Thursday: The Role of Swedish Industry and Academia in International Collaborations: Driving Global Innovation
This panel discussion will focus on the pivotal role Swedish academia and industry play in international collaborations and their influence on global innovation.
Enjoy a light meal
Join us before or after the event for food and refreshments! We will be serving light meals and beverages to give you a chance to connect with other participants before and after the session begins.
Where: Arenan, Teknikringen 1, KTH Campus.
Find a map on KTH Places
Date and time: 3 April, at 17:15-18:20
As Swedish academia and industry increasingly engage in these partnerships, they drive transformative advancements in infrastructure, technology, and sustainability. Through real-world examples, we will showcase how these collaborations address global challenges and benefit both Swedish and international stakeholders within the global innovation ecosystem.
This session will explore critical questions:
- What tangible impact can Swedish research and industry have on global challenges?
- What are the key challenges and obstacles faced in these collaborations?
- Why is it essential for Sweden to engage in such projects?
- How do they align with national and international goals for sustainability and technological progress?
Panelists
- Professor Sebastian Stichel, KTH
- Lisa Ericsson, KTH Innovation
-
Susanne Norgren, Sandvik
- Michael Thulin, Alstom
Moderator: Associate Professor Lena Gumaelius, KTH
Sebastian Stichel
Professor Sebastian Stichel is a leading figure in railway engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, specializing in rail vehicle dynamics and high-speed train technology. He has collaborated with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in Indonesia, contributing to courses on High-Speed Train Technology. This partnership aligns with Indonesia's development of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, aiming to enhance regional connectivity with trains reaching speeds up to 350 km/h.
Lisa Ericsson
Lisa Ericsson has been with KTH since 2002 and is CEO of KTH Holding AB and founder of KTH Innovation. She holds several board seats in the innovation ecosystem and advises PRV, Sweden’s intellectual property office. With over 25 years of experience in innovation and entrepreneurship, Lisa has also worked as a research assistant in entrepreneurship. She holds a Business Administration degree from Örebro University and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, with additional studies at MIT, Stockholm School of Economics, and Cambridge University.
Susanne Norgren
Susanne Norgren is the Head of Sandvik’s Scientific Council, reporting directly to the CEO. The Council drives impact across industry, society, and academia in alignment with Sandvik's strategy, overseeing R&D and supporting the Board of Directors and General Executive Management (GEM). Susanne initiates and drives strategic research, fostering collaboration between industry and academia. She is a docent at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, a Lise Meitner Adjunct Professor at Lund University (20%), a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and holds over 400 patents.
Michael Thulin
Michael Thulin is a seasoned professional in the railway industry, currently serving as Director of External Partners at Alstom and as Vice Chairman at SWERIG (Swedish Rail Industry Group). With extensive experience at Bombardier Transportation (now Alstrom) across multiple countries, his expertise spans sales, business development, and fostering international collaborations within the railway sector. As Vice Chairman of SWERIG, Michael plays a pivotal role in promoting Swedish railway technology and facilitating global partnerships
Lena Gumaelius
Associate Professor Lena Gumaelius is the Director of the Global Development Hub (GDH) at KTH. Her work focuses on engineering education, particularly the design of future engineers through challenge-driven learning for sustainable development. Gumaelius is actively involved in KTH’s international initiatives, including projects in Africa, and she leads efforts to enhance global collaborations and partnerships. Under her leadership, GDH fosters innovation and knowledge exchange with institutions worldwide, aiming to address global challenges through education and research.
