Welcome to Karlstad University
News
-
2025-10-15
Meet Markus Lundström – new professor of sociology with a focus on the unseen
– I want to shed light on the unseen – and the gaze that fails to see, says Markus Lundström, who conducts research on racism, nationalism and political action.
He is looking forward to contributing his expertise in historical sociology at Karlstad University, and dreams about creating an interdisciplinary forum for critical time studies.
Before coming to Karlstad University, Markus Lundström held a position at Mid Sweden University. His academic career started with studies in global development and international relations.
What attracted you to Karlstad University?
– The university offers an exciting and dynamic research environment with great openness to interdisciplinary approaches to societal issues and challenges.
-
2025-10-15
Värmland-based companies strengthened through gender and inclusion
The research project Gennovation at Karlstad University aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises in Värmland with better conditions for growth and enhanced competitiveness.
By integrating gender, equality, and inclusion as strategic tools for business development and innovation, the project seeks to contribute to more sustainable regional development.
Gennovation is a four-year project funded by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket), Region Värmland, and Karlstad University. It is a collaboration between the Centre for Gender Studies (CGF) and the Service Research Center (CTF).
-
2025-10-10
New research shows how traditional industries can transition towards a circular economy
In the article “Towards High Circularity: Reconfiguring Firm-level Strategy”, researchers Andrey Abadzhiev and Alexandre Sukhov, both from Karlstad Business School and the Service Research Center, want to inspire hope among companies in conservative industries that are seeking to transition towards more circular and sustainable solutions.
What does circular economy actually mean – and how does it differ from a traditional linear economy?
– Economics is fundamentally about creating value through the redistribution of resources, says Alexandre Sukhov. In a linear economy, we tend to create value by extracting raw materials, producing and selling products, but we also lose value by considering consumed products as waste once they have been used and fulfilled their purpose. It’s from that perspective that the manufacturing industry has been streamlined.
-
2025-10-10
Idea development – from idea to reality
In her doctoral thesis, Jana Huck, who recently completed her PhD in Business Administration, seeks to understand what idea development is really about by observing how people in various contexts work to improve an idea and pave the way to make it a reality.
Jana Huck got the impression that everyone talked about idea development as a phenomenon, yet without truly explaining or grasping what it actually involves – or even means. This is what inspired her doctoral thesis, Idea Development for Innovation: A Multi-Level Exploration of the Activities and Processes Propelling Ideas Towards Innovation.
-
2025-10-06
Naturally Fast-Growing Spruce Trees Have Many Long Fibers
Rapid height growth may positively influence fiber length in Swedish spruce wood. A case study investigated wood samples from 38-year-old of Norway spruces (Picea abies) at one of Sweden’s most naturally fertile forests.
– Long fibers produce strong paper and cardboard products due to an increased number of bonds, says Björn Sjöstrand, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Karlstad University. The advantage of increased strength broadens the range of applications, and the same strength can be achieved with less material.
The hypothesis for the study was that trees with fast height growth may have longer fibers, and thus provide longer pulp fibers, compared to lengths previously reported in Sweden.
-
2025-10-06
This Year’s Academic Celebration Is About Trust
Karlstad University lives by the motto Sapere Aude — dare to be wise. Daring requires a generous dose of curiosity and courage. And to be wise in academia means always being prepared for critical scrutiny. It is of utmost importance to be able to trust knowledge — this has never been more vital. That’s why the theme of the 2025 Academic Celebration is trust.
On October 17, we will honor those who have undergone the most rigorous trials, reached the highest positions, or received the most prestigious distinctions in academia. We will confer degrees upon new doctors and honorary doctors, and install our new professors. We will also recognize this year’s associate professors, adjunct professors, and distinguished teachers.
