A Resource-Effective Food Sector in Sweden

Global food production today accounts for a significant percentage of human impact on the environment, the climate and the planet’s natural resources. The Food subproject, which is part of IVA’s project Resource Effectiveness and the Circular Economy, therefore wants to help find ways to reduce the amount of food that is lost or goes to waste.

Resource effectiveness through shared space in Sweden

Sharing space and existing offices is necessary in a sustainable society. A sector report from the IVA project Resource Effectiveness and the Circular Economy (ReCE).

Attractive Living Environments and Flows – Eight themes in planning good cities of the future

The Attractive Living Environments and Flows subproject has a people-centric focus and has aimed to define important themes to find ways to face the challenges identified domestically and internationally in, for example, the UN’s Global Sustainability Goals.

Challenges of extracting rare earth elements

Just after New Year, LKAB announced that it has made the largest rare earth discovery in Europe to date. The elements are vital for building batteries, wind turbines and other technology that can enable a rapid transition to a fossil-free society. However, extracting the in-demand elements comes with some major challenges that need to be resolved, according to Jenny Greberg, Vice President Technology at LKAB and a Fellow of IVA.

IVA Business Executives Council| Summer Session 2026

Report: Advanced manufacturing

Every lorry that rolls out of Gothenburg. Every fighter aircraft that takes off from Linköping. Every industrial robot assembled in Västerås. Advanced manufacturing is today one of Sweden’s most important assets – a world-class sector that employs hundreds of thousands of people and accounts for a significant share of Sweden’s export revenues. But international competition is intensifying. A new report from Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences shows what Sweden needs to do to maintain its lead in an increasingly competitive world.

Hans Werthén Foundation

Each year, the Hans Werthén Foundation awards a number of scholarships for one year of scientific work at the postdoctoral or doctoral level, MBA or LL.M. studies in a qualified international environment. Next application period: January 8-March 7, 2027.

IVA’s memorial tributes

Each year the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) produces a booklet commemorating a person whose scientific, engineering, economic or industrial achievements were of significant benefit to the society of his or her day.

Global Outlook: Asia #5

A university student in China today might find himself or herself taking a “golden course” that blends practical and academic training. The student earns degree credit while gaining direct exposure to industry. The course might even be sponsored by Alibaba, the online retail giant, or another large firm.

Global Outlook: Asia #4

In subverting the choice between accommodating the global AI industry and building AI independence, South Korea offers examples of creative possibilities in technology policy.

IVA's President: some thoughts on dual use

Europe is ramping up its defense investments. This is, of course, a response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the radically altered geopolitical stance of the White House. Europe can no longer rely on the United States to guarantee its security.

Sweden a potential front-runner in AI

AI is fundamentally transforming how we work, produce and create value. However, while the technology is advancing at an exponential pace, changes in productivity and societal structures are occurring much more slowly. In this shift, Stanford professor Erik Brynjolfsson sees Sweden as a potential front-runner.

IVA's President: some thoughts on the new, long-term EU budget

IVA’s President Sylvia Schwaag Serger reflects on the European Commission’s EUR 2 trillion budget proposal for 2028-2034 and its priorities in security, competitiveness, and innovation, as well as Sweden’s strength in rapid technology adoption.

IVA's President: some thoughts on international perspectives

In the mid-1940s, Edy Velander, IVA’s legendary President, initiated global monitoring of technical  developments. Velander appointed a “liaison officer” in New York tasked with spotting trends and reporting back on technological progress and innovation. The world’s first “technology attaché” had been introduced. 

IVA’s 100 List 2024: Sweden’s Most Promising Research Projects

A simple hair test for early cancer detection, a healthy sugar substitute, and a rapid test for tuberculosis. These are some of the research projects selected for this year’s 100 List, focusing on innovation through interdisciplinary research, compiled by IVA. All research projects are considered to have great potential to benefit society.

Third Swede in space important door opener

IVA member Anna Rathsman is present when Marcus Wandt takes off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday to become Sweden's third astronaut in space. In her role as Director General of the Swedish National Space Agency, Anna Rathsman has been the spider in the web to make everything work. The mission could be a door opener for tomorrow's engineers and space researchers.

IVA gets a boost with 40 new Fellows – here is the list

A further 40 prominent researchers and experts from the business and public sector were today elected as new Fellows of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA). They all possess leading expertise in the fields of technology, economics and business.

Anne L'Huillier, Gerteric Lindquist, Bo Normark and Xiaodong Zou are awarded IVA's Gold Medals 2024

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) awards this year's gold medals to Anne L'Huillier, Gerteric Lindquist, Bo Normark and Xiaodong Zou. They receive the award for their outstanding contributions to technology, economics, business and society. IVA's Gold Medal has been awarded since 1921.

She is set to transform the world’s oldest academy of engineering sciences

Today, Newspaper Dagens Industri publishes an interview with IVA's incoming CEO, Sylvia Schwaag Serger. Here you can read an excerpt from the interview about driving forces, choices and visions.

IVA Gold Medal 2024: Xiaodong Zou

Xiaodong Zou is a chemist who fell in love with electron microscopes and who has succeeded in developing completely new methods for creating 3D images of atomic structures in porous materials.