How does biogas reach its market?

Technology and Social Change (TEMAT)

So much of our lives depend on technology. The development and use of technology creates possibilities as well as social, ethical and political dilemmas. That’s what we study at Tema T – Technology and Social Change.

Biogas Solutions Research Center

BSRC is a national competence center for biogas research administered by the LiU. It's base for the development of innovative and resource-efficient biogas solutions often with positive local and regional effects on the environment and the economy.

Study reveals where a data centre’s energy goes

Serverdrift och kylning står för 95 procent av energianvändningen i ett undersökt datacenterrum. En ny kartläggning visar vart energin tar vägen och kan hjälpa datacenter att hitta åtgärder som ger störst effekt.

From waste to education – honorary doctors want to change the world

Waste can reveal inequalities in society. Education can change a child’s future. The new honorary doctors work in completely different fields but are united by a desire to turn knowledge and commitment into concrete change.

Good guidelines alone are not enough to change healthcare

A new study shows how organisational factors, local conditions and continuous learning influence whether new ways of working take hold – and contribute to more equitable healthcare.

Plant cells to become building blocks in new materials

LiU researcher Eleni Stavrinidou receives SEK 26 million from KAW for a research project where strong and flexible materials will be grown from plant cells. The materials could be used in sustainable technologies in construction and textiles.

Tailor-made thin materials to remove PFAS from water

LiU researcher Johanna Rosén has received a project grant from the KAW of SEK 32 million over five years to find new low-dimensional materials that will be able to remove mainly PFAS. The project group will use AI to help find the materials.

Academic Celebrations and “Dining with honorary doctors”

What do six honorary doctors talk about over dinner? A new event lets the audience listen in on their conversations. As of this year, the conferment of honorary doctors has been moved from the spring to the autumn academic ceremony.

New professor of economics researches people’s life chance

Two identical job applications. One with an Arabic-sounding name. This experiment marked the start of Magnus Carlsson’s research on discrimination and people’s life chances. He is now a new professor of economics at Linköping University.

International visualization researchers join LiU as guest professors

As Peter Wallenberg Guest Professors in Visual Scientific Communication, Petra Isenberg and Tobias Isenberg have come to Norrköping to collaborate with LiU researchers and explore new ways of helping people understand complex data.

How AI changes human decision-making

AI can find patterns that people miss, but it does not automatically lead to better decisions. New research from Linköping University shows how the roles of humans and AI change depending on the situation and the decision being made.

She promotes AI for societal good in Europe

Helen Köpman, Alumna of the Year 2026, works at the European Commission’s AI Office in Brussels. For more than 20 years she has worked with research issues and innovation at EU level, where a living planet for future generations is her driving force.

Alumni of the Year create sustainable cities and the next generation of scientists

Helen Köpman works with AI models to create smart and sustainable cities in the EU. Jesper Svartz is a chemistry teacher with an exceptional ability to enthuse and spark curiosity in students. They are Alumni of the Year 2026 at Linköping University.

The chemistry teacher who loves experiments

As an upper secondary school teacher, Jesper Svartz is enthusiastic and highly organised. His students compete in chemistry at both national and international level.  He has now been named one of the Alumni of the Year 2026.

Lessons from a hospital under attack

Regular staff training exercises are crucial if a mass casualty plan is to work in a wartime situation. Focusing on staff safety in the plan itself and including details on communication are also important factors for success.

One billion for a new research foundation in Linköping

A newly established research foundation based in Linköping has decided to invest up to SEK 300 million in its first five years to support excellent medical research at LiU. The total donation to the foundation is SEK 1 billion.

The difficulty of introducing health-promoting digital tools in healthcare

Digital tools that promote health do not easily make their way into healthcare, even when shown to have a good effect. Now, two crucial factors have been identified: data management and governance on several levels in the organisation.

Solar panel recycling risks widening inequality

Recycling old solar panels can bring economic and climate benefits, but these may be unevenly distributed. A new study shows that regulations and incentives could determine who benefits.

Sweden’s fastest supercomputer strengthens European research

The Arrhenius Supercomputer at Linköping University is now inaugurated. Arrhenius strengthens LiU’s role in Swedish and European research infrastructure and is a resource for researchers in academia, industry and the public sector throughout Europe.

Investment in next-generation rural energy systems

Agtech Sweden at Linköping University, together with a number of partners, has been awarded SEK 11 million in EU funding for the new project “Energy-Resilient and Energy-Efficient Rural Enterprises”.

