Anna-Karin Margareta Andersson
Job description
Anna-Karin Margareta Andersson is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, based in Harstad. Her work lies at the intersection of ethics, philosophy, and social education, with a particular focus on the relationships between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), human rights, and the capability approach.
Her research addresses key challenges related to the inclusion of children and youth in education, health, and food systems. She has a special interest in the interpretation and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), particularly in relation to inclusive education.
Andersson also contributes to interdisciplinary research on sustainability, including the application of carbon capture and utilization in algae-based aquaculture feed, as part of a broader effort to develop integrated food–energy–water systems in an Arctic context.
Her work reflects a strong commitment to social justice, ethical development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, including participation in research projects on reconciliation and inclusion.
Andersson holds a PhD in Philosophy from Stockholm University (2007), with additional graduate training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her academic career includes research and teaching affiliations with leading national and international institutions, including Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Bergen, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
Her areas of specialization include ethics, political and social philosophy, bioethics, environmental philosophy, and interdisciplinary fields such as Indigenous studies and disability studies. She also has broad teaching and research competence in philosophy of science, research ethics, and critical thinking.
Andersson has an extensive publication record in leading peer-reviewed journals in philosophy and ethics, including Philosophies, Journal of Medical Ethics, Philosophical Studies, and Ethical Theory and Moral Practice. Her scholarly work addresses topics such as human rights, moral agency, global justice, health ethics, and sustainability.
She has substantial teaching and supervision experience across undergraduate, professional, and PhD levels, and has contributed to curriculum development, interdisciplinary teaching, and international academic collaboration. Her academic service includes peer reviewing for several leading journals and participation in evaluation committees and research networks.
Recent publications:
Andersson, AK. Public reason and the central human capabilities. Philosophies. 2025, 10(5), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10050098
Andersson, AK. Implementing the water-energy-food nexus approach to create synergies and reduce tradeoffs between the Sustainable Development Goals. SN Soc Sci 4, 73 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00869-x Link: https://rdcu.be/dAUkJ
Andersson, A.-K.M.; Stokke, Ø.; Agwu, U.J.; Strømsheim, E.W.; Ingebrigtsen, R.A.; Wintervoll, G.-H.; Aspen, T.; Eilertsen, H.C. Mass Cultivation of Microalgae III: A Philosophical and Economic Exploration of Carbon Capture and Utilization. Sustainability 2023, 15(24)
16826. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416826
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/24/16826
Andersson, A-K. “The Sustainable Development Goals, Human Rights, and the Capability Approach in an Arctic Context.” In Making CO2 a Resource, Øyvind. Stokke and Elin. M. Oftedal (eds.) (2024): Routledge.
https://www.routledge.com/Making-CO2-a-Resource-The-Interplay-Between-Research-Innovation-and-Industry/Stokke-Oftedal/p/book/9781032483658
The 50 latest publications is shown on this page. See all publications in NVA here →
Publikasjoner utenom Cristin
Peer reviewed JOURNAL ARTICLES
"Public Reason and the Central Human Capabilities." Philosophies. 10(25), 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10050098
"Implementing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach to Create Synergies and Reduce Tradeoffs Between the Sustainable Development Goals." SN Social Sciences. 4(73), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00869-x
“Mass Cultivation of Microalgae III: A philosophical and economic exploration of Carbon Capture and Utilization,” Sustainability, 15(24) 16826. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416826. (With Øyvind Stokke, Erik Westad Strømsheim, Ukeje Jacob Agwu, Richard Andre Ingebrigtsen, Terje M. Aspen, Geir- Henning Wintervoll and Hans Christian Eilertsen.)
"Congenitally Decorticate Children's Potential and Rights," The Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 47, No. 12, 2021, e85. Online first September 3, 2020. DOI:10.1136/medethics-2020-106163
“Substituted Decision Making and the Dispositional Choice Account,” The Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 44, 2018, pp. 703-709. Online first March 2, 2018. DOI:10.1136/medethics-2016-103672. (With Kjell Arne Johansson.) Selected as Editor’s Choice.
“Priority Rules as Solutions to Conflicting Health Care Rights,” Journal of Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2017, pp. 67–76. Online first 3 Sept, 2016. DOI 10.1007/s11019-016-9728-z (with Frode Lindemark and Kjell Arne Johansson.)
