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News

• 2025-11-18

  Eucalyptus Fibers in Greaseproof Paper Save Energy

  In a study conducted in collaboration with Nordic Paper, it was found that the addition of eucalyptus fibers saved energy during production and also contributed to improved pulp and paper properties.

  – My latest work has focused on improving the energy efficiency of the refining process for greaseproof paper pulp at Nordic Paper by adding eucalyptus fibers to the pulp mixture, which otherwise consists of long-fiber pulp or softwood pulp, says Björn Öman, industrial PhD student at the Exact industrial research school.

• 2025-11-17

  Student Nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2026 Swedish Sports Gala

  Hello there, Dalian Dawody, World Champion in the 71 kg class in Muay Thai and student in the Business and Economics program at the Elite Sports University, Karlstad University...

  ...You’ve been nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2026 Swedish Sports Gala – congratulations!
  The traditional question can’t be avoided: How does it feel to receive such recognition?

  "It’s a mix of emotions. I feel very happy and at the same time relieved to receive recognition and attention for the work I’ve put in. And I’m in very prominent company with Armand Duplantis, Truls Möregårdh, and Andreas Almgren – that’s amazing!"

  You’ve known about this for a week – what went through your mind when you got the news?

• 2025-11-17

  New Professor in Special Education Passionate About Co-Teaching

  Vulnerable children who may never have had a real chance—especially in school—are a heartfelt concern for Christel Sundqvist, newly appointed Professor of Special Education at Karlstad University. Her guiding principle is to help them early so that problems do not arise later in their schooling, leading to marginalization and exclusion.

  Originally from Vaasa, Finland, Christel Sundqvist first studied social sciences, social policy, and sociology, earning a Master of Political Science degree at Åbo Akademi University. After graduation, she worked as a counselor and supervisor in care services for people with intellectual disabilities. She also worked as a social worker in child protection.

• 2025-11-14

  Ellen Moons elected new Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy

  Ellen Moons, Professor of Physics at Karlstad University, has been elected new Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. She will succeed Professor Hans Ellegren at the beginning of 2026.

  – I am very happy for the trust I receive from the members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA) and I look forward to the new role. Of course, it means that I will be spending much more time in Stockholm, but I will continue living in Värmland and keep some of my duties at Karlstad University part-time, says Ellen Moons. 

  Ellen Moons research focuses on novel materials for photovoltaic applications, including organic and polymer-based solar cells, as well as solution-processed perovskite solar cells.

• 2025-11-14

  Innovative Study to Encourage Children to Be More Physically Active

  How can we get sedentary children to move more? A new research study aims to find out in collaboration with children in grades 2 and 3 in primary school. The idea is to identify alternative activities to traditional sports that can be practiced after school. Karlstad University is conducting the study together with several other universities and in cooperation with Karlstad Municipality.

  Physical inactivity is a growing public health problem that brings escalating societal costs. One area that is currently neglected is physical activities for children who do not want to participate in sports during their leisure time. What alternative activities to sports exist after school for children who are not very physically active? There are plenty of studies where children themselves highlight the need for alternatives to the current offerings, which largely consist of traditional competitive sports.

• 2025-11-13

  Siri Jakobsson Störe receives national research award for groundbreaking sleep research

  Siri Jakobsson Störe has been awarded the Swedish National Committee for Psychological Sciences’ prize for outstanding young researcher in psychology 2025. She receives the award for her research on insomnia and how sleep difficulties can be understood and treated.

  – I’m very honoured, says Siri Jakobsson Störe, senior lecturer in psychology at Karlstad University. Being recognised in national competition, and in a context where universities nominate their most promising researchers, means a lot both personally and professionally. I’m also pleased to be representing Karlstad University in this forum for the first time.