The academic wanderer who only listens to musicians whose names start with B

Our Scientists is a monthly feature introducing researchers at the University of Akureyri. Sunna Símonardóttir, Associate Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences, is the Scientist of the Month for April.

Finding Her Place at the Faculty of Social Sciences

“I am 45 years old, born and raised in Reykjavík, and grew up in the Hlíðarnar neighborhood,” says Sunna Símonardóttir when asked about her background. “I’m the youngest child of my parents and have a close-knit group of friends from MH, a husband, and two daughters.”

Sunna’s academic path has been shaped more by curiosity and interest than by any clearly defined plan. “For a long time, I was something of an academic wanderer,” she says. “I completed a BA degree in Literature at the University of Iceland, a master’s degree in Gender Studies at the University of Leeds, and then earned a PhD in Sociology from the University of Iceland in 2017.”

Since then, she has worked in research and teaching, primarily at the University of Iceland as a postdoctoral researcher. “In 2025, I landed my dream job—an associate professorship at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Akureyri—and I’ve found my place in the world,” Sunna says.

Sociology, Families, and Feminism

For a long time, Sunna’s research has focused on parenting and family life in contemporary society. “I have studied parenthood and parenting culture in Iceland for quite some time, and I am deeply interested in analyzing and understanding the ideological perspectives that emerge when we think about the role of parents,” she explains.

“I find it important to examine how social expectations are shaped. Expectations placed on parents have changed and increased, and how people experience these demands in their everyday lives—I never tire of exploring the questions that arise from this.”

Together with Ásdís Arnalds and Ari Klæng Jónsson of the University of Iceland, Sunna has led a Centre of Excellence research project on changes in fertility rates in Iceland in recent years. “Among other things, we have been seeking answers to whether family policy in Iceland sufficiently supports families with children,” she says, “and how parenting culture shapes people’s decisions about having children.”

“Sociology, families, and feminism bring my research interests together quite well,” she adds.

Exploring What Truly Matters in Life

When asked what she considers most urgent to research in her field, Sunna says the answer is both simple and complex. “There is so much, and the very best part of my job is that I get to dig deep into the foundations of so many things that truly matter in our lives,” she says, listing examples:

“How we experience ourselves as parents, how class or gender affects our opportunities and life chances, how attitudes change and evolve, and how policymaking impacts people’s lives.”

She also points out that the research environment is thriving. “There is tremendous momentum in family research within the Icelandic academic community, and it will only continue to grow in the coming years.”

Teaching as a Living Dialogue

In her teaching, Sunna emphasizes the connection between academic theory and everyday reality. “This semester, I’m teaching two courses—Marginalized Groups and Social Inequality and Families and Parenthood in Contemporary Society,” she says. She designed the latter course herself from scratch.

“It’s definitely been busy, but at the same time incredibly rewarding and enjoyable,” she says. “There are few things better than sharing research and knowledge with curious and engaged students.”

Asked about challenges in teaching, Sunna says: “How can learning be made lively and engaging while also being academically demanding? How can we make the most of blended learning and encourage active student participation?” These are questions she constantly grapples with. “This first semester has been incredibly educational for me as a teacher.”

Unlikely to Complete an Ironman or Yoga Teacher Training

Sunna says her interests differ somewhat from the typical hobbies of middle-aged people. “I don’t run marathons or backyard ultramarathons, I don’t ski, and I have absolutely no ambition to compete in an Ironman or complete yoga teacher training. On the other hand, I have a tremendous interest in research and my work in general.”

Outside of work, she says people are most likely to find her with her nose buried in a novel, at the swimming pool, or organizing travel or events. “In another life, I’d probably be a party planner or run a travel agency,” she says.

Music also plays a major role in her life. “I’m probably the biggest Blur fan in the world, and I also love Bowie and my queen, Beyoncé. The summer of 2023 will be hard to top—I attended two Blur concerts and one Beyoncé concert.”

We say farewell to Sunna for now as she puts on her headphones, likely heading off to spend time with her wonderfully rebellious and clever family and friends, as she describes them herself.

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