Lund University has four representatives in the government’s new Advisory Council of Research. One of them is Christian Stråhlman, doctoral student at the MAX IV-laboratory.
In relation to the research bill the government will present during fall 2016 the government has appointed an Advisory Council of Research. The Council will act as a support to the Ministry of Education and Helene Hellmark Knutsson, Minister for Higher Education and Research. Doctoral student Christian Stråhlman from Lund University, who carries out research at Max IV, is one of the seventeen council members.
“I will provide my perspective as a young scientist and doctoral student. The government has earlier stated that they wish to focus on the career opportunities of young scientists, so this is something I will endorse”, Christian Stråhlman says.
Testing proposals
The former Advisory Council of Research wrote their own report and commented on the proposals made by the Ministry of Education. According to Christian Stråhlman the form of the Council’s work has not yet been decided, but he looks forward to it.
“I assume that we get to think big and freely regarding which research policies the government should prioritize. But I also assume that the government want to test their political proposals on us”, Christian Stråhlman says.
What do you find especially important to endorse in the next research bill?
“The prerequisites for young scientists are an important issue where Sweden can improve. It is actually a matter of equality. During the years where you go from being a doctoral student to having permanent employment many women are lost due to the difficulties of combining a career and having a family.”
What concrete measures will be taken?
“We must look at the employment forms for doctoral students and see to that the allotment of research funding favors a stable research career. Sweden can become an attractive country for young scientists and appeal to foreign doctoral students if it is possible to combine career and family more effortlessly”, Christian Stråhlman says.
The other Council members from Lund University are Mats Benner, Professor of Research Policy, Ingalill Rahm Hallberg, Professor of Health and Care Sciences, and Henrik Smith, Professor of Zoo-Ecology.
Text: Carl-Johan Kullving
Translation: Elise Petersson
