About the institute
The Lund University Psychological Defence Research Institute (Forskningsinstitutet för psykologiskt försvar) is a multidisciplinary research unit within the Department of Strategic Communication. Our work focuses on the theory and practice of psychological defence and research into analyzing and countering hostile information influence operations and hybrid threats.
The purpose of psychological defence is to promote an open and democratic society, the free formation of opinion, and fundamental freedoms such as freedom of thought and speech. In support of these goals, we conuct research that helps to develop societal capabilities, to identify and counteract the effects of foreign information manipulation and other forms of illegitimate interference that seek to influence democratic decision-making, perceptions, and behaviour.
We work on research assignments from the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, as well as projects with other national and international partners, to develop the theory and practice of psychological defence.
Our mission is to
- Conduct foundational and applied research to support the responsibilities of the Psychological Defence Agency
- Develop partnerships to share expertise and further the psychological defence agenda within Sweden
- Work with Sweden’s international partners to exchange ideas relevant to the capability development and conduct of psychological defence.
The Psychological Defence Research Institute was initiated with a grant from the Psychological Defence Agency and receives funding from several national and international governmental and nongovernmental sources. Although we sometimes conduct commissioned research, our research is always wholly independent of the funding source.
Director
James Pamment
E-mail: psychologicaldefence [at] isk [dot] lu [dot] se
Partner organisations
EU Research Project