ERC funding for two LiU researchers for the energy solutions of the future

LiU researchers Nara Kim and Catherine Aitchison, both at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, have each been awarded an ERC Starting Grant worth approximately SEK 18 million over five years in a highly competitive process.

Level of education most strongly linked to survival after hip fracture

Level of education is the socio-economic factor most strongly associated with survival rates after acute hip surgery. This is shown in a LiU study of 58,000 people. The results can be used to identify patients who may need more support after surgery.

How do genocide and crimes against humanity arise?

Dehumanisation is a driving force behind some of history’s worst atrocities, according to Professor David Livingstone Smith. As Visiting Professor at LiU he will investigate when, how and why one human being comes to see another as less than human.

More women to lead the research of the future

Many women start on research careers in science and technology, yet far fewer go on to lead their own research groups. To support more women on the path to research leadership roles, Linköping University is launching the Women in Science initiative.

He exposed Macchiarini – and now becomes honorary doctor

The journalist who uncovered the Macchiarini scandal, a Kenyan elite runner who sets up schools in the slums and one of Canada’s most internationally recognised interdisciplinary researchers. These are some of the people awarded honorary doctorates.

Envy influences the way we vote

Envy plays a greater role when resources are allocated through majority voting than when we make decisions individually. This is shown by new research from Linköping University.

New visiting professor focuses on municipalities in times of crisis

Municipalities are cornerstones of Swedish society, but what happens if a crisis strikes? What legal scope do municipalities have to deal with serious incidents? These are some of the questions Johan Höök wants to explore as new visiting professor.

Teenage girls would rather listen to influencers than doctors

Influencer’s personal stories about mental illness meet a need among teenage girls that conventional healthcare does not fulfil. This is the conclusion of researchers at LiU in a study involving interviews with girls at upper secondary school.

Dysregulated immune cells cause silent inflammation after heart attack

People with narrowing of the coronary arteries have low-grade, uncontrolled inflammation in the body, even when symptom-free. The findings suggest that some immune cells drive a silent inflammation that may increase the risk of further heart attacks.

Participants in UN climate meetings want greater focus on implementation

UN climate negotiations are often criticised for moving too slowly. A new study published in Nature Climate Change examines what changes government delegates and other participants at the COP29 UN climate conference would like to see.

Eye problems after COVID-19 can now be explained

Mild COVID-19 can cause severe and long-lasting eye problems, according to a study from LiU. The study also explains why it has been difficult for sufferers to get help: the abnormal eye behaviour cannot be detected by standard methods.

When soil becomes data – how digitalisation affects knowledge of soil health

How do we know whether soil is healthy? A new study from Linköping University shows that as knowledge about soil is increasingly translated into digital data, important insights about its biological life and local context risk being overlooked.

LiU researchers push the boundaries of organic solar cells

Researchers at LiU have now demonstrated how organic solar cells can become more efficient than previously thought possible. The key is to extend the time that electrons in the material remain excited, which leads to improved performance.

Where nature conservation can make the greatest difference

Old oak trees and semi-natural grasslands are very important for many species that risk disappearing. Researchers at Linköping University present findings that can help nature conservation agencies take more precise action to save threatened species.

LiU world leader in football injury research

A new study mapping more than 120 years of research ranks LiU number one. It shows that LiU has published the most scientific works in the field and is among the world's most cited and influential research institutions.

How childhood liver tumor cells acquire different features

Researchers have discovered how the so called Wnt signaling pathway can result in tumor cells with different features within a single tumor. Their findings contribute to better classification of these tumors.

David Engblom wins award for his research on how our brains make us feel ill

David Engblom, Professor of Neurobiology, is awarded the 2026 Onkel Adam Prize for outstanding research at the Faculty of Medicine. He researches the role of the brain in making us feel ill in various medical conditions.

Biogenic carbon dioxide could become a key resource as biogas expands

During the production and upgrading of biogas, carbon dioxide is released, a greenhouse gas that affects the climate. However, research at Linköping University shows that this carbon dioxide has several uses and could become an important resource.

New center to strengthen Sweden in the quantum race

Six Swedish universities are joining forces to establish the Swedish Center for Quantum Technology, a national hub for research, innovation, education, and capacity building in quantum technology.

