ITM researchers to Tokyo for exchange
Two ITM researchers, Jamie Rinder and Maryna Henrysson, went to University of Tokyo last semester to to develop teaching and research – and build relations. One of them within language teaching and the other within climate policy and circular economy.
Jamie Rinder (Unit of Language and Communication) and Maryna Henrysson (Division of Energy Systems) have visited University of Tokyo (UTokyo) last semester to develop long-term collaboration for teaching, learning, and research. The visit was part of KTH's activity to expand contacts between staff at the two partner universities.
Maryna Henrysson has been hosted by Professor Masahiro (Masa) Sugiyama’s research lab at UTokyo’s Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI).
“I have had plenty of opportunities to discuss long-term climate policy and circular economy model-based transitions”, says Henrysson. “We have explored ways to incorporate circular pathways into our climate and energy planning and agreed on how much work is still needed to be done in the area.
I have also shared the results of work that Energy Systems is doing with modelling tools and discussed with UTokyo colleagues the evolving role of the science-policy interface, including the responsibilities of scientific communities in addressing the triple planetary crisis. These shared interests align with the core values of not only my division’s work but also the mission of the Climate Action Center at KTH.”
Jamie Rinder has been hosted by Professor Yumiko Furuichi at UTokyo’s Department for Global Education, and he has worked with Japanese and English teachers on Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP) and scientific writing. He has welcomed to the Global Engineers Language Skills (GELS) network, of which KTH is a founding member, and he has co-organised a GELS training event for language lecturers from all over Japan.
“I’ve been able to share my experiences of recently developing new courses with a focus on STEM communication and also the results of recent practice-based research by English teachers at KTH (including the KTH Guide to scientific writing)”, Rinder says. “Together with staff at UTokyo, I’ve also considered new ways that training in language and communication can complement a technical education.”
Both colleagues have felt encouraged by the potential for cooperation between KTH and UTokyo. They’ve enjoyed the formal and informal opportunities to find common ground with UTokyo faculty on subjects such as the role of AI in teaching, learning, and future employment, and the social and economic changes that are needed for future societies. They’ve also represented KTH at events at the Swedish embassy in Tokyo, where they have met prospective students, alumni, and representatives from the Office of Science and Innovation and the Swedish Trade and Investment Council.
Jamie and Maryna are grateful to have met so many wonderful and welcoming people during their visit. They have been inspired by the academic culture at UTokyo, particularly the mentorship practices for PhD students, early-career researchers, and new teaching staff, and they are confident that KTH and UTokyo can work well together.
“I am hopeful that these types of research-oriented visits can and will lead to stronger partnerships and more opportunities for collaboration in the future”, adds Henrysson.