Uppsala University Magazine 2021 by Uppsala universitet

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R E S E A RC H : TOWA R D S A F O S S I L- F R E E F U T U R E

E N V I RO N M E N T: S AV I N G T H E B A LT I C S E A C O D

TR ADITIONS: PHD CEREMONY ONLINE

Anders Hagfeldt, Rector of Uppsala University, in his inaugural address, December 2020

PHOTO: MIKAEL WALLERSTEDT

For me, a university is a place where higher education and open international research meet and enrich one another. Here there is a tradition of learning combined with an indomitable drive to seek and develop new knowledge.”

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CONTENTS

6 Hello there… Sofia Näsström: “The greatest threat to democracy is resignation” 8 Designing tomorrow’s human spare parts 10 Large bolide falls from the sky 11 All known runic inscriptions have now been digitised 12 The portrait: Tove Fall is surveying diseases with new technology 16 Hello there... Peter Wallensteen: “We have made peace a researchable subject” 18 Saving the Baltic Sea cod

Fossil-free future 22 Towards a fossil-free future 28 “Getting people on board is crucial”

Alzheimer’s disease 30 PET joins the fight against Alzheimer’s disease

Mental health 34 The uneven impact of the pandemic on mental health

University life 40 Student life, but not as we know it 42 Jenny Larsson, alumnus of the year 44 A ceremony of its time 47 The image: Alfred Nobel's chemicals

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PHOTO: DAVID NAYLOR

INTRO

The wide-ranging – and fleet-footed – University

ur University is constantly changing. Every day brings new insights and new perspectives on old problems; as you read this, somewhere within our great University new knowledge is being created. This issue of the Uppsala University Magazine offers you, the reader, an insight into just a fraction of the many things currently happening at the University. The intention is to offer you a sense of what is going on right now and, hopefully, provide you with new knowledge about some of the research being conducted within our organisation. YOU WILL ALSO gain an insight into just how quickly a university such

as ours can refocus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been crying out for new knowledge and, without hesitation, Uppsala University’s researchers were quickly on the ball. Perspectives have been many, just as they must be. One major advantage of the breadth of our institution is that, together, we can tackle challenges from all directions. We have the ability to take a holistic view of the pandemic and the problems it brings – from medical, social, economic, historical, psychological and many other perspectives. This is reason enough to be proud. That we can do all of this to the very highest scientific standards is almost cause for blowing our own trumpet. This magazine does indeed show what we are proud of; but at the same time, it tells a story about who we are and who we want to be. As I said, Uppsala University is constantly changing. At the very moment we define ourselves, our thinking moves on. That is what a university is all about, that is what has attracted students and researchers throughout our history: humility in the face of the new, respect for the old and a sincere wish to contribute to the future. Happy reading!

PHOTO: MIKAEL WALLERSTEDT

R E C TO R A N D E R S H AG F E L DT

Strange times ■ We

are moving towards a fossil-free future – but why so slowly? According to Mikael Karlsson, the explanations are many. As a researcher in climate leadership, however, he also sees the green shoots of change. One turning point was the Paris Agreement, which entered into force in 2016. Finally, the countries of the world were able to reach a consensus. Many people have suffered during the coronavirus pandemic, not least hospital workers caring for the most seriously ill COVID-19 patients. They have worked long hours and experienced a sense of powerlessness as they witnessed many more patients than usual die in difficult circumstances. However, according to Professor of Psychology Emily Holmes, help is at hand. There are a number of studies underway at Uppsala University examining mental health during the pandemic and we offer some examples. “We can’t suppress this infection without keeping track of it.” So says Tove Fall, Professor of Epidemiology and leader of two major projects studying COVID-19 and how the infection spreads. The researchers have collaborated closely with Region Uppsala to monitor the spread of infection in real time and to evaluate initiatives to reach the entire population with testing and vaccines. Also in this issue, you can read about how students have fared during this very different academic year, with fewer personal contacts than usual and distance learning, but also more pleasant diversions such as walks in the forest and digital balls. We have also interviewed Martin Mickelsson, one of those who had his doctorate conferred remotely. Fittingly attired in suit and cravat, Martin watched the ceremony at home on a big screen with friends and family gathered in a Zoom room. Different, yet still festive. / A N N I C A H U LT H , E D I TO R

Curious about Uppsala University? Would you like t o le ar n more abou t our re se arc h , e d uc at ion , innov at ion and uni ve r si t y li fe in ge ne r al? U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y M a g a zine is one w ay t o ke e p u p t o d at e . H e re are a few ot he r s .

Uppsala University Newsletter (9 issues per year) ■ Our

emailed newsletter will give you a flavour of the latest on the research front, education and student projects, new discoveries and innovations, collaborative projects, lectures and cultural events at Uppsala University. uu.se/newslet ter

Research podcast

(10 episodes per year) ■ Forskarpodden,

On the cover: Tove Fall, Professor of Molecular Epidemiology. PHOTO: Mikael Wallerstedt

presents the research, innovation, people and university life at the oldest higher education institution in the Nordic region. The magazine is published annually in Swedish and English. Order the magazine free of charge or download it as a PDF from: uu.se/uumagazine

Address: Communications Division Uppsala University Box 256, 751 05 Uppsala Editor: Annica Hulth annica.hulth@uadm.uu.se Editorial staff: Anders Berndt, Anneli Björkman, Linda Koffmar, Anna Malmberg, Åsa Malmberg. English language editor: Timothy Chamberlain Responsible publisher: Anneli Waara

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Art Direction: Daniel Hansson, Zellout Cover photo: Mikael Wallerstedt Printed: Kph

our research podcast, brings you discussions of the latest exciting and important research being conducted at the University. We meet Uppsala University researchers to talk about their work. What does their research deal with? And how will it contribute to providing new insights and solving societal problems? Available from wherever you usually get your podcasts, including Podbean, iTunes and Spotify. uu.se/forskarpodden

Follow us on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/uppsala.university Twitter: twitter.com/UU_University Instagram: instagram.com/uppsalauniversity Youtube: youtube.com/user/ Uppsalauniversitet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uppsalauniversity

H E LLO TH E RE

THE GREATEST THREAT TO DEMOCRACY IS RESIGNATION” Profe s sor S of i a N ä s s t röm , De p ar t me nt of G ove r nme nt , au t hor of t he re ce nt l y pub lishe d b ook “ De mok r at i: E n li t e n bok om e n s t or s ak ” [De mocr ac y : A L i t t le B ook abou t a B ig Thing ].

Why did you write this book? “While I’m sure that most of us know what democracy is, we have somehow lost the thread. A lot has happened in a short period of time: we have seen EU migrants begging on the street, populist parties entering parliament, we have lived through a pandemic that shut down society and, in the United States, we have seen a president make a serious coup attempt against the country’s democracy. So, we ask ourselves: can democracy handle the pressure? My thought was that we could use an easy-to-read book that asks 10 simple questions about democracy.” Who is the book aimed at? “It’s aimed at an interested general public. The book is also aimed at university students and can be used by lecturers in teaching. It will also be published as an audiobook.” So, how is democracy doing in the world today? “It’s in a pretty bad state. That is readily apparent, not least from large studies that demonstrate a decline in the number of countries deemed to be democracies. We also see the dismantling of stable democracies such as Hungary and Poland, where elections are still a fixture – which is to say, people go out and vote – but the government harasses the opposition and undermines the free press and courts.” What are the most serious threats facing democracy? “Many people would say populism or xenophobia but, no. In fact, it’s actually resignation: that as citizens we feel that we lack the ability to bring about change. We speak about threats, but we must always defend democracy. Democracy implies the freedom to start again. That’s what democracy is all about and what we actually do when we go and vote every four years. Another threat, which is not simply about fact resistance, is that we have lost the sense of being in a world we share with others, of the public sphere. We can’t simply think about ourselves – that can make us a bit stupid. Public discourse, public institutions, these are important.” What can we do to protect democracy? “There are three things. We should be careful about the language we use, look people in the eye and try to maintain a decent attitude. Secondly, we can fight for a cause: we can decide that, say, this library should be kept open, this newspaper is important or this law should remain in force. “Thirdly, we must maintain professional standards. Just look at what happened in the United States, where it was election officials and lawyers who stood strong. As researchers, we must safeguard our professional role to ensure that no one can exploit us to their own ends.” / Å S A M A L M B E RG

Book about democracy Demokrati: En liten bok om en stor sak by Sofia Näsström is published by Historiska Media. In 10 brief chapters, the author answers some of the most common and pressing questions asked about democracy in times of crisis.

PHOTO: MIKAEL WALLERSTEDT

PROGRES S

EU invests in digital pathology

The 35,000-year-old skull of the woman Pe ş tera Muierii 1.

Genome of 35,000-year-old woman sequenced BIOLOGY A research group led by Professor of Organismal Biology Mattias Jakobsson has succeeded in sequencing the entire genome from the skull of Peştera Muierii 1, a woman who lived in Romania 35,000 years ago. The genome from the skull shows that she is not a direct ancestor of modern Europeans but of the hunter-gatherers who lived in Europe until the end of the Ice Age. The analysis may provide additional knowledge of the

history of early European populations. One important period in human history occurred approximately 80,000 years ago, when modern humans spread and began to leave Africa for Asia and

Emma Svensson tests samples from the Pe ş tera Muierii 1 skull. PHOTO: Mattias Jakobsson

Europe, creating something often described as a genetic bottleneck. The effects of this migration can still be seen today. Genetic variation is lower in populations outside Africa than in populations in Africa. The fact that Peştera Muierii 1 has a high level of genetic diversity suggests that the greatest decrease in genetic diversity actually occurred during the last Ice Age, which ended approximately 10,000 BCE, rather than during the migration out of Africa.

