The Young Academy of Sweden runs a network programme together with the Society of Members of Parliament and Researchers (Rifo). The programme gives researchers insight into the conditions and workings of politics, while Members of Parliament gain access to current research. One aim is to build lasting relationships and open channels between research and politics.
Participants in the 2025–2026 round of the network programme. Photo: Young Academy of Sweden
The Young Academy of Sweden and Rifo have run the network programme for more than ten years. Its purpose is to provide mutual insight into the everyday work of researchers and Members of Parliament, fostering greater understanding between the research community and policymakers.
The programme provides a gateway for MPs to Sweden’s research community and offers insight into the scientific process and current research, while researchers gain a better understanding of the political landscape. Participant feedback has been consistently positive.
All Members of Parliament are welcome to apply (see the link to Rifo’s website below). The participating researchers are selected from the Young Academy of Sweden.
Peter Søgaard Jørgensen and Camilla Hansén
Erik Smedler and Göran Hargestam
Sigrid Schottenius Cullhed and Jacob Risberg
Ruth Pöttgen and Jan Riise
Moa Lidén and Markus Kallifatides
Iva Lučić and Peter Ollén
Ragnhild Lunnan and Rashid Farivar
Pierre Nyquist och Susanne Nordström
Thanks to the network programme, I’ve gained a clearer sense of how we as researchers can, and should, engage with politicians and decision-makers. It’s also reminded me how important it is that we build bridges between our two worlds.
Sofia Lodén, professor in French at Stockholm University
Photo: Johanna Säll
The network programme is fantastic. Gaining a unique insight into how Parliament works has made me more precise when communicating research to decision-makers and given me new tools to promote evidence-based policy.
Andreas Nord, associate professor in biology at Lund University
Photo: Erik Thor/Young Academy of Sweden
The network programme offers a lot in a short time – and leaves plenty to reflect on long after it’s over. Political decision-making can sometimes feel quite orthogonal to our everyday life as researchers, but then suddenly you recognise a line of reasoning or an unexpected yet striking point of connection!
Stefan Engblom, professor in scientific computing at Uppsala University
Photo: Erik Thor/Young Academy of Sweden
It’s important that researchers understand the realities of politics, and that politicians understand the foundations of science. The network programme enables an exchange between Members of Parliament and researchers to strengthen mutual understanding.
Jessica Jewell, professor in technology and society at Chalmers University of Technology
Photo: Jesper Ahlin Marceta/Young Academy of Sweden
Rifo was a chance to suddenly see politics from the inside – but above all, it was a space where both we researchers and the politicians became people rather than processes, able to meet and start understanding one another.
Lisa Hellman, professor in global history at Lund University
Photo: Erik Thor/Young Academy of Sweden
The programme gave me a unique insight into how Parliament works, along with the chance to have many rewarding personal meetings and exchanges with politicians from all backgrounds.
Michael Schöll, professor in molecular medicine at University of Gothenburg
Photo: Erik Thor/Young Academy of Sweden
The Young Academy of Sweden takes part in the national research policy debate through opinion pieces, seminars and consultation responses. We want Sweden to remain an attractive place to do research. As a voice for researchers at the beginning or middle of their careers, we contribute the experiences and perspectives unique to a new generation of research leaders.
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