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.
Photo: Karolinska Institutet, Adrian Trinkaus/Unsplash
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, from Luleå in the north to Lund in the south. Discussions focused on governance updates, strategic activities, and strengthening SweDev’s role in Sweden’s development research landscape.
A central theme throughout the meeting was SweDev’s growing role in strengthening connections between researchers, institutions, and policy actors. Members emphasised the importance of continuing to build a strong and visible community for development research in Sweden, and of supporting collaboration across disciplines, universities, and career stages.
Key topics of discussion included SweDev’s continued efforts to strengthen collaboration across institutions, support PhD engagement, and contribute to evidence‑informed policymaking in Sweden. Members highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum in SweDev’s advocacy and outreach work, as the network’s voice is increasingly recognised by stakeholders in both the research and policy communities.
In small‑group discussions, participants explored ideas for future activities, including how to further engage PhD students, support teaching in development studies, and strengthen research collaboration across institutions. The conversation also highlighted SweDev’s role as a supportive platform for researchers navigating a rapidly evolving policy and funding landscape.
The meeting also marked a period of renewal within the Executive Committee. SweDev is pleased to welcome three new members – Janet Vähämäki (SEI), Jonas Ewald (Linnaeus University), and PhD representative Carl Fredrik Sjöland (Karolinska Institutet) – who will contribute to shaping the network’s work going forward.
The meeting concluded with updates on international collaboration opportunities and a discussion on the upcoming rotation of the SweDev Secretariat.
SweDev extends warm thanks to all participants for their contributions and looks forward to continued collaboration in the year ahead.