Cognitive scientist wows the audience
to win Researchers’ Grand Prix

Using illusions and magic, Matthew Tompkins from Lund University amazed the audience with his presentation to win the national final of the Swedish Researchers’ Grand Prix. The final of the contest, in which researchers present their research in just four minutes, was held on 1 December in Stockholm.

Shedding light on the public's
views of the humanities

To have a clearly described societal benefit is said to be an important factor for people to be able to have confidence in research. But it seems that this matters less and may even have the opposite effect. This is one of the findings of a new study undertaken by VA investigating the Swedish public’s views of humanities research. An English summary of the results has now been published.

Current activities

Have you got what it takes to become a bio-hero?
The EU project AllThings.bioPRO has developed a game and app designed to help people of all ages learn about the bioeconomy and improve their sustainable behaviours. The project is now looking for people to test the game in an online workshop on 25 January. Read more.

VA becomes partner of International Year of Science Engagement
VA has been announced as a partner of the International Year of Science Engagement. The International Year, planned to be held in 2027, is designed to inspire and empower people with knowledge, tools and experiences to engage the world with science. VA will support the IYSE with its expertise and through shared programme activities. Read more.

2022/23 VA Barometer English version available soon
The results of the 2022/23 VA Barometer, VA’s annual survey into the Swedish public’s general attitudes towards science and researchers, were announced on 14 December. The English version of the VA Barometer will be published in January.

VA’s recent activities

Celebrating science across Sweden: European Researchers’ Night 2022
Puzzles, poisons and profanities all featured in this year’s ForskarFredag, Sweden’s European Researchers’ Night. From Lund in the south to Luleå in the north, more than 120 activities took place across the whole of Sweden. All were designed to showcase what it is like to work as a researcher and how research contributes to creating a better and healthier world. Read more.

Spotlight on scicomm and engagement activities in the North
On 14–15 November around 30 members of the Nordic Baltic science communication and science engagement community met in Stockholm to discuss new policy initiatives, national strategies and their latest engagement activities. This was the first in person Falling Walls Engage Hub Sweden gathering since the pandemic, and highlighted how the Nordic Baltic scicomm landscape has developed over the past couple of years. Read more.

Consultation on tackling gender-based violence in academia
The EU-funded GENDERACTIONplus project held its first stakeholder engagement event in September to discuss ways of tackling gender-based violence in academia. Representatives of student and early-career researcher associations from across Europe shared their views and needs during the online workshop, organised by VA. Discussions informed a Call for Action, which institutions and individuals across Europe are being encouraged to endorse. Read more.

Proposal for a Swedish platform for communicating science
Suggestions on how a national platform for research news and science communication in Sweden might be realised have been outlined in a new report. The study, Research for All, carried out by VA in 2022 for the Swedish Research Council, indicates that there is considerable interest among Swedish actors in a national collaboration to make research-based knowledge more accessible. It is based on interviews, a user survey, workshops and studies of platforms that exist in other countries. The report is now available in English. Read more.

Physical barriers in Swedish homes revealed by senior citizens and pupils
Steps up to the front door and nothing to hold onto next to the toilet. These are common problems for those with mobility issues, according to a new Swedish study in which senior citizens, school pupils and researchers investigated the barriers in Swedish homes. The Housing Experiment was a citizen science project led by VA, as part of ForskarFredag, Swedish Researchers’ Night. Read more.

Swedish corona study now available as a scientific article
Women were more likely to trust key actors during the first wave of the pandemic. This is one of the findings of a study published by VA. Parts of the results are now available as an article in The European Journal of Public Health. Read more.

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