40,000 IMAGE: ISTOCKPHOTO

AI is used increasingly in medicine. To accelerate this development, the EU has launched the BigPicture European Digital Pathology Platform. The platform acts as a secure central repository for digital pathology slides of tissue samples. But instead of analysing the images with the human eye, machine learning, or artificial intelligence (AI), will be used to interpret millions of images more quickly and more accurately. At SciLifeLab in Uppsala, an infrastructure is being created to train smart algorithms that can then be used in research and clinical practice. BIOINFORMATICS

MEDICINE Almost that many Swedes die from cardiovascular diseases each year. The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) has been ongoing for the past five years, during which time just over 30,000 Swedes have undergone extensive medical examinations. The SCAPIS database is now open for large-scale research aimed at identifying those at risk from diseases of the heart, arteries and lungs before they fall ill, giving them a chance of survival.

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PHOTO: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

PHOTO: MATTIAS JAKOBSSON

PROGRES S

At a time when international tensions are rising, knowledge of nuclear disarmament is increasingly important. In Sweden, and at Uppsala University, we have excellent conditions for contributing high-quality research and relevant know ledge about current developments, supported by international networks of institutes and universities.” Cecilia Wikström, chair of the Alva Myrdal Centre, Uppsala University’s new knowledge centre for nuclear disarmament.

PROGRES S

Researchers have a combined 3D scanner and printer at their disposal that takes up a large part of the lab. The machine has a heating bed with a capacity up to 800°C.

DESIGNING TOMORROW’S

HUMAN SPARE PARTS 8

A ge , injur y or d ise a se: re g ardle s s of t he c au se , t he re is a grow ing ne e d for t re at me nt s t o re pl ace b one a nd ot he r b od y p ar t s . Re se arc he r s at U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y are u sing 3D pr int e r s t o deve lop t omor row ’s biom at e r i al s . text A N N E L I B J Ö R K M A N photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

“A

dditive manufacturing is fun because you can do so many cool things and it triggers people’s innovation,” enthuses materials researcher Cecilia Persson. Perhaps the dream of eternal life does not loom quite as large as the promise of at least living a pain-free one. Replacing carefully selected parts that are wholly or partly seized up is already possible in practice, and the limits to which human body parts we can manufacture are being increasingly extended. Over recent years, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has made significant strides. Researchers from our own Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory are among those responsible for one of the major breakthroughs: a 3D-printed titanium-mesh cranial implant that assists bone regeneration. ANOTHER RESEARCH GROUP from the

same department is currently studying the possibility of restoring major bone deficiencies or worn-out backs using 3D-printed components. Although current versions are not degradable, it is hoped that it will be possible to develop degradable components that generate load-bearing bones. The key to success is soluble metals. “The most studied degradable materials are either polymers or ceramics,” says Persson, “but polymers are not rigid enough and ceramics are too fragile and can’t be bent. This is why we want to print metal materials that break down over time.” The idea is to insert replacement metal components where bone has degenerated

or been damaged. As the metal degrades, the body’s own bone grows together. The challenge lies in finding the right metal composite material. “The metals we are looking at react in aqueous solutions, which is why we want to use them,” explains Persson, “but when used for printing they are also typically likely to react with the oxygen in the atmosphere, causing oxidisation that makes printing difficult. So, it’s important to control oxygen content if we are to print functional materials.” TO AID THE RESEARCHERS in their quest,

they now have a combined 3D scanner and printer that ticks their list of requirements. This impressive machine, which has a heating bed capable of reaching 800°C, takes up a substantial part of the lab. Persson explains that this model is better suited to research than their previous laser printers. With greater possibilities to adjust settings, the researchers can evaluate crucial parameters to obtain the best possible material quality, in terms of density and microstructure, for example. “We are currently looking at magnesium-based alloys with structures tailored to the patient. The primary focus is on obtaining the right material composition. After that, we can make increasingly complex designs and structures,” says Persson.

ARE THERE ANY LIMITS to which human body parts we can potentially print out? The answer to that question may well lie with fellow researchers in the fields of medicine and pharmacy. Their U-PRINT

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3D printing facility specialises in designing and fabricating organ and tissue-like structures for biomedical research, with the long-term aim of finding applications in regenerative medicine. Printouts are currently used as training models for surgical procedures or to evaluate new materials and drugs. “U-PRINT can print objects in plastic for the hospital, so they can visualise the physical problem or show relatives how an operation will be performed,” says Persson. “In fact, 3D printing is an ideal technology for many areas of research. It’s very exciting to see how new areas of application are constantly arising.” ●

Additive manufacturing The Vinnova-funded competence centre Additive Manufacturing for the Life Sciences (AM4Life) at Uppsala University hosts researchers working in two disciplinary domains: Science and Technology, and Medicine and Pharmacy. The centre focuses on research and education in new technologies for 3D-printing of objects such as complex structures to improve bioprocesses, improving the reproduci bility of 3D tumour models and the rapid optimisation of medication.

PROGES S

ASTRONOMY A t 22:27 on 7 November 2020, the sky above large parts of eastern Svealand was illuminated for around three seconds. In western Uppland, the light was followed by a thunder-like bang and a long rumbling sound. Many people wondered what was happening. After fragments had been found and examined, researchers from Uppsala University and the Swedish Museum of Natural

History, aided by Norwegian colleagues, were soon able to ascertain that a large meteor – or bolide – had fallen to earth. This was the first Swedish find of an observed meteorite for over 66 years and the first observed iron meteorite fall in Sweden. “Meteorites fall towards the Earth at very high speeds – several tens of kilometres per second. Once a rock meets the Earth’s atmosphere, it decelerates and the air around it begins

to glow, hence the light phenomenon,” explains Eric Stempels, a researcher at the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The resulting heat melts the surface and the meteor will usually burn up completely. If the rock is large enough, fragments may survive the violent journey through the atmosphere. The remnants can then be found on the ground in the form of meteorites.

PHOTO: NORDISKA RIKSMUSEET

Large bolide falls from the sky

A few small dark fragments of meteorite crust have been found, about 3 mm in size.

PROGRES S

Wond e r ing w he t he r t he re is a n int e re s t ing r une s t one in your v icini t y? O r pe r h a ps your re se arc h would b e ne f i t from inform at ion on s pe ci f ic r unic in scr ip t ion s? W h at eve r t he re a son , t he new digi t al se arc h se r v ice Runor pro v id e s you w i t h acce s s t o all k now n r unic in scr ip t ion s wor ld w ide .

All known runic inscriptions have now been digitised text Å S A M A L M B E RG photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

■ THE DEPARTMENT OF Scan-

dinavian Languages began collecting and digitising all Swedish, and then Nordic, runic inscriptions as early as the 1980s. This resulted in the Scandinavian Runic-text Database, a resource aimed solely at researchers. However, this was not readily accessible and the technology on which it is based was aging. “The old database was popular with runic researchers, but less so with many of those without prior knowledge

of the field. We were keen to retain the target group – i.e. runic researchers – but we also wanted to broaden the service for others working in adjacent fields: historians, archaeologists, theologians and anyone else with an interest in runes who would like to use and enjoy the material,” says Senior Lecturer Marco Bianchi, who coordinated the project with other parts of Uppsala University and with partner organisation the Swedish National Heritage Board.

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Marco Bianchi beside runestone U489 in University Park. The runic inscription reads: “Gullög commissioned this bridge for the soul of her daughter Gillög, wife of Ulv. Carved by Öpir.” So, the stone was raised by a woman.

The new platform, Runor, was launched on 3 December 2020. It gathers all known runic inscriptions in Nordic languages from around the world, over 7,000 in total, with translations into ancient languages and English. Some fine-tuning remains, including the addition of more images and Swedish translations of all runic inscriptions. In addition to the inscription, there is information on dating, the name of the carver (if known), ornamentation, links to cultural heritage data, the stone’s coordinates and pictures. There is also a GPS function that allows the search engine to locate you and offer suggestions of other inscriptions close by. “That’s been a bit of a hobby horse of mine, because if you’re

out and about and have some time on your hands, it should be possible to find out if there’s a runestone nearby,” says Bianchi. The oldest inscriptions on the new platform were carved in Proto-Norse during the second century, while the most recent were carved in the twentieth century. “Runes were carved on bone, wood, jewellery, metal artefacts, weapons and everyday objects as well as stones. Later inscriptions are often found on everyday objects such as bowls. One cool thing about the new platform is that you can click on an object and link to other similar artefacts,” explains Bianchi. app.raa.se/open/runor/search

T H E P O RTR A I T

SURVEYING DISEASES WITH NEW TECHNO LOGY text A N N I C A H U LT H photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

COV I D -19, c ard iov a scul ar d ise a se , d i ab e t e s ... Tove F all ’s s pe ci ali t y is de aling w i t h l arge a mount s of d at a in ad v a nce d ge ne t ic s , and a sk ing t r ic k y q ue s t ion s t h at c a n a m pli f y k now le d ge of t he m ajor dise a se s of our t ime and how t hey c a n b e t re at e d . I t all be g a n w i t h ve t e r in ar y med icine at t he Swe d ish U ni ve r si t y of A gr icul t ur al S cie nce s in U p ps al a .

