Mette Andersson

• Andersson, Mette (2025). Antiracist terminology in change: activist perspectives on travelling and locally developed concepts. Ethnic and Racial Studies. ISSN 0141-9870. doi: 10.1080/01419870.2025.2574394. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In 2020, global debates on racism and antiracist terminology intensified, fuelled by the revitalization of discussions on race and structural racism through the Black Lives Matter movement. This article examines how Norwegian antiracists engage with analytical concepts from U.S. and U.K. literature, and how both travelling and locally developed identity categories are perceived across different segments of the Norwegian antiracist movement. Although there is broad agreement on the necessity of a clear Norwegian antiracist language, opinions vary regarding terms like “race” and “structural racism”, as well as identity labels such as “black” and “melanin-rich”, introduced by grassroots organizations. This study is based on in-depth interviews with 50 self-identified Norwegian antiracists, including representatives from various organizations and independent activists in literary and media fields. The analysis utilizes theoretical frameworks on conceptual travel and the relationship between common sense and scientific concepts.

• Andersson, Mette (2025). Constructions of antiracist identity after George Floyd: Identity dilemmas in the Norwegian antiracist movement. Mobilization. An International Quarterly.. ISSN 1086-671X. 30(4), p. 467–483. doi: 10.17813/1086-671X-30-4-467. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article considers how debates over antiracist identity in Norway were energized after a critical event—the murder of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter demonstrations and public debates. The analysis draws on 54 in-depth interviews with antiracist activists and allies, fieldwork during antiracist demonstrations, and on- and offline seminars. Three identity dilemmas emerged within the Norwegian antiracist movement during this time: the genuine engagement dilemma, the difference-in-sameness dilemma, and the spokesperson dilemma. This article analyzes each dilemma and concludes with notes on how collective identity and its dilemmas differ within and beyond antiracist movements.

• Andersson, Mette (2025). Expanding or Rejecting National Identities? Identity Work and Anti-Racism among Racialized Minorities in Norway. In Brekhus, Wayne H. & Scott, Susie (Ed.), Interpreting Identities. Dimensions of Power, Presence, and Belonging.. Bristol University Press. ISSN 9781529228144. p. 71–87. doi: 10.2307/jj.18323782.8. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette & Kjellman, Kjell Erling (2025). Contextualizing past heroes: The dilemma of negotiating the postcolonial legacy in Norway. European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology. ISSN 2325-4823. 12(3), p. 248–267. doi: 10.1162/ecps.a.6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article analyses the reactions of antiracist activists to public debates about memorials following the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020. Based on 47 in-depth interviews with Norwegian antiracist activists, we examine three debates about memorials in two Norwegian cities. Theoretically, the concepts of connected histories and reflexive transnationalization inform our analysis, supplemented by a discussion of the relationship between European colonialism and the Nordic context. Our analysis suggests that Norwegian antiracists are ambivalent regarding these highly mediatized debates over memorials. While they believe that such debates are important in challenging portrayals of Norwegian history, they also fear that a focus on symbolic politics may damage antiracist efforts. We conclude by suggesting how an existing national self-understanding of innocence is challenged and better understood through an examination of the intersection between connected histories and existing national narratives.

• Andersson, Mette & Rye, Johan Fredrik (2023). Gray Racialization of White Immigrants: The Polish Worker in Norway. Nordic Journal of Migration Research. 13(2). doi: 10.33134/njmr.475. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The literature on racialization has typically focused on the situation of people of color in the Western world. In this article, we explore the analytical value of extending the concept of racialization to analyze symbolic boundaries that rely on and fortify the ascription of the specific skills and identities of white immigrants. The discussion builds on a review of the emerging literature on Polish immigrants in Norway since 2004. It reveals other everyday experiences of Poles and how they see themselves – and how others see them – differently compared to Norwegians and other immigrants and minorities. We examine how these processes of identity ascription are rooted in the Poles’ position as ‘labor migrants’ in predominantly low-waged and low-skilled segments of the Norwegian labor market. We also demonstrate how their location in the productive structure has far-reaching implications that work to construct symbolic boundaries, setting the Polish migrant apart from mainstream Norwegian society. The conclusion suggests a modified racialization concept, ‘gray racialization’, to conceptualize the discriminatory situation of the Poles as an immigrant and minority population, which we find to better allow for an understanding of power relations and social inequalities than its conceptual alternatives.

