Background

Professor of Sociology at Mid Sweden University, and the director of RCR.

Area of interest

My research focuses on risk and its role in society and for us humans. I am particularly interested in the importance of stratification of society in terms of gender, ethnicity, sexuality and class and its consequences for the management of risks, understandings of risk and risk communication.

My research has shown the importance of gender equality and equality more generally for people's understanding of risk, something that has implications for risk management and risk communication in both public and private organizations. My research has also shown that the view of who is vulnerable and who is resilient to crises and disasters are often based on prejudice and stereotypes rather than who actually suffer.

Current research

Currently I am working with some colleagues to develop a new theoretical perspective on risk that includes stratification of society and its implications for how risk is understood and constructed, and at the same time how risk is part of the construction of gender, ethnicity, sexuality and class. We call this “doing risk". Parallel to this, I participate in a number of projects studying everything from how the public can be involved in the local crisis management to risk communication during major events.

Teaching and tutoring

I lecture on courses in risk communication and risk perceptions at the undergraduate level, each year I teach a course called Risk Theory at the Master level, and I supervise and examine at all levels.

Other information

During the period 2014-2016, I am chairman of the Research Network Risk and Uncertainty (RN22) in the European Sociological Association (ESA).

Publications

Articles in journals Articles, book reviews Chapters in books Collections (editor) Conference papers Doctoral theses, monographs Reports

Articles in journals

Giritli Nygren, K. , Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2016). Everyday places, heterosexist spaces, and risk in contemporary Sweden. Culture, Health and Sexuality, vol. 18: 1, pp. 45-47.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2015). Vulnerability, values and heterogeneity : One step further to understand risk perception and behaviour. Journal of Risk Research, vol. 18: 1, pp. 2-20.

Linnell, M. , Johansson, C. , Olofsson, A. , Wall, E. & Öhman, S. (2015). Enhancing public resilience : A community approach. Planet@Risk, vol. 3: 1, pp. 33-44.

Olofsson, A. , Zinn, J. O. , Griffin, G. , Giritli Nygren, K. , Cebulla, A. & Hannah-Moffat, K. (2014). The mutual constitution of risk and inequalities: Intersectional risk theory.. Health, Risk and Society, vol. 16: 5, pp. 417-430.

Giritli Nygren, K. & Olofsson, A. (2014). Intersectional Approaches in Health-Risk Research : A Critical Review. Sociology Compass, vol. 8: 9, pp. 1112-1126.

Olofsson, A. (2014). Commentary: The substitution principle in chemical regulation: a constructive critique. Journal of Risk Research, vol. 17: 5, pp. 573-575.

Brown, P. R. & Olofsson, A. (2014). Risk, uncertainty and policy : towards a social-dialectical understanding. Journal of Risk Research, vol. 17: 4, pp. 425-434.

Olofsson, A. & Rashid, S. (2011). Social stratification, Living Conditions and the White Male Effect in Sweden. Sozialer Fortschritt, vol. 60: 3, pp. 63-68.

Olofsson, A. (2011). Organizational crisis preparedness in heterogeneous societies : The OCPH model. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, vol. 19: 4, pp. 215-226.

Olofsson, A. & Rashid, S. (2011). The White (Male) Effect and Risk Perception: Can Equality Make a Difference?. Risk Analysis, vol. 31: 6, pp. 1016-1032.

Olofsson, A. (2011). The Indian Ocean tsunami in Swedish newspapers: nationalism after catastrophe. Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 20: 5, pp. 557-569.

Olofsson, A. (2010). Riskfyllt eller inte? : Riskbedömning för samhället och individen. Framtider, : 4, pp. 9-13.

Meijnders, A. , Midden, C. , Olofsson, A. , Öhman, S. , Matthes, J. , Bondarenko, O. , Gutteling, J. & Rusanen, M. (2009). The Role of Similarity Cues in the Development of Trustin Sources of Information About GM Food. Risk Analysis, vol. 29: 8, pp. 1116-1128.

Wall, E. & Olofsson, A. (2008). Young people making sense of risk : How meanings of risk are materialised within the social context of every-day life.. Young - Nordic Journal of Youth Research, vol. 16: 4, pp. 431-448.

Olofsson, A. (2007). Crisis communication in multicultural societies: A study of municipalities in Sweden. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, vol. 25: 2, pp. 145-172.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2007). Cosmopolitans and Locals : An empirical investigation of cosmopolitanism. Current Sociology, vol. 55: 6, pp. 877-895.

Olofsson, A. (2007). The Preparedness of Local Authorities for Crisis Communication with People who have Foreign Backgrounds : The Case of Sweden. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, vol. 25: 2, pp. 145-172.

