--- Update: The Department for Journalism, Media and Communication at GU has responded to the petition (see e-mail at the very bottom). There will be no further steps from the side of this petition, as we have no authority to speak for the collective of signatories beyond the original text they signed. Please write back to the Department concerning their response individually and/or organize yourselves for further actions! Signatures can of course still be added, and comments on this page can be used for organizing announcements, aswell. ---

The Department for Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) at GU has invited Sweden Democrats party secretary Richard Jomshof for a lecture on December 5th 2019. [1]

While the party, which was founded on outspokenly fascist, white-supremacist grounds, more recently denies being racist or fascist, their politics continue carrying a clearly racist ideology, only concealed by more vague vocabulary. [2] Richard Jomshof has a personal record of racist claims [3] and scholars, politicians and others still categorize the Sweden Democrats as right-wing and racist.[4] [5] [6] [7]

The University of Gothenburg claims:
"Our standpoints and decisions shall be based on a clear responsibility for the development of society" and "our work shall be guided by a global engagement that constantly reminds us of our role in the world" [8]

Inviting a spokesperson from the Sweden Democrats for a guest lecture means offering them a stage, an opportunity to spread nationalist and racist thought that academics both at GU and elsewhere are working to deconstruct. Inviting the Sweden Democrats as guests to the university is a conscious decision to let them educate students. It officially legitimizes their ideas - in an age where many of us are fighting the dangerous normalization of far-right discourse.

The University has no mandate to give every opinion a stage; the university has the mandate to chose lecturers that their students can learn from. If the idea is to critically deconstruct the Sweden Democrats communication strategy, there are enough resources for doing so that don‘t require handing over the stage to a spokesperson of a racist party and thereby normalizing as well as legitimizing their thought.

NO STAGE FOR SWEDEN DEMOCRATS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG!

- if you would like to sign this petition in a particular role of yours, e.g. a position in an academic institution, representing an organization, as part of your activism, etc, please add your position, role, organization, twitter, website, ... in a comment below. -

- if anyone would like to translate the text to Swedish and/or other languages, please do so and add the translated text (or a link to it) in the comments. thanks! -