• Andersson, Mette & Kjellman, Kjell Erling (2023). Antirasismens dilemmaer. In Alghasi, Sharam & Eriksen, Thomas Hylland (Ed.), Flerkulturelle scenarioer: Mur, bro eller båt?. Cappelen Damm AS. ISSN 9788202740351. p. 207–230. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette & Midtbøen, Arnfinn Haagensen (2022). Rasisme og diskriminering. In Frønes, Ivar & Kjølsrød, Lise (Ed.), Det norske samfunn : bind 2. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205572300. p. 230–251. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I dette kapittelet redegjør vi for teoretiske perspektiver på rasisme, gjennomgår relevant empirisk forskning på rasisme og diskriminering i Norge, og drøfter relevansen av teorier om rasisme for forståelsen av rasismens uttrykk og konsekvenser i en norsk kontekst. Vurderinger av hvorvidt rasisme og diskriminering er utbredt i Norge, må bygge både på teoretisk innsikt i hva rasisme er og kan være, og på empirisk forskning av i alle fall tre forhold: hvorvidt etnisk ulikhet reproduseres over generasjoner, hvor utbredt negative holdninger og diskriminerende praksiser er i majoritetsbefolkningen og viktige samfunnsinstitusjoner, og hva slags erfaringer minoritetsgrupper selv har med rasisme og diskriminering på ulike samfunnsområder. Kapittelet vil ta for seg forskningen på alle disse tre områdene. Utgangspunktet vårt er den demografiske endringen Norge har gjennomgått siden slutten av 1960-årene, og vi konsentrerer oss derfor om forskning på innvandrere og deres etterkommere.

• Andersson, Mette (2022). Rase: Et omdiskutert begrep i bevegelse. In Døving, Cora Alexa (Eds.), Rasisme : Fenomenet, forskningen, erfaringene. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215063065. p. 55–73. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette & Schmidt, Garbi (2021). The politics of migration research: research focus and the public identities of migration researchers. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power. ISSN 1070-289X. 28(5), p. 513–524. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2020.1813461. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This special issue focusses on how migration and diversity researchers experience and perform their role as academic experts in politicised public debates about migration and diversity. In a world wherein experts are increasingly demanded for policy development and wherein migration as well as ethnic, racial and religious diversity are among the themes dividing voters the most, migration and diversity researchers find themselves in a challenging position. How do they view their obligation to participate in public debate and how does their identities as researchers relate to such participation? This special issue will discuss the impact and implications of these challenges in the Scandinavian context, although the theme of researchers’ roles in politicised public debate is of a broader relevance both to other geographical regions and to other controversial research fields. Debates on public sociology, on the science/media interface, and on present challenges to academic expertise more generally, are central to the discussion.

• Andersson, Mette (2021). Boundary work and research communication across time. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power. ISSN 1070-289X. 28(5), p. 598–614. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2019.1688953. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper looks at how research communication in Norwegian migration and diversity research has changed over time. The main themes in the analysis are researchers’ motivations to enter the field and their experiences of, and reactions to, critique from colleagues and other audiences. Theory about credibility contests and boundary work on the interface of the academia and media, along with ideas about explicit and implicit normativity, inform the analysis. A main conclusion is that, as the field has matured, contests over normativity have changed from internal contests over implicit normativity to external charges of explicit normativity. The empirical analysis builds on 31 interviews with Norwegian researchers about their experiences of, and views on, public research communication in newspapers, social media, radio, TV and face-to-face panel debates. The interviewed researchers are of different age, gender, and ethnicity and they work in 10 different universities and research institutes across Norway.

• Andersson, Mette & Schmidt, Garbi (2020). The politics of migration research: research focus and the public identities of migration researchers. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power. ISSN 1070-289X. p. 1–12. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2020.1813461. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2020). Public social science in Norway: Migration research in the public debate. British Journal of Sociology. ISSN 0007-1315. 71(1), p. 127–139. doi: 10.1111/1468-4446.12728. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  How do Norwegian migration and diversity researchers experience and maneuver participation in public debate? And do their experiences and strategies fit with Michael Burawoy's image of Norwegian social science and with his model of public sociology? In this article, the concept of public sociology is expanded to public social science, encompassing communication of research not just from sociology but social science in general. Semi‐structured interviews with 31 Norwegian migration and diversity scholars from 10 academic institutions about their experiences of, and views on, public research communication constitute the empirical material. The article concludes that Burawoy is right about the relatively high participation in public debate among social scientists in Norway. And his ideal‐typical distinction between four types of sociology is helpful in analyzing how researchers relate differently to the science‐public interface. Yet the results indicate that his perspective on public sociology is overly optimistic and not sufficiently attuned to the normativity already attached to highly politicized issues in public debate.

