How do you explain advanced research in a way that is understandable even outside academia? Industrial PhD students in the research school EXACT at Karlstad University have now taken on that challenge in front of the camera. Four new short films, in which the doctoral students present their research in a popular‑science format, have recently been published.
The films are part of a new element in the doctoral education, with a strong focus on communication. Instead of presenting their research solely through traditional academic formats, the doctoral students were tasked with summarising their work in a short film aimed at a broad audience.
“This is a way of training doctoral students to communicate their research beyond their own discipline. The ability to explain what you do and why it matters is essential, not least for industrial PhD students who work at the interface between academia and industry,” says Jörgen Samuelsson, Director of EXACT.
In the films, the doctoral students describe their research projects, the challenges they are addressing, and how their results can contribute to new knowledge or practical applications. For the industrial PhD students within EXACT—where research is often conducted in close collaboration with companies—communication is a particularly important skill. Being able to reach both academic and industrial audiences is a key part of their professional role.
The four new films are the latest in a series and mark the research school’s continued efforts to develop new forms of research communication as an integrated part of doctoral education.
The industrial research school EXACT is funded through grants from the Knowledge Foundation (KK Foundation).
Watch the films
- Smarter hot water systems – reducing energy waste through data‑driven control, Manal Rahal
- Energy‑efficient production of greaseproof paper without PFAS, Björn Öman
- Renewable materials for the packaging of the future, Fredrik Andersson
- Optimised drying for increased reuse of paper fibres, Zaeem Aman
