Fredrik Åström's general research area is scholarly communication and bibliometrics within the field of information studies, with strong ties to science and technology studies as well as research policy. The PhD thesis work analyzed the social and intellectual development of library and information science as a field of research. The main focus of the post-doctoral research has been on using bibliometric methods for mapping and visualizing research fields. Åström is currently leading a research project with the purpose of mapping research evaluation practices, as well as investigating the effect of the use of bibliometric based performance indicators in research evaluation on scientists/scholars, as well as on the science system.

Åström teaches classes and supervises MA and PhD thesis work in scholarly communication and bibliometrics.

Åström works as an expert on bibliometrics, scholarly communication and research evaluation. One side of this is offering consultancy, advice and teaching on issues related to Åström's field of expertise - for instance by commenting on new evaluation methods and the use of bibliometrics based performance indicators in research policy. The other side is performing analyses, using bibliometrics for, for instance, evaluating academic performance and impact, as well as scholarly and scientific collaboration; but also in work on literature reviews.