• Andersson, Mette (2019). Sluttreplikk. Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning (TfS). ISSN 0040-716X. 60(1). doi: 10.18261/issn.1504-291X-2019-01-13. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2019). Boundary work and normativity in research communication across time. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power. ISSN 1070-289X. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2019.1688953. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2018). Race: A Contested and Travelling Concept. In Leiulfsrud, Håkon & Sohlberg, Peter (Ed.), Concepts in Action. Conceptual Constructionism.. De Gruyter Brill. ISSN 9789004314191. p. 284–301. doi: 10.1163/9789004314207_017. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette & Rogstad, Jon (2018). Political Engagement Among Young Adults with Minority Backgrounds: Between Identity and Interest. In Fossum, John Erik; Kastoryano, Riva & Siim, Birte (Ed.), Diversity and Contestations over Nationalism in Europe and Canada. Palgrave Macmillan. ISSN 9781137589866. p. 123–147. doi: 10.1057/978-1-137-58987-3_5. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2016). Theorizing through Comparative Case Studies. In Sohlberg, Peter Anders & Leiulfsrud, Håkon (Ed.), Theory in Action. Theoretical Constructionism. Brill | Nijhoff. ISSN 9789004314184. p. 145–159. doi: 10.1163/9789004314184_010. Full text in Research Archive
• Vassenden, Anders & Andersson, Mette (2015). Religious symbols on rearview mirrors: displays of faith or hopes for safe travel? In Roman, Williams (Eds.), Seeing religion. Toward a Visual sociology of religion. Routledge. ISSN 9781138897809. p. 85–102. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2014). The debate about multicultural Norway before and after 22 July 2011. In Alexander, Claire; Kaur, Raminder & Louis, Brett St (Ed.), Mapping Changing Identities. New Directions in Uncertain Times.. Routledge. ISSN 9780415726047. doi: 10.1080/1070289x.2012.684442. Full text in Research Archive
• Jacobsen, Christine M. & Andersson, Mette (2012). 'Gaza in Oslo': Social imaginaries in the political engagement of Norwegian minority youth. Ethnicities. ISSN 1468-7968. 12(6), p. 821–843. doi: 10.1177/1468796812451097. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In the winter of 2008/09 thousands of people took to the streets of Oslo to demonstrate against the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Young people of visible minority and Muslim background were central actors in these demonstrations. The public expression of Muslim identities and symbols during the demonstrations along with clashes between some of the young demonstrators and the police fuelled the already polarized debate concerning the integration of immigrant youth and Islamic radicalism existing in the Norwegian public realm. Using data gathered through ethnographic fieldwork and web-ethnography we follow the engagement of youth from a multi-ethnic Oslo mosque both online and offline. In critical dialogue with perspectives on political contention and transnational political activism, we analyse this transnational mobilization in terms of the ‘social imaginaries’ that mediated engagement with the Gaza question: ‘the global Muslim imaginary’, ‘secular leftist internationalism’ and ‘integration nations’.

• Vassenden, Anders & Andersson, Mette (2011). Whiteness, non-whiteness and 'faith information control': religion among young people in Grønland, Oslo. Ethnic and Racial Studies. ISSN 0141-9870. 34(4), p. 574–593. doi: 10.1080/01419870.2010.511239. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2011). Global integration in the nation: The emergence of non-white athletes and antiracist initiatives in Norwegian elite sport. In Long, Jonathan & Spracklen, Karl (Ed.), Sport and challenges to racism. Palgrave Macmillan. ISSN 9780230578180. p. 150–166. doi: 10.1057/9780230305892_10. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2010). The social imaginary of first generation Europeans. Social Identities. ISSN 1350-4630. 16(1), p. 3–21. doi: 10.1080/13504630903465845. Full text in Research Archive
• Vassenden, Anders & Andersson, Mette (2010). When an Image becomes Sacred. Photo elicitation using images of holy books. Visual Studies. ISSN 1472-586X. 25(2), p. 149–161. doi: 10.1080/1472586X.2010.502672. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2009). De todos blancos a la mayoría blanca. Migraciones deportivas e integración en el fútbol noruego. In Goig, Ramón Llopis (Eds.), Fútbol postnacional. Transformaciones sociales y culturales del "deporte globaol" en Europa y América Latina. Anthropos. ISSN 9788476589373. p. 93–106. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2007). Migrasjon som utfordring. Kritikk av metodologisk nasjonalisme. In Fuglerud, Øivind & Eriksen, Thomas Hylland (Ed.), Grenser for kultur? Perspektiver fra norsk minoritetsforskning. Pax Forlag. ISSN 9788253030555. p. 53–79. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2007). Corporate multiculturalism bounces across the Atlantic. The introduction of semi-professional basketball in Norway. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing. ISSN 1475-8962. 2(1-2), p. 2–15. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2007). The relevance of the Black Atlantic in contemporary sport. Racial imaginaries in Norway. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. ISSN 1012-6902. 42(1), p. 63–79. doi: 10.1177/1012690207081829. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2006). Ethnic Entrepreneurs: Identity Politics among Pakistani Students in Norway. In Sicakkan, Hakan G. & Lithman, Yngve (Ed.), What happens when a society is diverse? Exploring multidimensional identities. Edwin Mellen Press. ISSN 9780773458772. p. 25–51. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This book aims to bring our thinking about diversity one step further towards making coexistence and politics in diverse societies possible. Diversification in our societies takes place on at least three levels. On the societal level, one can speak of a multitude of cultural/social groups. On the group level, the multitude and intersectionality of individual belongings comes to the fore. On the individual level, the mobility of individuals’ minds between different references of identification becomes a crucial element in theorizing the diverse society. What happens in society, politics, and communicative public spaces when the society is diverse in these terms? Much of the recent intellectual and policy work has not been able to comply with societies that are increasingly diverse and with groups/individuals whose relations with political institutions are becoming more complex than ever. By focusing on social groups and individuals with multidimensional and shifting identities, which are structured along the intersections of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, ideology, physical disability, generation, mobility, and migrancy, this volume aims to increase the understanding of the complex social and political relations in diverse societies.