T H E P O RTR A I T

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T H E P O RTR A I T

NOW, Tove Fall’s research on COVID-19 is what mainly fills her days. In real time, the CRUSH COVID project is monitoring developments in the Uppsala region, and providing useful data for planning initiatives to stop the spread of infection. In this collaboration with Region Uppsala, new data are released to the region, its inhabitants and the media weekly. In April 2020, she co-founded the COVID Symptom Study (CSS), in collaboration with Lund University and King’s College London. The study participants self-report their symptoms, using an app that has over 205,000 users in Sweden. IGHT

BOTH THESE RESEARCH projects are based on collecting copious amounts of information and presenting it to the relevant government agencies and the public, to provide an up-to-date picture of the spread of infection. “For those trying to get the infection under control, it’s important to know the situation. The more information they have, the better decisions they can make,” says Fall. In CRUSH COVID, it was seen that until October 2020, relatively few people were tested in areas where the nearest testing site was a long way away, and in residential areas of lower socioeconomic status. Since then, the region has partially revised its strategy. There is now a mobile test unit, there are mobile testing teams, and sites have opened in more residential areas. The same areas prove to have a lower vaccination rate, particularly in age groups that have not been called to prebooked appointments. Evaluation of these various initiatives is under way in the project. “You can’t suppress this infection without keeping track of it. First, it’s a matter of getting some idea of where people are infected – at parties, at home or in the workplace? Then you can also analyse the quality of contact tracing. You can ask, for instance, how many people are traced in four days. In November 2020,

that figure was down at 5 per cent; now [in September 2021], it’s gone up to 73 per cent.” FALL MADE AN EARLY start on research-

ing COVID-19 and its spread. In March 2020, she had the idea of starting an app study to monitor symptoms in the population. She found that one study of this kind was being launched in the UK that month: the COVID Symptom Study. Around the same time, researchers at Lund University had already begun the process of starting a Swedish part of the study. Just like Fall, they were diabetes researchers. At the end of April she joined them in initiating the project in Sweden. They had an outstanding response, and rapidly gained 100,000 participants. By early June, they had 90,000 daily reports coming in. The number has fallen since then, but still forms a good basis for research. “Now we’re going to focus on diabetes and COVID-19. The app’s used not only in Sweden, but in the UK and US as well. So now there are four and a half million participants, about three per cent of whom have diabetes.” FALL WAS RECENTLY chosen as Alumna

of the Year by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), where she had done both her undergraduate and doctoral studies. After completing her PhD thesis about dogs and diabetes in 2009, she was keen to carry on doing research and teaching. She successfully applied for a postdoctoral position at Karolinska Instututet, where she worked with researchers Nancy Pedersen, head of the Swedish Twin Registry, and Erik Ingelsson, who was running an EU project on genetics, obesity and diabetes. Three years later, Ingelsson was recruited to Uppsala University. Fall had been living in Uppsala since her doctoral studies, and she accompanied him to the Department of Medical Sciences. Since 2012, when she was personally awarded her first major grant, she has been able to cover her own costs. “I’m very happy here in Uppsala. There’s such a vast amount of expertise around. In CRUSH COVID, five departments – in

Tove Fall made an early start on researching COVID-19 and its spread – in the two projects CRUSH COVID and COVID Symptom Study.

epidemiology, media and communications, limnology, IT, and public health and caring sciences – are working together. It’s so cool!” TODAY SHE LEADS a research group of

15. This means that, besides COVID-19, she is engaged in other exciting projects, such as an EU project on intestinal flora and its possible influence on arteriosclerosis. “There, I have two wonderful postdocs, who’ve had to work more independently this year, and two doctoral students. They're doing great!” This project, too, involves huge amounts of data. The source is the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study (SCAPIS) cohort, 30,000 strong, from whom samples are collected. Fall’s study comprises 10,000 participants. “In Malmö and Lund, each participant has submitted a stool sample and we’ve genome-sequenced all the samples and then matched them with the bacterial DNA. Then we can see which bacteria they’re carrying and what functions the bacteria have,” says Fall.

Tove Fall Title: Professor of Molecular Epidemiology. Member of the Young Academy of Sweden.

Currently: Often appears in the media as an expert on COVID-19 and the spread of infection. Named Veterinarian of the Year 2020 and SLU’s Alumna of the Year 2021.

In my spare time: I’m involved in the children’s leisure activities and various associations. I play the piano with my son. I enjoy being out with the dog, and skiing and cycling. I like spending time with friends and family.

Latest book read: Henrik Brändén’s "Immunförsvaret och viruset – att förstå coronapandemin" (The immune system and the virus: Understanding the coronavirus pandemic).

Get my best ideas: When I’m out walking the dog.

I HAVE A TOOLBOX WITH VARIOUS SKILLS. ONE’S USING REGISTERS; ANOTHER IS DOING GENETIC ANALYSIS.” SHE SEEMS TO RUN her various research

projects with ease. But becoming a researcher was by no means a self-evident choice. The Young Academy of Sweden recently published the book Forskar drömmar (“Dreams of Research”), which tells the stories of 60 children who later had research careers. Fall is one of those portrayed in the book, and in the picture she is sitting at a computer. “We had a lot of computers at home. My dad’s a language professor, and mum has a PhD and has worked as a translator and librarian. But I didn’t want to go in for research. I thought it seemed very boring and theoretical. I wanted to do something practical.” As a horse girl who loved animals and being out in nature, Fall chose veterinary medicine. So she moved to Uppsala, the only place in Sweden where it was on offer. “I thought working with dogs and cats

was fun, and I did a degree project on cats and endocrinology. Then I realised that was my thing – burying myself in a subject for six months.” AFTER A SPELL as a small-animal veteri-

narian, SLU got in touch and invited Fall to apply for a PhD position. Thus, she became a researcher after all ‒ and seems to have landed on her feet, fair and square. As an epidemiologist in the habit of handling large volumes of data, she is open to multiple research questions. “I have a toolbox with various skills. One’s using registers; another is doing genetic analysis. Then questions that interest me and other people crop up. That’s how I felt when the COVID pandemic came. Who wants my tools now? How can I help? Working on these two major studies is tremendous fun.” ●

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What drives me as a researcher: Benefit to society. I want to do somet hing worthwhile, but also to do things properly. Seeing young researchers grow is stimulating, too. As a child, I hated school group projects. But as an adult I’ve become much more of a team player.

What inspires me: Stories about people who have overcome obstacles in one way or another, believed in their cause, and gone on fighting for it. Among Nobel laureates, there are lots of stories like that.

H E LLO TH E RE

PHOTO: MIKAEL WALLERSTEDT

PROGRES S

Symposium and podcast The 50th anniversary will be celebrated with a symposium in the University Main Building on 14 October 2021. A series of podcasts on peace and conflict research has also been produced during 2021, entitled Researching Peace. You can listen here!

WE HAVE MADE PEACE A RESEARCHABLE SUBJECT.ˮ Profe s sor Pe t e r Walle n s t e e n . Pe ace a nd conf lic t re se arc h w a s e s t ab lishe d at U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y in 1971 a nd you h ave b e e n invol ve d since d ay one . How did it all begin 50 years ago? “In 1971, the Unit for Peace and Conflict Research was established by decision of the Faculty of Social Sciences. There was already a seminar within Kursverksamheten/Folkuniversitetet and that moved over to the University after pressure from a group who wanted to see peace research taking place at the country’s universities. The government established three assistant professorships, one each in

Uppsala, Gothenburg and Lund. I was appointed as assistant professor and head of department and there I stayed for 27 years.” How has the subject evolved since then? “One important event took place in 1981, when the Riksdag established the Dag Hammar skjöld Chair of Peace and Conflict Research. I was appointed to that professorship in January 1985. The doctoral programme started in 1986, since when over

50 PhDs have graduated. Over 80 people now work at the department, a great change from how it was at first. “Research during the 1970s and 1980s was very much focused on disarmament and nuclear weapons. Now it is more likely to deal with mediation and negotiation. Many researchers specialise on certain countries and the research has shifted to deal with issues at a local level in conflict-affected states. Research is also conducted into issues such as climate and gender, and in future health is bound to figure.” What has this research contributed to society? “We have made peace a re-

searchable subject; it’s no longer just a matter of opinions and ideologies but of actually finding out what works and what doesn’t work. If leaders want peace, it offers them ideas about what they can do. “I also think it’s important to differentiate between peace research and peace associations. Regardless of what we think, research must be conducted according to scientific rules. We have been careful to use established methods and be transparent and we train our students in source criticism and methodological issues.” The department is renowned internationally for its global conflict database. How did that begin? “We began collecting data in the 1970s. It was while listening to the BBC’s night-time broadcasts that we discovered that there were many events that never made the mainstream media. It’s fantastic that this has evolved into an international resource used by researchers all over the world. It’s gratifying to see that it’s so useful. It contains not only data on conflicts, but also how they are resolved.” / ANNICA HULTH

PHOTO: HAO LI

PROGRES S The basilar membrane and auditory nerve in the cochlea. The octave bands are shown in different colours. The human ear can perceive frequencies from 20 Hz (top of the cochlea) to 20,000 Hz (base of the cochlea).

Married or not? According to the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights of the European Union, all EU citizens have the right to freedom of movement within the EU. So, what happens if a married samesex couple move to a country where same-sex couples are not permitted to marry? A new dissertation on international private law studies how the application of such a law stands in relation to the European Convention on Human Rights and EU law, as well as how cultural circumstances, religion, national identity and politics combine to create an emotional context in applying the law. LAW

Mapping the cochlea MEDICINE In collaboration with Canadian colleagues, researchers at Uppsala University have created the very first 3D map of the auditory nerve in the inner ear showing where the various sound frequencies are detected. By using synchrotron X-rays, they were able to follow the fine nerve fibres and basilar membrane in the cochlea to discover exactly how the

incoming sound frequencies are distributed. This may contribute to the more effective treatment of hearing impairment. As the appearance of the human cochlea differs from person to person, researchers believe that this new knowledge may be of considerable importance to people receiving cochlear implants due to severe hearing impairment. A cochlear

implant is a small electronic device that electrically stimulates the auditory nerve. It has an internal component with electrodes that send signals directly to the auditory nerve and an external component that sits behind the ear. With exact knowledge of the individual patient’s cochlea, the technology can be better adapted to stimulate each area at the correct frequency.

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

Social media: true or false? EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES Uppsala University researchers have developed a digital self-test to train schoolchildren to critically review news, images and videos presented on social media. When tested on just over 200 pupils, the tool proved to have a good effect on their ability to apply source criticism. The aim is to improve the ability of pupils to both uncover untruths and to grasp what may in fact be true, despite appearing unlikely at first glance.

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Post-COVID brain injury MEDICINE Although many patients with COVID-19 exhibit neurological symptoms, routine tests often fail to show any effect on the brain. Researchers at Uppsala University were among the first to detect brain damage, by analysing cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with minor or more severe symptoms. This breakthrough will be followed up with examinations and various tests of cognitive function, difficulty in concentrating, memory lapses and fatigue. Why some people exhibit very severe neurological damage and residual symptoms while others do not is one of the questions the researchers will be trying to answer.

