Innovating for Impact: InspireLab-funded projects in 2026
As of this year, InspireLab is funding six projects, showing the breadth of work supported by the centre. While the research questions and technological areas vary, all projects share the goal of contributing to gender equality in society.
“We received 33 high-quality applications through two calls for proposals. In selecting projects across areas as diverse as gender-based violence, childbirth injuries, and sailboat design, we focused on both excellence and breadth,” says Pia Höök, Director of InspireLab.
In total, InspireLab has awarded SEK 22.5 million across six projects: three smaller projects (SEK 1.5 million each) and three larger projects (two receiving SEK 6.5 million each and one receiving SEK 5 million). Two of the larger projects are continuations of pilot projects from the first call.
The projects will run for the next few years and will be presented to a broader audience during 2026. Stay tuned for our InspireTalks!
Large projects
When Silence Speaks: Feminist AI Addressing Gender-Based Violence
This project develops a theoretical framework for AI that captures different forms of missing data. In the next phase of the project, this framework will be used to develop AI systems that can capture and analyse gender-based violence (GBV). The project is led by Amir Payberah, Docent at the Department of Computing and Learning Systems, KTH, and Lina Rahm, Docent at the Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment, KTH.
PelviTwin: Digital Twins and Ultrasound Technology to Prevent Childbirth Injuries
This project develops a digital twin of the pelvic floor to better understand, prevent, and rehabilitate childbirth injuries, which affect between one-third and one-half of all childbearing women. The project is led by Matilda Larsson, Professor at the Division of Biomedical Imaging, KTH.
Home-Based Hormone Diagnostics
This project aims to develop an affordable home-based system for measuring hormones in urine, for women to “be in control” of their hormonal cycles as well as gaining increased knowledge of potential issues and dysfunctions such as endometriosis. The project is led by Carlota Canalias and Michel Fokine, both Professors at the Department of Applied Physics, KTH, and Cecilia Williams, Professor at the Department of Protein Science, KTH.
Smaller projects
Counter ‘Deepfake Porn’ through Education and Addressing Digital Consent
This project focuses on preventing the creation and spread of intimate images of real people generated and shared without consent. Through the creation and activation of an interactive “photo-booth” the project promotes knowledge and dialogue. It will also result in a long-term research agenda. The project is led by Madeline Balaam, Professor at the Department of Media Technology and Interaction Design, KTH.
ListenUp
This project addresses unconscious gender bias in how voices are perceived through a web-based tool that promotes more reflective and inclusive listening. The project is led by Eva Székely, PhD in Engineering and Researcher at the Department of Speech, Music, and Hearing, KTH.
Sailing Towards Inclusion
This project examines and develops Olympic sailing classes and boats from a gender perspective to provide boats that suit a wider range of body types, with the goal of the 2032 Olympic Games. The project is led by Laura Marimon Giovannetti, PhD in Engineering, at the Department of Engineering Mechanics, KTH.