• Andersson, Mette (2006). Colonialisation of Norwegian space identity politics in the streets of Oslo in the 1990s. Norsk tidsskrift for migrasjonsforskning. ISSN 1502-4008. 7(1), p. 6–25. Full text in Research Archive

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• Andersson, Mette (2022). Rasisme. En innføring. Fagbokforlaget. ISBN 9788245037388. 241 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2018). Kampen om vitenskapeligheten. Forskningskommunikasjon i et politisk betent felt. Universitetsforlaget. ISBN 9788215030036. 152 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Vestel, Viggo Jan; Andersson, Mette; Jacobsen, Christine M. & Rogstad, Jon Christian (2012). Kritiske hendelser - Nye stemmer. Politisk engasjement og transnasjonal orientering i det nye Norge. Universitetsforlaget. ISBN 9788215018232. 271 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Er det slik at erfaringer med eksklusjon og en følelse av å ikke helt høre til i Norge er en avgjørende bakgrunn for en gryende politisk mobilisering blant etterkommere av innvandrere? Ulike nasjonale og internasjonale hendelser i løpet av de siste tjue årene har vært med på å forme unge med etnisk minoritetsbakgrunn. De kritiske hendelsene skriver seg inn i en historisk utvikling; fra Rushdie-saken, Gulfkrigen, via Benjamin-saken, Fadime-saken, til 11. september og Karikaturkrisen. En næranalyse av mobilisering i tilknytning til et utvalg slike kritiske hendelser i nyere tid gjør det mulig å analysere fram minoritetsunges politisk engasjement som går utover konvensjonell politisk deltakelse i form av stemmegivning og partimedlemskap. Forfatterne er spesielt opptatt av hva unge voksne med minoritetsbakgrunn deler av erfaringer, antakelser og oppfatninger; det vi kan kalle mobiliseringsgrunnlaget. Det fokuseres spesielt på politisk engasjement. Samtaler med rappere, antirasister, praktiserende muslimer, og mennesker som driver nettsteder/nettfora.

• Andersson, Mette (2008). Flerfarget idrett. Nasjonalitet, migrasjon og minoritet. Fagbokforlaget. ISBN 9788245002713. 215 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2005). Urban Multi-Culture in Norway: Identity Formation Among Immigrant Youth. Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 9780773459861. 508 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette; Lithman, Yngve & Sernhede, Ove (2005). Youth, Otherness and the Plural City. Modes of Belonging and Social Life. Daidalos. ISBN 9789171732347. 368 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Tica, Sabina; Kjos, Hannah Løke; Birkvad, Simon Roland; Ahmed, Uzair; Sunnemark, Erik Ludvig & Hjelle, Karoline Blix [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2024). Skal vi forske bak lukkede dører? Full text in Research Archive
• Sunnemark, Erik Ludvig; Andersson, Mette; Melby, Eli Ramsvik; Bygnes, Susanne & Kok, Erlend Hua Lun (2024). Sosiale bevegelser og sted - Fra Gule Vester til russiske fredsaktivister. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). Globale perspektiver blant nye nordmenn. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). Hedersprisen 2024 til Willy Pedersen. sosiologen.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). «Komparative casestudier: Teoretisering om identitetsarbeid og ‘rase’». Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). Constructions of antiracist identity after George Floyd: Identity dilemmas in the Norwegian antiracist movement. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). Minoriteters rolle i antirasistisk aktivism. Full text in Research Archive
• Sayyad, Nawar Mahmoud Ali & Andersson, Mette (2024). Ep.22: Rasisme i Norge: En samtale med Mette Andersson. [Internet]. https://www.nawarsayyad.no/podcasts/hvor-er-du-egentlig-fra/. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). Construction of antiracist identity after George Floyd: Identity dilemmas in the Norwegian antiracist movement. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2024). Samtale om å skrive lærebok for studenter. Full text in Research Archive
• Rye, Johan Fredrik; Andersson, Mette & O’Reilly, Karen (2023). Practises and Processes of Symbolic Reproduction of Racial, Ethnic and National Boundaries in Low-Waged Workplaces. Nordic Journal of Migration Research. 13(2). doi: 10.33134/njmr.677. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The introduction present key research questions addressed by the Special Issue: What is the character of the symbolic reproduction of racial, ethnic and/ or national boundaries and how are they interwoven into international migrants’ practices, experiences, and strategies within Europe’s low-waged workplaces? The four IS papers address this question from different perspectives; three of them by drawing on materials from the food production industries in the Scandinavian countries and the UK, the last discussing how Polish labour migrant in Norwegian society are objects of ‘gray racialization’ setting them apart from the majority population. A main contribution of the SI lies in the bridging of disparate literature in the fields of labour markets, migration, and social and symbolic boundary processes: The in-depth qualitative analysis demonstrates how migrants working in low wage, low skill labour markets are the object of ongoing processes of othering along racial, ethnic and national lines. Various agents representing the majority society – the state, employers, trade unions and local communities – each in their own ways contribute to these processes and thereby to the reproduction of social inequalities. Combined, the SI papers also demonstrate the role the migrants themselves play in the production and reproduction of these dynamics.

