European context. Regulation and Governance. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12609

5 March. 14.00-16.00 KEFU-seminar: Emma Ek-Österberg (GU) 

https://www.ehl.lu.se/evenemang/styra-upphandling-eller-styra-med-upphandling


1 April. 09.00-10.00 (lilla konf.) Politisering och förvaltning (Responsible: Malena Rosén Sundström)

Forskningsgruppen Förvaltningsteori: Politisering och förvaltning | SVETNET – Internal Department of Political Science


6 May. 09.00-10.00 (lilla konf). TBA ( Responsible: Paulina Vaughn)


15 May, 11.00-12.00 (lilla konf) Lobbying inefficiencies and rent-seeking, Wiebke Marie Junk, Copenhagen University. (Responsible: Jesper Svensson).

Forskningsgruppen Förvaltningsteori: Lobbying inefficiencies and rent-seeking - Wiebke Marie Junk, Copenhagen University. | SVETNET – Internal Department of Political Science


20 May. 14.00-16.00 (sharp) KEFU-seminar: ”Lika partier leka bäst?” - Johan Wänström, Linköpings U.