Strategic mobilization for research
The Research Committee at KTH has been in place since the beginning of the year, and the work on how best to develop KTH's research is progressing.
"There have been valuable discussions with different perspectives and inputs," says Annika Borgenstam, Vice President for Research and chair of the Research Committee, which has just held its seventh meeting.
Two important areas have emerged where the Research Committee has provided a basis for decision-making. One is strategic research initiatives, which means that central funds can be used to finance research initiatives over three to five years with the aim of attracting significant research funding in strategically important areas.
"The idea is to mobilize our efforts to attract large sums of money and to bring together KTH researchers in new collaborations, either in an existing research area or by developing a new one for a limited period of time," says Borgenstam .
Central co-funding
The idea is that these strategic initiatives can be initiated by researchers, KTH management or the Research Committee, according to a recent decision by the President that describes criteria and processes for how an idea can grow into a strategic research initiative.
"AI, energy, quantum technology are examples of areas that could become strategic initiatives, "says Borgenstam, ‘where the link to societal development and its needs is clear. Before the summer, the President decided on a strategic investment in nuclear technology.
The second decision concerns KAW projects, where you can get 20 per cent co-funding from the centre if your overheads are in danger of being too high.
"We want to encourage people to apply for KAW projects, some may have refrained from applying because they simply couldn't afford it due to the high level of co-funding, and this could be a way to make it easier," Borgenstam says.
The Research Committee consists of ten people, four from KTH's management and six senior research leaders at KTH. All are present at the meeting in Wallqvistska. The agenda included a budget review and a workshop on research communication with representatives from the communications department.
Showing the way forward
One of the six senior researchers on the Research Committee is Sophia Hober , Professor of Molecular Biotechnology. She believes and hopes that the work of the Research Committee can help KTH to carry out both strategic and cutting-edge research, while taking a holistic view of KTH's areas and competencies:
Karl Henrik Johansson , Director of Digital Futures, who is also one of the senior research leaders, emphasises the importance of the research committee's ability to look beyond the day-to-day and think long-term:
" What will KTH be as a research institution in ten years? How can research help us, as a society, in the digital transition, for example?"
More about the work of the Research Committee, meeting minutes and the President´s decisions .
Text: Jill Klackenberg
Photo: Theresia Köhlin