Our Research Areas

The research conducted by Sweden’s Higher Education Institutions spans many disciplines and a wide range of subjects. Campus Total Defence has compiled the areas of expertise that the institutions consider particularly relevant to the total defence.

Around ten research or knowledge areas have subsequently been identified, which, following discussions among the HEIs, will serve to structure ongoing collaboration and coordination. For example, these may involve construction, engineering and infrastructure during crises and wartime; logistics, energy and supply preparedness; climate, sustainability and security; communication and media in crisis and war; total defence considerations in urban planning; or technology and defence. One area identified as particularly important for competence development is culture in crisis and war.

Research networks

Under the leadership of a higher education institution acting as a node, networks and activities are being developed that are deemed particularly important within each area. The work on research collaboration is organic and will continue to evolve during the autumn of 2025, during which contacts will also be made with total defence stakeholders who may be interested in cooperation. See ongoing hubs, networks, and activities listed below.

Hubs, Networks, and Activities

AI and Robotics for Total Defence

Örebro University leads a network in the knowledge area of AI and Robotics for Civil Defence.
The network aims to connect researchers at various levels, industrial researchers, and representatives from civil defence agencies and the Swedish Armed Forces.

Contact

The network is led by Associate Professor Todor Stoyanov, todor.stoyanov@oru.se. Collaboration with industry and society is coordinated by Mikael Klintberg, mikael.klintberg@oru.se.

Communication and Media in Crisis and War

Coordinated by Lund University

Contact

The network is led by Professor Jesper Falkheimer jesper.falkheimer@iko.lu.se

Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure in Crisis and War

Coordinated by Linnaeus University

Contact

The network is led by Professor Jesper Andersson jesper.andersson@lnu.se.

Culture in Crisis and War

Coordinated by the Royal College of Music

Contact

The network is led by Vice-Chancellor Per-Henrik Holgersson per-henrik.holgersson@kmh.se

Economic Security, Critical Materials, Metals and Minerals

Coordinated by the Stockholm School of Economics

Contact

The network is led by Professor Martin Carlsson-Wall martin.carlsson-wall@hhs.se.

Governing, Leading and Collaborating in Crisis and War

The Swedish Defence University leads a network focusing on the knowledge area Governing, Leading and Collaborating in Crisis and War.
The collaboration encompasses a broad range of perspectives, explored through various academic disciplines.

Contact

The network is led by Professor Eva-Karin Gardell eva-karin.gardell@fhs.se and Professor Aida Alvinius aida.alvinius@fhs.se.

Peace, Democracy and Human Rights

Coordinated by Malmö University

Contact

The network is led by Professor Annika Olsson annika.olsson@mau.se

Space and the Arctic

Luleå University of Technology leads a network focusing on the knowledge area Space and Arctic Security.
This is a multi- and interdisciplinary hub concentrating on issues relevant to societal security and future development, with particular emphasis on conditions in the Arctic and space domains.

Contact

The network is led by researchers at Luleå University of Technology (LTU):

Dag Avango, Professor of History. Email: dag.avango@ltu.se
René Laufer, Professor and Subject Representative in Space Technology. Email: rene.laufer@ltu.se
Christine Grosse, Associate Professor in Information Systems and Security. Email: christine.grosse@ltu.se