New cooperation between Stockholm University and SEI

The unique agreement was signed on 10 March 2014 by SEI Executive Director Johan Kuylenstierna and Stockholm University’s Vice Chancellor Astrid Söderbergh Widding at a ceremony at SEI HQ. Söderbergh Widding has now also joined SEI’s Board, which is appointed by the Swedish Government.

“SEI, with its strong environmental research and as the most influential Swedish player in the environmental field outside the university, is a very valuable partner for us,” said Söderbergh Widding.

The partnership will focus on four key areas: joint research applications, lecturing and seminars, post-graduate supervision, and mutual affiliation.

“SEI sees greater cooperation with universities and colleges as strategically important for building the capacity needed to tackle increasingly complex environment and development challenges, so the opportunity to expand collaboration with Stockholm University and draw on its depth and breadth of expertise is very important for our work,” said Kuylenstierna, who is also Adjunct Professor at the Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology at Stockholm University.

The two organisations will work together to identify key areas of research and make joint research proposals. SEI researchers will also act as guest lecturers at university seminars and events, while university staff can participate in SEI seminars.

Senior personnel at SEI will also supervise post-doctoral researchers at the university, and staff in each organisation can potentially be affiliated to the other. Special efforts will be made to find secondment opportunities for university staff at SEI’s global network of centres.

SEI Research Director Måns Nilsson said, “The agreement is of great value because by channelling new perspectives and expertise into both organisations the research efforts of each will be enhanced.”