Per Boström

Administrative responsibilities

Since 2023, I hold the appointment of Director of Doctoral Studies at the Department for Language Studies.

Research

Ongoing projects

• Ongoing project on language in relation to dating and dating shows, e.g. in dating manuals and Love is Blind: Sweden with a focus on metaphors, linguistic negotiation of love and relationships and an increasing use of English words and expressions.
• During the period 2026-2030, my colleagues and I have received funding from Umeå School of Education at Umeå University to develop a research environment with a focus on Language, Cognition and Learning (SKOLUM).

Ended projects

• 2019-2021: Participation in the VR-funded project "Writing as a nutrition for democracies" (VR 2018-03779)
• 2012-2018: In september 2018 I successfully defended my PhD thesis in Swedish/Scandinavian languages titled ”Det här är ju dött tåg liksom…”: en studie av metaforer för ROMANTISK KÄRLEK i talad svenska. In the thesis I investigate metaphors used for romantic love. Results show that love is metaphorized mainly as an object, a container, a journey or a unity.  

Main areas of interest: 

Cognitive Linguistics, metaphor, discourse analysis, embodied cognition, writing, democracy, children’s language development, sociolinguistics, political metaphor discourse, forensic linguistics, etc.

PhD Supervision

I am head supervisor for Janica Jokela's project on language policy and planning focussing on Miänkieli.

I am co-supervisor for Olga Kortas, who investigates the Manosphere from a Cognitive Linguistics perspective.  

Networks

(W)rights

CogLing Umeå

MetNet Scandinavia

SALC (The Scandinavian Association for Language & Cognition)

Media participation (a selection)

• Participation in Svt Live 2026-09-23 on the theme Relationships
• Article in Västerbottenskuriren: "Kärleksforskaren om risken med icks" (2026-02-14)
• Interviewed for Svt Västerbotten: "'Skillnader i hur unga och äldre ser på kärlek – forskaren i Umeå: ”Inte en enkel resa'" (2026-02-14)
• Article in Dagens Nyheter: "'Shrekking', ick och röda flaggor – varför har kärleksspråket blivit så elakt?" (2026-02-06) 
• Så uttrycker vi kärlek! - Radio interview in Swedish national radio (Morgon P4 Uppland) (in Swedish).
• Så pratar vi om kärlek: "Vad tråkiga de unga är!”. TV Interview in Swedish TV (TV4:s Nyhetsmorgon) (In Swedish).
• Har du lätt för att säga ”Jag älskar dig”? – Lättare för yngre att tala om känslor. Article for Svenska Yle (Finnish TV and Radio).

I teach sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, metaphor theory and metaphor methodology, scientific writing, text analysis and forensic linguistics. I also supervise essays and degree projects in teacher education, Swedish/Nordic languages, Swedish as a second language and English. I also have experience in reviewing teacher students' teacher training (VFU).