Olofsson, A. (2007). Kriskommunikation i ett heterogent samhälle lika för alla eller till var och en efter behov?. Sociologisk forskning, : 3, pp. 6-29.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2007). Views of risk in Sweden : Global fatalism and local control. An empirical investigation of Ulrich Beck´s theory of modern risks.. Journal of Risk Research, vol. 10: 2, pp. 177-196.

Olofsson, A. , Öhman, S. & Rashid, S. (2006). Attitudes to Gene Technology : The Significance of Trust in Institutions. European Societies, vol. 8: 4, pp. 601-624.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2006). General beliefs and environmental concern : Transatlantic comparisons. Environment and Behavior, vol. 38: 6, pp. 768-790.

Fjæstad, B. , Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2003). Gentekniken vinner terräng. Forskning & Framsteg, vol. 37: 6, pp. 51-53.

Fjæstad, B. , Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2003). Svenskar mest negativa till gentester. Dagens Nyheter, : 10 juni

Gaskell, G. , Allum, N. , Bauer, M. , Durant, J. , Allansdottir, A. , Bonfadelli, H. , Boy, D. , de Cheveigné, S. & et al. (2000). Biotechnology and the European public. Nature Biotechnology, vol. 18: 9, pp. 935-938.

Wagner, W. , Torgerson, H. , Einsiedel, E. , Jelsoe, E. , Fredrickson, H. , Lassen, J. , Rusanen, T. , Boy, D. & et al. (1997). Europe ambivalent on biotechnology. Nature, vol. 387, pp. 845-847.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (). Risk perception and risk behaviour in a heterogeneous society: The case of Sweden. Journal of Risk Research,

Giritli Nygren, K. , Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (). Doing and undoing risk : The mutual constitution of risk and heteronormativity in contemporary society. Journal of Risk Research,

Articles, book reviews

Olofsson, A. (2008). Trust in cooperative risk management. Uncertainty and scepticism in the public mind. Journal of Risk Research, vol. 11: 6, pp. 837-839.

Chapters in books

Olofsson, A. (2009). Kommunikation och risk. In Risker i det moderna samhället : Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv. Lund : Studentlitteratur. pp. 69-91.

Olofsson, A. (2009). Individ och risk. In Risker i det moderna samhället : Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv. Lund : Studentlitteratur. pp. 41-65.

Olofsson, A. (2009). Risker i ett globaliserat och mångkulturellt Sverige. In Risker i det moderna samhället : Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv. Lund : Studentlitteratur. pp. 169-194.

Olofsson, A. & Rashid, S. (2009). Introduktion. In Risker i det moderna samhället : Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv. Lund : Studentlitteratur. pp. 13-37.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2009). Sårbarhet i det heterogena risksamhället. In Risker i det moderna samhället : Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv. Lund : Studentlitteratur. pp. 261-284.

Letukas, L. & Olofsson, A. (2009). Solidarity Triumphs Catastrophe? An Empirical and Theoretical Analysis of Post-Tsunami Media in Sweden and the United States.. In After the Tsunami - Crisis Communication in Finland and Sweden / ed Lars Nord and Ullamaija Kivikuru. Göteborg : Nordicom.

Olofsson, A. (2008). Risk- och krishantering i ett heterogent samhälle: Olikhet eller ojämlikhet?. In Skytteanska samfundets årsbok. Umeå : Skytteanska samfundet.

Kohring, M. , Gutteling, J. , Matthes, J. , Meijnder, A. , Midden, C. , Öhman, S. , Olofsson, A. , Rusanen, M. & et al. (2006). Whom to trust with genes on the menu?. In Genomics and Society : Legal, Ethical and Social Dimensions. London : Earthscan Publications Ltd.. pp. 60-75.

Fjæstad, B. , Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2004). Gentekniken vinner terräng. In Ekengrens svenska : Språkbok C. Stockholm : Natur och kultur.

Olofsson, A. , Rashid, S. & Öhman, S. (2003). The division of attitudes to GM food between the north and south of Europe.. In Integrating and Articulating Environments : A Challenge for Northern and Southern Europe.. Lisse : Swets & Zeitlinger. pp. 91-108.

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2003). Ok... så vad får jag i gengäld? . In Miljömål i Jämtlands län. Östersund : Länsstyrelsen (Skrift från Länsstyrelsen i Jämtlands län). pp. 5-.

Einsiedel, E. , Allansdottir, A. , Allum, N. , Bauer, M. W. , Berthomier, A. , Chatjouli, A. , de Cheveigne, S. , Downey, R. & et al. (2002). Brave new sheep : the clone named Dolly. In Biotechnology : the making of a global controversy. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.

