Department of Culture and Society (IKOS)

At IKOS, the social sciences and humanities unite in environments where research and education work together.

The Department of Culture and Society (IKOS) conducts education and research in various humanities, social sciences and aesthetic subjects, often in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary environments where language, culture and society are at the center.

IKOS strives to strengthen the role of the social science and humanities in society and we see collaboration between education, research and the outside world as a prerequisite for success.

The department is located in both Linköping and Norrköping.

News

LiU strengthens Sweden’s internationalstanding in the humanities

The Swedish Research Council highlights Sweden’s strong international position in humanities research. A report confirms that Linköping University plays an important and leading role, which makes the SoK research environment both pleased and proud.

Lawyer Johan Höök appointed guest professor in Moa Martinson’s name

The Centre for Municipal Strategic Studies will be strengthened with expertise in municipal law and legislative work. From autumn 2026, Johan Höök will serve as a guest professor for two years, contributing expertise from his professional work.

A close up photo in black and white of a man.

David Livingstone Smith will be guest professor at LiU

David Livingstone Smith is a professor of philosophy, he focuses on dehumanisation, race and genocide. He regards the guest professorship in the name of Tage Danielsson as a great honour and a respite from a strained academic climate in the US.

Ongoing at IKOS

Calendar

Research

Humanities, social sciences, language, culture and society

At the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS), research is conducted in a number of different areas where the focus is on the humanities and social sciences, language, culture and society. We also offer doctoral studies, courses and graduate schools.

Interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity

IKOS research is often conducted on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary lines, with researchers from different disciplines working together in different research environments. Visit the research environments’ websites to see which researchers, research groups, research projects and specialisations can be found in each environment.

Meet some of IKOS professors

IKOS was founded on 1 January 2020. You can read about the research areas of the professors installed since then via interviews and through the IKOS publication series on the page about the professors.

Professors installed at IKOS

Do you want to know more about LiU:s research in the humanities and social sciences? Here are the new professors at IKOS presented. You are welcome to attend the next inaugural lecture, and to read about the research in the IKOS publication series.

Research

Research Environments

The Ageing and Social Change research environment

The Ageing and Social Change research environment conducts leading-edge research on key social, political and cultural issues of ageing.

Research at the Centre for Local Government Studies

At CKS, we conduct research and collaboration aimed at supporting municipalities in their strategic decision-making. Our connection to the municipal sphere through our partner municipalities is the cornerstone of our work.

Culture and society (Tema Q)

Tema Q/Culture and Society research environment is an interdisciplinary unit that seeks to foster a critical outlook on the multiple roles played by culture in society, in the present as well as in the past.

Doctoral programmes

Courses within the doctoral programmes at the Department of Culture and Society

The Department of Culture and Society offers a variety of graduate courses within the humanities and social sciences. The courses are offered to doctoral students at Linköping University and other institutions of higher education.

PhD Studies in Philosophy

The Division of Philosophy and Applied Ethics (FTE) is an internationally, interdisciplinary center for cutting-edge research, with strengths in philosophy of science, phenomenology, normative and applied ethics, metaethics, and political philosophy.

The Doctoral Programme in Ageing and Social Change

The doctoral programme in Ageing and Social Change aims to give doctoral students in-depth knowledge in this field. Students shall independently plan and carry out a qualified research project and present and disseminate its results.

Divisions

Division for Swedish as a Second Language, Rhetoric and Language Support (SAROS)

We offer pedagogical guidance and skills development as well as help to improve the academic language and oral or written presentation.

Woman talking in headset in front of computer.

Division of Administrative Support (VS)

The vision of the Division of Administrative Support at IKOS embraces high competence, efficiency, involvement and a good work environment. We believe effective dialogue is an important factor for us to succeed with our tasks.

Department of Culture and Society (IKOS)

News

LiU strengthens Sweden’s internationalstanding in the humanities

Lawyer Johan Höök appointed guest professor in Moa Martinson’s name

David Livingstone Smith will be guest professor at LiU

Brave Magnus has no beard

New insights aided recovery from persistent fatigue

Kick Off for RELATE – a research center for sustainable and extended working lives

Migrants will be the purveyors of change

American poets society

25 years with Language and Culture – Nigel Musk was there from the start

New research centre meets challenge of longer working lives

Solidarity under pressure – lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Language Workshops – linguistic support that makes a difference

SEK 50 million from the Swedish Research Council to LiU

Young researchers receive millions in scholarships

Space is not just technology, also a place for culture and ethics

SEK23 million for research in humanities and the social sciences

How local democracy can be strengthened

Increasing biometric control at the EU borders

Fleeing her country inspired migrant-focused research

Researching forgotten workers through art

AI reshapes research and doctoral education

Fawlty Towers - the invisible subtitlers revealed

Finding Meaning in Uncertain Times

Complex and lasting consequences of statelessness

Ongoing at IKOS

Calendar

Research

Humanities, social sciences, language, culture and society

Interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity

Meet some of IKOS professors

Professors installed at IKOS

Research

Research Environments

The Ageing and Social Change research environment

Research at the Centre for Local Government Studies

Culture and society (Tema Q)

The Historical Studies Research Environment

Institute for Research on Migration, Ethnicity and Society - REMESO

The Language and Culture research environment

The Philosophy and Applied Ethics research environment

The Social Work research environment

Welfare Law

Doctoral programmes

Courses within the doctoral programmes at the Department of Culture and Society

PhD Studies in Philosophy

The Doctoral Programme in Ageing and Social Change

The Doctoral Programme in Ethnic and Migration Studies

Doctoral Studies in Language and Culture

The Doctoral Programme in Social Work

Doctoral studies in Culture and Society

The Doctoral Programme in Welfare Law

Postgraduate studies Dynamics of Health and Welfare

Divisions

Division for Swedish as a Second Language, Rhetoric and Language Support (SAROS)

Division of Administrative Support (VS)

Division of Ageing and Social Change (ASC)

Division of Communication, Literature and Swedish (KLS)

Division of Migration, Ethnicity and Society (REMESO)

Division of Language, Culture and Interaction (SKI)

Division of Culture, Society, Design and Media (KSFM)

Division of Philosophy and Applied Ethics (FTE)

Division of History, Arts and Religious Studies (HKR)

Centre for Local Government Studies (CKS)

Division of Social Work (SOCARB)

Contact us

Department management

Staff

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