Who we are
A workplace is so much more than just tasks! At Karlstad University, we offer an open environment with rich traditions and plenty of social activities to enjoy.
Both students and staff say there’s a real sense of closeness here at Karlstad University – between students and lecturers, between students on different programmes, and across subjects and researchers working together in an interdisciplinary way. With a compact campus, you meet a variety of people in everyday life – and the same goes for Ingesund School of Music outside Arvika. Each department naturally has its own routines, but there are plenty of centrally organised activities for everyone to enjoy. Here’s just a selection:
Academic Ceremony
An annual autumn celebration marked by grandeur and tradition, honouring the conferment of new doctors, honorary doctors and distinguished achievements.
Graduation Ceremony
Twice a year, we honour all graduates with a formal ceremony in Aula Magna. The ceremonial gift is a glass apple created by the Värmland artist Ragnar Klenell.
Walpurgis celebrations
Walpurgis is one of the students’ great traditional celebrations, with activities lasting for more than a week. On Walpurgis Night, staff and students come together to enjoy choral singing and a spring address by the Vice-Chancellor. In addition, the ‘Kausläppet’ takes place – a five-kilometre running race through the so-called SKAUgen, the forest next to the university.
Meet a researcher
Lunchtime lectures in the library where researchers from different fields present their work from a popular science perspective. Open to all.
Lunch-time Knitting
Lunchtime meet-ups in the library for knitting and other crafts together.
Art Association
The university’s art association organises everything from art exhibitions and study visits to the annual art lottery.
Culture at Kau
Culture at Kau is a working group dedicated to bringing cultural elements into university life in various ways, such as spontaneous performances, cultural events and more.
The Kau Choir
The Kau Choir is a staff choir that meets at lunchtime to sing together. It’s open to all employees and requires no prior experience, but you need to understand Swedish a little bit.
Staff parties
Staff parties are regularly organised for all employees, with different parts of the organisation taking turns to host. The parties often have a theme, such as ‘Kaulifornia’ or ‘Party like it’s 1999’ (marking the 25th anniversary of the university’s inauguration in 2024)
Lucia celebration
Lucia celebration is a traditional Swedish festival of light held on December 13. Every Lucia morning, the university’s choirs present a traditional Lucia celebration in Aula Magna, where the Vice-Chancellor and the Student Union President also recite Viktor Rydberg’s Tomten.