“Challenging the Principle of Proportionality,” The Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2016, pp. 242-245 Online first 2 Feb. 2016. DOI:10.1136/medethics-2015-103008
“Rights Bearers and Rights Functions,” Philosophical Studies, Vol. 172, No. 6, 2015, pp. 1625-1646. DOI 10.1007/s11098-014-0368-y
“Parental Responsibility and Entitlement,” International Journal of Applied Philosophy, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2014, pp. 49-70. DOI 10.5840/ijap2014115
“Capacities, Potentialities, and Rights,” Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, Vol. 17, No. 4, 2013, pp. 653-665. DOI 10.1007/s10677-013-9463-y
“Choices, Interests, and Potentiality: What Distinguishes Bearers of Rights?” The Journal of Value Inquiry, Vol. 47, No. 3, 2013, pp. 175-190. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10790-013-9378-9
“HIV Testing of Pregnant Women: An Ethical Analysis,” Developing World Bioethics, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2011, pp. 109-119. (with Kjell-Arne Johansson and Kirsten Pedersen). DOI:10.1111/j.1471-8847.2011.00304.x
“Embryonic Stem Cells and Property Rights,” The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2011, pp. 221-242. DOI:10.1093/jmp/jhr013
“The Positive and Negative Rights of Pre-Natal Organisms and Infants/Children in Virtue of Their Potentiality for Autonomous Agency,” Forum Philosophicum, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2007, pp. 293-312.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” Journal of Libertarian Studies, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2007, pp. 43-63.
BOOK CHAPTERS
“The Sustainable Development Goals, Human Rights, and the Capability Approach in an Arctic Context.” In Making CO2 a Resource, Øyvind. Stokke and Elin. M. Oftedal (eds.) (2024): Routledge.
"Substituted Decision making," In The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Bioethics, Ezio Di Nucci, Ji-Young Lee, Isaac Wagner (eds.) (2022): Rowman & Littlefield ISBN: 9781538162361
”Respectful Adjudication of Rights Conflicts,” In New Essays on the Nature of Rights, McBride, M. (ed.) (2017): Hart Publishing
Research interests
Global Justice; Climate Justice and Sustainable Development Goals; Capabilities Approach; Human Rights; Indigineous Rights; Disability Studies, Ethics; Bioethics; Political Philosophy
Teaching
SSO-3115 Perspektiver på deltakelse - 10 stp
SSO-3111 Vitenskapsteori 5 stp
VPL-2016-Vernepleierfaglig fordypning
HEL-8041- Disability and inclusion in research (Course Coordinator, lecturer, seminar leader)
VPL-1212-1312-Velferd, psykisk helse, rus - 10 stp
VPL-1311 Barnerett
Etiske perspektiver i TPS
Organisasjonskunnskap - etikk
HEL-0750 Samhandling, etikk og grunnleggende akademiske ferdigheter i helse– og sosialfag - 10 stp
Seminar i etikk og refleksjon – i samarbeid med Högskolan Väst i Trollhättan
Kullkoordinator DEVU-45 (fr høst 2026)
Veiledning/Supervision PhD, Master, Bachelor Thesis
Member of research group / centre
CV
CURRICULUM VITAE
Anna-Karin Margareta Andersson
Department of Social Education
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Havnegata 5
9404 Harstad
Norway
Office: 304, Campus Harstad, Floor 3
e-mail: anna-karin.m.andersson@uit.no
Phone: +47 77645841
Academic positions
The University of Tromsø, January 2025 - Present. Associate Professor.
The University of Tromsø, August 2022 – December 2024. Guest Researcher.
The University of Tromsø, August 2019 – July 2022. Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
The University of Tromsø, August 2017 – August 2019. Associate Professor. (Fixed Term)
The University of Bergen, October 2014 – August 2017. Researcher.
The University of Cambridge, February 2011 – October 2014. Postdoctoral Researcher.
Harvard University, January 2008 – January 2011. Fellow in Philosophy.
Education
Stockholm University, 2007. PhD. Philosophy.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Fall 2006. Visiting Graduate Student.
Linköping University, 2002. M.A. Philosophy, M.A. Applied Ethics.
Additional professional training
University Pedagogy 1 (teaching qualification course), Centre for Learning and Teaching, Stockholm University, 2007.
Areas of Specialization
Ethics, Political and Social Philosophy, Bioethics, Environmental Philosophy, Indigenous and Disability Studies.