• Andersson, Mette (2022). Kronikk: Å ta avstand fra rasisme er ikke det samme som å bekjempe den. [Internet]. Forskning.no, Forskersonen. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2022). Migration research as a politized field. Roundtable. Full text in Research Archive
• Myrtveit, Aase Cathrine & Andersson, Mette (2022). Verdibørsen. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2022). Norske tilstander: Rasisme. [TV]. TV2 nyheter. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2022). Arena, P2, om rasisme. [Radio]. Oslo, NRK . Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2020). 90-tallets analyser om rase, etnisitet og nasjon er særlig aktuelle i dag. sosiologen.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette & Kjellman, Kjell Erling (2020). Social imaginaries in the Norwegian anti-racist and pro-diversity movement. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2020). Trygve Beyer Broch: A Performative Feel for the Game. How Meaningful Sports Shape Gender, Bodies, and Social Life. Norsk sosiologisk tidsskrift. 4(4), p. 253–255. Full text in Research Archive
• Leiulfsrud, Håkon; Sohlberg, Peter Anders; Swedberg, Richard; Flemmen, Anne Britt; Martinussen, Willy Martin & Guneriussen, Willy Johan [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2018). Concepts in Action. In Leiulfsrud, Håkon & Sohlberg, Peter (Ed.), Concepts in Action. Conceptual Constructionism.. De Gruyter Brill. ISSN 9789004314191. Full text in Research Archive
• Lekve, Isak; Andersson, Mette & Bygnes, Susanne (2018). Fredagssalongen #8: Fornuft og følelser. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2018). En samtale med Rogers Brubaker. [Journal]. sosiologen.no. Full text in Research Archive
• Sohlberg, Peter; Swedberg, Richard; Guneriussen, Willy Johan; Strandbakken, Pål; Prieur, Annick Ingrid & Kalleberg, Ragnvald [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2016). Theory in Action: Theoretical Constructivism. In Sohlberg, Peter Anders & Leiulfsrud, Håkon (Ed.), Theory in Action. Theoretical Constructionism. Brill | Nijhoff. ISSN 9789004314184. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2015). Morgenbladetsalongen: Rase. [Internet]. Morgenbladet. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2012). The debate about multicultural Norway before and after 22 July 2011. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power. ISSN 1070-289X. 19(4), p. 418–427. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2012.684442. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2011). The Ethnicity Reader. Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration. Acta Sociologica. ISSN 0001-6993. 54(2), p. 195–198. doi: 10.1177/0001699311403112. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2011). 'Reflexive transnationalization' among politically engaged minority youth. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2011). Review Essay. Montserrat Guibernau and John Rex (eds), The Ethnicity Reader, Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2010 (2nd edn), 348 pp. Steve Fenton, Ethnicity. Cambrdige: Polity Press (2nd edn), 248 pp. Acta Sociologica. ISSN 0001-6993. 54(2), p. 195–198. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2009). Identity before identity politics. Ethnic and Racial Studies. ISSN 0141-9870. 32(7), p. 1292–1293. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Idrett og Mangfold. p. 36–36. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Flerfarget idrett. Nasjonalitet, migrasjon og minoritet. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Sosiale "imaginaries" blant unge voksne med minoritetsbakgrunn. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). The social imaginary of first generation Europeans. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Idrett fri for politikk. [Journal]. På Høyden - nettavis for Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). -Latter og tull med refleksjon kan bryte fordommer. [Journal]. Bergens Tidende. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). 'Idretten er brutal og bra'. [Journal]. Vårt Land. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Ønsker debatt om innvandring velkommen. [Journal]. Bergens Tidende. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Sånn er livet. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). -Eg tek ikkje jobben. [Journal]. Bergens Tidende. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Dagsnytt 18. [Radio]. NRK, Oslo. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Colts-trenar Tony Dugny var viktigare for preseidentvalet enn Jesse Owens. [Journal]. Bergens Tidende. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Europeisk trend. [Journal]. Bergends Tidende. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2008). Diamanten som aldri strålte. [Journal]. Vårt Land. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2007). Med flagget på brystet. Samtiden. ISSN 0036-3928. p. 42–55. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2006). Global integration in the nation? Ethnic minority sport heroes and the issue og representation. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2006). Minority representation in sport - transnational racial imaginaries. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2006). Urban multiculture in Norway. Identity formation among immigrant youth. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2006). Identitetsarbeid bestemt av tilskrevet annerledeshet. Tre former for sosiale felleskap blant etnisk minoritetsungdom. Full text in Research Archive
• Gressgård, Randi; Andersson, Mette; Fuglerud, Øivind; Jacobsen, Christine M. & Rogstad, Jon (2006). Forskning og feighet. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette & Tomasgård, Jørn-Arne (2005). Idretten som politisk arena. [Journal]. Bergens Tidende. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2005). The relevance of the Black Atlantic in contemporary sport. Racial imaginaries in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2005). Comments to LInda McDowell and Sophie Day. Full text in Research Archive
• Andersson, Mette (2005). Global integration in the nation? Ethnic minority sports heroes and the issue of representation. Full text in Research Archive
