Magnus Boström
Position: Professor School/office: School of Humanities, Education and Social SciencesEmail: bWFnbnVzLmJvc3Ryb207b3J1LnNl
Phone: No number available
Room: F3279
About Magnus Boström
Magnus Boström is Professor of Sociology.
Research
Boström conducts research within environmental sociology, sociology of consumption, and political sociology. His research interest includes politics, representation, consumption, action, and transformative learning in relation to various transnational environmental and sustainability issues.
Boström has published about 100 scientific texts, including books, edited volumes, special issues, peer reviewed articles, and book chapters (see publications in the column below). The most recent book is The Social Life of Unsustainable Mass Consumption.
Boström is currently engaged in research on social drivers behind unsustainable mass/excess consumption. A research interest is also how people can be motivated in different ways to change their lifestyle, reduce their consumption and share resources. Boström leads or participates in several projects that deal with these issues. Boström also participates in the Horizon 2020 project ACCTING: Advancing behavioral change through an inclusive green deal.
Teaching
Sociological theory, environmental sociology, sociology of consumption, economic sociology, theory of science, methodology, research design, qualitative interviewing and other topics at bachelor, masters, and doctorate levels. Supervision of students on bachelor, masters, and doctorate levels.
Popular science communication
Various popular science texts and seminars on overconsumption and reduced consumption. (See Swedish profile)
Discover society: ‘Ways out from the social life of mass and excess consumption’
Research projects
Active projects
- (Un)sustainable lifestyles: social (im)possibilities to consume less
- ACCTING: Advancing behavioural change through an inclusive green deal (2021-2025)
- Learning to consume less: Can experiences during the C ovid-19 pandemic trigger lifestyle transformation?
- Conceptual development of environmental sociology
- Social (im)possibilities of the formation of ethical consumption: A comparative study of Sweden and Iran
- Challenges and opportunities of the sharing economy
Completed projects
- Conditions for Participatory Environmental Governance in a Regional Context: The Baltic and Adriatic Sea Regions
- Chemicals and Textiles: Management of environmental and health risks from products with complex product chains
- Environment, consumption and everyday life practices
- Environmental Representation
Publications
Articles in journals
- Callmer, Å. & Boström, M. (2024). Caring and striving: toward a new consumer identity in the process of consumption reduction. Frontiers in Sustainability, 5. [BibTeX]
- Karimzadeh, S. & Boström, M. (2024). Ethical consumption in three stages: a focus on sufficiency and care. Environmental Sociology, 10 (1), 1-11. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Römmelmann, H. & Sandström, L. (2022). Could practices of reduced consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic facilitate transformative change for sustainability? Experiences from Sweden and Ireland. Frontiers in Sustainability. [BibTeX]
- Karimzadeh, S. & Boström, M. (2022). Ethical consumption: why should we understand it as a social practice within a multilevel framework?. Open Research Europe, 2 (109). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2022). Lifestyle transformation and reduced consumption: a transformative learning process. sozialpolitik.ch (1). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2021). Social relations and challenges to consuming less in a mass consumption society. Sociologisk forskning, 58 (4), 383-406. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2021). Social Relations and Everyday Consumption Rituals: Barriers or Prerequisites for Sustainability Transformation?. Frontiers in Sociology, 6. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2021). Take the Opportunity Afforded by the COVID-19 Experiences: Progressive Non-growth Policies for Sustainable Lifestyles. Frontiers in Sustainability, 2. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2020). The social life of mass and excess consumption. Environmental Sociology, 6 (3), 268-278. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2019). Can we rely on ‘climate friendly’ consumption?. Journal of Consumer Culture, 19 (3), 359-378. [BibTeX]
- Uggla, Y. & Boström, M. (2018). Ambivalence in environmental representation: A theoretical contribution. Sociologisk forskning, 55 (4), 447-465. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Andersson, E. , Berg, M. , Gustafsson, K. M. , Gustavsson, E. , Hysing, E. , Lidskog, R. , Löfmarck, E. & et al. (2018). Conditions for Transformative Learning for Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Review and Approach. Sustainability, 10 (12). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Uggla, Y. & Hansson, V. (2018). Environmental representatives: whom, what, and how are they representing?. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 20 (1), 114-127. [BibTeX]
- Börjeson, N. & Boström, M. (2018). Towards Reflexive Responsibility in a Textile Supply Chain. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27 (2), 230-239. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Lidskog, R. & Uggla, Y. (2017). A reflexive look at reflexivity in environmental sociology. Environmental Sociology, 3 (1), 6-16. [BibTeX]
