Themes – research that broadens perspectives

Curious about research that broadens your perspective? Every month we present a new theme.

It's an election year.

Research and expertise on democracy and voter participation.

Transformative change for a sustainable future

Climate change affects all of us – and so do its mitigations. Initiatives, whether big or small, can bring about real change.

The Universe from an Uppsala perspective

From our galaxy to infinity.

The role of universities in promoting peace

Through research and independent analyses, the University contributes towards understanding and addressing conflicts around the world. The knowledge produced can give policy makers a better basis for promoting peace and security.

Money and life

Money is closely bound up with people’s everyday life, health and opportunities. Here we have brought together research from Uppsala University that shows how economic conditions affect people’s lives – now and historically. Researchers explain how we are moulded by differences in income, education and housing – and propose solutions. New construction in an area can reduce segregation, for example.

Wintertime

Sparkling, frosty days. That’s winter in many people’s minds. But how will climate change affect the weather in winters to come? Researchers at Uppsala University are studying everything from extreme weather and Svalbard’s melting ice sheets to the health of long-distance skiers.

Climate footprint

From 10 to 21 November, world politicians are meeting in Brazil for the COP30 international climate summit. With a focus on increasing our resilience to climate change, the discussions extend to energy, nature, justice and innovation. At Uppsala University, we are finding out more about the effects of climate change and how our society can deal with them.

Existence

What is the meaning of life? Do we have free will? Can we stop ageing? People have pondered these questions since time immemorial. In today’s digital world, they take on new urgency. Meanwhile, medical advances are revealing more about how to stop ageing and minimise risks at the start of life. Research offers new perspectives.

The global university

Our researchers and students are active all over the world – in fieldwork, through research collaborations and via student exchanges. Our University is represented at the major global research facilities. Uppsala University is a hub for important EU projects and international meetings. Meet the world in Uppsala and Visby!

The forces of nature

Climate-related extreme weather events and natural disasters are becoming increasingly common. Global warming, combined with our lifestyles, could pave the way for tropical diseases to take hold in Sweden too. By studying everything from earthquakes to virus-spreading mosquitoes, researchers hope to predict threats and better protect us against them.

Drugs of the future

Biological drugs for cancer, transplants for diabetes, new antibiotics. The drugs of the future are being developed in Uppsala, in close cooperation between researchers and industry, using modern technologies such as AI and automation.

The City

Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. Many people are now working to make cities more sustainable– with climate-smart ways to preserve buildings, green spaces to favour biodiversity, safe neighbourhoods and more efficiently used electricity networks.

The Earth’s resources

The Earth does not have endless resources. The ocean, minerals, forests and other natural resources are threatened by human activities. New innovative solutions offer the prospect of a more sustainable future.

Lifestyle

What are the connections between lifestyle, genetics and health? Is it possible to exercise and eat your way to better health and are there differences between the sexes? How can we avoid stress? Smart choices can improve our wellbeing.

Evolution

The study of evolution teaches us how life originated and how it has developed throughout history. Understanding how humans, animals and plants have coped with change can give us clues to solving climate change and preserving biodiversity.

A troubled world

The number of conflicts in the world is growing. On top of that, our digital reality faces major threats that heighten the need for cybersecurity. Through research, we can increase our understanding of war, conflict resolution and how to make the world more secure.

The brain

Thanks to our brain, we can plan our actions, regulate emotions and solve complex problems. The brain also holds both positive and negative memories. But what happens when it malfunctions? For example, in the case of Alzheimer’s disease, head injuries or depression?

Fossil-free future

To meet future electricity needs, we need to tame the forces of nature but also change our behaviour. Uppsala University is an international melting pot, bringing together researchers from many disciplines to contribute to the green transition.

Climate

Higher temperatures on Earth are leading to melting ice on Svalbard and new diseases in Sweden. Finding solutions demands many different perspectives. Natural scientists, humanists and medical researchers are all working on this to create a sustainable future.