Violent incident at the Valkyrie nightclub
In October 2023, an experiment was conducted in RCR's simulation lab as part of the project "Human, Dimensions, and Resilience: New Ways to Study Risk Communication, Responsibility, and Preparedness." In the study, the lab was transformed into the nightclub Valkyrie, where a gang confrontation took place.
As research participants ascend the stairs to the simulation lab, they are greeted by pumping club music and an imposing bouncer who checks their pre-purchased tickets and identification. A sign on the wall reads Valkyrie. After depositing their belongings in the cloakroom, they enter the club and head to the bar with their drink tickets. The dance floor is already crowded with research actors and other research participants. Roughly 15 minutes pass. In a room on the floor below, friends of the research participants follow a stream of evening news; something is apparently happening at Valkyrie. "Are you okay?" and "I've heard what's happening at Valkyrie – are you safe?" are examples of the text messages research participants receive on their phones. When someone tries to leave the club, the bouncer says stop. There is gunfire outside. No one is allowed to leave the club. Later, a research actor comes running out from the VIP room yelling that there is also gunfire inside. Her voice can barely be heard over the music and few notice. Perhaps there is a gang confrontation.
The purpose of the experiment was twofold: firstly, to study the communication among friends, such as the news reports friends chose to share with their acquaintances in the club, and secondly, to investigate whether information on how to behave in the event of a violent attack (the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency recommendations) leads to differences in behaviour in the nightclub environment compared to participants who were not informed beforehand. Research participants had been advised that they would not hear nor see any violence, during recruitment participants were also screened for previous trauma. More information about the project is available on the project's website.