PROGRES S

R E P O RT

I n a new proje c t , re se arc he r s at U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y are s t ud y ing w he t he r i t is pos sib le t o he lp t he B al t ic S e a cod by re le a sing l ar v ae h at c he d in t he nur se r y at t he A r Re se arc h St at ion on t he isl a nd of G ot l a nd . text L I N DA KO F F M A R photo DA N I E L O L S S O N

SAVING THE BAL SEA COD 18

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he Baltic Sea cod is in trouble. They are few in number and small in size. The cod situation affects not only the fishing industry but also the entire ecosystem of the semi-enclosed sea. The cod is an apex predator and when its numbers decline and less herring and sprat are eaten, the ecological cycle is thrown off balance. After several stages, the result is an excess of phytoplankton that, as they sink, contribute to the oxygen deficiency that already plagues the Baltic seabed. Oxygen deficiency is one of the reasons why cod eggs have trouble surviving. “While this project will not save the entire Baltic Sea population, if it works one might conceivably do the same thing in multiple locations in the Baltic Sea. That said, other measures will also need to be taken to save the Baltic Sea and the cod from environmental toxins, overfishing and several other issues, all of which must be addressed in parallel,” says Gunilla Rosenqvist, Director of the Ar Research Station, Professor of Behavioural Ecology and project manager for Blue Centre Gotland.

THE PROJECT IS STILL in its first year and has demanded some adaptations to the Ar Research Station on northern Gotland, between the Baltic Sea and Lake Bästeträsk. Once caught, the cod initially swam in large pools. During the summer, they were transferred to other pools with saltier water, more like the breeding grounds they

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The ReCod project has attracted a great deal of public interest. "Cod are important, both to the ecosystem and to livelihoods and culturally," says Gunilla Rosenqvist, Director of the Ar Research Station.

would have sought out in the wild. Once the cod have mated, the eggs float to the surface and can be fished out and placed in the nursery. There, they hatch into larvae, which are released into the Baltic Sea before they are large enough to need to eat. Releases have taken place several times over the summer. “Quite simply, the main research question the project is seeking to answer is whether it is possible to reinforce the cod population by restocking of this kind,” says Anssi Laurila, Professor of Population Biology, the scientific director of the project. Laurila explains that the larvae are released into fjord-like bays where there are currently no cod. The goal is to re create local populations in these bays. Neele Schmidt is one of the doctoral students working on the project. One of her jobs is to figure out how to tag the larvae so they can be recognised as adult fish. “We are keen to try various methods and then we’ll see what works. The method mustn’t harm the larvae, it needs to be readable after several years and to be time-efficient as millions of larvae will have to be tagged,” says Schmidt. THE LARVAE WILL be tagged using

the otolith. Both humans and fish have otoliths in the inner ear but these are relatively much larger in bony fish, where they are built up with new rings as the fish grows, much like the growth rings of a tree. By moving larvae between water at different temperatures, research-

Neele Schmidt and Maddi Garate Olaizola are doctoral students working on the project. One of their jobs is to figure out how to tag larvae so they can be recognised as adult fish.

ers can create a unique pattern in the otolith that can be recognised later when the project is evaluated by exploratory fishing after a couple of years. The project presents other challenges in addition to recognising the fish, such as adapting the larvae to the salinity they will encounter when released into the Baltic Sea, and releasing them in a manner that ensures the highest possible survival rate. One prerequisite for the project is that, once caught, the breeding fish deliver. Fertilisation should take place naturally, with the cod choosing a partner themselves. Hopefully, however, this will not be a problem. Even before they are allowed into the specially adapted breeding pools they have begun to show a special interest in one another. “It looks promising and we can already see that they are flirting. It’s actually quite cute. They swim up and down and show off their bellies to each other, so they seem to be getting in the mood. They usually make a very specific sound as well, but I haven’t heard that yet,” says Schmidt. ●

One prerequisite for the project is that, once caught, the breeding fish deliver. Fertilisation should take place naturally, with the cod choosing a partner themselves.

Five-year project The project ReCod: Release of small cod into the Baltic Sea is funded and implemented by BalticWaters2030 and Uppsala University. Other partners contrib uting in various ways are: Leader Gute, Region Gotland, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SportFiskarna and the Ulla and Curt Nicolin Foundation. The project will last for five years and has a budget of just over SEK 50 million. A visitor centre where the public can follow the project will be built at the Ar Research Station.

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F O S S I L- F R E E F U T U R E

TOWA FOSSIL FUTUR

F O S S I L- F R E E F U T U R E

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F O S S I L- F R E E F U T U R E We are mov ing t ow ard s a fos sil - fre e fu t ure , bu t w hy so slow l y? “O ne m ajor f ac t or is scie nce de ni al . A not he r is poli t ic s; t he re is a ve r y hig h de cision t hre shold ,” s ays new l y a p point e d S e nior Le c t ure r in Clim at e Le ade r ship M ik ae l K ar l s son . O ne w ay t o s pe e d u p progre s s is coll ab or at ion be t we e n di f fe re nt f ie ld s of re se arc h and v ar iou s socie t al s t ake holde r s . text A N N I C A H U LT H photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

lines for ending the sale of petrol, diesel and fossil-fuelled vehicles. “We will be studying various strategies to see which ones can give the desired effect. How do the stakeholders perceive fairness, what do we all agree is fair and where do we disagree? Is there any scientific uncertainty that can be resolved by additional research?” ANOTHER QUESTION IS why progress

MIKAEL KARLSSON IS A DOCENT in

environmental science, and a member of the management group of the Fair Transformations to a Fossil Free Future (FAIRTRANS) programme, which is funded by independent research foundation Mistra. This is a substantial project involving many different stakeholders from academia, the business community, trade unions and environmental organisations. Together, they will develop a carbon budget for emissions over time that meets national commitments and ambitious environmental targets. Above all, however, the programme will study how the transformation can be achieved fairly. “One thing we hope to prepare is a manifesto for transition. There is a general perception in politics that transition is expensive, difficult and widely unpopular. We are exploring how we can get past such barriers.” The programme will study the efficacy of various policy instruments; for example, the oft criticised carbon tax and petrol tax, which have nevertheless been shown to work. The parties are now discussing new instruments, such as setting dead-

is so slow when we know so much about both the problem and the available solutions, and indeed why we are not implementing the solutions. “One major factor is science denial. Another is politics; there is a very high decision threshold. The burden of proof lies with those who want more done. Those seeking tougher climate goals or policy instruments often need to demonstrate that the benefits will outweigh the costs, while those backing ‘business as usual’ seldom face the same demands.” In fact, it may be more profitable to invest in the environment than not to do so. Sweden has been a pioneer in environmental and climate issues ever since the Environmental Protection Act was passed in 1969 and, far from losing out financially, according to Karlsson the opposite is true. “It is empirically proven that, rather than pioneer countries losing competitiveness and jobs, countries with progressive environmental policies are the ones with the highest employment and growth.” Although the very language of climate policy tends to make action appear problematic and expensive, more and more politicians and companies are beginning to see an opportunity in becoming global leaders. Major corporations are investing in green steel and batteries, while both

the retail and agricultural sectors are investing in organic produce as a way of strengthening their market position. ACCORDING TO KARLSSON , differ-

ent types of environmental problem go through similar phases. In the case of the environmentally hazardous chlorofluoro carbons once found in aerosol sprays and refrigerators, as far back as the early 1970s a few scientists warned that the substances could deplete the ozone layer. “Many members of the scientific community rebutted their findings as ‘no more than theory’. The researchers were ridiculed and targeted by the chemical industry.” Then, however, scientists began to study ozone depletion and in 1985 British researchers took measurements showing that there was indeed a hole in the ozone layer. When the world did finally begin to take action, things moved surprisingly quickly.

“We know that historically societies have been rapidly transformed,” says Mikael Karlsson, researcher in climate leadership.

“Science, politics and business moved in unison at accelerated pace. Industry woke up to the problem and politicians were keen to be seen to be on the front foot. The production of Freon declined rapidly and, in 1995, the scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.”

The FAIRTRANS project will study the efficacy of various policy instruments, such as setting deadlines for ending the sale of petrol, diesel and fossil-fuelled vehicles.

THESE DIFFERENT PHASES can also be

applied to climate change, which was identified in the late nineteenth century in Svante Arrhenius’s work on global warming. There is a fairly obvious delayed reaction – something else that Karlsson has studied. He arrived at Uppsala University’s Department of Earth Sciences in midMarch 2021. The department has been a hub for climate-change leadership since 2015 and hosts the International Zennström Professorship in Climate Change Leadership, the fourth and latest incumbent of which is Stefania Barca, a researcher in environmental humanities.

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PHOTO: TT

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At the Paris Climate Conference of 2015, 175 countries reached a historic agreement on measures to reduce carbon emissions.

The research environment also includes the Centre for Environment and Development Studies (CEMUS) graduate school (CEFO). The doctoral students at CEFO are studying various subjects at different departments of the University but are all focused on sustainable development. One of them is Isak Stoddard, who is studying for a PhD in earth sciences. “One significant risk is that climate change is often presented as a problem to be fixed, which is a simplistic view. While climate change certainly has enormous societal and ecological consequences, it is also important to view climate change as a symptom of a fundamentally unsustainable and exploitative societal development, something that demands every possible approach from various disciplines.” Sachiko Ishihara is a doctoral student of cultural geography who is studying people who have relocated from the city to the countryside of southwest Japan and their views of ‘the good life’ compared to the dominant ideas in society. She receives a great deal of support from her colleagues at CEFO. “As well as gaining new perspectives, it is important to me personally that this is such a good Sachiko Ishihara. group. A doctoral

project can be a fairly lonely enterprise and I don’t have very many colleagues at my own department working on sustainable development. It is very important to have a group within which you can exchange ideas.” PASCOAL JOÃO GOTA participates

via video link from Mozambique. A doctoral student of archaeology, Pascoal is researching environmental protection Pascoal João Gota. in national parks and whether those in power utilise the experiences and knowledge of local populations. Since presenting his doctoral project to his fellow students, he has received many useful comments. “I feel enriched when someone in natural sciences, engineering or social sciences asks about my research, because it allows me to see other perspectives and viewpoints that I hadn’t reflected on myself.” Helena Fornstedt is a doctoral student of engineering who is researching innovation and sustainable development. She has gained many interesting insights since joining CEFO, including reading Pascoal’s research.

