Welcome to Karlstad University

News

• 2026-10-12

  Words from senior management: Strategy 2040 shaped together

  We are currently in the midst of developing a new strategy looking ahead to 2040. From the outset, the assignment from the University Board has been clear: the strategy should not primarily describe activities that are part of the University's core mission, but rather set out a clear direction for how we want to develop and the position we aspire to hold in the future.

  Looking 15 years ahead is, of course, a challenge. No one knows exactly what the world will look like in 2040. In particular, developments in recent years have shown us that technological shifts, geopolitical changes and emerging societal challenges will affect us in ways that are difficult to predict. For that reason, this work is not about forecasting the future, but about building an organisation, a culture, or, if you like, a mindset that gives us the capacity to respond effectively to a range of possible futures.

• 2026-10-12

  Meet Annika Rudman, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

  With experience from universities in several parts of the world and a strong commitment to democracy, human rights and education, Annika Rudman has taken on the role of Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

  “I want to contribute to the faculty’s continued development through dialogue, collaboration and a long-term perspective,” says Annika Rudman, who has served as Dean since 1 July.

  Annika Rudman is a lawyer who has spent most of her professional career in academia as a researcher, lecturer and academic leader. Over the past twenty years, she has worked at universities in several countries, primarily in Southern and Eastern Africa.

  “Those experiences have shaped me both as a researcher and as a leader and have sparked a strong interest in issues of democracy, human rights, gender equality and the role of education in societal development.”

• 2026-10-09

  From research to real-world impact

  The path from research to real-world application is not always straightforward. The EU-funded Kaleidos project, which ran from February 2024 to September 2026, explored how universities can become better at turning research into benefits for society.

  Karlstad University, together with universities in Bologna, Barcelona and Lorraine, has developed new approaches that use research and collaboration to address societal challenges, rather than simply disseminating research findings. An important part of the Kaleidos project has therefore been to take a broader, more holistic view of collaboration, explains Sofia Andersson, Research Adviser at the Grants and Innovation Office.

• 2026-10-08

  Living Together Does Not Guarantee Freedom from Loneliness

  "Loneliness is not only about who you live with or how many people you meet," says Malin Knutz, researcher in public health science at Karlstad University. "And young adults stand out in our study."

  Many people experience loneliness despite not living alone. This is one of the key findings of a new study conducted by Karlstad University and Region Värmland. The researchers also found that young adults report the highest levels of both loneliness and poor mental well-being.

  The study is based on responses from more than 6,300 residents of Värmland aged 18 to 90 who participated in the regional public health survey in 2022. The research was carried out by researchers at Region Värmland in collaboration with the subject area of public health science at Karlstad University.

• 2026-10-08

  CTF celebrates 40 years: Welcome to the anniversary event on 22 October

  How can service research help address future challenges in AI, digitalisation, health, and the sustainability transition? On 22 October, the Service Research Center (CTF) at Karlstad University invites researchers, partners, alumni, and other interested guests to celebrate CTF's 40th anniversary and discuss the societal challenges of the future.

  The anniversary event will offer reflections on four decades of research, perspectives from some of the people who have been part of the journey, and conversations about the issues shaping tomorrow's society.

  40 years of research for a changing society

  "When CTF was founded in 1986, service research was a relatively unexplored field. Early on, we recognised the need to understand the growing service economy and contribute new knowledge," says Bo Edvardsson, professor of Business Administration and one of CTF's founders.

• 2026-10-07

  UN Envoy on RisCon26: “A Very Unique Conference”

  RisCon26 opened on Wednesday at Karlstad University with Kamal Kishore, the United Nations Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, delivering the keynote address.
  – This is a very unique conference, he says, expressing great satisfaction with his visit to Karlstad so far.

  The visit began on Tuesday when he took part in a risk walk through central Karlstad.

  – We were able to see how you are working here on risk reduction, particularly through the river embankments that help protect, among other things, the hospital from flooding. That was very interesting, says Kamal Kishore, who also heads the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).