Elin Strand

Senior Advisor

Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, Sweden

About

Coordinator and project leader with extensive experience in social sustainability, public administration, cultural institutions, and international cooperation. I approach my work through a social science and humanities lens, with a strong interest in people, culture, democracy, and the ways societal change is shaped through dialogue, knowledge, and collaboration. With a background in the social sciences and humanities, I work at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. My interests include human rights, inclusion, minority rights, and organizational learning. I am particularly motivated by bringing together different perspectives, building partnerships across sectors, and contributing to thoughtful and sustainable approaches to complex societal challenges.

Experience

  • Länsstyrelsen i Västra Götalands län (Full-time · 8 yrs 10 mos)
    • Senior Advisor
      Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

      Focus area: democracy and human rights.

    • Human rights, national minorities, and integration issues
      Sep 2017 - Aug 2025 · 8 yrs

      Various tasks and responsibilites including coordinating efforts to promote municipal preparedness and capacity to receive newly arrived refugees and to support the municipalities in their planning efforts. Consultations with national minorities on matters that concern them, regional network against racism, inter-religious cooperation, drafting of referral responses etcetera. National coordinator at the County Administrative Boards 2020-2024. Responsible for compiling the annual reports to the government on civic orientation for refugees: Länsstyrelsen Kalmar (2021). Länsstyrelsens återrapportering av uppdrag 23 enligt regleringsbrevet för 2020 Länsstyrelsen Värmland (2022). Samhällsorientering Länsstyrelsens återrapportering av uppdrag 27 enligt regleringsbrevet för 2021 Länsstyrelsen Värmland (2023). Samhällsorientering Länsstyrelsens återrapportering av uppdrag 3.B.23 enligt regleringsbrevet för 2022 Länsstyrelsen Västernorrland (2024). Samhällsorientering Länsstyrelsens återrapportering av uppdrag 3.B.22 enligt regleringsbrevet för 2023

  • Strängnäs kommun (5 yrs 5 mos)
    • Integration and refugee coordinator
      Jun 2016 - Aug 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos

      As no one had had the position prior to myself, I had the possibility to influence the job description. Responsible for promoting intra-municipal cooperation, clarifying roles and responsibilities and routines in order to strengthen the preparedness and capacity to receive asylum seekers and newly arrived refugees during a time where Sweden received an unprecedented number of refugees.

    • Media Pedagogue
      Apr 2012 - Jun 2016 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      Library duties including book club for youth, storytelling, organizing seminars, author talks, language cafes and exhibitions. Implemented IBBY's Silent Book-project (wordless picture books) for children in the asylum process. The work included cooperation and contact with a number of NGOs and adult education associations in various cultural projects that took place in the cultural centre. Initiated and organized for example a handicraft exhibition with a group of vulnerable EU migrants from Romania See: https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6141852

  • Consultant at elistra consulting
    Apr 2012 - May 2016 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    COMMISSIONS 2014 SVT (Sveriges Television) and SR (Sveriges Radio) • Meeting Coordinator 2013-2014 The Swedish National Agency for Education • Independent Expert in a project group responsible for developing web-based teaching material to support teaching Romani history and culture. Web-based teaching material 2012-2014 Gothenburg City Museum • Ongoing monitoring consultant of the Rom san? project at Göteborg City Museum during 2012-2014. Information about the project. 2012 The County Administrative Board of Stockholm • Independent Consultant

  • Regeringskansliet (4 yrs 7 mos)
    • Special Adviser
      Mar 2011 - Jan 2012 · 11 mos

    • Desk Officer
      Feb 2008 - Feb 2011 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Project coordinator: Rights Work! International Conference on Systematic Work for Human Rights Implementation,Stockholm 6-7 November 2008 (organised by Sweden during the Swedish chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, May-November 2008). The work included co-operation with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and FRA (the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights). Coordinator: Follow-up Meeting on the Results of the 2nd Monitoring Cycle of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Rosenbad 5-6 February 2009 (Council of Europe and the Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality of Sweden) Desk officer: National minorities, Roma issues

    • Inquiry Secretary
      Jul 2007 - Jan 2008 · 7 mos

      Project coordinator: Our Voicies Heard - Amare Glasura Ashunde–Romani Women’s Rights Conference (co-organised by the Swedish Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality, the Council of Europe and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights).

  • Course Coordinator (Visiting lecturer) at Uppsala University
    Sep 2006 - Dec 2007 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Course coordinator: Romani culture (7, 5 credits) during autumn semesters 2006 and 2007