“It was fascinating and something I would otherwise not have heard about. I will also benefit from it in future research projects. I’m an industrial engineer but Pascoal’s research on the local perspective shows just how complicated the issue is. Personally, I find that the glimpses I’m offered by others at CEFO make me rethink and reflect.” EVEN IF CEFO has a broader remit than

simply climate issues, it is of course something that the doctoral students give a great deal of thought to. What do they think about the societal situation right now; do we need more knowledge about climate change? “We need to produce knowledge and know-how and reach out to the public and other stakeholders but, at the same time, we need to understand how we humans can change our behaviour. During this process we need to consider ethical issues, freedom and democracy, because we can’t simply tell people to change their behaviour – that’s something we need to negotiate,” says Pascoal João Gota. Helena Fornstedt is in partial agreement. “We need better Helena Fornstedt.

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THE US CAME IN AND ADMITTED: ‘WE AGREE THAT WE HAVE DONE TOO LITTLE’. THEN CHINA CAME IN AND SAID: ‘WE AGREE’. I WAS WELLING UP.” access to climate-related knowledge from many different disciplines. Although we already have a great deal of knowledge, it’s difficult to get at, both for people outside academia and for researchers working outside the academic discipline in which it is produced. As researchers we are not encouraged to engage in popular science, but this is a real need in society, not least because so much money is pumped into the ‘fake news’ industry in various countries.” ISAK STODDARD, on the other hand, an-

swers no, we don’t need more knowledge about climate change. According to him, what we do need is a better understanding of the precarious situation that society and humankind finds itself in – and the major consequences this may have in future. “If you really want to create greater understanding, then researchers must adopt a different role in relation to major societal changes.” Whenever researchers want to inform people about the severe ethical and material consequences of climate change, they risk being exploited for political ends or presented in the media in a manner that actually increases public resistance. “What can happen when society encounters this message is that we see our future as preordained: either everything is going to hell or we must do x, y or z. The media often portrays the issue as black and white and I find that very dangerous, even when done with the best intentions. It’s a paradox: how do we communicate what researchers have to say about the serious situation we find ourselves in while remaining open about Isak Stoddard. the future?” MIKAEL KARLSSON TAKES a positive

attitude towards the future and describes himself as an optimist, though with a factbased approach to the climate issue. “A great deal has happened since the

Paris Agreement. We know that historically societies have been rapidly transformed. The Berlin Wall didn’t come down stone by stone, it happened very quickly. We also know that rapid technological shifts happen from time to time; just consider how we use mobile phones and IT compared to 10 years ago. Similarly, I don’t believe that reducing vehicle emissions is a linear process. We make technological leaps.” Karlsson attended the Paris climate conference in December 2015, having attended a number of earlier climate meetings at which the European Union, United States and China were constantly at odds. This time, things were different. At the press conference, the stage was occupied by the EU, the Global South and African and Caribbean countries. “The United States came in and admitted: ‘We agree that we have done too little’. Then China came in and said: ‘We agree’. I was welling up. India wasn’t yet on board but backed the agreement a week later,” he says. This was in striking contrast to the 2009 Copenhagen conference of world leaders, when Obama flew in and was expected to solve the climate issue, only for the meeting to collapse. Since Paris, the world has kept moving. “Even when Trump withdrew, the other countries continued. There is a completely new geopolitical situation; it’s not as if the other countries simply threw in the towel, they redoubled their efforts.” NOW, WITH BIDEN as president, the US has challenged Europe’s global lead in climate policy, with high ambitions, substantial sums of money and good policy instruments. In turn, the EU is also upgrading its climate policy, while in Sweden, new measures are planned. However, according to the governmentappointed Swedish Climate Policy Council, this is not enough. “Politicians are beginning to talk about more ambitious targets and measures. The challenge is great but the goals are within reach,” says Mikael Karlsson. ●

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FAIRTRANS The goal of the research programme is to pave the way for a fair, fossil-free future. One important part of the programme is to develop socially accepted climate action based on a carbon budget consistent with the Paris Agreement. Together, academia, civil society and other stakeholders will devise scientifically underpinned strategies and frameworks that are perceived as fair, justified and effective. The programme, which is hosted by Stockholm University, is funded by Mistra and Formas. ■

The Paris Agreement The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that entered into force in 2016. At the core of the agreement is an undertaking to restrict global warming by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Three of the most important aims are to: • limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels; • successively increase the level of ambition, with a stocktake every five years; and • ensure that developed countries offer support to developing countries. ■

Svante Arrhenius Swedish physicist and chemist (1859– 1927) who worked broadly across the sciences. A professor of physics at Stockholm University College, he became the first Swedish Nobel laureate when he was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In 1896, he was the first to predict that atmospheric carbon dioxide could trap heat, thus raising the surface temperature through the greenhouse effect. He theorised that the variation in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels explained why ice ages are interspersed with warmer periods. ■

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“Getting people on board is crucial” For a succe s s ful t r an si t ion t o a su s t ain ab le e ne rg y s ys t e m , t he re mu s t be com pre he n si ve re se arc h b ot h on t e c hnolog y and on t he be h av iour and circum s t a nce s of e le c t r ici t y u se r s . C ajs a B ar t u sc h a nd J ohn Ö s t h , re se arc he r s in ind u s t r i al t e c hn olog y a nd hum a n ge ogr a p hy at U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y, gi ve t he ir v iews on t he m at t e r. text C A RO L I N E H O L M B O M photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

The transition to a fossil-free energy system and associated electrification has led to electrical capacity shortages in many local networks. This threatens community development in several major urban areas, including Uppsala, Cajsa Bartusch thinks. With her colleagues in the Uppsala Smart Energy Research (USER) group, she is investigating various user perspectives. “It’s not the amount of electricity we use that’s most problematic, but the peaks created when many people use lots of power simultaneously. One solution, ‘demand flexibility’, involves consumers reducing their usage during peak hours, when the power networks are congested, or storing selfgenerated electricity at times of high capacity for use later, when capacity is low,” Bartusch says. Numerous factors have to be taken into account to understand electricity users’ ways of relating to the electrical power system. Bartusch thinks an integrated approach – one including interaction among individuals, their social environment and the technical features of the smart electrical network – is necessary. ■

JOHN ÖSTH, PROFESSOR of Human Geo

graphy at Uppsala University, has an approach that includes the significance of geography and various mechanisms. He perceives an underlying dissatisfaction associated with where people live and whether they feel favoured or disadvantaged. In considering

the energy transition, it is important not to create an ‘us and them’ relationship or get fixated on averages and statistics. Östh thinks getting people on board is crucial and the energy transition is not feasible otherwise. “What factors enable people to make environmentally better choices? How can consumers see the benefits of changing their energy-use behaviour? To answer these questions, we need to know how different groups in society view these matters. We can create an ultra-efficient energy transition system, but if people aren’t willing to join it we won’t have gained anything,” Östh continues. “The issue is only half about the actual transition. The rest, or perhaps most, of it is actually about the users and their attitudes.” BARTUSCH AGREES THAT the role

of users (here, electricity consumers) is decisive. Technology is developing fast but its implementation, she thinks, depends entirely on them. “The energy system has long been dominated by big, well-established companies and characterised by centralised, high-tech production. The transition to an energyefficient, low-fossil and climate-smart economy needs a more decentralised, open system involving the whole of society. In tomorrow’s energy system, users must be central,” she says. Thus, the potential for changing behavioural patterns lies not only with individuals. Unless their behavioural changes are followed

The transition to a fossil-free energy system and associated electrification has led to electrical capacity shortages in many local networks.

by modification of culturally shared norms and values, and supported by technology, instruments, regulations and infrastructures, individuals will soon revert to their ‘old’ behaviour. How can you benefit from other researchers’ knowledge of the energy transition issue? Östh: “By shaking hands, so to speak, with various groups with differing points of view. In our reasoning and discussions, there’s often a long series of lightbulb moments. Cajsa and I have done a lot of work on joint applications. I’d say she’s the bridge between engineering sciences and human behaviour, while I can bring to the table complex bits of knowledge about geography and human movement patterns. We’re also members of Uppsala University Sustainability Initiatives (UUSI) – a platform that, through boundarycrossing collaborations, aims to strengthen the University’s research on sustainability issues.”

Boundary-crossing research Uppsala University Sustain ability Initiatives (UUSI) is an interdisciplinary platform that aims to strengthen the University's research on sustainability issues. It is open to all employees who have an interest in research on sustainability.

IN TOMORROW’S ENERGY SYSTEM, USERS MUST BE CENTRAL.” Bartusch: “We’ve recently received substantial research grants for projects with clear user perspectives. We see that as confirming both the need for social and interdisciplinary research in the area of smart grids and the will, in the transition to a sustainable energy system, to promote interdisciplinarity and cooperation with the local community.” In the future, what questions do you want to see raised in this field? Bartusch: “In recent years, we’ve experienced ever greater climate anxiety, but it hasn’t tended to affect our electricity use to any great extent. Why is this? We want to crack that code. Electricity users are both motivated and able to help bring

about a rapid transition to a sustainable energy system.” But what do we need to do to make the required energy-related behavioural changes come as naturally as sorting at source? Östh: “I’m a geographer, so I like to see how things vary in spatial terms and measure geog raphical variation. Where will it be easier or harder to implement change? Can we, perhaps, reach a broad public and achieve an energy transition more easily if we get through to a specific group or go for one particular kind of transition, rather than another?” ●

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Cajsa Bartusch, researcher in industrial technology.

