I am pleased to share that our article ‘Climbing as Serious Leisure and the Shaping of Rural Place Identity’ has been published in the World Leisure Journal.
Co-authored with Johanna Lindström (Åbo Akademi University) and Malin Sundström (University West), the article explores how climbing, as a form of serious leisure, has influenced the developing identity of Brodalen, a rural village on Sweden’s west coast.
Using qualitative fieldwork and theoretical framing from the Serious Leisure Perspective, the study investigates how grassroots narratives, outdoor activities, and community engagement collectively shape Brodalen’s transformation. Climbing in Brodalen is not merely a recreational activity; it has become a catalyst for place identity, local stewardship, and multidimensional value creation: economic, social, cultural, and symbolic.
The study also addresses challenges arising from Brodalen’s growing visibility as a climbing destination. These include how to balance rising popularity with the need for sustainability and inclusion, both socially and environmentally.
We hope this work contributes to broader discussions on serious leisure, rural placemaking, and the evolving role of local narratives in community development.
Read the full article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16078055.2025.2556674
