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News

• 2025-06-12

  Honorary Doctor Thomas J. Scheff has passed

  Thomas J. Scheff, one of Karlstad University’s first honorary doctors, has passed away. The university is saddened by the news of his passing and honors his memory.

  Bengt Starrin, professor emeritus at Karlstad University, became acquainted with Thomas Scheff in the 1970s and remembers him fondly. He says that Scheff was not only a prominent researcher but a man with a great sense of humour, a skilled storyteller and an entertainer. 

  – I remember his amazing ability to captivate his audience. I will never forget his iconic dance moves during one of his many lectures, which were captured on film and replayed for weeks on the University of California’s TV channel.

• 2025-06-11

  Freshwater mussels are parasites that mind control their hosts

  A study done by researchers at Karlstad University shows that the parasitic larva of freshwater mussels can manipulate their host fish into swimming further upriver to habitats well-suited for when their adult selves.

  “The greater upstream movement of infested host fish, particularly at the time of excystment, is the clearest indication of an extended phenotype [host manipulation] expressed by glochidia [parasitic larvae of freshwater mussels]”, says Sebastian Rock at Karlstad University.

• 2025-06-10

  Research for Sustainable Paper Manufacturing

  A new research project has been launched to improve production efficiency and reduce resource consumption within the forestry industry.

  – Sustainability is a central focus of the project, which aims to decrease energy and resource usage in the forestry sector, says Björn Sjöstrand, Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering. By developing user-friendly numerical models for optimizing dewatering and drying, the project promotes energy-efficient production and lower carbon emissions. The models enable simulations of various strategies without costly trials, accelerating the development of energy-saving processes.

• 2025-06-05

  Changed opening hours at entrances during the summer

  From Monday 16 June to Saturday 30 August, the university has summer opening hours. The entrances are mainly locked. Staff and students enter with a card and code. Kau City is closed for the summer from Monday 9 June.

  The main entrances in building 1E are adapted to the University Library's opening hours and to special events, such as Forum Lärande on 18 June. Lectures outside of regular opening hours are handled specifically.

  Staff have access to the premises 24 hours a day with a pass card and code. Students enter with a card and code from 06.00 to 24.00.

  Kau City on Drottninggatan in central Karlstad is closed from Monday 9 June and will reopen on Monday 25 August. Staff have access to Monitorn in Kau City until Thursday, 19 June.

• 2025-06-05

  How do we include gifted children in education?

  After three years of preparation, the international conference combining ECHA and IGMCG will finally take place during Midsummer week. The conference is held at Sundsta-Älvkullegymnasiet in Karlstad and brings together participants from around the world to explore inclusive education for gifted children.

  ECHA and IGMCG usually organise their own separate conferences on a rotating basis. The thematic ECHA conference is organised for the fourth time and the IGMCG conference for the fourteenth time. The larger ECHA conferences have been held since the 80s. Now, in 2025, the two organisations join forces in Karlstad. The conference has two tracks and turns to stakeholders involved in inclusive education of gifted children and pupils, giftedness in general, as well as having a special focus on mathematics through IGMCG.

• 2025-06-04

  Holiday with a conscience – why more people choose responsible tourism

  The summer holidays are approaching, and with that perhaps also the realisation that our choices as tourists matter. Responsible tourism is not just about travelling – it is about doing so in a mindful way. Lotta Braunerhielm and Fredrik Hoppstadius, both part of the Tourism and Place Design Programme at Karlstad University, share their thoughts on how to become a more mindful traveller.

  There is a new trend in responsible tourism – can you tell us about that? 

  – It’s about travelling in a way that minimises negative impact on the environment, respects local culture and the local economy, says Lotta Braunerhielm, docent in human geography. It’s also about being aware, as a tourist, of how travel affects the places and people you visit.