GUPEA

Gothenburg University Publications Electronic Archive

GUPEA is a platform for e-publishing of theses, student essays and other research publications.

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  • ENCHANTED AND REPELLED “Caring Ambivalently in The Great Gatsby”
    (2026-01-21) Edward Nordling; University of Gothenburg/Department of Languages and Literatures; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för språk och litteraturer
    Most scholars portray the male characters in The Great Gatsby in one-dimensional terms, as either a villain or a hero. However, this essay uses care theory, specifically María Puig de la Bellacasa’s concept of the ambivalence of care and Joan C. Tronto’s ethic of care as conceptual framework for this analysis. Thus, this essay argues that The Great Gatsby exposes a speculative ethic that accepts the ambivalent nature of caring for a loved one, which complicates altruistic and egoist ethical frameworks. To substantiate this claim, the essay aims at offering a close reading of how the male characters care for others. Moreover, this essay demonstrates that The Great Gatsby reveals a speculative ethic which accepts risk, responsibility, consideration and self-interest in caring for a loved one, not as an ideal, rather as a pragmatic way of sustaining relationships.
  • Politiska faktorer i relation till finansiell hållbarhet: En studie av kommuner
    (2026-01-21) Johansson, Helane; University of Gothenburg/School of Public Administration; Göteborgs universitet/Förvaltningshögskolan
    Syfte: Studiens syfte är att analysera tre politiska faktorers betydelse för kommuners finansiella hållbarhet. Teori: Tidigare forskning om finansiell hållbarhet utgör grunden för formuleringen av tre hypoteser avseende styrande politikers kön, politisk styrka och politisk ideologi. Metod: Studien tillämpar statistisk analys för att undersöka samtliga 290 kommuner under valåret 2022. Offentlig data har inhämtats från Statistiska centralbyrån, Kolada samt Sveriges kommuner och regioner. Data har analyserats i statistikprogrammet SPSS i syfte att pröva studiens hypoteser. Resultat: Studien finner inget stöd för att de teoretiskt förväntade faktorerna har en påverkan på finansiell hållbarhet. Det saknas samband mellan andelen kvinnor i kommunfullmäktige, majoritetsstyre, vänsterstyre och finansiell hållbarhet. Avslutningsvis diskuteras möjliga förklaringar till dessa noll-resultat.
  • The Sacred Maya Cross in the Ethnographic Museum of Stockholm Context as Provenance, care, value, and resistance
    (2026-01-21) Paulina Beltrán Alessio Robles; University of Gothenburg/Department of Conservation; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för kulturvård
    ABSTRACT: This thesis presents a case study about a Sacred Maya Cross in the Ethnographic Museum of Stockholm. It analyses the context where the cross belonged, was made and worshiped, and the vicissitudes that brought it to Sweden. It then questions the different values assigned to it in both contexts, the ways of caring for the cross, and its importance as a symbol of resistance. Finally, it suggests some possibilities for return and the problems that might arise with it.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BIOCIDE-FREE ANTIFOULING COATINGS Linking Fouling Control, Fuel Use, and Marine Pollution for Recreational Boats in the Baltic Sea
    (2026-01-21) Bukowinska Burden, Malva; University of Gothenburg / Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences; Göteborgs universitet / Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap
    Biofouling on recreational boats reduces hydrodynamic efficiency, increases fuel use, and contributes to air pollutants. In the Baltic Sea, the primary strategy to combat biofouling is the use of copper-based antifouling coatings which release copper ions that act as biocides to prevent the settlement and growth of marine organisms. While effective in biofouling prevention, this approach is a major source of toxic copper emissions in an already vulnerable marine environment. This raises the question of whether biocide-free alternatives can provide effective and sustainable protection against biofouling. Previous research has shown the ecological risks of copper, including impaired growth and genetic damage in marine species, and identified recreational boating as a contributor to localized copper loads. However, there is still a demand for knowledge about the real-world performance and practical adoption potential of biocide-free coatings. This study evaluated the performance of seven biocide-free antifouling coatings in comparison to conventional copper-based coatings. Assessments included biofouling intensity, modelled fuel consumption penalties and associated air emissions, copper and zinc emissions to the marine environment, coating composition, and economic costs. Findings show that foul-release coatings performed comparably to copper-based coatings while avoiding copper emissions, though with moderate increases in fuel use. Hard and hybrid systems demonstrated lower efficacy, at equal or higher cost. The results highlight foul-release coatings as the most promising biocide-free option, while emphasizing the need for integrated antifouling strategies to balance ecological protection of the Baltic Sea and user feasibility for the individual boat owner.