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News

• 2026-04-09

  From Bangladesh and Zambia to student life – and “fika” – in Karlstad

  What is it like to move across the world to study in Sweden? Two international programme students at Karlstad University share their experiences of studying, adapting to a new culture and discovering Swedish traditions – from ice hockey to Lucia.

  Every year, students from all over the world come to Karlstad University to begin a new chapter in their lives. For many of them, studying abroad is not only about education, but also about discovering a new culture, new people and a different way of life. Two of those students are Jannatul Yea, known as Jannat, from Bangladesh, and Bwalya Kabwe from Zambia. 

• 2026-04-02

  The athletics arena is student Melwin Lycke Holm’s living room

  High jumper Melwin Lycke Holm, 21, grew up in Karlstad. From an early age he was strongly influenced by his father, the Olympic champion in high jump, Stefan Holm. As a multiple junior champion, both nationally and internationally, Melwin is now taking the final step into senior-level competition after this year’s outdoor season. At the same time, he is studying sports science at Karlstad University as part of the Elite Sports University programme and plans to graduate next spring.

  When did you yourself become interested in high jump, and when did you decide to pursue your sport at an elite level?

• 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.