Areas of Competence
Philosophy of Science, Research Ethics, Argumentation/Critical Thinking, Logic and Semantics, The History of Early Modern Philosophy, Applied Ethics.
Peer reviewed JOURNAL ARTICLES
"Public Reason and the Central Human Capabilities." Philosophies. 10(25), 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10050098
"Implementing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach to Create Synergies and Reduce Tradeoffs Between the Sustainable Development Goals." SN Social Sciences. 4(73), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00869-x
“Mass Cultivation of Microalgae III: A philosophical and economic exploration of Carbon Capture and Utilization,” Sustainability, 15(24) 16826. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416826. (With Øyvind Stokke, Erik Westad Strømsheim, Ukeje Jacob Agwu, Richard Andre Ingebrigtsen, Terje M. Aspen, Geir- Henning Wintervoll and Hans Christian Eilertsen.)
"Congenitally Decorticate Children's Potential and Rights," The Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 47, No. 12, 2021, e85. Online first September 3, 2020. DOI:10.1136/medethics-2020-106163
“Substituted Decision Making and the Dispositional Choice Account,” The Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 44, 2018, pp. 703-709. Online first March 2, 2018. DOI:10.1136/medethics-2016-103672. (With Kjell Arne Johansson.) Selected as Editor’s Choice.
“Priority Rules as Solutions to Conflicting Health Care Rights,” Journal of Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2017, pp. 67–76. Online first 3 Sept, 2016. DOI 10.1007/s11019-016-9728-z (with Frode Lindemark and Kjell Arne Johansson.)
“Challenging the Principle of Proportionality,” The Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2016, pp. 242-245 Online first 2 Feb. 2016. DOI:10.1136/medethics-2015-103008
“Rights Bearers and Rights Functions,” Philosophical Studies, Vol. 172, No. 6, 2015, pp. 1625-1646. DOI 10.1007/s11098-014-0368-y
“Parental Responsibility and Entitlement,” International Journal of Applied Philosophy, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2014, pp. 49-70. DOI 10.5840/ijap2014115
“Capacities, Potentialities, and Rights,” Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, Vol. 17, No. 4, 2013, pp. 653-665. DOI 10.1007/s10677-013-9463-y
“Choices, Interests, and Potentiality: What Distinguishes Bearers of Rights?” The Journal of Value Inquiry, Vol. 47, No. 3, 2013, pp. 175-190. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10790-013-9378-9
“HIV Testing of Pregnant Women: An Ethical Analysis,” Developing World Bioethics, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2011, pp. 109-119. (with Kjell-Arne Johansson and Kirsten Pedersen). DOI:10.1111/j.1471-8847.2011.00304.x
“Embryonic Stem Cells and Property Rights,” The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2011, pp. 221-242. DOI:10.1093/jmp/jhr013
“The Positive and Negative Rights of Pre-Natal Organisms and Infants/Children in Virtue of Their Potentiality for Autonomous Agency,” Forum Philosophicum, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2007, pp. 293-312.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” Journal of Libertarian Studies, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2007, pp. 43-63.
BOOK CHAPTERS
“The Sustainable Development Goals, Human Rights, and the Capability Approach in an Arctic Context.” In Making CO2 a Resource, Øyvind. Stokke and Elin. M. Oftedal (eds.) (2024): Routledge.
"Substituted Decision making," In The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Bioethics, Ezio Di Nucci, Ji-Young Lee, Isaac Wagner (eds.) (2022): Rowman & Littlefield ISBN: 9781538162361
”Respectful Adjudication of Rights Conflicts,” In New Essays on the Nature of Rights, McBride, M. (ed.) (2017): Hart Publishing
Teaching experience
Undergraduate Level
Courses taught:
Introduction to Philosophy (Examen Philosophicum):
Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, The University of Tromsø.
Summary of duties:
Seminar leader. Duties include leading seminars, course development, course evaluation, oral and written examination, and marking. Undergraduate essay supervision. Teaching approximately 15 hours per week. Classes of approximately 100 students per semester.
Introduction to Applied Ethics: Covering topics in Bioethics and Social/Political
Philosophy:
Spring 2003, fall 2003, spring 2004, fall 2004, spring 2005, fall 2005, spring 2006,
Stockholm University.
