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News

• 2025-05-22

  Solar cell researchers in international collaboration

  International mobility enables valuable collaboration for researchers from Karlstad University and UMONS, the University of Mons in Belgium. The collaboration promotes research in materials science through exchange of knowledge on methods for studying material properties at the nanoscale.

  – My visit here at Karlstad University has been enriching in many ways, says Philippe Leclere from UMONS. Since we work in the same field of research, that is, materials for organic solar cells, it is very interesting to exchange experiences. We study the material’s properties at the molecular level and how the molecules in the active layer organise themselves. This includes the material’s mechanical, chemical and electrical properties, which we study using scanning probe microscopy.

• 2025-05-19

  New professor investigates how schools can adapt to a changing society

  Although Marie Nilsberth, like many young people, was curious about a variety of things growing up, becoming teacher has always been at the top of her list. She still believes that teachers play an important role, and following a career as a teacher in years 4-6 and special educational needs coordinator, she now trains future teachers at Karlstad University. Recently, she was also appointed professor of educational work at the university.

  Marie Nilsberth, originally from Kristinehamn, completed her teacher training in Karlstad back when the university was still a university college. She also has a postgraduate diploma in special educational needs.

• 2025-05-14

  Motivational Interviewing can support teachers in their relational work

  Teachers in today’s schools are faced with many challenges. Especially when it comes to building relationships with pupils and guardians. Martina Jordan, recent PhD graduate in educational work at Karlstad University, has investigated the use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in schools, focusing on how MI can enhance teacher efficacy in facing challenges related to building relationships, and facilitate collaboration around positive change.

  Martina Jordan’s doctoral thesis shows that the conversational method MI is useful in a variety of situations; in building relationships with pupils, managing conflicts, in conversations with guardians and responding to challenging student behaviour. MI is a goal-oriented conversational style used to increase ndividuals’ motivation for change and growth, and is based on an empathetic approach and four key processes; engaging, focusing, evoking and planning.

• 2025-05-12

  Research project wants to create sustainable rural ecosystems through place design

  - With this project, we want to help lay the foundation for an ecosystem that supports collaboration between industries and sectors. The objective is to create synergies and boost the competitive edge of the companies and the appeal of rural locations, says Lotta Braunerhielm, docent in Human Geography at Karlstad University.

  Lotta Braunerhielm, please tell us about the project

• 2025-05-09

  Seed funding through MIRAI and STINT enhances international research collaboration

  Two projects led by researchers at Karlstad University have through MIRAI been granted seed funding, which will provide our researchers with opportunities for international collaboration and increased mobility.

  MIRAI, with support from STINT, announced funding to support research collaborations between the member universities in Japan and Sweden. The aim is to develop new and existing collaborations through innovative projects. Out of 43 applications, eleven projects were selected for funding, two of which are led by researchers at Karlstad University.

• 2025-05-09

  Mussels as nature's own engineers

  Raviv Gal does research that he hopes will contribute to healthier watercourses and increased biodiversity. Fewer blackflies, higher biodiversity, and slower decomposition – these are some of the unexpected effects that freshwater pearl mussels have on their surroundings in the stream. Raviv Gal recently defended his PhD in biology at Karlstad University.

  The freshwater pearl mussel is one of Sweden's longest-living animals – some individuals can live up to 280 years. But it is also a so-called ecosystem engineer. By filtering water, slowing down water flow, and producing nutrient-rich faeces, mussels affect all life in the stream. 

  "They do so much more than you think," says Raviv Gal. "They may look a bit like stones and don't move much, but they have a big impact on their surroundings."

  Research with Unexpected Findings