Olofsson, A. , Lassen, J. , Allansdottir, A. , Liakopoulos, M. & Mortensen T, A. (2002). The Reception of Round-up Ready Soya in Europe. In Biotechnology : the making of a global controversy. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.

Gutteling, J. M. , Fjæstad, B. & Olofsson, A. (2002). Media coverage 1973-1996 : Trends and dynamics. In Biotechnology : The making of a global controversy. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. pp. 95-128.

Fjæstad, B. , Öhman, S. , Olofsson, A. , von Bergmann-Winberg, M. & Seger, N. (2001). Sweden, the lid is on, but for how long?. In Biotechnology 1996-2000 : The years of controversy. London : Science Museum. pp. 267-281.

Fjæstad, B. , Öhman (Olsson), S. , Olofsson, A. & von Bergmann-Winberg, M. (1998). National profile: Sweden. In Biotechnology in the public sphere : A European sourcebook. London : Science Museum. pp. 130-143.

Collections (editor)

Olofsson, A. (ed.) & Öhman, S. (ed.) (2009). Risker i det moderna samhället : Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv. Lund : Studentlitteratur

Conference papers

Giritli Nygren, K. , Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2015). Intersectional Approaches To Environmental Sociology. .

Olofsson, A. , Öhman, S. & Giritli Nygren, K. (2015). Towards a methodology for quantitative intersectional analysis of risk positions. In DIFFERENCES INEQULITIES AND SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION ESA 2015 12TH CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2015 PROGRAMME BOOK.

Olofsson, A. , Öhman, S. , Giritli Nygren, K. & Rashid, S. (2015). The unintended consequences of human crisis communication – a critical analysis. .

Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2015). Doing and Undoing Risk : The Constitution of Risk and Heteronormativity in a Transforming Society. .

Öhman, S. , Olofsson, A. & Giritli Nygren, K. (2015). Quantitative Interpretation of Intersectionality. .

Linnell, M. , Johansson, C. , Olofsson, A. , Wall, E. & Öhman, S. (2014). Enhancing public resilience : A community approach. In Proceedings of the International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC Davos 2014 : Extended abstracts. Davos : . pp. 541--544.

Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2010). Sense-making of risk in Sweden and Wales. .

Olofsson, A. (2010). Nationalism in the Aftermath of Catastrophe : Reporting of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in Swedish Newspapers.. .

Olofsson, A. (2010). Disasters – At the intersection of vulnerability and capability.. .

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2009). Risk perception in a heterogeneous society: The impact of basic values and experiences of vulnerability. .

Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2009). National, international or global threats – who fears what? Societal risk perceptions in Sweden 2004 and 2008.. .

Olofsson, A. & Rashid, S. (2009). The Impact of Job Insecurity on Risk Perceptions: The Case of Sweden. In Managing the Social Impacts of Change from a Risk Perspective : Beijing Normal University, Beijing, April 15-7, 2009.

Olofsson, A. (2008). Risker i ett diversifierat samhälle: Sårbarhet eller heterogenitet? : Paper presented at the Swedish  Sociological Association´s annual meeting Gränsdragning,  Risker och möjligheter, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, 31 January-1 February, 2008.. .

Olofsson, A. & Rashid, S. (2008). Nativism in the Aftermath of Disaster: The Indian Ocean Tsunami in Swedish Media.. In Paper presented at the conference 'The End of Rationality?' The Challenge of New Risks and Uncertainties in the 21st Century. 'Sociology and Public Debate' Barcelona, September 5-9, 2008..

Öhman, S. , Kloep, M. & Olofsson, A. (2008). Differences in Sense-Making of Risk: Are there Contextual Differences between Groups?. In 'The End of Rationality?' The Challenge of New Risks and Uncertainties in the 21st Century. 'Sociology and Public Debate' Barcelona, September 5-9..

Olofsson, A. & Rashid, S. (2007). The white male effect: From risk perception to economic prioritising : Building Bridges, SRA-Europe, The Hague, 17-19 June. .

Olofsson, A. , Öhman, S. & Rashid, S. (2007). Differences in risk perception among groups in society and the impact of basic values and experiences of vulnerability : Paper presented at Risk & Rationalities, Queens' College, Cambridge, 29-31 March 2007. .

Olofsson, A. (2006). Crisis communication in multicultural societies: A study of local governments in Sweden : Paper presented at the XVI World Congress of Sociology, 2006-07-23-29,Durban, South Africa.. .

Wall, E. & Olofsson, A. (2006). Young People Making Sense of Risk: an empirical and theoretical development of a new concept : Paper presented at NYRIS, 2006-01-12-01-14, Stockholm, Sweden.. .

Olofsson, A. (2006). Crisis communication in multicultural societies: A study of local governments in Sweden : Paper presented at RiskCom2006, 2006-08-31-09-02, Gothenburg, Sweden.. .

