University of Gothenburg
  2. About the University
  3. Find staff
  4. Kristina Alstam

Kristina Alstam

Senior Lecturer

Department of Social Work
Mail
kristina.alstam@socwork.gu.se
Visiting address
Sprängkullsgatan 23
41123 Göteborg
Postal address
Box 720
40530 Göteborg

About Kristina Alstam

I hold a PhD in Social Work and work as a researcher and teacher at the Department of Social Work at the University of Gothenburg. My main research interests revolve around structurally disadvantaged suburbs, primarily focusing on policy formulation and collaboration regarding neighborhood- or safety-oriented work and crime prevention measures. Furthermore, my research addresses issues of conflict escalation and gun violence in gang-related environments—such as recruitment or socialization into such settings—as well as exit processes from crime. I have also taken an interest in ideological and practice-related shifts in the transformation of the welfare state under austerity regimes, as exemplified in notions of neighborhood development, safety initiatives, and securitization, or manifested through manual-based methods and models intended to steer parts of the field.

Currently, I am the project leader for a FORTE-funded study investigating gun violence and conflict escalation in gang-related contexts. The study also aims to contribute to method development regarding violence-prevention interventions and is conducted in collaboration with Linnaeus University.

Together with Annelie de Cabo, I host the podcast Med Kriminella Hälsningar (With Criminal Regards), which—with the help of invited guests—addresses issues of crime and punishment, institutional care, crime prevention, and the changes within the welfare state that impact such work. I teach within the Bachelor of Science Programme in Social Work, primarily at the second-cycle (advanced) and master's levels.