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  • Kan Slottsskogens dammar bidra till främjandet av flodkräfta (Astacus astacus)?
    (2026-10-06) Eneroth Winberg, Simon; University of Gothenburg / Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences; Göteborgs universitet / Instiutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap
    The noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) is Sweden’s only native freshwater crayfish and carries ecological and social importance. Since the introduction, in the early 1900s, of the pathogenic water mold, the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci), and the later introduction of the plague-bearing, north American signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), the population of noble crayfish has drastically decreased. The noble crayfish is classified as Critically Endangered (CR). That is why Slottsskogen wants to explore their possibilities for contributing to the national efforts of conservation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether three ponds in Slottsskogen could provide the proper conditions for the noble crayfish, in their current state. The study also aimed to answer what measures Slottsskogen can take to make the ponds viable, if that is not already the case. The hypothesis was that, in their current state, none of the ponds meet the requirements that crayfish place on their environment. To achieve the aim of the study, several parameters of water quality were analyzed, such as pH and levels of dissolved oxygen. The presence of crayfish plague was also investigated, through a method called “sumpning” and select individuals were sent for PCR-analysis. A field study of the ponds’ physical qualities was done as well. Some results: the higher than neutral pH, low nitrate-levels, high alkalinity, and the negative results from the PCR analysis, indicate suitable conditions. Other results, the high levels of phosphate and the somewhat low amounts of dissolved oxygen, indicate the opposite. Overall, the results suggest that the current state of the ponds do not meet the environmental requirements of noble crayfish. The literature, however, gives several suggestions such as creating hiding spots, dredging, and establishing better oxygenation to ensure the ponds’ betterment as crayfish environments.
  • Fairness in the Age of Automation: Auditing Second Language Assessment Systems for Bias and Fairness
    (2026-10-06) Muñoz Sánchez, Ricardo
    The past few decades have seen algorithmic automation permeate multiple aspects of life. Language asessment is no exception to this trend: several standardised testing organisations have already integrated such systems into their workflows. However, AI models are known for their lack of transparency and for reproducing biases in the data. This clashes with the concept of fairness in language assessment, which enshrines ideals such as explainability and nondiscrimination. We must therefore ask ourselves whether it is possible to have fair systems for automated language assessment or whether that concept is paradoxical by nature. In this thesis, we explore this question from multiple facets: whether these systems tend to commit mistakes when classifying texts, which linguisitc aspects the underlying models rely on, and whether they make spurious correlations based on aspects that should not be relevant when determining language proficiency. We focus on systems that assign proficiency levels aligning with those from the Common European Frame of Reference (CEFR). While we mostly center around Swedish learner essays, we also consider texts written by learners of English and French. The backbone of this thesis comprises five articles. The first two explore which features of learner language are encoded by language models for CEFR level classification. The third and fourth articles focus on whether these systems present ethnicity or gender-related biases based on names appearing within the texts of learner essays. The final article rounds out this thesis by showing how the knowledge and insights gathered from the previous studies can be ported to another domain, namely reporting and social biases. We conclude that even though CEFR level classification systems appear to rely on learner language characteristics rather than non-relevant ones, the underlying models show much lower performance than what would be acceptable for any high stakes application. Furthermore, there are multiple societal and ethical considerations regarding automation of language assessment in real-world settings. Due to these reasons, the development of systems for automated language assessment should be approached in a critical manner.
  • THE RUSSIA–UKRAINE WAR AND THE RETURN OF GREAT POWER RIVALRY:
    (2026-10-06) Abulahma, Ali; Göteborgs universitet/Statsvetenskapliga institutionen; University of Gothenburg/Department of Political Science
    This study aims to analyze the evolution of Russian-Western relations since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, culminating in the military escalation represented by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It seeks to understand the structural and political factors that contributed to the escalation of this conflict. The study employs an analytical approach based on realist theory in international relations to interpret the strategic motives driving Russian behavior and to assess the nature of the European response in coordination with the United States. It also draws on a review of previous literature to trace the trajectory of Russian-Ukrainian relations and their historical transformations. The study's findings indicate that the Russian invasion of Ukraine stemmed from a confluence of security and strategic considerations. These included NATO's eastward expansion, the expansion of the European Union, the spread of democracy, Russia's perception of a direct threat to its sphere of influence, and shifts in the balance of power on the European and international stage. The findings also reveal that the Western response was characterized by political, economic, and military coordination, with a deliberate effort to avoid direct military encounter. The study concludes that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict represents an embodiment of a protracted geopolitical conflict with deep roots, and it affirms the ability of realist theory to provide a deep analytical interpretation of the dynamics of contemporary international crises.
  • THE IMPACT OF INSULATED COOKING BAGS ON EVERYDAY PROJECTS. A time geographic approach to changed cooking routines in rural Lesotho.
    (2026-10-06) Bladh, Mattias; Nilsson, Osmond; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaper
    Cooking with biofuels is a widespread issue in Sub Saharan Africa, associated with health risks, environmental consequences and time burdens for women responsible of cooking and collecting firewood. This study is focusing on insulated cooking bags that have been distributed in a rural village in Lesotho. The cooking bags have the potential to mitigate the disadvantages of biofuel cooking and improve the life of women. By using a time geographic framework, the study aims to investigate how the cooking bag can change the temporal and spatial organisation of everyday projects. The study uses primary data collected in field where a mixed method of semi-structured interviews in combination with time geographic diaries was used. In total 20 women were interview and 11 of them also participated with diary writing. Since time geographic diaries has not been used much in rural Africa, a secondary aim was to evaluate the method in this context. The results show that the cooking bag has the potential to save time dedicated to the cooking project and can enable mobility for women using it. The cooking bags reduce the coupling constraint that is associated with cooking over open fire as it allows the cook to leave food in the bag and not be bound to the home for several hours. In this way, the cooking bag provides flexibility in the planning of everyday life which indicates the cooking bag’s potential to strengthen women’s time use agency and in the longer run lead to empowerment.
  • Rätten och den sociala bostadsfrågan – en systematisk kunskapsöversikt
    (2026-10) Lundberg, Anna; Stendahl, Sara