Research coordination

Expertise in metadata and systematic literature searching

The KvinnSam collections and knowledge regarding women’s history and gender research is an outstanding resource. Researchers can use KvinnSam in a number of different ways. The library section of the organisation generates a lot of metadata on women's studies and gender research. We provide two databases – KVINNSAM and Queerlit – which provide access to gender research and women's studies, and queer themes in fiction respectively. We have also generated data on dissertations focusing on gender themes, resulting in the GENA database. Last but not least, we offer important competences in systematic literature searching. We receive regular assignments from The Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, and from researchers at the University of Gothenburg. Using our databases reduces the time it takes to compile literature lists on women's studies and gender research (vital for research applications!).

Unique archival collections

Further, KvinnSam has several large, unique archival collections which enable research on women's history and gender history topics. We have materials relating to the suffrage movement, the peace movement and the modern women's movement, as well as archives relating to women's labour and struggle for education. We hold personal archives of many historically important women including writers, artists, scientists, activists and politicians. We also have a large number of archives from various associations, from the late 19th century to the present day. The collections focus on Swedish women's history, with particular emphasis on Gothenburg, but nevertheless they have international scope. We regularly welcome international researchers, and scholars from a variety of disciplines use our collections, which include everything from manuscripts and minutes to slides and posters. The collections are continuously developed through new acquisitions.

A node in Sweden's cultural heritage network

In itself, KvinnSam is an interesting and important actor in Swedish women's history, and a key part of the Swedish cultural heritage. Since we have unique collections and a unique way of describing and making materials available, our practices (historical and current) are also of interest from a research perspective. KvinnSam and its role as a node in Sweden's cultural heritage network is analysed by researchers within archival science, library and information science, and literary studies.

Bridgning the gap between researchers and collections

On my part, I serve as a bridge between the research community and the KvinnSam staff and collections. Among other things, I assist in writing applications that draw on the KvinnSam competence and/or materials. Among the examples are the applications to The Swedish Research Council, in which researchers now need to position themselves and their research in relation to sex and gender perspectives. I can assist researchers in including this sort of perspective in their applications.