IAMCR is deeply saddened by the passing of Lars Nord, a distinguished scholar and cherished member of the association. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. Below is a tribute from his colleagues and friends, IAMCR Vice-president Karen Arriaza Ibarra, former Head of the Political Communication Section Marie Grusell, and International Council member Philippe Maarek.
Lars Nord (1958-2024) was a distinguished professor of political communication and journalism at Mid-Sweden University (Sundsvall campus) and served – first as Director and then as a research leader – at the DEMICOM research center. His scholarly work was primarily concentrated on the fields of political communication, political journalism, public service media, crisis communication, and media policy. He was also an active international fellow and a member of several relevant international projects and research groups, that often resulted in relevant publications with colleagues from countries beyond the Nordic region, like Spain or France. He also was a very dear and appreciated friend.
Throughout his prolific career, Lars Nord made significant contributions to the study of political communication and journalism. Among his most notable research achievements are:
Political Journalism and Elections: Professor Nord conducted extensive studies on the representation of local elections in the media. His research underscored the impact of local media coverage on public perception and voters’ behavior, offering critical insights into the interplay between media and electoral processes.
Crisis Communication: His analysis of how media and political leaders communicate during crises provided a deep understanding of the effectiveness of various communication strategies in maintaining public trust and managing the flow of information. This work has been pivotal in shaping best practices in crisis communication. Lars Nord made substantial contributions to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), where his research focused on crisis management. His studies on the emergence and dissemination of rumors, as well as the public's response to official information, have been crucial in shaping crisis communication strategies in Sweden.
Media Policy and Democracy: Professor Nord explored the intricate relationship between media systems and democratic processes, examining the influence of media policies on the quality of democracy. His work also highlighted the essential role of public service media in fostering an informed citizenry. This past spring, he completed a significant EU-funded project on democracy, which brought together representatives from 14 different countries. The project aimed to reach a consensus on the definition of democracy and to assess the media's role in democratic processes. A key research objective was to compare democratic practices across various countries and facilitate mutual learning.
Digital Election Campaigns: In his later research, Lars Nord delved into the professionalization of digital election campaigns, critically assessing how political parties adapt to evolving media environments and the broader implications for political communication in the digital age.
Beyond his research contributions, Lars Nord was instrumental in establishing the DEMICOM research center at Mid Sweden University, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in the field of political communication.
Professor Nord’s research contributions have profoundly influenced the understanding of media and politics, particularly within the Swedish and broader European contexts.
His exceptional intellectual acuity and groundbreaking contributions have left an indelible mark on the academic world. His rigorous and innovative research will continue to inspire and guide scholars in the fields of political communication and journalism for generations to come. His academic excellence, together with his generosity and nice personality, will also remain with those of us who were lucky enough to call him our good friend for decades. May his soul rest in peace.
Karen Arriaza Ibarra and Marie Grusell
During about three decades, Lars and me bonded for two main reasons, our parallel research interest in Political Communication, and a friendship built on our collaborations. We started to appreciate each other during an European Science Foundation long haul program, from 1999 to 2004, and never stopped being in touch with each other since. Thereafter came a succession of common panels in conferences, of book chapters in each other edited books, and of lunches, dinners and drinks in conferences all around. Lars, I’ll miss you, we all will miss you.
Philippe J. Maarek