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News

• 2026-09-01

  Mathematics paving the way for smarter designs

  I juni disputerade Mario Setta vid Karlstads universitet med sin doktorsavhandling i matematik: Boundary-Aware and Multiscale Methods for Topology Optimization. Hans forskning handlar om att utveckla och förbättra metoder för topologioptimering.

  What is topology and why did you choose this topic?

  "My thesis focuses on how topology optimization can be improved, that is how computers can be used to find an optimal shape for a structure so that it is as efficient as possible while using as little material as possible. Among other things, I investigated how to account for very small details and different material layers. This is becoming increasingly important as technical products become smaller and as advanced shapes can be manufactured using 3D printing, where objects are built layer by layer."

• 2026-08-31

  From Office to Lifestyle: Research on the Post-Digital World of Work

  In the special issue The Touristification of Work in the Post-Digital City, two major societal trends are brought together: the “touristification” of work and the “post-digital” city.
  – The six articles in this issue explore how these dynamics are reshaping cities around the world, says André Jansson, Professor of Media and Communication at Karlstad University, who served as editor together with Karin Fast of Karlstad University and Magnus Andersson of Malmö University.

  The title The Touristification of Work in the Post-Digital City encapsulates a dual societal trend: the touristification of work and the post-digital city. The touristification of work refers, among other things, to the rise of digital nomads and to new forms of office environments, such as coworking spaces, which are not merely practical workplaces but are increasingly packaged as relaxed lifestyle experiences resembling leisure travel.

• 2026-08-26

  Opportunity to speak with politicians ahead of the election

  On Thursday, 3 September, representatives from the political parties will visit Karlstad University to meet students, staff and visitors in the foyer outside Aula Magna to discuss their policies ahead of the elections to the Swedish Parliament, the Regional Council and the Municipal Council.

  During the day, representatives of the eight parties represented in the Swedish Parliament will also take part in panel discussions in Gläntan. The sessions will be moderated by Malin Rönnblom, Professor of Political Science. Topics will include education policy, and the discussions will be divided into two sessions, from 11.15 to 12.00 and from 12.15 to 13.00 respectively.

• 2026-08-25

  Cooperation agreement between the University and Saab signed

  On Tuesday, Vice-Chancellor Jerker Moodysson and President and CEO Görgen Johansson signed a cooperation agreement between Karlstad University and Saab Dynamics AB.

  The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen the strategic partnership in education, research and innovation over the long term. The collaboration will contribute to the generation of knowledge, the assurance of expertise and quality, and the development of solutions that benefit Saab, the University, and ultimately the region and society as a whole.

• 2026-08-25

  Innovators from Karlstad University receive awards

  It has now been decided which innovators will represent Värmland at the national SKAPA Award ceremony in Stockholm in November. Birgitta Persdotter, a researcher in social work and creator of Vaves®, has been named the winner of the 2026 SKAPA Award Värmland. Amal Nammouchi, a former doctoral student at Karlstad University and founder of Wattzo, has been awarded the 2026 SKAPA Talent Award Värmland.

  The SKAPA Award is Sweden’s largest innovation award and recognizes innovators who develop new solutions with the potential to create societal benefits, promote sustainable development and drive future growth.

  Vaves® is a research-based method and digital platform that strengthens social services’ ability to carry out systematic follow-up, analysis and knowledge development through collaboration between municipalities and academia. For Birgitta Persdotter, the award is an important recognition of her continued work:

• 2026-08-18

  How can food packaging become more circular?

  Food packaging is currently one of Europe's most resource-intensive material flows. The SABOR project aims to advance recycling, digital traceability, and circular business models to meet the EU's new requirements.
  – SABOR is an example of how research, innovation, and industry can work together to support Europe's circular transition, says Mikael Johnson.

  The Service Research Center (CTF) is participating in the European project SABOR (Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands Advancing Traceability and Recycling Solutions for Safe Food Packaging). The project brings together eleven universities, research institutes, companies, and cluster organizations from Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands to develop safer, more traceable, and more circular food packaging solutions.