John Östh, Professor of Human Geography.

AL ZHEIMER' S DISE ASE

Facts: PET scans Positron emission tomography (PET) has developed rapidly over recent years as a method for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. During the examination, a radio active marker, or radiotracer, is administered to the patient. A PET scanner can then follow the progress of this radiotracer as it is absorbed and distributed around the body’s cells or organs. PET scans are especially well-suited to diseases of the brain, as it is difficult to collect samples inside the brain. Scanning the brain, however, does not harm the patient.

AL ZHEIMER' S DISE ASE

PET JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST A L Z H E I M E R’S DISEASE W hile A lzhe ime r ’s dise a se is one of our mos t com mon de me nt i a s , a gre at de al of re se arc h re m ain s t o be d one int o me t hod s for d i a g nosing and t re at ing t he dise a se . Re se arc he r s at U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y are deve loping posi t ron e mis sion t omogr a p hy ( PE T ) a s a re li ab le d i a g nos t ic t ool and a s a me an s of de t e r mining t he e f f ic ac y of a dr ug. text A N N I C A H U LT H photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

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AL ZHEIMER' S DISE ASE brain to use it with a PET camera.” As well as providing an image of the brain, the PET camera also detects radioactivity, so researchers made another modification to the antibody, tagging it with a small radiotracer. Thus far, the new PET ligand has been tested on mice and demonstrated the ability to bind to beta-amyloid in the brain.

A NEW ALZHEIMER’S treatment is cur-

rently being tested at Uppsala University Hospital in a phase III study. The study is testing an antibody produced by researchers at Uppsala University and further developed by biopharma company BioArctic. The research group is simultaneously developing the antibody into something called a PET ligand, which can detect traces of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. This is possible because, in Alzheimer’s, the protein beta-amyloid accumulates in the brain. It is these protein accumulations that the antibody seeks out.

BECAUSE ANTIBODIES are such large

molecules, they have difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier into the brain. Researchers therefore needed to find a way for the antibody to trick its way into the brain in larger quantities. “We added an extra molecule to the antibody, a small protein domain with the ability to bind to a receptor in the bloodbrain barrier. With its help, the antibody can enter the brain as a stowaway,” explains Stina Syvänen. “We increased the uptake of the antibody by a hundredfold and then suddenly we had sufficient concentrations in the

Dag Sehlin, researcher at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences.

DAG SEHLIN BELIEVES that this new technology may also prove useful in treating the disease. “Although the antibodies currently undergoing clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy in patients, they have to be prescribed in very high doses. This can lead to side effects and is also very expensive. We hope that by using this antibody, which can enter the brain much more effectively, we can achieve a more effective treatment with fewer side effects, at a lower cost. In Sweden alone there are over 100,000 Alzheimer’s patients and, were one to treat them all, it would entail enormous costs.” It can be quite difficult for a doctor to assess whether or not someone suffering memory lapses has Alzheimer’s disease. Using the new method it should be possible to diagnose the disease at a fairly early stage, even before the patient is displaying any symptoms. But, of course, it is only when problems such as memory loss or orientation difficulties arise that people seek help. “By then the disease may have already been present in the brain for 15–20 years. This presents a challenge with the treatment itself; one would actually need to begin to treat the patient before they have any idea that they’re sick. This is why accurate and reliable diagnostic methods are so important, so that the disease can be detected as early as possible,” says Sehlin. ALTHOUGH THE FIRST PET ligand dates

back to the early 2000s, this targeted the water-insoluble core of the protein, which is more difficult to treat. The new PET ligand targets the more soluble protein, the form of beta-amyloid that moves around in the brain. By using the same antibody for diagnosis and treatment, one can be sure that the antibody’s target molecule is actually in the brain. “It has been difficult to develop Alzheimer’s drugs precisely because

“It has been difficult to develop Alzheimer’s drugs precisely because we have lacked methods to measure the efficacy of the drugs in clinical trials,” says Stina Syvänen, a researcher at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences.

we have lacked methods to measure the efficacy of the drugs in clinical trials. By using PET, we can image the brain before commencing a treatment programme and once again after a while, so we can see whether the drug is having the desired effect,” says Syvänen. HOWEVER, THERE IS a good deal of research to be conducted before the PET ligand can be used in humans. The receptor used to transport the antibody to the brain differs from species to species, so a procedure that works in mice will require alteration to work in humans. Antibodies will also need to be modified to disappear from the body more quickly. You can then be injected in the morning and have a PET scan on the same day. “We need to improve all of these pieces of the puzzle before we can

conduct trials on humans. Just like any other research, this is a drawn-out process and one must be very sure that, when the time comes to inject people, they receive something that is both nonhazardous and effective,” says Sehlin. THE RESEARCH GROUP at the Department

of Public Health and Caring Sciences in Uppsala is a global leader in Alzheimer’s research. Swedish research in general is at the forefront of this field and one thing is certain: the need to treat Alzheimer’s disease will only increase over the coming years. “We are living longer and longer and have better and better treatments for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In future, more people will die of dementia because they have survived these other diseases. Age is by far the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease so the need is enormous,” says Syvänen. ●

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PET study using modified, radiolabeled antibodies to visualise the increase in beta-amyloid production with aging in Alzheimer mice.

The modified antibody binds to a receptor on the blood vessel wall so that it is actively transported across the blood-brain barrier into the brain, where it can bind to its target molecule, beta-amyloid.

M E N TA L H E A LT H

Healthcare professionals found themselves in the eye of the storm, with a sense of powerlessness as they were forced to witness many more patients than usual die in difficult circumstances. Many have been traumatised.

M E N TA L H E A LT H

The uneven impact of the

pandemic on mental health O ur li ve s h ave b e e n m ar ke d by t he p a nd e mic for we ll ove r a ye ar now. W hile t he re w a s a n ini t i al fe ar t h at re s t r ic t ion s would le ad t o a r a sh of suicid e s a nd me nt al illne s s , t hu s f ar re se arc he r s h ave not se e n a ny sig n s of t his . Th at s aid , some h ave c le ar l y f are d ve r y b adl y. text Å S A M A L M B E RG photo I S TO C K P H OTO , M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

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M E N TA L H E A LT H

“It Filip Arnberg, Programme Director at the National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry.

is very important to bear in mind that this pandemic means so many different things to different people,” says Filip Arnberg, Programme Director at Uppsala University’s National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry. Arnberg has long researched how people handle crises and disasters and one group that he points to as having taken particular punishment during the coronavirus pandemic is healthcare workers. They have found themselves in the eye of the storm and many of them have experienced a psychological state known as moral stress. “This is common among those working in disaster medicine. They travel to disaster zones with limited resources where

they are forced to make decisions that are difficult on a personal level and are unable to offer the care they would like,” says Arnberg. THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS of a study

led by Arnberg show that Swedish healthcare workers have been faced with exactly this dilemma during the pandemic. The main reason for this is the lack of both materials and staff. “They find themselves in situations in which, for various reasons, they are unable to follow their moral compass. I would say that it is normal for four out of five people working on COVID wards to feel moral stress. This problem was especially severe during the first wave,” says Arnberg. That the situation in the healthcare service has at times resembled a disaster zone is a view shared by Emily Holmes, Professor of Psychology at Uppsala University. Hospital staff caring for the most severely ill COVID patients have been overworked, without adequate time for recovery, with a sense of powerlessness as they were forced to witness many more patients than usual die in difficult circumstances. Many have been traumatised. According to a study of British healthcare professionals, as many as 40% of intensive care staff working with COVID patients suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Other studies have suggested that the corresponding figure for British military personnel stationed in war zones is 10%. PROFESSOR HOLMES’S RESEARCH group

is currently working on a project to study whether completing simple, structured tasks on a mobile app can help traumatised healthcare workers haunted by recurring, distressing memories. “These intrusive memories are incredibly brief, only half a second, but in that flashback they relive a moment, perhaps a patient’s face. It can even be a fraction of a moment, maybe a curtain or an empty bed.

According to a study of British healthcare professionals, as many as 40% of intensive care staff working with COVID patients suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR FOUR OUT OF FIVE PEOPLE WORKING ON COVID WARDS TO FEEL MORAL STRESS.”

The brain is attempting to pick up some warning signal. It returns both visually and emotionally,” explains Holmes. With the correct treatment, however, the prognosis for recovery is very good. But more knowledge is still required about how PTSD can be prevented. The method developed by Holmes’s research group has delivered very promising results in terms of preventing the development of PTSD. “We’re trying to find a way to recompose the brain so that it doesn’t store these dreadful images as recurring, intrusive memories. Unlike other forms of psychotherapy, there’s no need to talk about trauma in any detail,” says Holmes. Reactions from research subjects have thus far been positive, with many expressing a significant need for simple methods such as this that can be accomplished alone and that both prevent and

help them to cope with recurring, distressing memories. IN SOME CASES, those who have fallen

ill with COVID-19 have also found it difficult to recover, both physically and mentally. Although long COVID has not yet been well researched, there are several studies underway. One form of psychotherapy that may help to improve the quality of life of this group is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). At least, that is the hope of Karin Brocki, Professor of Psychology at Uppsala University, who is examining the matter more closely. In brief, ACT, which has been proven to work against chronic pain, involves teaching the patient strategies to deal with their symptoms so that they do not dominate their life. This improves the individual’s psychological flexibility.

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Professor Karin Brocki of the Department of Psychology.

Professor Emily Holmes of the Department of Psychology.

M E N TA L H E A LT H

WE’RE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO RECOMPOSE THE BRAIN SO THAT IT DOESN’T STORE THESE DREADFUL IMAGES AS RECURRING, INTRUSIVE MEMORIES.” “This is all about the ability to adapt your behaviour, emotions and thoughts to the situation at hand while retaining the things that make you feel good. Mastering this ability will make you somewhat more resistant to developing mental illness. If you like going to the gym, find other ways to work out,” says Brocki. Brocki was one of the first to study how the mental health of Swedes has been affected by the pandemic. “The first study we conducted demonstrated that, despite the fact that we were largely able to live as normal, the level of mental illness increased significantly during the early phase of the pandemic. We could see that it was young people who were suffering the most. Those who had previously experienced mental illness were at greatest risk of feeling unwell during the pandemic,” says Brocki.

