Ali Kazemi

Ali Kazemi holds a Professorship in Work and Organizational Psychology since 2019 at University West. He has previously been incumbent of several academic positions, among others, Professorship in Social Psychology at University of Skövde. He is also the director of the research environment of Positive Organizational and Leadership Studies (POLS) at the Department of Social and Behavioural Studies.

Research interests

Professor Ali Kazemi has a broad and multifaceted research profile with a clear focus on studying and advancing knowledge of positive processes in working life and society. A current strand of his research is within the field of positive organizational scholarship, with a focus on issues related to justice, well-being, mindfulness, social sustainability, and bright leadership. His work also encompasses topics connected to human resource management, as well as career and career development. Furthermore, Kazemi has made important contributions to the further development of social resource theory (resource theory of social exchange).

Another central line of research concerns the conceptualization and operationalization of person-centeredness and user orientation in care and healthcare. In this context, Kazemi has investigated how individual, interpersonal, and structural factors influence care quality, including analyses of data from Sweden’s Open Comparisons.

In addition to the above areas, Kazemi has conducted experimental research on cooperation and resource allocation in social dilemmas, as well as large-scale studies of attitude and behavior change aimed at improving traffic safety. Overall, his research is characterized by a clear ambition to generate knowledge on sustainable and well-functioning organizations and societies.

Kazemi’s research spans basic research, conceptual and theoretical development, as well as applied studies. He has received research grants and participated in projects funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Sixth Framework Programme (European Commission), the Swedish Retail and Wholesale Council, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond. Empirically, he has worked with a wide variety of data types, ranging from register studies and experimental methods to surveys, interviews, and observational studies.

Kazemi’s scientific output is extensive. In addition to publishing articles in academic journals, he has edited/co-edited five books: Välbefinnande i arbetslivet (2009, published by Studentlitteratur), A Theoretical Approach to Assess Road Safety Campaigns: Evidence from Seven European Countries (2009, published by the Belgian Road Safety Institute), Handbook of Social Resource Theory (2012, published by Springer), Social Behavior as Resource Exchange (2023, published by Oxford University Press), and Positiva organisationsstudier (2026, published by Studentlitteratur). He is also co-author of the book Uppdrag butikschef (2013, published by Liber), which was nominated for the 2013 HR Book of the Year Award by the professional journal Personal och ledarskap.

Professor Kazemi has also made several contributions to international specialized encyclopedias: Sociology of Work: An Encyclopedia (SAGE publications), Encyclopedia of Human Services and Diversity (SAGE publications), International Encyclopedia of Social & Behavioral Sciences (2nd edition, Elsevier) and The SAGE Encyclopedia of Economics and Society (SAGE publications).

Teaching and Supervision

Professor Kazemi has many years of teaching experience in psychological, social psychological and sociological theory and application, leadership, organizational studies, human resource management, research methodology, and statistical data analysis.

At University West, he primarily teaches in the Bachelor’s Programme in Human Resources.

He has supervised a large number of theses at various levels in psychology, social psychology, and sociology across a wide range of research areas. He has also served as the principal supervisor for four doctoral students, two of whom have completed their studies and earned a PhD.

Other Academic Qualifications/Activities

In addition to serving as referee and member of editorial boards for scientific journals, Professor Kazemi has since 2011 been the editor-in-chief for Social Justice Research, published by Springer.

He has extensive experience in academic leadership, including serving as principal investigator for research projects, Dean, research group leader, director of research, and head of subject. His additional academic service includes participation on conference organizing committees, acting as an external expert and subject specialist on appointment committees for academic positions at various levels, reviewing applications for associate professor (docent) and full professor, as well as serving as a grading committee member and faculty opponent. Professor Kazemi also has broad experience in third-stream activities.

Publications 

Publications by Ali Kazemi

Keywords

Positive organizational scholarship, Social justice, Social resource theory, Well-being, Mindfulness, Social sustainability, Sustainable working life, Leadership, Human resource management, Career and career development, Decision-making in social dilemmas, Person-centred care.