Research seminars on the agenda, paving the way for internal and external collaborations

One example is the research group in polymer technology, which since 2021 has hosted open short seminars featuring speakers from both industry and academia. Pooria Khalili, Associate Professor in the field and coordinator of the seminars.

“We invite guest lecturers from both industry and academia to give 45-minute presentations on their research and activities within polymers and fibre-reinforced polymer composites. We welcome renowned researchers and professors from universities around the world. The aim is to create discussions around research and to explore possible collaborations within relevant areas. The seminars also provide an opportunity to identify how different areas of expertise can complement one another in future projects,” he said.

Have the seminars led to any concrete collaborations?

“Yes. They have fostered stronger collaborations with organisations such as Chalmers, the University of Gothenburg, and RISE, as well as several international collaborations,” said Pooria.

Seminars in library and information Science

Another example is the SSILS seminars, organised by The Swedish School of Library and Information Science. Björn Hammarfelt, Professor of Library and Information Science, said:

“The SSILS seminars play a significant role for us at The Swedish School of Library and Information Science and is also well known within the subject nationally and internationally. We have continuously organised research seminars since 1995, and during the semester we usually arrange them almost every week, approximately 25–30 per academic year.” 

The autumn programme has not yet been finalised, but it includes presentations by visiting academics, projects by senior researchers, and doctoral students’ planning, mid-term, and final seminars.

“The seminar is an integral part of the doctoral education programme and is of great importance to the vitality and cohesion of the research environment,” said Björn.

The seminars are usually open to anyone interested and are well attended. Practitioners, such as librarians, also frequently participate. They are most often offered both on site and via Zoom, which means that some popular events have attracted several hundred participants. They normally attract between 25 and 50 participants, with around half attending in person.

When the research field of Library and Information Science was evaluated by external reviewers, the seminar was highlighted as a distinct strength.

Seminars in mathematics and business studies

Other research fields at the university also host interesting research seminars. The Seminar in mathematics and the Higher seminar in Business studies are two examples.

“Our seminars in mathematics are primarily aimed at researchers and doctoral students in mathematics, but also attract participants from other parts of the university and from RISE,” said Jens Wittsten, Professor of Mathematics.

The Higher seminars in business studies are presented on an ongoing basis in the university’s calendar and is aimed at both internal and external researchers, as well as an interested wider public.

Seminars on welfare studies

Open seminars are also organised by FoU Sjuhärad Welfare (FoUS), a centre of expertise for research and development within the municipal welfare sector, and the Centre for Welfare Studies (CVS).

FoUS seminars are aimed at professionals, researchers, and others with an interest in social work and welfare issues, while CVS, together with Science Park Borås and the Centre for Cultural Policy Research, invites participants to seminars on the welfare society.

Curious on the seminars? Keep an eye on the university calendar on the website!