THAT YOUNG PEOPLE in general felt

worse than their elders might be explained by the major changes that take place in early adulthood, which are associated with anxiety. Perhaps they have moved to another city to study, have an unstable economy and are generally uncertain about the future. Existential questions may be amplified by a protracted crisis like the pandemic. Professor Brocki has also studied how the pandemic has affected families with young children. With colleagues from the University of Cambridge, among others, she has conducted a large international study of families with children in the age group 4–7 years in six countries: China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Italy and Australia. The level of restrictions has varied greatly between these countries. “We measured the wellbeing of parents, conflicts between parents and between parents and children, the ability to maintain routines during the pandemic and the wellbeing and functioning of children in dayto-day life. Regardless of country, we saw a correlation between deteriorating mental health in parents during the pandemic and the children’s wellbeing. In those families where parents reported increased mental stress during the pandemic, children also functioned less well, showing increased hyperactivity, disobedience and emotional problems,” says Brocki.

Many people are suffering mental ill health due to the pandemic. But according to Professors of Psychology Karin Brocki and Emily Holmes, help is at hand.

THE RESEARCHERS WERE unable to dis-

cern any obvious correlation between the severity of restrictions in a country and the mental wellbeing of the families. “One explanation for the observed correlation between parents’ and children’s wellbeing during the pandemic may be that the parents’ ability to support their children’s emotional and behavioural self-regulation was disrupted. In the preschool years, children need support from their parents to regulate their behaviour, as their self-regulation skills are still developing. If the interplay between parents and child is disrupted, this will have obvious effects on the child’s wellbeing because, as we know, self-regulation is intimately connected to mental wellbeing and various types of behavioural problems. One vital aspect that has a bearing on the child-parent

relationship is precisely this ability on the part of the parent to adapt emotionally and in everyday life,” she explains. The ability to maintain routines and to do the things that support our wellbeing, such as exercising and nurturing social contacts, is generally important if we are to cope with crises such as the ongoing pandemic. “The exceptional thing about the pandemic is that its stresses are so protracted. It has been going on for over a year now and placing considerable restrictions on wellness factors that influence our health,” explains Filip Arnberg. AS PROGRAMME DIRECTOR for the

National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry, Arnberg has studied many crises, yet finds the pandemic difficult to compare to other events, such as the 2004 tsunami or the

sinking of the Estonia. Its distinguishing feature is its protracted nature. The National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry was established at Uppsala University in 2002 on behalf of the National Board of Health and Welfare. In the wake of the Estonia disaster, it became apparent that, given society’s tendency to forget, Sweden needed to gather knowledge of traumatic events so that society would not need to start from scratch with each new crisis. The National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry is one of several knowledge centres at Swedish universities related to disaster medicine. “Our mission can be summarised as creating, gathering and disseminating new knowledge about the psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of highly stressful events. Our mission is somewhat broader than a normal research group in as much as we

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also contribute expertise to the National Board of Health and Welfare. With contributions from other government agencies and organisations, we also try to disseminate knowledge to the public in various ways,” he says. One thing that has struck him in the course of his research is that most people seem to cope well in a crisis. “More often than not it takes an existing burden or a particularly large stressor to make us feel that we are completely unable to deal with an event. Some people might think this sounds optimistic but, after studying bus crashes, the Estonia disaster, the tsunami, Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751, the Scandinavian Star fire, the Västmanland forest fire and now the pandemic, I am convinced that this is the case,” says Arnberg. ●

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Student life, but not as we know it S o, w h at h a s i t b e e n like t o s t ud y a nd li ve s t ud e nt li fe d ur ing t he p a nd e mic? W hile t he re are obv iou sl y a num b e r of dr aw b ac k s , t he s t ud e nt s we h ave s poke n t o al so se e ad v a nt a ge s . text A N D E R S B E R N DT photo P R I VAT E , J U L I Á N M AC H U C A

n March 2020, all teaching at Uppsala University went digital overnight. “Teachers have battled and deserve praise; they have really given it their best. That said, unfortunately the experience has been worse for us students. I don’t believe we have learnt as much during this period and I think that will be apparent in the future,” says Linnea Lindström, a student in the Bachelor’s Programme in Political Science. According to Linnea, the dynamic of teaching is lost when it takes place digitally. “One shouldn’t underestimate the value of those small conversations, after and before a seminar for example,” she points out. ANTHONY GUNDSTEDT,

a student in the Master’s Programme in Electrical Engineering, has had a somewhat different experience. As someone in a programme that usually involves a great deal of timetabled teaching, he describes the opportunity

to choose when to listen to recorded lectures as a bit of a luxury. “You can organise your study time yourself. There has however been less interaction, as many people listen afterwards,” says Anthony. Medical student Rodi Misto has also experienced a reduction in everyday stress. “There’s no need to make the trip to campus and it’s nice to be able to watch any lectures you might miss afterwards. This has provided a level of flexibility that should be utilised in future, though motivation has been a problem,” says Rodi. THE PROBLEM OF staying

motivated is one that Mimmi Synnergren, who is studying history and literature, recognises. Her subjects generally involve less timetabled teaching. “Personally, it’s been a struggle; I’ve really missed that contact with teachers,” says Mimmi. “We used to spend a lot of time in Carolina, the University Library,

discussing and chatting. We tried sitting there at the start of the pandemic but it felt a little irresponsible. But it’s difficult to stay focused sitting in your digs alone.” All four emphasise the importance of having fellow students to study and hang out with. “I feel so sorry for freshers who started during the pandemic. I’ve maintained a clique of three or four friends who have continued

to meet, and that has been really important. I don’t know how I would have managed being completely alone,” says Linnea. WHEN THE PANDEMIC broke

out, some students chose to return home to their families. Linnea, however, chose to remain in her 19 square metre student apartment. “Mental wellbeing has had to be sacrificed in the interests of dealing with the pandemic

An outdoor summer dinner arranged in June last year by Linnea Lindström’s immediate circle of friends.

“We’ve chosen to remain relatively isolated,” says Rodi Misto, pictured here foraging for bilberries in the woods.

“Without my girlfriend, it would have been quite lonely,” says Anthony Gundstedt, pictured here at a barbecue with friends.

and, while I have full respect for that, it has been extremely difficult, not least during the personal lockdown of spring 2021,” says Linnea. “If I hadn’t had my girlfriend, I would probably have moved back home,” says Anthony. “Without my girlfriend, it would have been Linnea Lindström at a digital ball arranged by the Uppsala Political Science Students’ Association in April 2021.

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quite lonely.” “As a medical student, you meet patients all the time and, naturally, you don’t want to spread the infection to them or to the ward. You want to avoid that at all costs. So, we’ve chosen to remain relatively isolated. I live with my partner and that has been a tremendous help and reduced the need for other social contacts,” says Rodi. “But, of course, had this pandemic struck at a time when we didn’t have access to all this technology it would have been much more difficult to bear,” says Linnea. “And student organisations have impressed with a range of creative ways to socialise. Among other things, I’ve attended a digital ball with quizzes, student theatre and small digital groups. That was great fun,” says Linnea. ● 41

UNIVERSITETSLIV

ALUMNUS OF THE YE AR

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Jenny Larsson For J e nny L ar s son , U p ps al a U ni ve r si t y ’s A lumnu s of t he Ye ar 2 021, int e re s t in t he e nv ironme nt w a s aw ake ne d e ar l y in li fe . A s M a n a ging Dire c t or of H i t ac hi A B B Powe r G r id s in Swe d e n , she now wor k s for a fos sil - fre e socie t y – bu t al so for d i ve r si t y a nd inc lu si ve le ade r ship. text A N N I C A H U LT H photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

The citation for Larsson receiving the Alumnus of the Year award is: “Jenny Larsson has had a brilliant engineering career and her professional success, interest in the environment, solid leadership and commitment make her an excellent role model for the University’s students.” Larsson’s concern for the environment began back in 1986, when she was 12, with the Chernobyl disaster. Living in Gävle, she saw up close the devastation that followed in the wake of the nuclear accident. “Radioactive rain fell over large parts of Sweden and a huge amount in the Gävle area, where I lived. It brought home to me, my family and friends that events can happen that affect our environment and us human beings. It was then I realised that I wanted to work proactively on environmental issues.” ■

SHE STUDIED AT Uppsala University,

obtaining her MSc in Environmental and Water Engineering in 1998. After several years at Vattenfall, the leading European energy company, and three years as Managing Director of Gotlands Energi AB, she joined ABB Power Grids in 2018. Two years later, she became Managing Director and, in the same year, a joint venture with Hitachi was started. The global company Hitachi ABB Power Grids was formed, with Larsson as Country Managing Director in Sweden. “We stand for the technology that can enable the transition to a fossil-free society through electrification. This is, of course, necessary to reduce fossil emissions

in various sectors. The energy sector is a huge part of our client base, but we also work directly with customers in industry, as well as transport and infrastructure,” Larsson says.

CAREER IN BRIEF:

Completed a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Uppsala University in 1998. Has held management positions since 2002 at Vattenfall, Gotlands Energi and ABB, and is now Managing Director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in Sweden. Board Chair of the Swedish Shippers’ Council and member of the Swedish Government’s Commission for Electrification. NATION:

Belonged to the Norrland Nation, but also spent much time in the Östgöta Nation, for the music. INSPIRED BY:

People who have the courage and urge to step up and push for change. Good leadership and respect for everyone, regardless of role and background.