Introduction to Argumentation/Critical Thinking, Semantics and Logic: fall 2004, spring 2005, fall 2005, spring 2006, Stockholm University.
Summary of duties:
Main instructor of undergraduate level introductory courses. Duties include lectures and
seminars, course development, course evaluation, and marking. Some undergraduate
essay supervision. Teaching approximately 8 hours per week. Classes ranging from 20 to 60
students.
Professional Programs
Courses taught:
SSO-3115 Perspectives on Participation – 10 ECTS
SSO-3111 Philosophy of Science – 5 ECTS
VPL-2016 Professional Specialization in Social Education (Vernepleie)
HEL-8041 Disability and Inclusion in Research
(Course Coordinator, Lecturer, Seminar Leader)
VPL-1212–1312 Welfare, Mental Health, Substance Use – 10 ECTS
VPL-1311 Children's Rights
Ethical Perspectives in Interprofessional Collaboration (TPS)
Organizational Knowledge – Ethics
HEL-0750 Collaboration, ethics and basic academic skills in health and social sciences – 10 ECTS credits
Seminar in Ethics and Reflection – in collaboration with Högskolan Väst (Trollhättan, Sweden)
Cohort Coordinator DEVU-45 (from Autumn 2026)
Introduction to Medical Ethics: fall 2014, Haukeland University Hospital.
Summary of duties:
Collaborating instructor of introductory course. Duties include collaborative curriculum development and lecturing in collaboration with the main instructor. One occasion, approximately 40 minutes. Fall 2014, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen. Class of approximately 200 students.
Tutoring Undergraduate Level
Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature seminar: spring 2002, Linköping University
Bachelor Level Courses:
Biotechnology and Ethics: Spring 2020, The University of Tromsø.
Summary of duties:
Main instructor. Lectures, supervision, course development, course evaluation, oral and written examination. Teaching 2 hours per week. Class of 5 students.
PhD Level Courses
Courses taught:
Research Ethics and Philosophy of Science: fall 2014, spring 2015, The University of Bergen.
Summary of duties:
Collaborating instructor of Ph.D. seminars and student group exercises. Duties include curriculum development, lectures, and collaborative conduction of seminar. Two full days. Class of approximately 50 students.
Courses taught:
The Function of Rights and Global Health Priorities: Spring 2015, The University of Bergen.
Summary of duties:
Main instructor of Ph.D. seminar. Duties include introductory lectures and conduction of
seminars and tutorials, including arranging and conducting video conferences with leading rights ethicists. Curriculum development, administration, and course evaluation. 2 hours a’ 8 occasions. Class of approximately 30 students.
Spring of 2017:
Ph.D. Seminar: Global Health and Human Rights.
PhD supervision:
2 Ph.D. Students, The University of Tromsø.
Master Thesis supervision:
2 students. The University of Tromsø.
Scholarships and grants
Grenseoverskridende Forsoning - funded by Sametinget, PI Gunn Tove Minde
Program Establishment Support Grant Horizon 2020. 2019.
Dan Searle and Humane Studies Fellowship 2009-2010
Travel Fund for Scholars 2009
Research Student Fellowship Stockholm University 2002-2007.
Run-Janne Scholarship 2006.
International conference presentations
“The Sustainable Development Goals, The Capability Approach, and Renewable Energy Shaping the Smart Arctic Society,” January 22-24, 2019, Artctic Frontiers, Tromsø, Norway.
“Equality of Opportunity to Make Entitling Choices,” August 5-8, 2010, 3rd Annual Rocky Mountains Ethics Congress (RoME), University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
“Limited Natural Resources and Future Generations: On the Combination of Self-Ownership and Equality of Opportunity,” October 30-31, 2009, The Ethics of Climate Change: Intergenerational Justice and the Global Challenge, University of Delaware, Delaware, USA.
”Self-Ownership and Equality of Opportunity,” August 6-9, 2009, 2nd Annual Rocky Mountains Ethics Congress (RoME), University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
“Limited Natural Resources and Future Generations: On The Combination of Self-Ownership and Equality of Opportunity,” July 30-August 1, 2009, 26th International Social Philosophy Conference, North American Society for Social Philosophy, St. Joseph’s University, Pennsylvania, USA.