Moral economy perspectives through history

When a crisis arises, a humanitarian urge to help others is often awakened. But what happens when emotions rule and knowledge is lacking? Norbert Götz, professor of modern history, has researched the conditions of humanitarian aid.

LiU professor to become the Swedish Research Council’s new Secretary General

Ulrika Ådén  has been appointed the Swedish Research Council’s new Secretary General for Medicine and Health. In her new role, she aims to promote international collaboration and contribute to greater impact of research in society.

Scientists mimic heart muscle cells with conductive plastic

For the first time, scientists have succeeded in artificially mimicking the ion signalling of heart muscle cells. To succeed, researchers at LiU have used organic electronics. The findings open up for new types of implants and sensors.

Lubunca – a powerful language of hidden words

What can a hidden language tell us about freedom, identity and survival? By studying Lubunca, Burak Alp Çakar explores the emancipatory power of words and how they can empower, protect and keep communities alive.

SEK 6 million grant for LiU research on air pollution

Joyanto Routh has been awarded nearly SEK 6 million from Formas for research on air pollution, health risks and climate‑adapted solutions in Sweden and India.

Anyone can land on the moon with a new immersive film

The film Once Upon the Moon allows the audience to experience the moon landings as if they were there themselves. Authentic footage, astronauts’ own stories and the latest visualisation technology make this possible.

LEAD appointed as Swedish accelerator for NATO DIANA

LEAD, an innovation incubator based in Östergötland, has been appointed Swedish accelerator for NATO DIANA – NATO’s innovation programme for the development of new technologies with both civilian and military applications.

LiU educates elected representatives on AI and societal impact

LiU is launching a learning platform that gathers research-based knowledge about the impact of artificial intelligence and digitalisation on our democracy. The aim is to equip politicians for a new reality where AI is an integral part of society.

Linköping University launches excellence centre for analytical sociology

Linköping University has launched a new Excellence Centre in Analytical Sociology. The initiative will strengthen theory-driven research, international collaboration and long-term development in one of LiU’s internationally leading research fields.

Butterfly researcher receives Sweden’s largest teacher award

At the age of six, he began to collect butterflies. In primary school, he knew he wanted to be a butterfly researcher. Karl-Olof Bergman brings students and problems into nature. He is now rewarded with Sweden’s largest teacher award.

Hard rock of the year with a touch of LiU voices

The choirs of Linköping University have achieved a new musical milestone. At the 2026 Grammis Awards, Ghost was named Best Hard Rock/Metal – where the contribution from LiU’s choirs on the latest album has now been highlighted as part of the success.

Jeanne Cilliers is LiU’s Professor of Economic History

"Almost everything we experience today has historical parallels," says Jeanne Cilliers, new professor of economic history at LiU. She is interested in demographic processes such as marriage, fertility and mortality.

Digital twin could reveal alcohol consumption in crime cases

Using a digital twin, it is possible to predict with greater precision than at present how much alcohol a person has consumed and at what time. The study was conducted by researchers at LiU and the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine.

New fuels may have an impact on the entire transport system

People, relationships and organisational culture can be decisive when new biofuels are introduced to the market. Switching to biogas affects entire networks of actors that are involved in freight transport in different ways.

“We need to demystify the scientist”

Henrik Pedersen researches the chemistry behind our modern society. With a strong passion for science communication, he is happy to leave his lab to meet both primary school students and TV viewers and explain difficult-to-grasp processes.

Medical scientists apply the strictest ethics – at least in theory

Medical scientists are stricter while natural, social and humanities scientists are more permissive. The attitude to ethically problematic ways of conducting research differs clearly between disciplines, according to a study from LiU.

Markus Heilig doesn’t mind being proven wrong

A storyteller with a passion for popular education. Head of one of LiU’s strongest research environments. And a physician. Markus Heilig researches the biology of the brain in addiction, and always considers the whole person.

Playing with your dog creates a stronger bond

Playing a little extra with your dog improves the emotional bond between owner and dog, according to a study from LiU. However, training did not give the same results. The study is relevant for all dog owners, whether they have young or adult dogs.

Duty and gratitude behind academic diligence

A sense of gratitude towards parents for their sacrifices, and a desire to succeed and give something back. These are powerful drivers in studies of high-achieving young people with a migration background, according to a study from LiU.

Future visions for sustainable food consumption

The food we eat drains our planet and takes a toll on human health, which is why we have to change what we put on our plates. But for the individual consumer, eating sustainably is not that easy. This transition requires changes at several levels.

