Isabell Schierenbeck

Regional Studies
PhD Political Science
Associated professor

About

 I hold a doctoral degree from the Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg. Part of my doctoral training was conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After completing my PhD I carried out post-doctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. I subsequently held a position as a post-doctoral researcher at the Nordic School of Public Health in Gothenburg and I lectured for one semester (on international politics) at Stirling University, Scotland. In 2010 I was appointed to a post as Senior Lecturer at the School of Global Studies.

Alongside this I work as a research coordinator at the School of Global Studies. I give lectures and consultations as expert commentator (on Middle Eastern politics) for Swedish radio and TV and for the daily press.

Areas of interest

My main research areas are nation and state building (focusing on political leadership), democratization and the interaction between the political elite and other influential actors (in the Middle Eastern context), the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and Israeli domestic politics. I am also conducting research on the barriers to care for patients suffering from mental illness (in South Africa and Rwanda).

My earlier research includes studies of public policy and administration. This work focused on street-level bureaucrats and their work with immigrant clients (at Employment offices and Social welfare offices), and on clients of the Social Insurance Office who are on long-term sick-leave. The latter was carried out using a medicalization perspective.

Current projects

I am currently working with the following research projects:

The Road to Democracy: Exploring the Impact of Leadership Guidance
Together with Ulrika Möller, Department of Political Science; financed by the Swedish Research Council.

Barriers to Health Care and the Right to Health for Mental Illness in South Africa
Together with Lena Andersson and Gunilla Krantz, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg; financed by SIDA.

Traumatic Experiences, Mental Disorders and Barriers to care among Young Men and Women in Rwanda
Together with Lena Andersson and Gunilla Krantz, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg; financed by SIDA

Mass Mobilization as Driving Force of Globalized Arab Democratization
Together with Michael Schulz, School of Global Studies; financed by the Swedish Research Council

Teaching and tutoring

I lecture on nation and state building and on theories of democratization and conflict resolution from a Middle Eastern perspective.

I supervise masters and doctoral students and examine masters theses.

Earlier teaching experience includes lecturing on public policy and administration, comparative politics and interview methodology.