The subject Media and Communication Studies at Karlstad University continues to advance on the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
The ARWU, one of the top three most renowned university rankings in the world, now places Karlstad University in the 51-75 range – a nice leap from the 76-100 range of last year.
Michael Karlsson, head of subject and professor in Media and Communication Studies at Karlstad University, is pleased with the progress.
- I think we are still reaping the rewards of our focused, long-term efforts to make ourselves internationally viable. We have many staff members who successfully secure funding and get published in top journals.
In the last eight months, Media and Communication Studies recruited four new international colleagues despite fierce international competition – two senior lecturers and two doctoral students. Additionally, they have had several research applications granted by the Knowledge Foundation and Swedish Research Council.
- We keep working to reinforce Geomedia and we consider our ranking proof that we are doing something right, says Michael Karlsson. Moving up on the ARWU is no mean feat considering the other institutions on the list and the amount of resources at their disposal. Relative to our size and position, we are already overachieving. Looking at our Swedish sister institutions, we are second only to the University of Gothenburg and have leapfrogged institutions like Stockholm, Uppsala, and Lund University.
What awaits after the summer?
- I think the most important thing is getting to come back to work at campus and being able to bounce ideas off each other.