New knowledge about mobile proteins linked to childhood cancer

Researchers at LiU show how two important cancer-related proteins can be prevented from collaborating with each other. The discovery shows the way towards future medications to combat e.g. neuroblastoma in children.

Solar cells from LiU soon in living rooms around the world

In the new remote control for Google TV, batteries have been replaced by printed organic solar cells powered by indoor lighting. The solar cells were developed through research at Linköping University and brought to market by the spin-out Epishine.

Ecosystem resilience in focus for LiU-led network

How can we measure ecosystems’ ability to withstand change and use that knowledge in practice? This is one of the core issues for a new EU-funded doctoral student network coordinated by Linköping University.

New centre for research on drone swarms

Linköping University will host a new research centre that, in collaboration with Lund University and Örebro University, will develop technologies for autonomous swarms of drones.

Miriah Meyer: “I’m a fangirl of theory”

What is data? How is it created? What does it consist of? These are theoretical questions that interest Professor Miriah Meyer. As AI development accelerates, she also wants to contribute practical knowledge that enables us to shape a better future.

The supercomputer – a pillar of research

Sometimes there is a before and an after. Such as the mobile phone that changed our lives. Or supercomputers that help scientists in their everyday lives. Calculations that were impossible before are now being done around the clock.

The making of future security experts

The cybersecurity lab on Campus Valla is a specially designed environment where students can practise ethical hacking as well as protection against attackers.

Space psychologist – no room for delay

He began studying for a master’s degree in engineering but dropped out. Then he enrolled on the psychology programme. Yet something still felt wrong. Now he is studying both at the same time and feels he has finally found his place.

The battle for power – who has the right to our electricity?

Wind farms rising like the Eiffel Tower, data centres consuming as much power as entire regions and municipalities feeling like pawns in a global game. The large-scale investments  are creating conflict:  who has priority access to our electricity?

New AI partnership strengthens the region

The AI Academy Partnership Program at Linköping University will support companies and organisations in developing the skills needed to use AI effectively. The first partner in this new form of collaboration is Länsförsäkringar Östgöta.

Molecular medicine research secures long-term funding

The Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM) at LiU has been granted extended funding until 2039 by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. This makes it possible to build on ten years of success and to recruit new physician-scientists.

From painter to PhD student

Family life came early for PhD student Petter Alsén. Shortly after finishing upper secondary school, he became a father, and he began working as an apprentice painter in the construction industry. Nine years later, he called his boss.

Asteroid named after Anders Ynnerman for his contributions to space

LiU professor Anders Ynnerman is one of ten Swedes to have had an asteroid named after them. His visualisation research takes us out into space through the software OpenSpace, which opens up the entire known universe to the public.

Parents' housing choices can sustain segregation across generations

Where parents live influences housing choices and segregation for their adult children. This is shown by new research from Linköping University. Early decisions about housing and municipal services can affect long-term patterns of segregation.

Training educators requires research

Teachers face challenges when it comes to sparking students’ curiosity and getting them to understand science and technology. This is something the Graduate School FontD has addressed over the past two decades.

Existing medication can restore HIV-affected immune cells

HIV exhausts the body’s immune system by overactivating it, despite effective antiviral treatment. Researchers from Linköping University have conducted cell studies showing that an existing medication restores immune cell function.

Sensors could be new witnesses in criminal investigations

Sensors in connected buildings record temperatures, movement and air quality to regulate indoor environments. However, the same data can also help reconstruct what has happened at a crime scene.

Lawyer Johan Höök appointed guest professor in Moa Martinson’s name

The Centre for Municipal Strategic Studies will be strengthened with expertise in municipal law and legislative work. From autumn 2026, Johan Höök will serve as a guest professor for two years, contributing expertise from his professional work.

Qubits created using unexpected materials

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that the properties of the perovskite family of materials can be used to create so-called quantum bits. The findings pave the way for more affordable materials in future quantum computers.

Three more years as Vice-Chancellor

The Government has announced that Jan-Ingvar Jönsson has been reappointed as Vice-Chancellor of Linköping University for a further three years, until 30 June 2029.

David Livingstone Smith will be guest professor at LiU

David Livingstone Smith is a professor of philosophy, he focuses on dehumanisation, race and genocide. He regards the guest professorship in the name of Tage Danielsson as a great honour and a respite from a strained academic climate in the US.

