Erika Sandow

I am a senior lecturer (associate professor) at the department of Geography and affiliated to CEDAR – Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research. My main research is related to aspects of geographical mobility of the population, such as commuting and migration. I am teaching courses within spatial planning, GIS and quantitative methods.

I have written empirical articles focusing on how social and geographical conditions cause different prerequisites and needs for long-distance commuting and social consequences related to long-distance commuting, in terms of gender differences in commuting patterns and earnings, separations and health consequences of commuting.

My current research is mainly related to projects investigating migration strategies among families with young children moving out from a metropolitan area, in relation to the organisation of daily life and geographical context prior and post migration: Moving out from the city, A good life outside the city,  Beyond the city life. Post-migration experiences. The results will add knowledge that can contribute to a relevant basis for future planning of cities, towns and rural areas by providing knowledge of contemporary trends of urbanisation and counter-urbanisation, as well as an understanding of families' experiences of migration and commuting strategies to create a socially sustainable everyday life.

I am the coordinator for the master's program in Spatial Planning and Development, course manager for master courses such as; Advanced GIS Analysis, Advanced Spatial Analysis and Modelling and Spatial Planning with a sustainability profile, teaches on the courses Human Geography and Urban Theory, Spatial planning, Spatial planning under insecure conditions and supervises thesis on bachelor and master level.

I am a recurrent reviewer for manuscripts regarding commuting, migration and regional development in various international journals (i.e. Urban Studies, Journal of Family Issues, Transportation Research Part A, Journal of Transport Geography, Geografiska annaler, Applied Geography).

• In obtained my PhD in 2011 in Social and Economic Geography at Umeå University, on the thesis "On the road - Social aspects of commuting long distances to work". The following two years I conducted my post-doctoral studies within the SIMSAM-network (2011-2013).
• Between 2013-2017 I worked as an associate senior lecturer at CEDAR, and was teaching at the department of Geography.
• Since the end of 2017 I am senior lecturer (associate professor) at the department of Geography and affiliated to CEDAR.