Positive Integration in Ethnically Diverse Schools

Integration is a pressing concern in Sweden due to growing ethnic diversity. Immigrants struggle with loneliness, low sense of belonging, and discrimination. The Swedish society struggles with segregation, anti-immigrant attitudes, and hate crimes.

In response to this concern, Swedish schools have been assigned the task of fostering integration among ethnically diverse youth.

Unfortunately, the existing research offers few recommendations about what school can do to foster positive integration.

Previous research on this topic is fragmented, provides inconsistent findings, and is predominantly based on cross-sectional data.

We need a comprehensive understanding of how school experiences affect key markers of positive integration such as youth’s cross-ethnic friendships, sense of national belonging, and civic engagement. We also need a developmental perspective, tracking youth development over longer time.

Therefore, this project will examine the role of school context for key markers of positive integration, using a large, 5-year survey data on ethnically diverse youth in Sweden.

This project will deepen our understanding of the development of key markers of positive integration as well as of the role school experiences play.

This project will offer suggestions for schools and policy makers on how to foster positive integration and counteract segregation in ethnically diverse schools. Ultimately, it will offer insights into how to create more inclusive society.