2024 – A successful year of grant applications for geography

A Forward-Thinking Research Environment

With this level of funding, the department is looking ahead to 2025, when its total research budget is expected to reach 52.8 million SEK. 
Associate Head of the Department for Research, Professor Rikard Eriksson, sees this as an opportunity further to strengthen the department's contribution to societal development:

"The success in securing this funding demonstrates that we are not only leaders in our field but that we also make a real difference in practice. This is a powerful combination that strengthens both northern Sweden and our position on the international stage."

The success in securing this funding demonstrates that we are not only leaders in our field but that we also make a real difference in practice

With 25 active projects, the department’s research spans an impressive breadth, from migration and labour market analysis to climate adaptation and digital transformation. By staying at the forefront of these fields, the department not only offers new perspectives on complex societal challenges but also provides solutions with tangible impact.

Funding Reflects Quality and Breadth

Attracting substantial research funding is a feat that speaks to both scientific excellence and the department’s strategic work. Head of Department Emma Lundholm sees the funding as a crucial step forward:

"Securing this level of funding demonstrates that we conduct research of the highest quality and address deeply relevant societal issues. It strengthens our position as a key player in geographic research and education."

The new funding allows researchers to delve deeper into issues affecting both local and global societal processes. The department’s strong research environment thus creates a dynamic platform for new knowledge and innovation. 

Securing this level of funding demonstrates that we conduct research of the highest quality and address deeply relevant societal issues

This funding not only enables high-quality research but also ensures that the results have real significance for societal development. At the same time, research funding is just one part of the equation. The true value lies in how this funding is used to tackle societal challenges through innovative solutions.

Geography as a Force for Societal Benefit

The department’s research covers several areas, many of which are at the heart of today’s societal challenges. These include questions about how climate change affects social structures, how digitalisation transforms the labour market, and how migration and urbanisation create both opportunities and challenges. By addressing these issues, researchers contribute to concrete solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future. 

As the project leader for two of the awarded projects, Professor Dieter Müller highlights the societal relevance of the research: 

"Our projects provide a deeper understanding of how geographic processes impact individuals and entire societies. It’s about offering new knowledge that is relevant to societal development and can be applied in practice."

A clear example of this societal relevance is found in projects focused on climate adaptation and regional development, where research actively contributes to strengthening sustainable structures in northern Sweden and beyond. Through these research efforts, the department demonstrates that geographic research is not only academically significant but also a practical asset in building a sustainable future.

Geographic Research for the Greater Good

With this funding, Umeå University showcases how research can be innovative, practical, and beneficial to society. The new projects, detailed in the fact box below, are clear examples of how researchers are working to shape a sustainable future by combining theoretical depth with practical initiatives.