Signatures from within academia:
> Diana Mulinari, Professor at the Department of Gender Studies, Lund University, Sweden
> Mia Liinason, Professor at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Åsa Boholm, Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Helena Lindholm, Professor, Peace and development research at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Beatriz Lindqvist, Professor at the Department for Historical and Contemporary Studies, Södertörn University, Sweden
> Andrea Castro, Professor at the Department of Languages & Literatures, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Irene Molina, Professor at the Department of Social and Economic Geography, Uppsala University, Sweden
> Per Holmberg, Professor at the Department of Swedish, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Patrik Zapata, Professor at the School of Public Administration, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Tommaso Milani, Professor at the Department of Swedish, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Barbara Czarniawska, Senior Professor of Management Studies at the Gothenburg Research Institute, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Sara Teleman, Professor of Visual Communication, Konstfack University, Stockholm, Sweden
> Alireza Behtoui, Professor of Sociology, Södertörn University, Sweden
> Cathrin Wasshede, Senior lecturer and Deputy Head at the Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Juan Velasquez Atehortúa, Associate professor at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Maria Jose Zapata Campos, Associate professor at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Katarina Mattsson, Associate Professor in Gender Studies, Södertörn University, Sweden
> Ebru Öztürk, Assistant Professor in Sociology, Mid Sweden University
> Nina Gren, Assistant professor in Social Anthropology, Lund University, Sweden
> Leshu Torchin, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, Film Studies, University of St Andrews, UK
> Adrián Groglopo, Senior lecturer at the Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Mikela Lundahl Hero, Senior lecturer at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Zahra Bayati, Senior lecturer at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Hanna Wikström, Senior lecturer at the Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Lena Sawyer, Senior lecturer at the Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Annelie Sjölander Lindqvist, Senior lecturer at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Elin Lundsten, Senior lecturer at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Gunilla Burstedt, Senior lecturer at Valand Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Ingrid Ryberg, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Jeanette Sundhall, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Jenny Chamarette, Senior Lecturer at the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film, Queen Mary University of London, UK
> Irina Schmitt, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Gender Studies, Lund University, Sweden
> Marie Hållander, Senior lecturer at the School of Culture and Education, Södertörn University; Sweden
> Anna Backman Rogers, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Parasto Backman, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Design, Interior Architecture and Visual Communication / Graphic Formgiving & Illustration, Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Sweden
> Benjamin Gerdes, Senior Lecturer at the Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Sweden
> Anonymous Vik. lektor, Barn- och ungdomsvetenskapliga institutionen, Stockholms universitet
> Natacha Kennedy, lecturer at the Department of Educational Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
> Maria Clara Medina, Lecturer at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Angelika Kaffrell-Lindahl, Lecturer at the Department of Social Work, Mid Sweden University
> Sara Goodman, Lecturer at the Department of Gender Studies, Lund University, Sweden
> Rebecka Katz Thor, Lecturer at the Department of Aesthetics, Södertörn University, Sweden
> Fredrik Svensk, writer, critic, educator, editor, curator and Lecturer at Valand Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Helena Tolvhed, Researcher and lecturer at the Department of History, Stockholm University
> Matilda Arvidsson, Senior researcher at the Department of Law, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Patricia Lorenzoni, Research fellow at the Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism, Uppsala University, Sweden
> Daniel Strand, Research fellow at the Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism, Uppsala University, Sweden
> Elisabeth Niklasson, Researcher at Stanford University, USA
> Sara Westin, Researcher at the Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Sweden
> Ylva Habel, Researcher at the Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism, Uppsala University, Sweden
> Signe Bremer Gagnesjö, Researcher at the Department of Gender Studies, Lund University, Sweden
> Nazem Tahvilzadeh, Researcher at the Division of Urban and Regional Studies, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
> Joakim Forsemalm, Researcher at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Caroline Uggla, Researcher at the Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Sweden
> Kjell Caminha, Adjunct lecturer in Fine Art, Valand Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Fredrik Olsson, Pedagogical developer at University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Kajsa Widegren, Research coordinator at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Devrim Umut Aslan, Doctoral Researcher, Department of Service Management and Service Studies, Lund University, Sweden
> Therese Svensson, PhD Candidate at the Department of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Johanna Lindbo, PhD Candidate at the Department of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Elizabeth Olsson, Doctoral student at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Richard Georgi, Doctoral student at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Valeria Villegas Lindval, PhD student at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Houman Sadri, PhD Candidate and Teacher at the Department of Languages & Literatures, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Joakim Jahlmar, PhD Candidate at the Department of Languages & Literatures, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Petter Rönnborg, PhD
> Anonymous PhD candidate at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Jelena Jovicic, PhD student at the Department for Sociology, Stockholm University, Sweden
> Daphne Arbouz, PhD. Candidate at the School of Social Sciences, Södertörn University, Sweden
> Malin Nordvall, PhD Candidate, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
> Sandra Grehn, PhD Candidate at the Department of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Cecilia Ekström, PhD Student at the School of Global studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Mani Shutzberg, PhD Candidate at the Centre for the theory of practical knowledge, Södertörn University, Sweden
> Johannes Björk, Doktorand i litteraturvetenskap, Umeå universitet
> Hansalbin Sältenberg, PhD candidate, Department of Gender Studies, Lund University
> Malin Podlevskikh Carlström, PhD candidate at the University of Gothenburg
> Adam Hjorthén, Stockholm University
> Per Sundgren, lektor idéhistoria
> Christopher Thorén, PhD candidate at The Institution for Sociology and Work Science, Gothenburg Univeristy
> Nicholas Smith, lektor i filosofi, Södertörns Högskola
> Ankie Hartzén, senior lecturer in legal science Linnaeus University
> Luca Tainio, Karlstad University
> Sarah Philipson Isaac, PhD candidate, Department of Sociology and Work Science, Gothenburg university
> Linnea Tillema, PhD
> Anders Burman, Professor in Intellectual history, Södertörn University
> Claes Tängh Wrangel, Senior lecturer, political science, Mälardalens högskola
> Maria Persdotter, forskningsassistent, Malmö universitet
> Martin Joormann, PhD Universitetsadjunkt LU
> Sara Brocksted, Associate professor, Radiation physics, Lund
> Åsa Arping, Professor at the Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion, University of Gothenburg
> Josef Pallas, Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University
> Peter O'Reilly, PhD Researcher / Student, Dept. Sociology and Work Science
> Helena Håkansson, PhD candidate, Department of Sociology and Work Science, Gothenburg university
> Maria Bexelius, Doctoral candidate, Uppsala university
> Olof Reichenberg, Postdoc at the Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
> Anna Hall, Senior lecturer, Department of Social work, University of Gothenburg
> Håkan Thörn, Professor of Sociology, University of Gothenburg
> Oksana Shmulyar Green, Senior Lecturer at the Sociology and Work Science department

