Stockholm Forum for Security Studies (SFSS)

Stockholm Forum for Security Studies (SFSS) brings together researchers with a focus on security and security policy in a wide sense. Emphasis is on linkages between national and international security; societal security and political security; security, democratization and development; security sector reform (SSR); security, civil rights and private integrity; civilian and military relations; and the larger trends of globalization and fragmentation in world affairs. Via cross-institutional research groups, and annual conferences, our goal is to strengthen collaboration between security researchers in Sweden and elsewhere in the world.

SFSS supports multidisciplinary research, transcending the boundaries between military and non-military approaches. The aim of this coordination is twofold: to contribute to the advancement of contemporary security studies, and to contribute with reflections and recommendations to policy debates. The Forum is open for participation regardless of the geographical location of members, yet meetings and conferences are regularly taking place in Stockholm.

SFSS is supported by the directors of the Swedish National Defence College (SNDC), the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), all three of which are located in the same building in Stockholm. SFSS is financially supported by a grant from the Swedish Emergency Management Agency. [1]

SFSS was established in October 2008 through an amalgamation of two pre-existing networks: Forum for Security Studies (a cross-institutional group within the SNDC focusing on transatlantic relations), and Stockholm Network for Security Studies, which was initiatied in 2007 with the purpose of coordinating security studies within and between the SNDC, SIIA and FBA.

Activities

SFSS runs two main activities: an annual research conference focusing on topical security issues, and activities within cross-institutional research groups. The latter organize their own meetings, some of which are open seminars.

Cross-Institutional Research Groups

The Security Policy Council
Coordinator: Maria Strömvik, SIIA

European Security
Coordinator: Mark Rhinard, SIIA

Democratization and Crisis Management
Coordinator: Fredrik Bynander, SNDC

Expertise in Crisis and Risk Management
Coordinator: Johan Eriksson, SIIA

Threat Images, Identity, and the Media
Coordinator: Stig-Arne Nohrstedt, Örebro University

We are continually discussing the possible formation of new groups, focusing on for exampel the following themes: Negotiations and Security; Aid, Development and Security; Global Great Power Politics; Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection; Russia and its Near Abroad.

Steering Committe

SFSS is led by Johan Eriksson (SIIA) and Magnus Ekengren (SNDC), with support from Johan Carlstedt (SIIA).

Contact

johan.eriksson@ui.se Phone: +46 (0)8 511 768 21
magnus.ekengren@fhs.se Phone: +46 (0)8 553 427 13
johan.carlstedt@ui.se Phone: +46 (0)8 511 768 42

The steering committee also includes the coordinators of the research groups (see above).
If you are interested in receiving information about coming events, please contact Johan Carlstedt.

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[1]  SFSS was established in the Autumn of 2008 as a result of an amalgamation of two previous initiatives: the SNDC’s Forum for Security, and the Stockholm Network for Security Studies, which was initiated in the Spring of 2007 in an effort to better coordinate research within and between SNDC, SIIA and FBA.