- Rodela, R. , Udovc, A. & Boström, M. (2017). Developing Environmental NGO Power for Domestic Battles in a Multilevel Context: Lessons from a Slovenian case. Environmental Policy and Governance, 27 (3), 244-255. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2017). Environmental SMOs and resource mobilization in the post-communist vs the Northwest European context. Qualitative research in organization and management, 12 (3), 225-244. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Uggla, Y. (2016). A sociology of environmental representation. Environmental Sociology, 2 (4), 355-364. [BibTeX]
- Söderström, S. , Kern, K. , Boström, M. & Gilek, M. (2016). ‘Environmental governance’ and ‘ecosystem management’: avenues for synergies between two approaches. Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 17 (1), 1-19. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Micheletti, M. (2016). Introducing the sustainability challenge of textiles and clothing. Journal of Consumer Policy, 39 (4), 367-375. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2015). Between Monitoring and Trust: Commitment to Extended Upstream Responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 131 (1), 239-255. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Rabe, L. & Rodela, R. (2015). Environmental non-governmental organizations and transnational collaboration: The Baltic Sea and Adriatic-Ionian Sea regions. Environmental Politics, 24 (5), 762-787. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Gilek, M. , Hedenström, E. & Jönsson, A. M. (2015). How to achieve sustainable procurement for ‘peripheral’ products with significant environmental impact?. Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, 11 (1), 21-31. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Casula Vifell, Å. , Klintman, M. , Soneryd, L. , Tamm Hallström, K. & Thedvall, R. (2015). Social sustainability requires social sustainability procedural prerequisites for reaching substantive goals. Nature and Culture, 10 (2), 131-156. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Jönsson, A. M. , Lockie, S. , Mol, A. & Oosterveer, P. (2015). Sustainable and responsible supply chain governance: challenges and opportunities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 107, 1-7. [BibTeX]
- Dreyer, M. , Boström, M. & Jönsson, A. M. (2014). Participatory Deliberation, Risk Governance and Management of the Marine Region in the European Union. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 16 (4), 497-515. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Tamm Hallström, K. (2013). Global multi-stakeholder standard setters: how fragile are they?. Journal of Global Ethics, 9 (1), 93-110. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Karlsson, M. (2013). Responsible Procurement, Complex Product Chains and the Integration of Vertical and Horizontal Governance. Environmental Policy and Governance, 23 (6), 381-394. [BibTeX]
- Hassler, B. , Boström, M. & Grönholm, S. (2013). Towards an Ecosystem Approach to Management in Regional Marine Governance?: The Baltic Sea Context. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 15 (2), 225-245. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2012). A Missing Pillar? Challenges in theorizing and practicing social sustainability: introductory article in the special issue. Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, 8 (1), 3-14. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Börjeson, N. , Gilek, M. , Jönsson, A. M. & Karlsson, M. (2012). Responsible procurement and complex product chains: the case of chemical risks in textiles. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 55 (1), 95-111. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2012). The problematic social dimension of sustainable development: the case of the Forest Stewardship Council. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 19 (1), 3-15. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Tamm Hallström, K. (2010). NGO power in global social and environmental standard-setting. Global Environmental Politics, 10 (4), 36-59. [BibTeX]
- Terragni, L. , Boström, M. , Halkier, B. & Mäkelä, J. (2009). Can consumers save the world?: everyday food consumption and dilemmas of sustainability. Anthropology of Food (Sept.). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2009). The green political consumer of food: a critical analysis of the research and policies. Anthropology of Food (Sept.). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2006). Establishing credibility: Practising standard-setting ideals in a Swedish seafood-labelling case. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 8 (2), 135-158. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2006). Regulatory credibility and authority through inclusiveness: standardization organizations in cases of eco-labelling. Organization, 13 (3), 345-367. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2006). State-centered versus nonstate-driven organic food standardization: a comparison of the U.S. and Sweden. Agriculture and Human Values, 23 (2), 163-180. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2004). Cognitive Practices and Collective Identities within a Heterogeneous Social Movement: The Swedish Environmental Movement. Social Movement Studies, 3 (1), 73-88. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2003). Environmental Organizations in New Forms of Political Participation: Ecological Modernization and the Making of Voluntary Rules. Environmental Values, 12 (2), 175-193. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2003). How state-dependent is a non-state-driven rule-making project?: the case of forest certification in Sweden. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 5 (2), 165-180. [BibTeX]