• Lithman, Yngve; Sicakkan, Hakan G. & Andersson, Mette (2005). Verdensborgere i opprør. [Journal]. På Høyden. Full text in Research Archive
• Tica, Sabina; Andersson, Mette & Ljunggren, Jørn (2025). Changing Culture. The (Un)making of Racialised and Classed Inequalities in the Norwegian Cultural Field. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cultural dominance—the power to shape reality, define the nation, and represent ‘the other’— is a subtle yet powerful form of influence. The cultural field, where cultural products such as literature, visual art, and performance art are created, is a key arena for exercising this power, highlighting the need for diversity among cultural producers. However, Western cultural fields have historically been dominated by a white cultural upper class, often resulting in artistic works that create and reinforce specific understandings of racialised and classed inequalities. Consequently, those outside this elite have typically had less power to shape dominant cultural representations of the world, others, and themselves. In this sense, the cultural field not only reflects but also reproduces broader societal inequalities, making the study of power dynamics in cultural production a critical sociological endeavour. As limited scholarly focus has been directed towards these intersecting power dynamics in culture, this thesis explores the (un)making of racialised and classed inequalities in the Norwegian cultural field by analysing the experiences of 41 cultural producers, the majority of whom are racialised minorities. This study on power relations in cultural production has been conducted against the backdrop of recent political developments in the West, where conflicts over worldviews and imagined communities have intensified. A growing transnational push to diversify the cultural field has emerged, while strong counterforces actively resist such progress. This broader struggle over cultural power unfolds through two parallel trends within Western cultural fields: one highlighting persistent class and racialised inequalities, and the other signalling change. In this context, Norway presents a compelling case due to two dominant narratives of exceptional egalitarianism that can be seen as central to the country’s self-perception: the tale of a classless society and the tale of a noncolonial society. While these narratives are contested, this egalitarian ethos extends to cultural policies that seek to democratise culture while safeguarding the field’s autonomy, and though some racialised minority artists have gained prominent positions, racialised minorities and the working class remain underrepresented. To engage with these contextual layers, this thesis employs a theoretical framework that captures both stability and change, integrating class and ‘race’ in the study of cultural production. I build on Bourdieu’s theory of cultural production, which situates the field and its actors within broader power struggles. As this perspective neglects racial inequalities, I engage with British cultural studies and cultural industry studies on ‘race’. The latter perspective is fruitful as it foregrounds the ambivalence inherent in the cultural production of ‘race’ and the complex effects of diversity initiatives. However, it has a limited focus on class and whiteness, as well as a restricted theorisation of changing field dynamics. To refine this framework, I incorporate scholarship on temporality, highlighting the need to examine power dimensions like social generations to deepen our understanding of field disruptions. While often framed in opposition, I argue that these perspectives complement each other. Integrating them enables a more comprehensive analysis of how power dynamics shape the cultural field and cultural producers, ultimately influencing how society depicts, describes, and understands itself. In accordance with the relational view on power dynamics embedded in the theoretical framework, this thesis is grounded in feminist standpoint theory, which informs the analysis of the in-depth interviews and small-scale fieldwork. The fieldwork included observations of cultural events and participant observation in a diversity-related course at a major cultural institution. The primary data consists of 41 interviews with cultural producers, including 32 Norwegian racialised minority artists and nine diversity workers, four of whom were racialised minorities. Eight artists were interviewed twice, in 2018 and 2022, totalling 49 interviews. All the artists are non-white, actively practice art, and are affiliated with cultural institutions. They engage in art forms such as visual, performing, and literary arts. The diversity workers hold administrative roles dedicated to developing diversity strategies. The analysis examines the participants’ experiences with institutional constraints, the potential for change, and how relations between racialised minority artists are shaped by perceived generational differences. The findings are presented in three journal articles. The first shows how a ‘white cultural upperclass gaze’ can reinforce dominant representations of ‘race’, leading to the conclusion that the cultural field is characterised by institutional whiteness. The second article explores possibilities for change by investigating how Norwegian cultural producers have experienced the growing focus on diversity. The findings show that this shift has fostered various forms of racial commodification but also enabled artists to contest dominant representations of ‘race’ and notions of legitimate culture, with artists navigating the field in different ways. Continuing the last point, the final article examines how racialised minority artists’ perspectives on representation influence collective identity formation. The findings reveal that while these artists see themselves as ‘outsiders’ in relation to the majority, their sense of ‘community’ is shaped by generational struggles over representation, which influence how they navigate the field. In sum, this thesis develops a novel theoretical framework and provides new empirical insight into how the cultural field sustains and challenges racialised and classed inequalities.