”Embryonic Stem Cells and Property Rights,” July 2-4, 2009, Association for Legal and Social Philosophy Conference, ”Ethics for the 21st Century”, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
"Negative Rights in Virtue of Potentiality for Autonomous Agency," September 3-8, 2008, 9th World Congress of Bioethics ”The Challenge of Cross-Cultural Bioethics in the 21st Century”, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” July 17-19, 25th International Social Philosophy Conference, North American Society for Social Philosophy, 2008, University of Portland, Oregon, USA.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” July 4-6, 2008, Society for Applied Philosophy Annual Conference, The Manchester Centre for Political Theory, University of Manchester, UK.
”Negative Rights in Virtue of Potentiality for Autonomous Agency”, 19th Canadian Society for Bioethics Annual Conference, June 18-20, 2008, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” 2nd International Conference on Philosophy, June 4-7, 2007, Athens Institute for Education and Research, Greece.
Invited talks and papers
“Rights Bearers and Rights Functions,” November 3-4, 2014, Workshop "Close Personal Relationships,” Umeå University, Sweden.
“Fair Play, Predictable Criminal Punishment, and Reciprocity,” March 7, 2011, Political Theory Workshop, Nuffield College, Oxford University, UK.
“Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Rights Ethics,” January 26, 2009, Filosofiska Föreningen, Linköping University, Sweden.
”Negative Rights in Virtue of Potentiality for Autonomous Agency,” November 28, 2007, CSEP Senior Seminar Series, University of Manchester, UK.
Invited panels
Invited participation in hearing/panel debate on the ethical problems of foetal diagnostic screening for Downs Syndrome, March 16, 2007, Stockholm, Sweden.
Selected Presented Papers
"Kulturell trygghet i forsoningens tegn." with Gunn Tove Minde. February 5, 2026, Fagseminar - Samiske rettigheter, kulturforståelse og kulturell trygghet, Harstad, Norway
"The Human Right to Inclusive Education." September 19, 2025, KULT Conference, Tromsø, Norway.
“Equality of Opportunity to Make Entitling Choices,” June 12-18, 2010, Scholarship and a Free Society Graduate Seminar, Bryn Mawr University, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” June 5, 2007, Umeå University, National Conference in Philosophy, Sweden.
”The Necessity of Parents Ensuring their Offspring’s Autonomy in Order to Avoid Violating Negative Rights,” March 23, 2007, Uppsala University, Sweden.
“An Alleged Contradiction in Nozick’s Entitlement Theory,” October 23, 2006, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, USA.
“The Positive and Negative Rights of Pre-Natal Organisms and Infants/Children in Virtue of Their Potentiality for Capacity for Autonomous Agency,” October 16, 2006, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, USA.
“The Necessity of Parents Ensuring their Offspring's Autonomy in Order to Avoid Violating Negative Rights,” October 5, 2006, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, USA.
“The Necessity of Parents Ensuring their Offspring's Autonomy in Order to Avoid Violating Negative Rights,” March 30, 2006, Linköping University, Sweden.
“The Positive and Negative Rights of Pre-Natal Organisms and Infants/Children in Virtue of Their Potentiality for Capacity for Autonomous Agency,” November 10, 2005, Linköping University, Sweden.
Professional activities and service/departmental service
Referee, Journal of Ethics, 2019.
Referee, Human Rights Review, 2019.
Referee, Philosophical Studies, 2018.
Referee, The Journal of Medical Ethics, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022.
Referee, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 2015, 2017.
Referee, Theoria, 2011, 2026.
Referee, Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 2008.
Evaluation committee, Ph.D Halfway seminar. The University of Tromsø, Spring 2025.
Commentator, M.A. Halfway seminar. The University of Tromsø, Spring 2025.
Evaluation committee, Ph.D. position in Climate Ethics/Environmental philosophy, the University of Tromsø, 2019.
Evaluation committee, Faculty position in pedagogical psychology, The University of Tromsø, 2025.
Collaborative Subject Author, Bachelor Program in Philosophy, The University of Tromsø, 2017.
Organizer of publication seminar for Ph.D. students, The University of Tromsø.
Commentator, August 7, 2009, 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Ethics (RoME) Congress, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Session Chair, July 17-19, 25th International Social Philosophy Conference, North American Society for Social Philosophy, 2008, University of Portland, Oregon, USA.
Deputy graduate student representative, Board of Directors, Department of Philosophy, Stockholm University, 2003-2007.