Articles, book reviews
- Boström, M. (2014). Review of: David Hess. Good Green Jobs in a Global Economy: Making and Keeping New Industries in the United States. American Journal of Sociology, 119 (6), 1809-1811. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2010). Ellen Ruppel Shell (2009) Cheap, The High Cost of Discount Culture, New York: The Penguin Press. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 14 (1), 174-176. [BibTeX]
Books
- Boström, M. & Lidskog, R. (2024). Environmental Sociology and Social Transformation: Key Issues. London: Routledge (Key issues in environment and sustainability ). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2023). The Social Life of Unsustainable Mass Consumption.. Lexington Books (Environment and Society ). [BibTeX]
- Tamm Hallström, K. & Boström, M. (2010). Transnational multi-stakeholder standardization: organizing fragile non-state authority. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2008). Eco-standards, product labelling and green consumerism. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. [BibTeX]
Chapters in books
- Boström, M. (2024). Mass/excess consumption. In: Christine Overdevest, Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Sociology (pp. 412-417). . Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Berg, M. & Lidskog, R. (2024). Reflexivity and anti-reflexivity. In: Christine Overdevest, Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Sociology (pp. 474-480). . Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Ojala, M. & Öhman, J. (2024). Transformative learning. In: Christine Overdevest, Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Sociology (pp. 550-556). . Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2022). Framtiden närmar sig. In: Rolf Lidskog; Erik Löfmarck, En mänsklig natur: Risker, reglering och representationer (pp. 105-120). . Örebro universitet, sociologiämnet. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Lundahl, C. & Öhman, J. (2020). Inledning: Humanistiska och samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv på bildning och hållbar utveckling. In: Magnus Boström, Christian Lundahl, Johan Öhman, Humanistiska och samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv på bildning och hållbar utveckling. (pp. 7-19). Örebro: Örebro Universitet. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2019). Mass Consumption and Political Consumerism. In: Magnus Boström, Michele Micheletti, Peter Oosterveer, The Oxford Handbook of Political Consumerism (pp. 855-875). New York: Oxford University Press. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Micheletti, M. & Oosterveer, P. (2019). Political consumerism: Research challenges and future directions. In: Magnus Boström, Michele Micheletti, Peter Oosterveer, The Oxford Handbook of Political Consumerism (pp. 879-898). New York: Oxford University Press. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2019). Rejecting and embracing brands in political consumerism. In: Magnus Boström, Michele Micheletti, Peter Oosterveer, The Oxford Handbook of Political Consumerism (pp. 205-226). New York: Oxford University Press. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Micheletti, M. & Oosterveer, P. (2019). Studying political consumerism. In: Magnus Boström, Michele Micheletti, Peter Oosterveer, The Oxford Handbook of Political Consumerism (pp. 1-26). New York: Oxford University Press. [BibTeX]
- Uggla, Y. , Lidskog, R. & Boström, M. (2019). Var går gränsen för det rimliga? Förhandlingar om vardagsliv och miljöansvar. In: Jenny Alsarve; Erik Löfmarck, Samhälle i förhandling: Villkor, processer, konsekvenser (pp. 152-166). Örebro: Örebro universitet. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Davidson, D. J. & Lockie, S. (2018). Conclusions: A proposal for a brave new world of conceptual reflexivity?. In: Magnus Boström and Debra J. Davidson, Environment and Society: Concepts and Challenges (pp. 351-373). . Palgrave Macmillan. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Davidson, D. J. (2018). Introduction: Conceptualizing environment-society relations. In: Magnus Boström and Debra J. Davidson, Environment and Society: Concepts and Challenges (pp. 1-24). . Palgrave Macmillan. [BibTeX]
- Klintman, M. & Boström, M. (2016). Citizen-consumers. In: Karin Bäckstrand, Eva Lövbrand, Research handbook on climate governance (pp. 309-319). . Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Jönsson, A. M. , Boström, M. , Dreyer, M. & Söderström, S. (2016). Risk Communication and the Role of the Public: Towards Inclusive Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea?. In: M. Gilek, M. Karlsson, S. Linke, K. Smolarz, Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea (pp. 205-227). . Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Grönholm, S. & Hassler, B. (2016). The Ecosystem Approach to Management in Baltic Sea Governance : towards increased reflexivity? . In: M. Gilek, M. Karlsson, S. Linke, K. Smolarz, Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea (pp. 149-172). . Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2014). Dilemmas for standardizers of sustainable consumption. In: Stewart Lockie, David Sonnenfeld and Dana Fisher, Routledge international handbook of social and environmental change (pp. 81-92). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. [BibTeX]
