Lectures

The Impact of Forests on Our Health

Speaker: Victor Görnasson
Time: 10:00–10:45
Location: Outside SLU, Skogsmarksgränd 17 (main entrance)
Language: English

An outdoor lecture in the form of a walk through the “Forest of the Future” – an excursion through the forest area in front of SLU, focusing on the benefits and opportunities of urban-adjacent forests in relation to human health. The walk is approximately 2 km and takes about 45 minutes. Dress according to the weather – the walk will take place regardless of weather conditions.

The lecture can advantageously be combined with the activity Try forest bathing at 11:00.

Victor Görnasson at SLU Umeå researches how forest planning can better take into account the social values of forests. His research focuses on how different people experience different types of forests, and how forest management and conservation measures can influence these experiences. His work explores both which forest environments are perceived as aesthetically appealing and which are suitable for recreation and staying in – which are not always the same type of forest.

Train Your Brain!

Speaker: Carl-Johan Boraxbekk
Time: 11:30–12:10
Location: Aula Nordica
Language: Swedish

Can physical exercise do more than strengthen the body—can it also affect the brain? In this lecture, you will learn about current research on how physical activity is linked to brain plasticity and our capacity for learning throughout life.

Carl-Johan Boraxbekk, Professor of Neurology at the University of Copenhagen, conducts research on the brain’s ability to change and how it is influenced by factors such as exercise. He provides an introduction to how physical activity can contribute to cognitive health and lifelong learning.

You Choose Who You Want to Become

Speaker: Danijela Rundqvist
Time: 12:15–13:00
Location: Aula Nordica
Language: Swedish

Danijela Rundqvist is one of Sweden’s most accomplished ice hockey players, with several Olympic and World Championship medals to her name. During the lecture, she shares experiences and lessons from her successful career—both the highs and the challenges that have shaped her along the way.

She talks about how to set and achieve goals, handle challenges, and build mental strength to perform when it matters most. Danijela will also highlight the importance of physical activity for our health and well-being, and how movement can contribute to increased energy, better recovery, and a stronger everyday life. As an elite athlete, she also understands how crucial sleep and recovery are for both performance and quality of life, and she shares practical tips and tools that everyone can benefit from.

After the lecture, you will have the opportunity to ask your own questions and gain further insight into Danijela’s personal experiences, reflections, and advice.

From Jungle to the World Elite – A Champion’s Journey in Adventure Racing

Speaker: Erik Jonsson
Time: 14:00–16:00
Location: Luxemburg, IKSU Sport
Language: Swedish

Join a journey where both physical and mental abilities are pushed to their absolute limits. The lecture explores strategies for managing pressure, the importance of putting the team before the individual, and the value of humility—along with how to keep going through tough challenges in extreme environments. From jungles filled with spiders and insects in South America, to encounters with bears and pumas in Canada, and onward to heat and high waves in Croatia and thorny rose bushes in Spain.

Erik Jonsson is a world champion in Adventure Racing.

Lecture and Workshop on Mushrooms

Speaker: Jon Granbom
Time: 15:00–16:00
Location: The School of Sport Sciences office
Language: Swedish

Welcome to an inspiring lecture and Q&A session with mushroom expert Jon Granbom! Over approximately 45 minutes, you will get an introduction to the fascinating world of fungi, with a particular focus on how to identify common mushrooms—both edible, poisonous, and look-alike species.

The lecture will also cover the basics of mushroom cultivation and how mushrooms can be used in cooking. Afterwards, there will be time for questions and discussion.

Digital Study and Work Environment – Tips for a More Brain-Friendly Everyday Life

Speaker: Åsa Miemos
Time: 09:00–10:00
Link: Teams
Language: Swedish

Does your brain sometimes feel like a browser with too many open tabs? In a world of constant notifications, digital meetings, and an endless flow of information, it’s easy to feel scattered and mentally exhausted. The increased cognitive load has become one of the greatest challenges of our time. We are expected to be constantly connected, available, and able to manage a near-continuous stream of information—something that drains our most important resource: our mental energy.

But there are proven and effective strategies to regain control. Welcome to a lecture that provides both inspiration and practical tools for a more brain-friendly and healthy study and work environment. We explore how digital life affects us at a deeper level and share practical tips to reduce stress, improve focus, and create a sustainable long-term balance. Learn to work with your brain’s conditions—not against them.

The lecture is given by Åsa Miemos, Health Developer at Falck Occupational Health Service

Stronger Self-Esteem – How to Manage Self-Criticism and Feelings of Inadequacy

Speakers: Malin Jonsson and Joakim Abrahamsson
Time: 10:00–11:00
Link:
Language: Swedish

How can you feel well and find meaning in a time marked by stress, demands, and constant comparisons? This lecture provides practical tools to strengthen self-esteem, build healthy relationships, and create space for recovery.

The speakers are Malin Jonsson and Joakim Abrahamsson, psychologists at the Student Health Service.

The lecture is held in Swedish and is aimed at students.