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AS A LEADER, she works for diversity and

equality of opportunity, as the citation for this year’s award emphasises: “In her various positions, she has promoted gender equality and diversity issues and actively worked to get more women into leading roles.” For her, active efforts to promote these issues are self-evident. “Responding to employees with respect and interest, no matter what their jobs are in an organisation, is a guiding principle for me. Working together as a team is essential. We also need to be different, with varied backgrounds. That makes us a more innovative and creative company, and one that produces what the customers want.” LOOKING BACK ON her years at Uppsala,

she remembers the great breadth and what fun it was meeting students from several different study programmes in the nations, the University’s time-honoured student organisations. Above all, she recalls the sense of fellowship on her programme. Did you learn anything in particular in Uppsala that you have benefited from? “Yes, loads. The teachers and professors had up-to-the-minute knowledge of sustainability and environmental issues. When I was on the programme, far from every organisation and company had sustainability on the agenda at all. But for us, it was a natural part of our educ at ion and became an integral aspect of our thinking when we moved on. I think that’s been valuable.” ●

UNIVERSITY LIFE

A ceremony of its time For the f irst time ever, Uppsala Univers it y’s Conferment Ceremony has been conducted entirely in absentia – that is, remotely. “It went bet ter than I hoped; given the circumst ances, it was an undoubted success,” says Mar tin Mickelsson, one of the new doctors who turned out well-dressed in suit and cravat . text A N D E R S B E R N DT photo M I K A E L WA L L E R S T E DT

Martin Mickelsson arranged a big-screen live broadcast at home, for a grand experience.

UNIVERSITY LIFE

ue to the ongoing pandemic, the spring 2021 Conferment Ceremony was broadcast live without the physical attendance of those involved. Although the ceremony itself was conducted remotely, the traditional cannon salute was still fired in central Uppsala, leaving the distinctive smell of gunpowder hanging over the University Main Building long after the ceremony concluded. As is customary, the threecannon salute was fired by members of military cultural history association the Jämtland Field Artillery, clad in uniforms dating from 1873. “Most of my fellow doctoral graduates chose to postpone their conferment,” says Mickelsson, “but I will soon be leaving for Zimbabwe to conduct a postdoctoral project and will be abroad until 2024, so I would otherwise miss the window for conferment.” THE DOCTORAL CONFERMENT CEREMONY is a sym-

bolic transition, usually held in the Grand Auditorium. On this occasion, however, conferees and guests followed the ceremony online from home or elsewhere. Only the Vice-Chancellor, degree conferrers, ceremonial staff and the field artillery observer were present in the auditorium. Martin Mickelsson was alone in his apartment during the ceremony; however, he succeeded in creating a social experience by inviting friends, family and colleagues to join him in a Zoom virtual meeting

room, where he also streamed the live broadcast. “This way, more people could participate, making it more accessible. Perhaps fifteen or twenty people popped in during the hours that the ceremony lasted and we were able to speak to one another, raise a glass and reflect on the ceremony, instead of getting stiff sitting in the auditorium,” Mickelsson says with a smile. MARTIN’S VISITORS IN

the Zoom room included colleagues from Latvia, as well as several from Campus Gotland who had never had the opportunity to attend a conferment ceremony in the University Main Building. “Several people have been in touch since to say how much they enjoyed participating via my Zoom room. Many of them were pleasantly surprised by how good the results were,” says Mickelsson with a chuckle. Laurel wreaths are usually bound for new doctors in the ‘philosophical’ faculties, but not this year. This left Martin Mickelsson with no laurel wreath to put on during the ceremony.

“I did miss out on that, unfortunately. My mother also has a doctorate from a philosophical faculty and she still has her laurel wreath. Still, I can understand that the logistics were insurmountable.” HAVING RECEIVED their

badges of honour, the new doctors are usually guided by the degree conferrer across Parnassus, the podium used in the conferment ceremony. “Although it was different this year, the ceremony was held with due solemnity. My mother, who has personally been through the ceremony, noted that I had the entire speech and music to myself, as I was the only new doctor from my faculty. I was not one among many. I also arranged to show the live broadcast on the big screen here at home, so it was rather grand from my perspective,” chortles Martin Mickelsson. ●

Doctoral Conferment Ceremony Although Uppsala University normally holds two Doctoral Conferment Ceremonies each year, because of the pandemic it was not possible to hold ceremonies in May 2020 or January 2021. During a solemn ceremony in the auditorium of the University Main Building, new doctors are presented with their badges of honour: a doctoral hat or laurel wreath, and a diploma. When the new doctor is guided across Parnassus, symbol of the sacred mountain of the Greek gods, it symbolises their endowment with the right to teach academically.

Footnote: At the time of publication, the laurel wreath issue has been successfully resolved. After fact-checking the article, ceremony staff arranged for Martin Mickelsson to receive a laurel wreath.

Bottoms up – at a safe distance. Martin Mickelsson invited friends, family, colleagues and collaborators to a Zoom room where he streamed the live broadcast.

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PHOTO: MIKAEL WALLERSTEDT

A N D F I N A L LY

Letters from Segerstedt

SUSTAINABILITY Uppsala University Campus Garden is a project to build an on-campus vegetable garden, with the ultimate aim of reducing the University’s carbon footprint. “We are creating a garden in a previously unused space on Villavägen, using recycled materials and waste-free solutions,” explain project managers Sagnik Sinha Roy and Otilia Björndahl João. The pair are inspired by permaculture principles and their aim is to integrate the garden

with existing ecosystems. “We hope to involve and engage various stakeholders and levels within the University and the community in order to promote sustainability, awareness, reflection

Project managers Sagnik Sinha Roy and Otilia Björndahl João (centre) with some of the volunteers

and a sense of community. Given our interdisciplinary background, the garden’s objectives are both ecological and social.” Sagnik Sinha Roy and Otilia Björndahl João applied to the Uppsala University climate pot with the idea of jointly creating a garden – and were granted funding. The Climate Change Leader ship (CCL) node has also contributed funding, while landlord Akademiska Hus has lent the land.

Genuine bluebuck horns CULTURAL HERITAGE The bluebuck is one of the rarest animals in museum collections of extinct mammals. DNA tests have now shown that museum specimens are even rarer than previously thought, with only four examples. The Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm has a genuine mounted skin with horns. The Museum of Evolution in Uppsala has a pair of horns mounted on a plaque, which are also genuine according to the DNA test.

PHOTO: JOHAN WAHLGREN

Climate-smart food grown here

LITERATURE The private papers of professor, academician and long-serving vice-chancellor of Uppsala University Torgny T. Segerstedt (1908–1999) are now available to researchers, students and the public through the University Library. Segerstedt’s archive contains material from the 1930s until the 1990s, including some 4,500 letters, 900 speeches and lectures, biographical information, diaries, manuscripts and much else.

In this way, one can scale up psychology expertise and help many more people experience meaningfulness. In theory, a more meaningful life can be a factor in shielding people from issues such as minor forms of depression or anxiety disorder.” Mamduh Halawa, Uppsala Student of the Year 2020, developer of the Zeeds app that creates meaningful habits.

TH E I M AG E

A N D F I N A L LY

Alfred Nobel’s chemicals ish National Heritage Board and Uppsala University, the Nobel Prize Museum has determined the contents of 43 old bottles and tins from Alfred Nobel’s laboratory. “A surprisingly well-preserved collection of chemicals,” according to Professor Adolf Gogoll of the Department of Chemistry – BMC. The chemical analyses were performed by Gogoll after the 40 or so bottles and tins were shipped to Uppsala from the Nobel Museum in Karlskoga. There were large tins containing inorganic salts and oxides, as well as bottles containing various liquids. When exposed to air and day light, chemicals can either oxidise

(react with oxygen) or polymerise; however, Gogoll confirms that this had not happened. “Many of them appeared to be completely pure. If someo ne had told me they had bought them yesterday from our usual chemical supplier, I would not have had the slightest suspicion about it. Of all of these organic substances, only a few showed signs of decay.” ANALYSIS REVEALED heavy

metals such as lead and chromium. Some of the bottles contained substances used in the manufacture of dynamite, while others contained mixtures and possible traces of chemical reactions that Alfred Nobel or his

colleagues were working on. Having had a long-standing interest in the history of chemistry, when the department moved to Uppsala Biomedical Centre (BMC) from the old Kemikum building on the English Park Campus in 2002, Professor Gogoll helped to create a small exhibition of old objects, flasks and other laboratory glassware on the staircase. A doctoral student who assisted the professor was subsequently employed by the Swedish National Heritage Board. “When the need arose to determine the contents of Nobel’s old bottles, she thought of me and that’s how I came to be given the task.”

Professor Adolf Gogoll of Uppsala University’s Department of Chemistry – BMC.

/ A N N I C A H U LT H

Bottles from Alfred Nobel’s laboratories.

PHOTO: DAN LEPP

■ In collaboration with the Swed-

PHOTO: STEWEN QUIGLEY

The University environment of tomorrow Our physical environment and our interaction with the city, whether that be Uppsala or Visby, are important factors in enabling Uppsala University to be a forum for excellent research and education and a regional creative hub. But how should the University’s physical environment evolve over the coming decades? To answer this question, in broad dialogue both internally and externally, the University has developed a roadmap containing guiding principles for Uppsala University’s future spatial structure and physical shape: Development Plan 2050. ■

Among other things, the plan features increased collaboration and sustainability, as well as the development of a cohesive university area in Uppsala, rather than several different campuses. This will involve the development of urban cycling and pedestrian corridors linking the various parts of the University to one another, as well as to other stakeholders. In Visby, there is a perceived potential to develop the area around the inner harbour to accommodate additional university operations.

Uppsala University Magazine 2021

Articles inside

Jenny Larsson, alumnus of the year

The image: Alfred Nobel's chemicals

A ceremony of its time

PET joins the fight against Alzheimer’s disease

Student life, but not as we know it

The uneven impact of the pandemic on mental health

“Getting people on board is crucial”

The portrait: Tove Fall is surveying diseases with new technology

Towards a fossil-free future

Saving the Baltic Sea cod

All known runic inscriptions have now been digitised

Designing tomorrow’s human spare parts

Hello there... Peter Wallensteen “We have made peace a researchable subject”

Hello there… Sofia Näsström “The greatest threat to democracy is resignation”

Large bolide falls from the sky