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News

• 2026-04-01

  New insights into hornification could strengthen the future of paper production

  When paper dries and is subsequently rewetted, its properties change permanently. This phenomenon is known as hornification. New research now shows that the process is more complex than previously assumed, and that temperature, humidity, and fibre type all play decisive roles.

  Hornification means that fibres in paper products lose some of their ability to absorb water. This has major implications for everything from paper manufacturing to recycling, where controlling the material’s strength and durability is crucial.

  “Fundamentally, hornification is more about removing water than adding heat, and this means that we can actually control the material’s properties and avoid unnecessary strength losses,” says Björn Sjöstrand, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and project leader for the research project.

• 2026-03-31

  How gender equality work is experienced at work – new study highlights the role of emotions

  How is gender equality work experienced in the workplace – as a shared exploratory journey or as a top‑down verdict? This is what Maja Herstad, doctoral student in sociology at Karlstad University, has investigated. The results show that emotions play a far greater role in this change process than many might assume.

  “Emotions are central to gender equality work because they are linked to how we understand our position in a hierarchy and how we make sense of experiences. They influence whether we take action or withdraw,” says Maja Herstad. “Issues related to gender, status and resource distribution can trigger feelings such as irritation, guilt or shame – and these emotions can both drive and hinder change.”

• 2026-03-30

  Time to nominate the 2026 Alumnus of the Year!

  The nomination period has now opened for finding the Alumnus of the Year 2026! Who do you think deserves recognition for daring to challenge the established and explore the unknown?

  Creative and empowering physical education, social entrepreneurship that includes people on the autism spectrum, suicide prevention, and successful industrial leadership – our previous Alumnus of the Year recipients have truly come from completely different fields! What they have in common is the courage to follow their own path while living according to our university’s vision: to challenge the established and explore the unknown.

  It is now time to submit nominations for the Alumnus of the Year, and the project manager for the award and alumni work is Fredrika Swenson.

• 2026-03-26

  Ingesund Student Receives the Jan Wallander Prize 2026

  The Jan Wallander Prize is awarded on 26 March and goes to Elias Grimstad, who for the next nine years will have the opportunity to use a violin made in 1856 by Andrea Postacchini.

  Violinist Elias Grimstad is a student at the Artist Diploma program, Ingesund School of Music, with Peter Herrestahl as his teacher. Elias Grimstad will receive the prestigious Jan Wallander Prize 2026 at a ceremony at the Royal College of Music (KMH) in Stockholm, where he will share the stage with KMH students as well as guest artists during the evening.

• 2026-03-26

  “Lunch is the highlight of the day,” say the students in Karlstad Municipality. “Protect and continue on the chosen path,” says the researcher.

  – The kitchen staff are leading the way in listening, challenging, and developing meals in a more sustainable direction, and they’re doing it together with the students, who agree, says Helén Williams, researcher at the Service Research Center (CTF).

  Reports on climate change and the resulting pressure on food production are becoming increasingly frequent. A transformation of food production and consumption is needed to handle the crises ahead. The fact that we need more sustainable meals and reduced food waste is hardly news to anyone.

  – School lunch is more than just a meal – it is one of the most important moments of the day for both well-being and learning, says Helén Williams. It should be completely natural to protect and develop the meal to contribute to the resilience society needs.

• 2026-03-24

  Imagining the future helps us live more in line with our values

  How can we make decisions that better reflect what truly matters to us? A new study by Jonas Hjalmar Blom, PhD student at the Service Research Center (CTF) at Karlstad University, shows that exercises which strengthen our connection to our “future selves” can make a significant difference in everyday life.

  In the study, just over 1,000 participants completed a writing exercise in which they imagined a day in the future – either far ahead in time or only a few weeks away. The results were clear.

  – Those who imagined a distant future felt a stronger connection to their future selves. They also lived more in line with their values than the others, says Jonas Hjalmar Blom, PhD Student in Psychology. They focused more on what was truly important to them, rather than on minor everyday distractions.