KTH joins think tank for humanities

" Humtank  is a national think tank for the humanities which aims to strengthen the role of humanistic knowledge in society and influence future research policy. Virtually all research on crucial social issues has cultural and human aspects that must be considered in today's complex world, where collaboration across disciplinary and regional boundaries is becoming increasingly necessary. By joining Humtank alongside 13 other universities, KTH will become even more relevant to future engineers and strengthen our opportunities to collaborate with other universities."

But why are the humanities important for a technical university?

"This aligns with KTH's work on the KTH Future Humanities Initiative  research project, which focuses on integrative humanities. I am involved in this project as a researcher. This approach takes its starting point in politically relevant, interdisciplinary issues relating to sustainability, climate, and digitalisation, among other things. It was launched this spring. KTH is already at the forefront of these issues. We are now taking further steps by becoming the first technical university to join Humtank."

What does Humtank do?

 "Initiating cross-disciplinary collaborations, driving policy issues, writing reports, shaping public opinion and organising public events."

What does your role as a KTH representative involve?

"Alongside representatives from other universities, I will be shaping public opinion at events such as Almedalen Week and the Book Fair. I will also be working specifically on the role of humanistic knowledge in technical universities of the future. All major technical challenges affect us humans, whether it is AI or climate change. Every social issue, which is often the focus of KTH's research, education and collaboration, has a humanistic side."

Text: Jill Klackenberg ( jillk@kth.se )
Foto: Stephanie Wiegner