Social Media Studies (SMS)

Social Media Studies (SMS) is an interdisciplinary research theme at the University of Borås, based at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science. SMS performs investigations of how users through social media transform production, consumption, seeking, sharing and use of information. These changing information practices translate into substantial effects on fundamental social norms in relation to, for instance, politics, democracy, activism, relationships, markets, trade and cultural creation/consumption.

SMS consists of a strong research environment working with five overreaching themes.

1. Politics, democracy and activism
2. Cultural creation and consumption
3. Trust, relations and privacy
4. Markets and trade
5. Technology and societal development

Research performed at SMS builds on empirical investigations as well as with interaction with the business community, civil society and government authorities . Results are presented in established research journals, conferences and in workshops, nationally and internationally.

Active researchers

Professor Jan Nolin (theme leader) is interested in social media as tool, crutch and weapon for collaboration, surveillance and control. Nolin is also a member of LinCS, a center of excellence within ICT and learning.

Professor Olof Sundin studies issues of trust in relation to social media within the EXAKT-project. Sundin is also a member of LinCS, a center of excellence within ICT and learning.

Senior Lecturer Katriina Byström is interested of information seeking and social media in professional life.

Senior Lecturer Helena Francke studies issues of trust in relation to social media within the EXAKT-project. Francke is also assistant director for LinCS, a center of excellence within ICT and learning.

Senior Lecturer Mathias Klang is concerned with intellectual rights and democratic implications of the regulation of technology.

Senior Lecturer Nasrine Olson has a postdoc stipend, focusing on social media and political engagement/emancipation.

Maria Lindh initiated 2011 a PhD project on professional ethics and cloud computing.

Hanna Maurin Söderholm will defend her PhD thesis in 2012 on cutting edge visual information technology as a resource to medical emergency care.

Monica Lassi is concluding a PhD project on technologies for interactive collaboration.

David Gunnarssonnitiated 2011 a PhD project on Webometrics and social media.

Emma Forsgren initiated 2011 a PhD project on information seeking and social media in professional life.

Amira Sofie Sandin initiated 2011 a PhD project on social media, children and youth.

Social Media Studies: an introduction by Jan Nolin