In September 2022, we engaged with these challenges as CMHB arranged its second Scientific Salon, on the topic “After the Pandemic: Unexpected collaborations, innovations and insights”. Focusing specifically on unexpected collaborations, insights and innovations the panelists participating also gave examples of promising interdisciplinary collaborations and how they can be facilitated.
Presenting their views in the panel were Mathilda Björk, professor, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV), LiU; Krister Björkegren, CEO, Region Östergötland; Iréne Nilsson Carlsson, Senior Public Health Adviser, National Board of Health and Welfare; and Kristin Zeiler, professor, Department of Thematic Studies and the Centre for Medical Humanities and Bioethics, LiU.
Central to these events are in-depth dialogues, as they invite actors from different fields to bring perspectives to a creative, reflexive and critical discussion on a shared topic of interest. In an age that seeks rapid answers, the scientific salon offers the opportunity to reflect on serious questions, from several perspectives. In the round table discussions that followed, panellists and the invited guests – from regional and national levels working in healthcare and social care, both within and outside academia – discussed things we have learned and that have become possible despite, and sometimes due to, the pandemic.