To address complex societal challenges, advance the 2030 Agenda, and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, knowledge must be shared and stakeholders from different sectors must collaborate across boundaries. This spring, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden will present Forum for Social Innovation Sweden series of best practices in research conducted in collaboration with stakeholders from other sectors.
Researchers in Sweden collaborate with stakeholders from all sectors of society, ranging from private companies to municipalities and the nonprofit sector. Collaboration and cooperation can take various forms. This may involve studying and evaluating different initiatives, activities, and areas; gathering information and sharing knowledge; developing models, principles, and methods; creating educational materials and offering training; changing work methods and processes; and influencing public opinion on various issues.
Cross-border collaboration, in which different sectors and stakeholders share knowledge and experiences, is becoming increasingly important for social and sustainable development.
“There is great value in highlighting research and research-based knowledge in collaboration with other stakeholders. This provides a broader perspective on the practical application of research, which has had an impact on society in various ways and contributes to a sustainable and inclusive society,” says Charlotte Ahlgren Moritz, Vice President at Malmö University and Chair of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden.
Ten best practices are highlighted
This spring, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden ten best practices drawn from the universities of Jönköping, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University, Umeå University, and Örebro University—where Forum for Social Innovation Sweden established a presence—across the five regions, from Luleå in the north to Skåne and Malmö in the south. The topics span several of the Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being, quality education, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and peaceful and inclusive societies.
From bullying and safety in school to the well-being and health of older adults
A range of issues and societal challenges are addressed. How can we combat bullying and promote a safe school environment? How can we ensure access to housing for children and other groups who fall outside the housing system? How can we prevent disease and achieve health equity? How can regions collaborate on suicide prevention? how can the whole fish be utilized to reduce waste, and how can digital technology provide more people with the opportunity to settle and live in rural areas?
Hopes the films will inspire more people to collaborate across borders
“We hope that our initiative to highlight collaborative research for the benefit of society—through short films and in-depth articles—can inspire and pave the way for more cross-border collaboration on social sustainability and change,” says Hanna Sigsjö, Executive Director of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden at Malmö University.
Our work has led to changes in guidelines and regulations to create a better school environment
First up are researchers Björn Johansson and Erik Flygare at Örebro University, who are collaborating with the Friends Foundation to help create a safer school environment for children. Every year, more than 60,000 children in Sweden are subjected to bullying.
Researchers in Örebro have conducted studies and evaluated the methods used by Friends.
“Some of our research has already led to changes in guidelines and regulations aimed at creating a better school environment,” says Björn Johansson.
The collaboration has also contributed to increased interaction with other researchers in the field, including through the World Anti-Bullying Forum (WABF), a global anti-bullying conference organized by Friends, where both researchers have served on the organizing committee.
The collaboration is a mutually beneficial partnership
“Our partnership with Friends is truly a collaboration. It’s a mutual exchange. It’s rewarding to work with an organization and people who are guided by an open and curious approach. Everyone is simply flexible and open to change and growth,” says Björn Johansson.
Frida Warg of Friends also emphasizes that the collaboration is beneficial for all parties.
“It’s not just that researchers provide knowledge for us to use; it goes both ways: our experiences, our methods, and our contact with schools create a flow in the other direction, back to the research,” she says.
Looking for solutions to the housing crisis
Martin Grander is a researcher in urban studies at Malmö University. He is also the director of the research group Studies in Housing and Welfare, where researchers from various disciplines collaborate with different stakeholders to find solutions to the housing crisis. The housing issue has become acute for children, young adults, immigrants, and single parents. There is inequality, and many fall outside the housing system. Over 15,000 children in Sweden are homeless. Most municipalities face a housing shortage, and the housing that is available is too expensive for many. In the project “Children’s Housing First,” researchers, together with Stadsmissionen, Save the Children, and AFRY, have developed a model to combat homelessness among families with children.
“The model is complete. It can be funded and implemented under Swedish law,” says Martin Grander.
The ten videos and articles will be published on an ongoing basis throughout the spring, starting Wednesday, March 24.
Learn more about collaborative research that is transforming Sweden
The ten best practices in collaborative research Forum for Social Innovation Sweden by Forum for Social Innovation Sweden are:
They want to combat bullying. Björn Johansson and Erik Flygare at Örebro University in collaboration with Friends.
Initiatives to help young people who are staying home. Frida Jonsson at Umeå University in collaboration with the City of Umeå.
Housing for children first – he wants to find solutions to the housing crisis. Martin Grander at Malmö University in collaboration with Stadsmissionen, Save the Children, and Afry.
Make food not waste – on sustainable fishing. Wiebeke Reim and Daria Sas at Luleå University of Technology in collaboration with Gulhaven Pelagiska AB in Kalix.
She wants to highlight children’s voices and rights. Frida Lygnegård at Jönköping University in collaboration with the Swedish Agency for Family Law and Parental Support, Sweco Society, and the County Administrative Board of Skåne.
Embrace: a way to reduce crime. Henrik Andershed at Örebro University in collaboration with Embrace Safety AB.
They are building health-promoting resources. Margareta Rämgård at Malmö University together with 13 stakeholders, 5 health promoters, and the residents of Lindängen in Malmö.
They are developing a digital platform for a vibrant rural community, JohannaLindberg at Luleå University of Technology in collaboration with Vuollerim, Jokkmokk Municipality.
The Jönköping Model for suicide prevention. Joy Torgé at Jönköping University in collaboration with the Emergency Services.
Social activity on prescription can improve the health of older adults.Ingeborg Nilsson at Umeå University in collaboration with the Municipality of Umeå and Husläkarna.