Peter Johansson receives award for research on Sámi rights
Peter Johansson, Senior Lecturer at the School of Global Studies, has been awarded Várdduo’s Scientific Prize for 2026. He receives the award for his research on Sámi and Indigenous issues, with a particular focus on Indigenous rights, self-determination, and land rights in Sápmi.
“I'm very happy and it is a great honour. As a researcher, you often spend a long time working on issues that you consider important, so it means a great deal to have that work recognised,” says Peter Johansson.
A knowledge gap inspired his research
Peter Johansson’s research interest in Sámi issues began when he realised how little he himself knew about the Sámi and Sweden’s Sámi policy.
“I began researching Sámi-related issues because I basically knew nothing about the Sámi or Swedish Sámi policy, even though I was very familiar with the situation of several other Indigenous peoples around the world. That led me to ask myself: ‘Why do I know nothing about the Sámi?’”
That question became a starting point for his research. Peter Johansson began reflecting on how Sweden, which is often regarded as a leading country when it comes to human rights, has at the same time rendered both the Sámi and other minorities invisible and marginalised them.
“Since then, a common thread running through my research has been to examine how Swedish policy has, in various ways, affected and restricted the position of the Sámi as an Indigenous people.”
Peter Johansson is also being recognised for his longstanding work in collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and public dialogue on Sámi and Indigenous issues, both in Sweden and internationally.
Várdduo’s Scientific Prize will be presented at Umeå University’s Annual Celebration on 17 October 2026.