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2006). Cosmopolitans and locals - An empirical investigation of cosmopolitanism : Paper presented at Sveriges Sociologförbunds årskonferens, Staden och Östeuropa, Feburary 9-10, Södertörns University College, Stockholm.. .

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2005). Cosmopolitans and locals, an empirical investigation of cosmopolitanism : Paper presented at the 7th ESA conference: Rethinking Inequality, September 9-13, 2005, Institute of Sociology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun.. .

Olofsson, A. , Öhman, S. & Rashid, S. (2005). Views of risk in late modernity: Do people´s views of risk define our time? : Paper presented at ISA conference "Environment, knowldege & democracy", July 6-7, Marseille.. .

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2003). Clustering environmental attitudes, transatlantic comparisions. .

Olofsson, A. , Rashid, S. & Öhman, S. (2003). Attitudes to gene technology, the importance of institutional trust. .

Olofsson, A. (2002). The hidden controversy gene technology in the public debate.. .

Doctoral theses, monographs

Olofsson, A. (2002). Waves of Controversy : Gene Technology in Dagens Nyheter 1973-96. Dis. Umeå : Univ., 2002 (Doctoral theses at the Department of Sociology / Umeå University : 29)

Reports

Bellman, L. , Gebert-Persson, S. , Öhman, P. , Giritli Nygren, K. , Nyhlén, S. , Olofsdotter, G. , Kvarnlöf, L. , Lidén, G. & et al. (2015). Att vända det onda till gott : möjligheter till nytänkande i mellersta Norrland till följd av den demografiska förändringen. Sundsvall : Mittuniversitetet (RCR Working Paper Series 2015:1)

Linnell, M. , Johansson, C. , Olofsson, A. , Wall, E. & Öhman, S. (2014). Experiences and requirements for a community approach involving social groups in crisis preparedness and response.

Olofsson, A. (2013). Risker i ett heterogent samhälle : sårbarhetsbegreppet - dess relevans och problematik. Östersund : Mittuniversitetet (RCR Working Paper Series 2013:1)

Ekroth, J. , Danielsson, E. , Johansson, R. & Olofsson, A. (2012). Forskningsöversikt: Bostadsbränder och socioekonomiska faktorer. Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap

Danielsson, E. , Olofsson, A. , Larsson, G. , Voss, M. & Landgren, J. (2011). Forskningsöversikt Ledning och Samverkan vid olyckor och kriser. Karlstad : Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap

Demarin, E. , Danielsson, E. , Eliasson, L. , Johansson, R. , Olofsson, A. , Sparf, J. & Öhman, S. (2010). Samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv på risk och kris : Uppfattning, kommunikation och organisation..

Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2009). Kris och risk i det heterogena samhället. Östersund : Mid Sweden University (Social Science Reports from Mid Sweden University 2)

Olofsson, A. (2008). Når budskapet fram? : kriskommunikation i ett mångkulturellt samhälle. Stockholm : Krisberedskapsmyndigheten (KBM:s temaserie 2008:3)

Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2006). Att mäta och värdera risk och säkerhet i ett heterogent samhälle (ROHS) : Slutrapport. Räddningsverket

Olofsson, A. & Fjæstad, B. (2003). Svenskarnas syn på de areella näringarna : En studie av studier. Stockholm : Kungl. Skogs- och Lantbruksakademien (Kungl. Skogs- och Lantbruksakademiens medie- och informationsprojekt )

Gaskell, G. , Allum, N. , Stares, S. , Fjæstad, B. , Öhman, S. & Olofsson, A. (2003). Europeans and biotechnology in 2002 - Eurobarometer 58.0 : A report to the EC Directorate General for Research from the project "Life Sciences in European Society". Brussels : European Commission

Fjæstad, B. , Olofsson, A. & Öhman, S. (2003). Svenskarna och gentekniken. Rapport från 2002 års Eurobarometer om bioteknik.. Östersund : Mitthögskolan. Institutionen för samhällsvetenskap

Olofsson, A. & Fjæstad, B. (2003). Areella sektorn i med- och motvind : Tre dagstidningars bevakning av den areella sektorn. Stockholm : Kungl. Skogs- och Lantbruksakademien (Kungl. Skogs- och Lantbruksakademiens medie- och informationsprojekt )

Olsson, S. & Olofsson, A. (1995). Spara eller slösa? : en studie om energisparande och livsstilar. Östersund : Mitthögskolan (Rapport / Mitthögskolan 1995:23)

Olsson, S. , Wolvén, L. & Olofsson, A. (1994). Service och livskvalitet i Östersunds kommun. Östersund : Mitthögskolan (Rapport / Mitthögskolan 1994:22)