Research at the Department of Leadership and Management

The unique aim of the Swedish National Defence College (SNDC) is to provide wider society with research and education, in order to equip organisations and individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead civilian and military resources in emergency events, crises, conflicts and war. Understanding and prevention are essential elements of leadership.

Central to SNDC’s research and teaching are two differing concepts: warfare and crisis management. Warfare comprises the full scale of conflict, from limited armed conflict with governmental and non-governmental players, to large-scale regular war. Crisis management encompasses actions in situations which threaten to damage the operation and survival of society, such as collapsing infrastructure, pandemics, natural disasters or trans-border terrorism.

The Department of Leadership and Management’s research activities aim to identify relevant social and behavioural determinants of leadership and social interaction in complex and demanding situations. Our specific focus on “leadership in challenging conditions” gives us an unparalleled position in the Swedish higher education sector concerning political science, and the humanities.

The department strives for an interdisciplinary approach in all research and development activities. It has three chairs/professorships (Psychology, Sociology and Pedagogy).