Innovative from the start
The Department of Thematic Studies (Tema) was established in 1980 and represented a new and untested venture in the Swedish research world. The department's framework revolves around interdisciplinary problem areas, or themes, where researchers collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to collectively address complex challenges. While the foundational structure remains intact, our themes have evolved over time to remain socially relevant. Tema also led the way in Sweden to establish research schools for doctoral students, one for each theme, and this successful model has since become a feature of Swedish graduate training.
Interdisciplinarity is more crucial than ever
In an increasingly complicated world, the interdisciplinary approach is essential to understand and address the major societal issues. At the Department of Thematic Studies, natural science, social science, technology and the humanities meet in the common aim to increase understanding for and find solutions to important future questions. Students at Tema are trained to find alternative questions and transnational perspectives.