Our research areas
The research conducted by Sweden’s Higher Education Institutions (HEI) 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, thus encompassing both military and civil defence. Following discussions among the HEIs, these 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 have been developed that are deemed particularly important within each area. The work on research collaboration is organic and will continue to evolve during 2026 and 2027, including establishing points of contacts 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 coordinates 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
- Associate Professor Todor Stoyanov, email: todor.stoyanov@oru.se
- Mikael Klintberg (for collaboration with industry and society), email: mikael.klintberg@oru.se
Culture in Crisis and War
Coordinated by the Royal College of Music
Contact
- Vice-Chancellor Per-Henrik Holgersson, email: per-henrik.holgersson@kmh.se
Economic Security, Critical Materials, Metals and Minerals
Coordinated by the Stockholm School of Economics
Contact
- Professor Martin Carlsson-Wall, email: martin.carlsson-wall@hhs.se
Governing, Leading and Collaborating in Crisis and War
The Swedish Defence University coordinates 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
- Professor Eva-Karin Gardell, email: eva-karin.gardell@fhs.se
- Professor Aida Alvinius, email: aida.alvinius@fhs.se
Space and the Arctic
Luleå University of Technology coordinates 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
- Professor Dag Avango, email: dag.avango@ltu.se
- Professor René Laufer, email: rene.laufer@ltu.se
- Associate Professor Christine Grosse, email: christine.grosse@ltu.se
Supply Preparedness
Coordinated by Chalmers University of Technology
Contact
- Professor Arni Halldorsson, email: arni.halldorsson@chalmers.se
Technology and Defence
Coordinated by Blekinge Institute of Technology
Contact
- Professor Lars Lundberg, email: lars.lundberg@bth.se
Contact
For enquiries to the programme office regarding research matters, please email: