From Research to Dialogue: A PhD Exchange on Digital Violence in Sweden

Academic exchange is an important part of developing research, offering space to share ideas, test emerging findings, and build connections across disciplines. In this blog, Belma Isakovic reflects on a recent visit to Umeå University, where she presented early work from her PhD on technology-facilitated sexual violence and engaged with researchers working at the intersection of digital technology and society.

Hi! My name is Belma Isakovic, and I’m a PhD student in the WOW project in Sweden. Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a short but rewarding academic exchange to Umeå University, where I spent a week presenting the first study of my PhD project.

My research focuses on technology-facilitated sexual violence against young women - a growing and complex form of gendered violence that takes place in digital environments. As part of my doctoral work, I am conducting a scoping review that maps and synthesises existing research in this area. The aim is to better understand how victims of TFSV describe their experiences and the consequences of it, and what forms it takes.

Image credit DIGSUM, Centre for Digital Social Research at Umeå University

During my visit to Umeå, I presented my findings at a higher seminar in Social Work. It was a valuable experience to share my work in a new academic setting and engage in thoughtful discussions with researchers and colleagues. I also had the opportunity to present my research at a seminar hosted by DIGSUM, an interdisciplinary research centre focused on the relationship between digital technology and society. Presenting in this context was especially meaningful, as my research sits at the intersection of social work, criminology, and digital technology. It was inspiring to be part of a space where scholars from different disciplines come together to explore how digitalisation shapes social life and societal challenges.

Beyond the presentations, the visit gave me the chance to connect with other researchers, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives on my work. Academic exchanges like this are an important part of the PhD journey - not only for sharing research, but also for building networks and developing as a scholar.

Overall, my week at Umeå University was both inspiring and motivating. It reinforced the importance of studying technology-facilitated sexual violence and highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex social issues. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing to develop my research within the WOW project.