About DURCOM

The project examines Swedish municipalities' risk communication for crisis preparedness. Central questions in the project include:

1. What are the municipalities’ conditions, tools, and dilemmas when it comes to communicating, involving, and collaborating with residents on issues related to local risks and threats?

2. How do residents perceive and acquire knowledge about local threats and risks, and how do they view their own responsibility for having crisis management capacity?

3. How do residents view their own role, capabilities, and responsibility/engagement in the municipality's risk and preparedness work?

4. How can municipalities, through accessible information and communication, strengthen residents' ability to prevent and prepare for major crises?

The project takes a practice-oriented and interdisciplinary approach. It involves media and communication scholars, sociologists, and environmental scientists from:

• Örebro University (Media and Communication Studies, Centre for Crisis Communication, and the Environmental Sociology Group),
• Jönköping University (School of Education and Communication – Media and Communication Studies),
• University of Gothenburg (Department of Journalism, Media and Communication – JMG).

The researchers employ a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, including in-depth interviews with municipal officials and residents/citizens, survey studies, experiments, and content analyses of communication materials.

The project began in autumn 2021 and will conclude in autumn 2025. It has been conducted during a turbulent and rapidly changing period, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rebuilding of Sweden's total defence system, NATO membership, and an escalating climate crisis — all alongside the ongoing and powerful digitalisation of society.

The project is funded by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).

The following researchers have participated in the project:

• Mats Eriksson, Professor, Media and Communication Studies, Örebro University (Project Leader, Sub-project Leader)
• Yuliya Lakew, PhD, Media and Communication Studies, Jönköping University
• Rolf Lidskog, Professor, Örebro University (Sub-project Leader)
• Ulrika Olausson, Professor, Media and Communication Studies, Jönköping University (Sub-project Leader)
• Linn Rabe, PhD, Environmental Science/Sociology, Örebro University
• Hogne Sataøen, Associate Professor, Media and Communication Studies, Örebro University (Sub-project Leader)
• Gabriella Sandstig, Senior Lecturer, Media and Communication Studies, University of Gothenburg
• Johanna Stenersen, PhD, Media and Communication Studies, Örebro University
• Malin Ågren, Doctoral Candidate, Media and Communication Studies, Örebro University
• Helen Andersson, Senior Lecturer, Media and Communication Studies, Örebro University

Participants from the public sector and academia who were members of the project’s reference group at various stages during 2021–2025:

• Helena Gullberg, Security Coordinator and Deputy Chief of Protective Security, City of Örebro
• Maria Göranson, Communications Strategist, Crisis and Risk Communication Lead, County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland
• Anna-Lena Henriksson, Head of Unit, Communications Department, Executive Office, City of Örebro
• Matilda Johansson, Head of Safety and Security, Municipality of Mark
• Pia Stenervall, Communications Strategist and Project Manager, City of Stockholm
• Linda Soneryd, Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg/Örebro University