Research Theme #2
Anti-Bullying and School Safety
Methodologies for Sweden and Chile
Keywords: School Bullying; School Safety; Subjectivity; Innovative Methodologies
Workshop Leaders (PIs)
Andrew Webb
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
andrew.webb@uc.cl
Ylva Bjereld
University of Gothenburg
ylva.bjereld@socwork.gu.se
Research Theme Summary
School bullying is a harmful phenomenon with significant consequences for students’ wellbeing, educational experiences, and opportunities. In both Sweden and Chile, considerable policy and professional efforts have been made to prevent bullying and create safe and supportive school environments. Nevertheless, research and available statistics indicate that bullying remains a persistent challenge.
The workshop aims to bring together researchers from a range of disciplinary perspectives (including sociology, social work, education, psychology, public health, computer science and technology, and urban planning), to advance research on the prevention of school bullying and the promotion of safe and supportive school climates in Sweden and Chile.
A central focus will be on developing knowledge about how teachers, parents, professional staff, and other relevant actors can better recognize and respond to the varied forms and intensities of bullying, including experiences that may be subtle, subjective, or underreported. The workshop will also explore research methods and initiatives for working with students to understand how they experience safety across different school spaces and contexts, and to identify factors and practices that may help prevent and interrupt recurring patterns of negative behaviour.
By bringing together perspectives from different disciplines and national contexts, the workshop aims to develop shared knowledge, identify opportunities for comparative and collaborative research, and generate new approaches to bullying prevention and the promotion of safe school environments. We propose that these efforts are necessary, not only for future populations’ wellbeing in the two countries, but also to ensure educational institutions remain sites for social cohesion and effective learning far into the future.
Desired Expertise
Sociology, social work, psychology, education, computer science and technology, urban planners, and public health scholars who have experience working on, or an interest in, anti-bullying research
Join this Workshop.
About the ACCESS Forum & Research Themes (RTs)
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The ACCESS Forum is an immersive, bi-national event held every 18 months that connects scholars across Chilean and Swedish member universities to address global societal challenges. Rather than functioning as a standard academic conference with passive presentations, an ACCESS workshop operates as an intensive, dedicated "working laboratory."
Participants commit to a single Research Theme (RT)—a targeted, co-led scientific initiative aligned with the ACCESS Research Framework. Over four days of collaborative work sessions, interactive discussions, and co-design activities, participants remain with the same cohort to move research ideas from concept to action.
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By joining our workshop cohort at the upcoming ACCESS Forum, you will:
Co-Develop Concrete Outcomes: Work directly toward joint academic publications, collaborative grant proposals (e.g., ANID, STINT, Horizon Europe), co-supervision of PhD candidates, etc.
Cross-Contextual Insights: Exchange datasets, methodologies, and local perspectives between Chilean and Swedish contexts.
Expand Your Network: Connect with senior researchers, Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and non-academic stakeholders across both research and innovation ecosystems.
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To apply for a seat in this Research Theme workshop, please review the desired expertise above and complete the application form before the registration deadline.
IMPORTANT: Applications from ACCESS member universities will be prioritize.Apply here by 1 November 2026: XXX