Kristin Malmcrona Friberg

Research Background

I bring a diverse and globally-oriented academic background to my research. I hold a BSc in Global and Development Studies from Gothenburg University and La UMSA, La Paz. Building on this foundation, I pursued an MSc in Sustainable Urban Management from SLU, Alnarp, and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. Following my master's degree, I worked as a research associate in a collaborative project between WUR and the University of Exeter, focusing on circular pathways for European food systems.

My initial academic inquiries centred on the social dimensions of sustainability and urban development. Influenced by the WHO’sClosing the Gap in One Generation report, I examined disparities in life expectancy across different socio-economic areas of Gothenburg, exploring how health equity and social justice can be integrated into urban design and planning.

Research Interests

Over time, my research has evolved toward a more integrative perspective, embracing social-ecological systems thinking. I am particularly interested in exploring the interconnectedness of human-nature relationships, seeking pathways to foster positive social-ecological transformations. My work challenges the status quo of sustainability by advocating for proactive approaches that go beyond merely "doing less bad" to creating regenerative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Furthermore, I am part of the MISTRA Sports and Outdoors research program. Within this framework, I focus on co-creating knowledge with academic and societal actors. As part ofthe Sustainable Use of Land and Water work package, I investigate the ecological impacts of sports and outdoor recreation, explore how spatial planning can mitigate these effects, and study the implications of evolving land and water use patterns in rapidly urbanising landscapes.

Urban green-blue infrastructure (uGBI) plays a critical role in advancing sustainable urban development. It mitigates environmental challenges, enhances public health and well-being, and reduces the global ecological footprint of cities. Exploring how to better integrate the dynamic interactions between urban nature and the policy, planning, and management frameworks of our cities is a key focus within sustainable urban development. My research also explores how the resilience of uGBI can be safeguarded to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Addressing these challenges involves developing innovative approaches that balance ecological, social, and economic dimensions, fostering cities that are not only livable but also resilient and environmentally regenerative.

Ongoing research

MISTRA SPORTS AND OUTDOORS:

Research theme: Sustainable use of land and water. Case: Recreational landscapes of peri-urban Stockholm. (Mistra 2020-2024).

Supervision

My supervisors are Sara Borgström (KTH), Erik Andersson (University of Helsinki and Stockholm Resilience Centre), and Rebecka Milestad (KTH).

I welcome master’s thesis supervision requests on topics such as:

• Human-nature relationships

• Multifunctional landscapes

• Environmental stewardship

• Social-ecological systems

• Outdoor recreation and green space management

• Knowledge co-creation

Teaching and Mentorship

I have extensive experience in teaching, coaching, and mentoring. Additionally, I coach TEDx speakers for events in Gothenburg and Prague, helping them refine their messages and connect with audiences.

Recent publications

Creative destruction in academia: a time to reimagine practices in alignment with sustainability values. Wassénius, E., and Bunge, A C. et al.

Blogpost about outdoor recreation and nature conservation in the Mistra Sport and Outdoors program: Friluftsliv och naturvistelse behöver ges tyngd och prioritet.