Brave Magnus has no beard

With hard rock as a constant companion, Professor Magnus Dahlstedt goes his own way in academia. He wants research to be shared, understood and used – knowledge has no value if not disseminated.

New insights aided recovery from persistent fatigue

Researchers have identified common steps and turning points in stories of patients who have recovered from diagnoses characterised by persistent fatigue. The findings can contribute to new ways of understanding and rehabilitating these conditions.

Increased risk of bullying in open-plan offices

Open-plan offices entail a clearly increased risk of workplace bullying compared with employees having their own office or sharing with just a few colleagues. This is shown in research from Linköping University.

Prestigious chemistry award to Simone Fabiano

This year’s Göran Gustafsson Prize in Chemistry is awarded to LiU Professor Simone Fabiano. His research focuses on organic semiconductors and how so‑called doping can improve conductivity and yield new properties.

AI provides a more precise time of death

Artificial intelligence can be used to provide a more precise time of death, which can be crucial in e.g. murder investigations. The AI model is trained on so-called metabolites in thousands of blood samples from real deaths.

AI-boosted electronic nose detects ovarian cancer

Using machine learning, an electronic nose can “smell” early signs of ovarian cancer in the blood. The method is precise and, according to the LiU researchers behind the study, it could eventually be used to find many different cancers.

Treatment can protect extremely premature babies from lung disease

Early hydrocortisone treatment of extremely premature babies increases their chances of survival without lung disease, according to a study led by LiU. The study also shows that the treatment is safe to give.

The war in Ukraine has serious effects on children’s health

Children’s access to healthcare in Ukraine has seen a sharp decline since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. A Swedish study shows how children’s physical, mental and social health is being seriously affected by the war.

No association between COVID-vaccine and decrease in childbirth

COVID-19 vaccination is not the cause behind a decrease in childbirth, according to a study from Linköping University. The results speak against rumours about vaccination and reduced fertility.

Ukrainian researchers and students visited LiU

Ukrainian society must continue to function during the war. Other European countries can contribute. LiU is part in the Swedish-Ukrainian project STREAM-U and recently welcomed a group of researchers, public officials and students.

AI and simulation lab equips teachers

Teachers and students are given tools to use AI wisely in education. In simulations with avatars, they practise dealing with teaching challenges. This and much more is going on in the AIST Lab, a new interdisciplinary initiative at LiU.

Foundations for type 1 diabetes may already be laid during pregnancy

Researchers have identified a protein pattern that, already at birth, looks markedly different in those who later go on to develop type 1 diabetes. The findings show that a combination of several factors during pregnancy affects disease risk.

Cutting‑edge IT and mobile communications research grows

Efficient 6G, advanced robotics and human-machine interaction are some of the themes of the 25 new research projects that have been awarded funding within the ELLIIT initiative. The projects share a total of SEK 255 million over five years.

Higher costs for green hydrogen transport in the Nordics

Green hydrogen produced using solar and wind power would be cheaper to produce at more southerly latitudes than in the Nordic region. This is shown in a study from Linköping University.

Customer confidence is crucial to how new technology is received

As customers, we can become both satisfied and more interested when a company offers digital, innovative services, such as an AI-based solution. At the same time, this can make us reject those services.

American poets society

Literary scholar Elin Käck is probably the only person who has done her work experience programme with a poet. She enjoys spending her summers in various archives and has recently presented her research on American poets’ travels in Europe.

Political polarisation blocks more sustainable transport

Trains and planes have become part of our polarised social climate and one is often set against the other. This political gridlock hinders progress towards a more sustainable transport system. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis at LiU.

Digital services can increase exclusion

When public agencies introduce digital services, one goal is to improve accessibility for citizens. But for residents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, this may create new barriers to integration. This is shown in a doctoral thesis from LiU.

Electric motors are transforming hydraulics

Electrifying hydraulics on, for example, an excavator can significantly improve efficiency. However, it requires major technical changes. Electric machines have different characteristics compared to combustion engines.

Tomorrow’s urban planners solve real challenges

Students on master’s programme in Strategic Urban and Regional Planning do more than study how cities develop. They step straight into reality. By working on real cases in Norrköping, their ideas could help shape the city’s future.

Roadmap to strengthen LiU:s role in Europe

LiU is increasing international presence by launching the Roadmap to Europe initiative. The aim is to deepen the university’s collaboration within Europe so as to strengthen education, research and collaboration with various stakeholders.