An increasing number of higher education institutions in Sweden and other countries are striving to broaden and deepen their social engagement in order to address current societal challenges and contribute to the transition to a sustainable society. But how can Swedish higher education institutions support academic engagement in social innovation for sustainable transition? And what might socially engaged higher education institutions of the future look like?
In 2025–2026, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden a Vinnova-funded project in which we have reviewed policy documents that guide work on innovation, commercialization, sustainability, and collaboration at the University of Borås, Jönköping University, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University, Umeå University, and Örebro University. At each institution, policy labs were held where the results were discussed with key individuals who lead, support, and carry out this work. In parallel, an international survey of socially engaged universities in other countries was conducted. Finally, representatives from all the institutions gathered for a “re-imaginatorium” where we looked ahead to envision the socially engaged institutions of the future. In this webinar, we will share the lessons learned from the project and launch a popular science publication as inspiration for continued academic social engagement. Time: April 21, 1:00–2:30 p.m. Location: Online[maxbutton id="1" url="https://mau.confetti.events/samhallsengagerade-larosaten-lardomar-och-inspiration" text="REGISTRATION"]
The webinar is part of the project “Academic Policy Support for Social Innovation for Sustainable Transition,” which is funded by Vinnova. The project is led by Forum for Social Innovation Sweden which is a national knowledge and collaboration platform for social innovation at the University of Borås, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University, Umeå University, and Örebro University.