This position paper argues for the introduction of a philosophy of research impact, as an invitation to think deeply about the implications of the impact agenda. It delves into the transformative influence of prioritizing the end-product of the research journey over the entire knowledge production process. We argue that the prevalence of research impact assessment in Western research ecosystems has reshaped various facets of research, extending from funding proposals to the overarching goals of research agendas, assessment regimes and promotion structures. Through self-reflective analysis, this position paper critically assesses the consequences of this paradigm shift. Utilizing perspectives from the UK, Poland, Sweden, and Finland, we explore tensions, conflicts, opportunities, and viabilities arising from such a shift in the teleological purpose of research. This selection of countries offers a spectrum, ranging from early adopters of impact assessment regimes to those where such evaluation is largely absent as of now, and its intermediaries. Moreover, our examination extends across different disciplinary foci, including allied health, business and management studies, earth science, human geography, and history. Our findings suggest a discernible alteration in the fundamental logic of research, where the focus shifts from checks and balances geared towards the advancement of knowledge, towards other supposedly more important goals. Here research is merely cast as an instrumental means to achieve broader societal, political, economic, environmental (etc.) goals. Additionally, we observe that as the formalization of research impact evaluation intensifies, there are diminishing degrees of freedom for scholars to challenge contemporary power structures and to think innovatively within their research ecosystem.

In pursuit of the EU’s goal to become the world’s first climate neutral region, Northern Sweden is positioned as a centrepiece to the green transition development. Its innovative industries are hailed as crucial, not only for Sweden but for the sustainable future of Europe. Yet, previous research depicts the cultural region of Norrland as an inner periphery of Sweden, subjected to colonization and marginalization. This article delves into this paradox by examining discursive representations of Norrland in light of the current green transition narratives. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, this study employs critical discourse analysis to systematically examine representations from news media, political opinion, and government institutions, uncovering tensions and contradictions within the discourse. The analysis suggests the prevalence of two main themes, construing Norrland simultaneously as the future and as a struggle. By contextualizing these discourses within the concept of peripheralization, this research suggests that the future-oriented representations dominate the current understanding of Norrland, potentially perpetuating patterns of spatial disparities within the region. Thus, this research contributes with an updated understanding of processes of peripheralization under the guise of a green discourse, suggesting that the development in Norrland seems part of a broader narrative aiming to frame Sweden as the world leader within green transition initiatives.

Gender mainstreaming är en strategi för att integrera ett jämställdhetsperspektiv i alla politikområden och processer för att säkerställa att både kvinnors och mäns behov och erfarenheter beaktas lika. Integrationsprojekt börjar vanligtvis med en engagerad grupp av initiativtagare som, efter att ha fångat intresse, kan sprida sina resultat och uppnå bredare genomslag, men de kan misslyckas på grund av en rad externa och interna faktorer och omständigheter. Detta är särskilt förekommande inom EU:s politik, där resultat av integration redovisas på makronivå dock med otillräcklig insyn i vad som händer på mikronivå. Denna presentation ämnar belysa ovanstående problematik genom att dekonstruera hur ett integrationsprojekt i Göteborg använde sig av gender mainstreaming. Detta görs genom att projektets empiriska resultat tolkas på makronivå med hjälp av några teoretiska förklaringsmodeller. Studien identifierar fyra huvudsakliga problemområden där tillräcklig hänsyn inte har tagits till migrantkvinnors specifika situation: metodologiska brister, felriktade ekonomiska modeller och incitament, undervärdering av kulturella val, samt stereotypa antaganden. Analysen belyser hur dessa typer av interna misslyckanden i kommunikation och beteendemönster kan generera oönskade konsekvenser. På så sätt, trots en ambitiös policy och goda intentioner för jämställdhet och integration kan det hända att gender mainstreaming inte fungerar i praktiken. Presentationen avslutas med förslag på hur denna typ av projekt kan göras mer socialt hållbara, inte minst bortom deras projekttid.

This study sets out to conceptually distinguish between ‘public’ and ‘greater good’ in respect to research impact claims. We argue that the former is a category reflective of genuine benefit for the wider public, while the latter merely represents a rhetorical category to pursue the ends of a select few. Methodologically, we showcase that only within the actual research conduct is it possible to distinguish between these two categories. Likewise, without acknowledging methodological limitations, researchers may contribute to post-truth predicaments in the sense that the interaction ritual chains they are using constitute a mere rhetorical flourish rather than a rigorous argument for genuine benefit. We conclude with an appeal to future scrutiny for how researchers can retain their integrity in this new research impact discourse. We argue that an uncritical use of impact arguments may undermine the very social fabric that makes scientific pursuits possible.

