RELATE – Research Centre for Return to Work in Later Life

RELATE is an interdisciplinary research centre at Linköping University that develops new knowledge and innovative solutions for sustainable working lives in an ageing population.

The centre brings together LiU’s expertise in medicine, social sciences, behavioural sciences and engineering, and operates on three levels: individual, workplace and policy.

Through clinical and organisational innovation labs, digital tools, AI-supported risk detection systems, and co-created interventions, RELATE develops and evaluates strategies that

  • improve return-to-work outcomes
  • reduce sickness absence, and
  • extend the possibility of sustainable employment beyond the age of 55.

Collaboration

Research is conducted in close collaboration with Region Östergötland, Norrköping Science Park, the Coordination Association (Samordningsförbundet), the Swedish Disability Rights Federation Östergötland (Funktionsrätt Östergötland), employers, public authorities, international research environments and others. RELATE thus constitutes a unique hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and policy development.

The centre activities are organised through three Impact Domains and three supporting units: RELATE Academy, RELATE Research Hub and RELATE Activity Centre, which together strengthen research quality, data management, education and implementation in real-world settings

LiU a leading actor

The centre is located at Campus Norrköping, in line with the Campus Norrköping 2040 vision, and contributes to profiling Linköping University as a leading actor in research on sustainable working life, digital health and societal challenges.

Facts

  • Funder: Forte (the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare)
  • Project period: December 2025 to December 2035.
  • Budget: SEK 83 million over ten years, with an evaluation after six years.
  • Partners: Region Östergötland, Funktionsrätt Östergötland, Norrköping Science Park and Samordningsförbundet Centrala Östergötland, among others.

Why RELATE?

Health Strain

Sickness absence increases markedly after 55, largely driven by mental health and conditions and pain.

Retention Gap

Employers lack strategies to retain older workers, despite labour shortages and strong employee motivation to continue working.

System Gaps

Fragmented return-to-work systems prolong absence and leave individuals without coordinated support. 

Ongoing at RELATE

Contact us

Research project at RELATE

Interdisciplinary organisation

Research at LiU