• Bøyum, Karin Fedje & Andersson, Mette (2011). "Men kva er i grunn definisjonen på rasisme ": tre fokusgruppeintervju med ungdommar frå ein norsk storby. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Samandrag. Ungdom og rasisme er eit omgrepspar som det i den seinare tid er gjort ein del forsking på både innanlands og utanlands. Denne oppgåva er skrive med føremålet om å få fram kva ungdom i dag forstår med rasisme, og kva for ord og ytringar dei ser på som rasistiske. Datamaterialet til oppgåva vart samla inn ved hjelp av tre fokusgruppeintervju med deltakarar i alderen 16- 22 år, i ein av Noreg sine storbyar. Fokusgruppeintervjua vart gjennomførte hausten 2009, på ungdommane sine skular. Oppgåva er oppbygd med ein teoridel, ein metodedel og ein analysedel. Analysekapitla er baserte på tre underordna problemstillingar; - Korleis vil dagens ungdom forklare rasisme og i kva grad meinar dei at rasisme førekjem i det norske samfunnet? - Kva ord og utrykk kan bli sett på som rasistiske og kvar går grensa mellom rasisme og venskapleg namnekalling? - I kva grad meinar ungdommane at media påverkar synet på innvandrarar i det norske samfunnet? Kapittel 1 er inneleiingskapitlet, kapittel 2 er brukt til gjennomgang av relevant teori, kapittel 3 tek for seg metoden som vart brukt til innsamling av datamaterialet, kapittel 4 tek for seg den første problemstillinga, medan kapittel 5 omhandlar den andre og tredje problemstillinga før eg avlsluttar med oppsummerande tankar i kapittel 6. Kapittel 4 omhandlar ungdommane si forståing av og erfaring med rasisme. Ungdommane gjenkjenner rasisme som noko ein møter i kvardagen, sjølv om rasisme er eit omgrep som er vanskeleg å forklare. Ungdommane viser til eit skilje mellom rasisme og framandfrykt, som er knytt til handling og tankar. Raseomgrepet er ikkje lengre eit omgrep som er mykje brukt i kvardagen, skal ein tru ungdommane, men funn i to av diskusjonane legg likevel til rette for ein vidare diskusjon. Religion og kultur blir av ungdommane gjenkjend som karakteristikkar ein kan bruke som utgangspunkt for rasistiske diskursar og handlingar. Ein del av ungdommane gjev også eit innblikk i eigne erfaringar med rasisme. Kapittel 5 viser til kva funksjon ord har som "våpen" i kampen mellom "oss" og "dei andre". Kapitlet tek først for seg ei lang liste med ord som munnleg og skriftleg kom fram i gruppediskusjonane. Mange av orda kan forståast som rasisme, samstundes som dei blir brukt som venleg namnekalling. Eg går nærmare inn på kva som avgjer korleis ordet vert tolka i ulike kontekstar, og kva som skil desse kontekstane frå kvarandre. Ungdommane påpeikar og at generalisering og negative framstillingar av innvandrarar påverkar måten ein ser på innvandrarar. Media er knytt opp til generaliseringa og framstillinga av innvandrarar, og eg avsluttar kapitlet med å sjå på korleis ungdommane meinar at media sine framstillingar er med på å påverke måten ein ser innvandrarar på. Avslutningsvis i kapittel 6 viser eg til to korte samandrag knytt til hovudfunna i fokusgruppeintervjua, før eg avsluttar med nokre tankar om vidare forsking knytt til ungdom og rasisme.

