About me

Jenny’s Pennies are the words of Jenny Sjöö Saers. I am currently doing freelance work, mainly writing, within human rights, international relations and defense/security policy. I hold a M.A. in political science and a B.A. in media and communication studies from Uppsala University, Sweden.

Academic interests include social movements and grass roots mobilization, security policy, human rights and crisis management. My master’s thesis was an interview based field study about grass roots mobilization among chavistas in Venezuela, on a scholarship from the Swedish International Development Agency.

I have interned with Amnesty International in Sweden and write for their newspaper and website quite regularly.

I like to rant about stuff I read/hear/see (hence this blog), make elaborate five course dinners for/with my husband (I am such a domestic goddess), put on the uniform and volunteer in the Swedish Armed Forces, dream about using my scuba diving certificate more often, travel to remote end-of-the-world places, play dorky boardgames, sing west end musical numbers in the shower, and outsmart all my friends (I competed on Jeopardy once). I read a lot, think too much and always end up in the extreme analytical-reflective field in those “how do you function”-tests.
I dislike being out in the cold (did I mention I live in Sweden?), listening to clueless and rude people, eating mystery meat of any kind, doing the dishes after elaborate five course dinners, and to see, hear, or in any way be reminded of the existence of cockroaches.

The purpose of this blog is mainly to write about issues I care about. If you want to get in touch with me, you are welcome to do so by e-mailing me at
jenny [dot] sjoo [at] gmail [dot] com

And no, I want try to tell you how to pronounce my name.