News – SweDev

SweDev’s chair becomes new head of Sida’s research unit

Jesper Sundwall, SweDev’s chair and researcher at Lund University, will become the Head of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency’s Research Unit starting 1 January 2026. The research unit is now being reinstated after previously having been removed. Jesper has been part of SweDev’s steering committee since 2020.

SweDev at NorDev 2025

The Joint Nordic Development Research Conference (NorDev25) was held at NMBU in Ås, Norway, gathering around 200 participants to discuss solidarity, social justice, and sustainability in uncertain times. SweDev was represented by Janet Vähämäki in the final panel, contributing reflections on the importance of continued research cooperation and solidarity across borders.

Behind the Research – Environment and Rural Change

Our next institutional support member is the Swedish University of Agriculture Science (SLU), represented by Linda Engström, researcher at the Department of Urban and Rural Development. Through her insights you’ll learn more about the division’s research on the politics of environment and rural transformations. Happy reading!

Behind the research – Division of social medicine and global health

We are excited to continue our series highlighting SweDev’s institutional support members. The second institution to be featured is Lund University, represented by Jesper Sundewall. Learn more about their research on global health and health systems, with a focus on development aid and the role of international cooperation.

Behind the Research – SweDevs Institutional support members

We are excited to introduce a new series highlighting our institutional support members. The members play a central role in the growth and development of our network. The first institution to take the stage is the Department of Government at Uppsala University, represented by Emma Elfversson.

New Op-Ed: Reduced research aid harms Sweden

A recent op-ed criticizes the reduction of Swedish research aid. Originally published in Global Bar Magazine, Rolf Carlman (former director at Sida) argues that the government’s cuts undermine both Sweden’s long-term role in international research cooperation and the country’s own capacity for development research.

Leadership Transition and Strategic Focus at SweDev’s June 2025 Steering Committee Meeting

On 9 June 2025, the SweDev Steering Committee met in a hybrid format, online and in-person in Uppsala, to discuss the future direction of the network. New Executive Committee members were also elected.

Save-the-date: Who do you think you are? Understanding impostor phenomenon and inner conflict reasoning

On 6 October 2025, the Agenda 2030 Graduate school will invite Maria Wolrath Söderberg and Sanne Feenstra to talk about inner conflict reasoning and impostor phenomenon. The event will be held in a hybrid format.

Anna Mia Ekström on SVT’s Agenda: Global Health in Crisis, Sweden Must Reconsider the Cuts

On 27 April 2025, Anna Mia Ekström appeared on SVT’s Agenda to warn of the devastating impact of U.S. aid cuts and Sweden’s shifting aid policy, calling the global HIV response “in crisis” and urging the government to reconsider reductions to health and development research funding. She stressed that without urgent action, we risk losing decades of progress in the fight against AIDS.