News – SweDev

SweDev at Almedalen 2026

During Almedalen 2026, SweDev participated to spotlight the importance of research‑based knowledge in addressing global challenges. Emma Elfversson, Magdalena Eriksson and Frida Palmén represented the network on-site. Through two panel discussions co-organised with GlobeLife, the network emphasised Sweden’s role as a knowledge nation and the value of interdisciplinary, long‑term collaboration alongside rising challenges with cuts in aid and funding.

Sida Call for Host Institution: DevRes 2026–2027

Sida is inviting Swedish higher education institutions to apply to host the next Development Research Conference (DevRes) – Sweden’s national forum for research on poverty reduction and global sustainable development. The conference brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to strengthen the role of evidence in development policy and practice. The call closes on 30 June.

SweDev Steering Committee Meets in Stockholm to Set Priorities for 2026–2027

On 26 May 2026, the SweDev Steering Committee met in a hybrid format at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and online. Members gathered to review ongoing work, elect new Executive Committee members, and discuss future priorities for the network. The meeting brought together Steering Committee members, PhD representatives, and colleagues from across Swedish universities and research institutions.

Helping Students Move from Climate Anxiety to Action: New Toolbox from Lund University

A new toolbox from Lund University helps students transform climate anxiety into resilience and meaningful action. Through practical exercises and a teacher’s guide, the project strengthens emotional, relational, and action‑oriented competencies that are often missing in sustainability education. Pilots across Europe and Africa show strong positive feedback, highlighting the need to complement cognitive learning with emotional and relational competencies.

Podcast: Aid Analysis 2026 with SweDev Chair Anna Mia Ekström

The Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) has released a new podcast episode discussing its annual report, Aid Analysis 2026: Aid Under Reconsideration (“Bistånd under omprövning”). In the episode, SweDev Chair Anna Mia Ekström joins EBA Chair Torbjörn Becker and host Númi Östlund for a conversation on the changing realities of global development assistance in an increasingly uncertain world.

Beyond Crisis: Development Studies in Transition

In a new article from the Danish Development Research Network, Professor Fredrik Söderbaum – SweDev co-founder and longstanding steering committee member and based at the University of Gothenburg’s School of Global Studies – reflects on the evolving state of Development Studies, describing a field marked by fragmentation, institutional challenges, and ongoing debates on knowledge production.

Connecting research and policy: Insights from our webinar on Sida’s help desks

In our recent webinar, we explored the Swedish International Cooperation Agency’s (Sida) help desks and how our research network can help connect academic expertise with real-world decision-making. Sida’s help desks are a valuable tool for strengthening evidence-based decision-making, but their effectiveness depends on strong and accessible links to the research community. This is where SweDev comes in.

V-Dem Democracy Report 2026

Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) has published its yearly global report tracking democratic developments across countries. This year’s report–its 10th edition–paints a stark picture of the state of democracy worldwide. Global levels of democracy are identified as having fallen back to those last seen in the late 1970s, with nearly three-quarters of the world’s population living under autocratic rule at the end of 2025.

SweDev participated in a conference on evidence-based aid

On 19 February, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) arranged a one-day conference on the role of evidence in promoting effective development cooperation. Benjamin Dousa, Minister for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, opened the conference, which was followed by featured presentations and panel discussions by international experts and scholars.