Academic disciplines

Computer Science

The department has now been given the right to accept research students and already five research students have been accepted (a further two are attached to Chalmers Institute of Technology in Gothenburg). A further three are about to be registered as research students. HumanIT sponsored its first professor for 18 months, who joined the staff on July 1, 2000, and she is now paid by the faculty. Presently, the university has granted a second professor chair in Computer Science, yet to be filled. All areas have external funding and both external and academic partners (e.g. Ericsson, Telia, Chalmers, and Münster). External sources have provided more than half of the research funds.

Information Systems

This discipline studies man's work with information systems in different areas, with a focus on developing knowledge about the use of information technology in industry and the society. In 2002, almost 20 research students will be housed by the department. The staff consists of, inter alia, two professors and five lecturers. The department has formed a trade council with seven companies and organizations in the region, which provides useful responses on education concerning system analysis/multimedia and on various research areas. 

Media and Communications Studies

The focus area includes media structure, production, content and forms of expression, and reception. The importance of media in society and to human thinking and everyday life is a central subject of study. The discipline is based on theories and methods from the humanities, social science, and technology. The Information program, the Multimedia program (together with Information Systems; see above) and the Technical information program are among the university's most popular. A trade council serves as partner forum for issues regarding teaching and research. 

Law

More information about law will be provided shortly 

Psychology

The department of psychology consists of seventeen people, of whom two are lecturers and eight are junior lecturers (seven of them are postgraduate students). The department offers education up to Master's level and accepts about 225 students. There are a large number of applicants for the courses every year. Lecturers in psychology are often engaged by other divisions at the University and by organizations outside the University. For a long time researchers from the department have provided support in major developments in various organizations in both the private and the public sectors. 

Service Research Center

During the last decade the Service Research Center (CTF) has become the leading research unit with a focus on service research in the Nordic countries. Presently the center consists of 35 researchers, 12 with a PhD of which there are two professors. CTF has always worked closely with industry and the public services. CTF is a driving force in the network IASRE that consists of 22 departments at universities all over the world. CTF has recently signed a six-year contract with the Knowledge foundation for a so-called Profile named 'The New Service Economy'

More information about CTF can be found at www.ctf.kau.se. 

Working Life Science

Working Life Science is a discipline at Karlstad University but also the name of a multi-disciplinary research group. The department has a professor, two lecturers, two junior lecturers, and research students. Aside from basic education the department carries out research on humans at work based on theories from behavioral and social sciences. The development of knowledge is united by a common perspective named "critical constructivism" by the group. The aim is to create a modern research education in Working Life based on several sciences. The education aims at a degree as Doctor in Philosophy. Besides education in human resource development and organizational development, there is also the Innovator training program of 40 weeks (two terms), which should provide the students with a more businesslike attitude.