Our researchers in the media, 25 October – 30 December 2025
The Epstein files, the war in Sudan and youth radicalisation – during the last few months of the year, researchers in the disciplinary domain were interviewed on a range of topical issues in the Swedish and international media.
Selection from the media 25 October 2025 – 30 December 2025.
Note that no links to material behind a paywall are provided. Instead, please use Retriever Research at the University Library (see Fact box below).
Trump and Epstein
The failure to release all files relating to Epstein and the redactions in the files have provoked criticism. Both Erik Åsard and Dag Blanck, professors at the Department of English, have been interviewed in several media outlets about the removal of pictures of Trump. They both suggest that the way Trump has managed the matter implies that he is ashamed or has something to hide.
“Framstår som att Trump har något att dölja” (“Looks as if Trump has something to hide”), interview with Erik Åsard and Dag Blanck (Sydsvenskan, TT).
The war in Sudan
Johan Brosché, senior lecturer at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, has been interviewed about the war in Sudan in many media outlets during the current period (around 100 articles). Among other things, he talks about Sweden’s arms exports to the United Arab Emiratesand how they affect the conflict in Sudan, and about the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese army.
Youth radicalisation
TT has written a long article discussing the mechanisms behind the radicalisation of young people. One of the experts interviewed is Joanna Lindström, researcher at the Department of Psychology. She says that radicalisation often occurs online these days, where socially vulnerable young people risk being drawn into extreme environments that offer a feeling of belonging. Committing violent acts becomes a way for young people who feel disadvantaged to take back power.
Hopplock av ideologier när unga radikaliseras (Mixed bag of ideologies when young people are radicalised), interview with Joanna Lindström (TT).
Maduro and Venezuela
Fredrik Uggla, researcher at the Department of Government, has been interviewed in various media about the situation in Latin America and above all in Venezuela. In the P3 ID podcast he explains how Nicolás Maduro came to power and how he exercises power in Latin America today, including launching himself as the cartoon superhero Super-Bigote (Super Moustache).
Democracy in Sweden
Sofia Näsström, professor at the Department of Government, who has written the book Demokrati: en liten bok om en stor sak (Democracy: a little book about a big thing), was invited to the radio programme Förmiddag i P1 to talk about democracy. She says that democracy in Sweden stands up well in international assessments, largely thanks to a high level of trust and strong welfare systems, though it is threatened by increasing hatred and threats towards politicians.
Relations between India and Bangladesh
Relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated drastically following the killing of Bangladeshi politician Osman Hadi, writes Ashok Swain in an opinion piece on the news site Scroll In. He argues that Indian media coverage and political rhetoric has led to deeper distrust, whipped up public anger and reduced the scope for diplomacy. He has also been interviewed on the BBC about the situation between the two countries.
Opinion: What India must do to help restore stability in Bangladesh, by Ashok Swain on Scroll In.
Sandra Gunnarsson
Material behind a paywall
Some material in the media is only published for subscribers behind a paywall which is why there are no links to this material above. But as an employee of Uppsala University, you can access the article via Retriever Research in the University Library.
Copy the title of any unlinked article you are interested in and perform a search in Retriever Research using the filter “The headline only”.