This presentation explores the conceptualization of universities as dynamic "research ecosystems," drawing upon evolutionary and biological metaphors to illuminate the cultural dynamics within these institutions. Acknowledging the limitations of such metaphors (Delanda, 2019), we define the research ecosystem as the milieu wherein academic knowledge production unfolds, with data transformed, legitimized, and narrated into facts by various disciplinary tribes. Our focus lies on understanding how these tribes, encompassing natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, employ stability, universality, and objectivity as rhetorical devices to advance their arguments, despite the inherent flux of these categories intergenerationally. This conceptual research aims to differentiate between three key aspects: firstly, identifying the enduring elements amidst change that enable convincing arguments of continuity; secondly, exploring the factors that mediate change, facilitating a bridge between past practices and present exigencies; and finally, elucidating the ways in which progenitors shape the future trajectory of knowledge creation processes for descendants. Through this tripartite ontological framework, we seek to unravel how cultural practices perpetuate themselves across generations within the research ecosystem. Conceptually, this allows us to methodologically structure our argument, which incorporates cultural practices from the disciplines of geography and tourism studies, as its empirical examples.

This paper investigates how university administration influences solidarity in collaborative research and impact generation. We understand solidarity as the main stratum that makes higher education institutions function, as not to be swamped by their own complexity. Through autoethnographic case study on research impact evidencing and generation from an administrative perspective, we analyse bureaucratic dynamics that hinder solidarity formation by using Michael Lipsky's Street-Level Bureaucrats framework. We uncover how procedural issues, language barriers, and network dynamics hinder solidarity formation. We argue that rigid adherence to bureaucratic protocols and insensitivity to academic realities disconnect administrators from academics, impeding collaboration. We emphasize the importance of personal motivations in fostering collaborative environments. Our findings underscore the need for a paradigm shift toward balancing community welfare and individual well-being within academic institutions. By acknowledging administrative system biases and fostering mutual respect, we can mitigate solidarity erosion and enhance collaborative research for societal benefit.

In pursuit of the EU's goal to become the world's first climate-neutral region, Northern Sweden is positioned as a centerpiece within the green transition development. Its innovative industries are hailed as crucial not only for Sweden but for the sustainable future of Europe. Yet, previous research depicts Norrland as an inner periphery of Sweden, subjected to colonization and marginalization. This paper delves into this paradox by examining discursive representations of Northern Sweden in light of the prevailing green transition narrative. Through critical discourse analysis used to systematically explore representations from news media, political opinion and government institutions, this paper uncovers tensions and contradictions within the current narrative. The analysis suggests the predominance of two conflicting themes, construing Norrland simultaneously as the future and as a struggle. By contextualizing these discursive themes within the concept of peripheralization, this research argues that the future-oriented narrative dominates the current representations of Northern Sweden, potentially perpetuating spatial disparities within the region. Thus, this research contributes with an updated understanding of processes of peripheralization under the guise of green policy discourses, suggesting that the development in Norrland seems being part of a broader narrative aiming to frame Sweden as the world leader within green transition initiatives.

Norra Sverige är återigen på tapeten: i media, debattinlägg och politiska visioner skildras Norrlands glimrande möjligheter att leda omställningen till ett hållbart Sverige. Men är framtidsvisionerna så ljusa som de verkar? Norrland framställs allt oftare som nyckeln till en grönare och mer hållbar framtid. Med sina rikliga naturresurser ses Norrland som väl lämpat att driva den gröna omställningen – inte bara för Sverige, utan också för hela Europa. Men det är inte första gången som Norrland utmålas som framtiden. Bara för ett sekel sedan beskrevs norra Sverige som ’Framtidslandet’ – en berättelse som bidrog till att legitimera kolonialiseringen och marginaliseringen av Norrland och dess invånare. När det framtidsbetonade narrativet nu lyfts igen är det angeläget att kritiskt granska debatten för att förstå dess innebörd ur ett bredare perspektiv.

Increased global migration to welfare states puts pressure on successful integration. Successful integration is broadly associated with entry into the labour market. Therefore, integration is measured through employment. Attempts to increase migrant involvement in the labour market are often made by street-level organisations, where interactions between individuals from the private and/or public sector interact with the migrants. At this microlevel, seemingly innocuous administrative decisions made by individuals working to increase migrant labour integration are often overlooked, yet, as this study shows, have a significant impact on the perceived success of such projects. Using non-participant observation, chronological ordering and framework analysis, this paper investigates the dynamics of trust as a critical, yet underplayed dimension of the immigrant integration process within a Swedish street-level organisation. The findings reveal instances of immigrant commodification, exploitation of the project format and lack of cultural awareness, which can disrupt the delicate psychosocial relations at play, without ever being appreciated in official reports. Moreover, the impact of trust further impacts on the micro-geographies of immigrants and the integration process. We conclude that whilst the results of integration efforts should be evaluated at the macro level, the fundamentals of integration are set and often decided upon already at the street level.

This paper reviews the latest research directions and conceptual developments on the phenomenon of volunteer tourism. The last review was published in 2017, so it is time to summarize and re-evaluate how voluntourism has evolved. The paper projects future developments within voluntourism by showcasing some critical changes in the participants’ attitudes. This is likely to influence how, where and by whom volunteering initiatives will be implemented. The contributions of this paper are assembling an overview of efforts to formulate a definition of voluntourism and providing clues as to what socio-cultural and market- forces will drive its evolution in the future.