I am a researcher in sociology at the Institute for Futures Studies and the Climate Leadership Initiative at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University. My research focuses on climate and energy transitions, public acceptance, questions of justice, and democracy.
Within the research program Fairtrans, funded by Mistra and Formas, I have examined the factors shaping public acceptance of and opposition to climate policies and energy investments, with particular attention to fairness perceptions and habitual practices. I have also explored the relationship between democracy and climate governance, especially the capacity of democratic institutions to address the challenges posed by climate change. On this topic, I recently published the book Climate Change and the Endurance of Democracy (Routledge). As part of Fairtrans, I also contributed to organizing Sweden’s first climate citizens’ assembly.
I am further engaged in the Navigate program, funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, where I study how different types of concern about climate change and biodiversity loss influence citizens’ willingness to engage politically—whether through joining organizations, protesting, voting, or sharing information on social media—in support of environmental policies.
In addition, I am involved in the research project Wicked Problem Governance, which compares science–policy interactions in climate and Covid-19 governance. I have also received funding to investigate public attitudes toward rationing as a potential measure to curb consumption during times of crisis.
Beyond academia, I worked at the Government Offices of Sweden on democracy issues, serving as Deputy Director and as Principal Secretary for several major national inquiries, including the 2014 Democracy Commission, the review of state support for religious communities, the Democracy Conditions Investigation, and the National Initiative for Media and Information Literacy.
Earlier in my career, I spent several years in Bosnia and Herzegovina, working for the European Union and the Office of the High Representative. My doctoral dissertation examined international state-building in Bosnia, security-sector reform, and its impact on interethnic relations.
Read more about my research here: www.daniellindvall.se
Lindvall D; Sörqvist P; Lindeberg, S, Barthel S. (2025). The polarization of energy preferences – A study on social acceptance of wind and nuclear power in Sweden. Energy Policy, Volume 198.
Lindvall, D. (2024). Climate Change and the Endurance of Democracy (1st ed.). Routledge.
Linder, N, Sörqvist P, Lindvall D, Jagers, S, Barthel, S (2025). It would feel weird to Not drive my car! Exploring the role of habits in public social acceptance of carbon taxations. Ambio.