- Micheletti, M. & Boström, M. (2014). Political consumerism: consumer choice, information and labeling. In: Paul B. Thompson, David M. Kaplan, Encyclopedia of food and agricultural ethics (pp. 1508-1515). . Springer Netherlands. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2014). Sustainable development by the multi-stakeholder model?. In: Tony Fitzpatrick, International Handbook on Social Policy and the Environment (pp. 349-375). . Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Klintman, M. & Boström, M. (2011). Political consumerism and the transition towards a more sustainable food regime: Looking behind and beyond the organic shelf. In: Gert Spaargaren, Peter Oosterveer, Anne Loeber, Food Practices in Transition: Changing Food Consumption, Retail and Production in the Age of Reflexive Modernity (pp. 107-130). New York and Oxon: Routledge. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Garsten, C. (2008). Organizing for accountability. In: Boström, Magnus & Garsten, Christina, Organizing transnational accountability (pp. 1-26). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Garsten, C. (2008). The treadmill of accountability. In: Boström, Magnus & Garsten, Christina, Organizing transnational accountability (pp. 231-249). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Klintman, M. & Boström, M. (2008). Transparency through labelling?: layers of visibility in environmental risk management. In: Christina Garsten and Monica Lindh de Montoya, Transparency in a new global order: unveiling organizational visions (pp. 178-197). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2007). The historical and contemporary roles of nature protection organisations in Sweden. In: C.S.A (Kris) van Koppen & William T. Markham, Protecting nature: organizations and networks in Europe and the USA (pp. 213-238). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2005). Eco-labelling of Seafood.: Toward a credible tool for consumer-based environmental improvement?. In: Boström Magnus, Follesdal Andreas, Klintman Mikael, Micheletti Michele, Sörensen Mads P., Political Consumerism: Its Motivations, Power, and Conditions in the Nordic Countries and Elsewhere.: Proceedings from the 2nd International Seminar on Political Consumerism, Oslo August 26-29, 2004 (pp. 365-393). Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Føllesdal, A. , Klintman, M. , Micheletti, M. & Sørensen, M. P. (2005). Studying political consumerism. In: Magnus Boström, Andreas Føllesdal, Mikael Klintman, Michele Micheletti and Mads P. Sørensen, Political Consumerism: its motivations, power, and conditions in the Nordic countries and elsewhere : Proceedings from the 2nd International Seminar on Political Consumerism, Oslo August 26-29, 2004 (pp. 9-24). Copenhagen: Nordisk Ministerråd. [BibTeX]
Collections (editor)
- Boström, M. (ed.) , Lundahl, C. (ed.) & Öhman, J. (ed.) (2020). Humanistiska och samhällsvetenskapliga perspektiv på bildning och hållbar utveckling. Örebro: Örebro Universitet (Rapporter i pedagogik 23). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (ed.) , Micheletti, M. (ed.) & Oosterveer, P. (ed.) (2019). The Oxford Handbook of Political Consumerism. New York: Oxford University Press. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (ed.) & Davidson, D. J. (ed.) (2018). Environment and Society: Concepts and Challenges (1ed.).. Palgrave Macmillan (Palgrave Studies in Environmental Sociology and Policy ). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (ed.) & Garsten, C. (ed.) (2008). Organizing transnational accountability. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. [BibTeX]
Conference papers
- Rodela, R. & Boström, M. (2014). Issues and opportunities with participatory governance for the management of marine resources in the Adriatic Sea. Paper presented at 20th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, Hannover, Germany, June 9-13, 2014. [BibTeX]
Reports
- Boström, M. , Gilek, M. , Jönsson, A. M. & Karlsson, M. (2013). IKEA and the Responsible Governance of Supply Chains: IKEA’s work on chemicals in textiles. Huddinge: Södertörns högskola (Working Paper 2013:1). [BibTeX]
- Hassler, B. , Boström, M. , Grönholm, S. & Kern, K. (2011). Environmental risk governance in the Baltic Sea - A comparison between five key areas: Deliverable number 8.. . [BibTeX]
- Dreyer, M. , Sellke, P. , Boström, M. & Jönsson, A. (2011). Structures and processes of stakeholder and public communication on Baltic Sea environmental risks: RISKGOV Deliverable 10.. RISKGOV project. [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Börjeson, N. , Gilek, M. , Jönsson, A. M. & Karlsson, M. (2011). Towards responsible procurement in relation to chemical risks in textiles? Findings from an interview study. Huddinge: Södertörn University (Working Paper 2011:2). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2010). The challenges in achieving the “social” dimension of sustainable development: the case of the Forest Stewardship Council. Stockholm: Stockholms centrum för forskning om offentlig sektor (Scores rapportserie 2010:12). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. , Føllesdal, A. , Klintman, M. , Micheletti, M. & Sørensen, M. P. (2005). Political Consumerism: its motivations, power, and conditions in the Nordic countries and elsewhere : Proceedings from the 2nd International Seminar on Political Consumerism, Oslo August 26-29, 2004. Copenhagen: Nordisk Ministerråd (TemaNord 2005:517). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. & Klintman, M. (2003). Framing, debating and standardising "natural food" in two different political contexts: Sweden and the U.S.. Stockholm: SCORE (SCORE rapportserie 2003:3). [BibTeX]
- Boström, M. (2001). Voluntary rule-making in the environmental field: new alliances between the state, enterprises and environmental organizations. Stockholm: SCORE (Score Rapportserie 2001:10). [BibTeX]