14 November 2024
On November 12, the Young Academy of Sweden hosted a one-hour online workshop with Uppsala University, offering an insightful introduction to the Swedish academic system based on the book A Beginner’s Guide to Swedish Academia.
Foto: Lars Pehrson, Erik Thor/SUA
As authors of the Beginner’s Guide, it gives us tremendous joy to see the booklet being read and providing useful information to newcomers to the Swedish system. Working together with the academic support staff at universities is essential to spread the word about our book and to be able to engage in discussions with our target group, and so it’s always really exciting to be invited!
Janina Seubert, member of the Young Academy of Sweden
The session aimed to help researchers new to Sweden navigate its academic landscape. Young Academy of Sweden members, associate professors Janina Seubert (Karolinska Institutet) and Yaffa Epstein (Uppsala University), shared their expertise and personal experiences to guide the participants through the complexities of the Swedish research system, using the Beginner’s Guide as their framework.
The challenges researchers may face when moving to a new country were highlighted, from understanding how the universities are governed to finding funding opportunities and navigating teaching responsibilities. The workshop focused on explaining the principles and structures of Swedish academia, combining legal and public information with personal experiences from researchers who began their careers in Sweden.
Participants also received practical advice on navigating everyday aspects of life in Sweden, such as social security benefits and the role of language in academic settings.
Developed by the Young Academy of Sweden, this guide addresses key questions for new researchers, from academic merits and networks to practical concerns. The six chapters cover topics like the structure of higher education, rights and benefits for researchers, and even a glossary of Swedish academic terms and abbreviations.
A session will be held at Linköping University on February 11.
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