People who signed as students:
> Petronella Åslund
> Camila Rojas, BA Photography student
> sian hedberg, BA photography
> Tamara Teletina, Student at the Department for cultural studies
> Elvira Tidemo, Student, BA in Cultural studies
> Áine Kelly-Costello, GU Investigative Journalism Masters student
> Kyriakos Konstanta, MSc Political Communication Student - University of Gothenburg

Signatures from within cultural institutions, by independent art and media creators, activists, and more:
> Tiago Prata, creator and leader of Borderline Offensive
> Aygül Kabaca, Head of Education, Mångkulturellt Centrum i Fittja
> Frida Sandström, journalist, writer, critic, and alumni from JMG
> Daniel Terres, Project leader, Urban Konst, Göteborgs Konsthall
> Min Jeong Ko, Independent curator/media production/journalist
> Cajsa Unnbom, Multimediajournalist
> Leil Zahra, Film maker and researcher
> Axel Grimlund, Utredare på Kulturstöd, Göteborgs stad
> Oscar Ramos, Curator and Artist based in Gothenburg
> Katarina Nitsch, Artist
> Sebastian Thelander Sjöstrand, illustrator
> Angelo Tapia, animal rights activist
> Carmen Blanco Valer, spokesperson on Indigenous policy and Political Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Committee, Feministiskt initiativ
> Alex Alvina Chamberland, activist and author
> Erik Lindskog, SSK Barncancercentrum, DSBUS
> Johanna Gustavsson, Kvinnofolkhögskolan
> Joanna Castro, Socialantropolog. Sverige
> Runo lagomarsino, Artist
> Madeleine Grive, journalist, editor-in-chief of 10tal, founder and artistic director of Stockholms Internationella Poesifestival
> Maja Kekonius, Programmer International program, Göteborg Film Festival
> Parasto Backman, Grafisk formgivare
> Shaon Chakraborty, Artist
> Edda Manga, historian of ideas, speaker, researcher at Mångkulturellt Centrum
> Gonzalo Vargas, Music producer, journalist & arts educator
> Sebastian Dahlqvist, artist and curator
> Aleksander Motturi, Clandestino Institut

--- e-mail correspondence: ---

>>>

Date: 11/28/2019 at 12:00 AM
Subject: Petition: No Sweden Democrats lecture at the University of Gothenburg

Dear Marie Grusell (contact person for the event),
Dear Monica Löfgren Nilsson (head of the Department for Journalism, Media and Communication),

Please find the petition and signatures against your upcoming lecture with Richard Jomshof attached and below.

We are asking you for a response to these concerns. We will make your response public on the petition site for all signatories to see.

All the best

>>>

Date: 11/28/2019 at 11:58 AM
Subject: SV: Petition: No Sweden Democrats lecture at the University of Gothenburg

To whom it may concern

The Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) at the University of Gothenburg has this autumn arranged a series of speeches "In the mind of a party strategist".

The series is a part of JMG's effort to offer students a professional education that reflects different aspects of society and the changing media landscape.

JMG educates journalists of tomorrow and other professionals who want to work in the field of media, communication, and public opinion. Many of the students will, after their education, work with strategic and political communication in various forms, and the series was arranged with this in mind. A prerequisite for the implementation of the series has been the participation of all parties represented in the Swedish parliament. All speakers have been invited to tell us specifically about their knowledge and experience of working with strategic communication. Every presentation ends with open questions from the audience. Critical questions to the guest on the topic of communication are encouraged.

The series is primarily aimed at students, but is also open to researchers and the public. When guests are invited to this kind of special series, they choose the language. The presentations in this series have been held both in Swedish (5) and in English (3), as there are English speaking students at two international master programmes at the department.

Monica Löfgren Nilsson
Head of department
JMG
Department of Journalism, Media and Communication
Gothenburg University
46 31 786 11 86