• Berntzen, Lars Erik & Andersson, Mette (2011). Den eksistensielle trusselen, en sosiologisk studie av politisk motstand mot islam, muslimsk kultur og innvandring til Norge. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper examines political mobilization against Islam, muslim culture and immigration to Norway. To this endeavour I have mainly relied on a total of six explorative, qualitative interviews with leaders of prominent organizations within this field, such as Fremskrittspartiet, Stopp Islamiseringen Av Norge and Human Rights Service. Within this context I have operated with the following questions: How, and which tools do they use to mobilize against Islam, muslim culture and immigration? Which social, political and ideological context do they operate within? Who do they see as their main opponents? What kind of relations do the different actors have to each other? To this end I have used social movement theory, theory of framing, theories on power, politics and identity as well as theory of culture as tools for my analysis. Based on my data in conjecture with my chosen theoretical perspectives I argue that the anti-islamic agents build on existing ideologies, central values and historical events to weave a compelling narrative with which to mobilize norwegian citizens and challenge the percieved hegemony of other, predominant conceptions and agents. I also posit that their collective action, internal relations and mobilization efforts constitute an anti-islamic social movement.

• Olsen, Stine Karoline & Andersson, Mette (2010). Bakkebyråkraters forestillinger omkring integrering - en studie av integreringsarbeid i en norsk kommune. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Bolstad, Brita & Andersson, Mette (2008). Å være flerkulturell, utenlandsk, norsk og muslim – alt på en gang. Etnisitet, religion og transnasjonal orientering som elementer i konstruksjonen av identitet. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Oppgaven handler om hvordan unge muslimer med etnisk minoritetsbakgrunn i Bergen konstruerer sin identitet. Den analyserer hvordan etnisitet, religion og transnasjonal orientering inngår i informantenes identitetsarbeid. Det dialektiske forholdet mellom egenidentifisering og tilskriving av identitet fra omverden er en viktig del av denne forhandlingen om identitet. Et sentralt poeng i oppgaven er at identitet må betraktes som sammensatt, og som konstruert gjennom samhandling i ulike sosiale situasjoner. Oppgaven tar også for seg hvilke transnasjonale dimensjoner som kan identifiseres i informantenes liv, hverdag og forestillinger om fremtiden.

• Henriksen, Kim- Tonny; Andersson, Mette & Andersson, Mette (2008). Hva er norsk i Spania? En kvalitativ undersøkelse av norsk identitetsforhandling i Alfaz del Pi. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Eimhjellen, Ivar Sognnæs & Andersson, Mette (2007). Nettsosialisering, hørsel og tilhørsel. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Johansen, Nils Berg & Andersson, Mette (2007). Ungdommen i tolkerollen En studie av bosniske ungdommers opplevelse av å være tolk for sine foreldre i interaksjon med sosialkontoret. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Aiwerioba, Nogieru Patrick & Andersson, Mette (2007). Identity development for mixed race persons in western Norway. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive
• Enget, Vegar & Andersson, Mette (2006). Vil du hilse på Edwan? En studie av sosial integrasjon av flyktninger i Årstad og sentrum bydel, Bergen. En evaluering av Flyktningeguiden i Røde Kors. Universitetet i Bergen. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Oppgaven er et kvalitativt studie av hvordan flyktninger og frivillige, kalt flyktningeguider praktiserer Prosjekt Flyktningeguide i Bergen Røde Kors (RK). Studien baserer seg på et datamateriale produsert gjennom kvalitative intervjuer med 9 deltagere i prosjektet, herunder 3 enkeltkoblinger (en flyktning og en guide) og 1 gruppekobling (en guide og to flyktninger). Uformelle samtaler med prosjektledelsen har også blitt gjennomført sammen med studier av relevant RK materiell. I oppgaven undersøker jeg i hvilken grad flyktningene som deltar blir sosialt integrerte i nærmiljøet. Og herunder, om flyktningene har lært norsk, om de har lært om hvilke ressurser som eksisterer i nærmiljøet deres, om sosial samhandling (skikk og bruk) på stedet, om de har utvidet sitt sosiale nettverk i nærmiljøet og om de har kommet inn i et miljø. Jeg undersøker også om guidene har lært om flyktninger og flyktningespørsmål. Prosjekt Flyktningeguide har det prinsipp at guidene skal lære flyktningene om "det norske samfunnet" gjennom en en-til-en kontakt slik at flyktningen blir integrert og kan fortsette sin sosiale integrasjon videre på egenhånd. Derfor har det vært sentralt i mitt arbeid å studere hvilke av de ovenfor nevnte målsettingene koblingene har oppnådd sammen og hva som gjør dette. Det teoretiske utgangspunktet i oppgaven er teorier om det frivillige samfunnet. Videre anvender jeg teorier om sosial kapital og sosiale nettverk i kombinasjon med teori om sosial integrasjon. Et hovedperspektiv er at hvor mye sosial kapital som koblingene utvikler og i hvilken grad flyktningene blir sosialt integrert, avhenger av hvordan relasjonene til guidene utvikler seg og hvorvidt aktivitetene og samværet de har tar utgangspunkt i nærmiljøet til flyktningen. Funnene i undersøkelsen viser at flyktningene blir best sosialt integrert og utvikler mest sosial kapital sammen med guiden, når den sosiale læringsprosessen og byggingen av sosiale nettverk, tar utgangspunkt i flyktningens nærmiljø. Det viser seg også at relasjonene som flyktningene og guidene utvikler er viktige for oppnåelsen av målsettingene som RK har satt for prosjektet. Samtidig er sosiale bakgrunnsvariabler som sosial klasse, kjønn og sivil status av en viss betydning. Et annet funn er at bevisstheten om hva "sosial integrasjon" innebærer eller kan 4 innebære varierer blant aktørene. For øvrig var det ingen flyktningeguider som hadde noen plan/formål med å presentere flyktningen for andre mennesker.

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