Kick-off at the Riksdag for this year’s round of the Rifo programme

The first day began with a guided tour of the Riksdag buildings. Our members were given both historical context and a hands-on glimpse into the everyday workings of the political machinery. After the tour, they joined the participating Members of Parliament for lunch, before each researcher spent the afternoon “shadowing” their political counterpart.

During the shadowing, the researchers accompanied their assigned MPs, gaining a concrete sense of the pace, decision-making and compromises that shape political life. The day ended with a vote in the Chamber, observed from the public gallery, followed by a shared dinner where the discussions continued in a more informal tone.

The second day was devoted to meetings with some of the Riksdag’s and Swedish politics’ key functions. We began with a visit to the Social Democratic Party office, where Lena Hallengren welcomed us together with Andrine Winther, Head of the Parliamentary Group Secretariat. The meeting offered a deeper understanding of how ideas are shaped, negotiated and ultimately turned into political positions – and how research-based knowledge can play a part in that process.

This was followed by a discussion with the Riksdag’s Research Service (RUT), where Christina Sundelöf Kellner, Head of Section, explained how the unit serves as an independent analytical resource for members and committees of parliament. Each year, RUT carries out thousands of assignments – from short fact summaries to extensive analyses of policy proposals. The meeting provided a clear picture of how expert knowledge is used in practice and how RUT helps ensure well-informed decisions in the Chamber.

The day continued with a visit to the Education Committee, where Annika Pontén, Secretary General, spoke about the committee’s work. The committee is responsible for issues concerning the entire education chain – from preschool to research – and plays a central role in preparing and following up on the parliament’s decisions in the area. Our members heard about how the committee works with research and future issues.

After an intense day, the programme concluded with the participants watching the parliamentary question time with the Prime Minister from the visitors’ gallery. The questions from the Members of Parliament and the answers from the government provided a clear illustration of the dynamics of politics – and the ongoing need for well-founded knowledge in societal debates.

This year’s kick-off offered both researchers and politicians new perspectives on each other’s work and day-to-day realities. For the Young Academy’s members, the days at the Riksdag mark the start of a new year of meetings, conversations and collaborations aimed at strengthening the ties between research and politics. In the next part of the programme, Members of Parliament will visit our members at their respective universities to gain insight into researchers’ everyday lives.

Photo, unless otherwise stated: The Young Academy of Sweden

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