05 June 2020

Physical distancing is important to slow the spread of the coronavirus. A new research project led by LiU researcher Per Nilsen will study the provisions relating to physical distancing: how have they been justified, how have official bodies provided information, and how they have been complied with by the public in Denmark and Sweden.

Picture of footprint.
Photographer: iStock.com/Siewwy84

Per Nilsen“Media reporting about the different strategies adopted by different countries has been massive, but the picture they give is often simplified and presented in terms of black and white. We plan to investigate what has actually been done, and how it has been justified and received”, says Professor Per Nilsen of the Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences.

The project is a collaboration between a group of Danish researchers at Aarhus University and Hvidovre Hospital, and researchers at the Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV) and the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL) at LiU.

“The methods chosen by Denmark and Sweden in the fight against the spread of infection have been different, which makes the project particularly interesting and important”, says Per Nilsen.

He points out that relatively little research has been carried out into different forms of social distancing. He hopes that the project will add to knowledge about the best ways to implement policies to reduce the spread of infection in future pandemics.

“It may involve, for example, identifying the ways in which public acceptance and compliance with various policy measures for physical distancing can be increased.”

The project has just started and will continue until the summer of 2022.

Translated by George Farrants


Contact

More LiU research on COVID-19 and its effects

Rinata Kazak looking down at her jacket.

LiU researcher ahead of UN climate summit - "I’m optimistic"

Azerbaijan will host the International Climate Summit this year. Although the country is heavily dependent on its oil production, holding the meeting there could actually be an advantage, according to Rinata Kazak, who will represent LiU.

Two women at a table talking.

Working together for a less biased world

In what ways does modern technology risk giving us a distorted picture of the world? Seeking answers, researchers at Tema Genus are working with colleagues in computer science.

Portrait Feng Gao.

Creating the flexible X-ray technology of the future

Professor Feng Gao has been granted SEK 31 million from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation over five years to develop a new type of X-ray technology. The goal is a flexible material that can improve X-ray detector image quality.

Latest news from LiU

Rinata Kazak looking down at her jacket.

LiU researcher ahead of UN climate summit - "I’m optimistic"

Azerbaijan will host the International Climate Summit this year. Although the country is heavily dependent on its oil production, holding the meeting there could actually be an advantage, according to Rinata Kazak, who will represent LiU.

Two women at a table talking.

Working together for a less biased world

In what ways does modern technology risk giving us a distorted picture of the world? Seeking answers, researchers at Tema Genus are working with colleagues in computer science.

Nordisk studentsångarstämma

Student choirs add to festive mood in Linköping

Streets, squares and concert venues in Linköping will be filled with song as 42 student choirs from 5 different countries converge on the city.