Science to policy at the Centre for Health Crises
At the Centre for Health Crises, we work to ensure that decisions in health crisis preparedness are based on science and proven experience. We do this by engaging in what is known as ‘science-to-policy’; translating research findings and proven experience so that they can serve as a basis for decision-making in politics and public administration. We believe that universities should play a role in supporting the wider society, both in Sweden and internationally.
About our work in science-to-policy
We facilitate the dissemination of expertise and conduct advocacy to highlight the benefits and importance of science and proven experience in guiding and supporting decision-making and policy development on issues relating to health crisis preparedness. At the same time, we also want to ensure that the expertise that universities house is collected and used during health crises, as part of total defense and Sweden’s crisis preparedness. We want our work to create ties between research, the health care sector, and decision-making. To do so collaboration, not least within our networks, is vital.
Our own forums and events
An important part of our work is to create forums and spaces for dialogue and collaboration, where universities the healthcare sector, civil servants and decision-makers can meet. Because we believe universities are uniquely placed to serve as forums for independent and scientifically grounded discussion on complex issues.
We organise forums for specially invited people or groups, working in fields relevant to health crises, so they can meet, at both the decision-making and civil servant levels. Round-table discussions are one such forum we use to bring together expertise, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and support the develop joint proposals.
In addition to that, we organise events on health crisis-related issues that are open to the public, as well as forums for collaborative learning within and between universities and policy-makers, such as our policy labs.
Examples of larger events we have organised
- Round-table discussion: Expertise in a crisis: how do we bridge the gaps between research, policy and decision-making in health crises at ‘People and Research 2026’
- Symposium and critical expert debate 2025: Don’t let the lessons of the pandemic go to waste – Building better preparedness for the next health crisis
- Health Crises Forum 2024
Our own reports, position papers and results of events
The forums and discussions we organise often result in reports, position papers and other documents that we use in our science-to-policy advocacy. We do this to build on the discussions, experiences and conclusions so that they can support science-based policy development over time. In a similar way, we also produce reports directly, without them being preceded by a forum or similar event, for use in our science-to-policy activities.
Read and download a selection of our latest reports
- Position paper: Expert advice during health crises
- Position paper: Effective diagnostic and testing strategies for the next pandemic
- Position paper: Strengthened preparedness within the healthcare system ahead of the next pandemic
- Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: Healthcare staff’s experiences in the Stockholm Region
- Improved preparedness for the next health crisis – lessons from KI during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Conclusions from the Health Crisis Forum 2024
Our internal reports, such as annual reports and work plans, are available on the page About the Centre for Health Crises.
Inquiries, consultations and comments on government assignments
Where appropriate and where it relates to our field of expertise, we coordinate and contribute to KI’s responses to government inquiries and the like. We also arrange meetings with relevant inquiry committees and provide input to government authorities when they have assignments related to health crises.
Some examples of government inquiries and the the like, that we have provided input on
- The interim report of ‘Strengthened Pandemic Preparedness’ (SOU 2025:48)
- Local councils' and regions’ basic preparedness for crises and war’ (SOU 2024:65)
- Commission to urgently strengthen the healthcare system’s capacity to manage incidents involving certain hazardous substances
- Health consequences of climate change in Sweden: a risk and vulnerability analysis by the Public Health Agency of Sweden
- Patient transport in Sweden during crises and war, final report on the government commission to the National Board of Health and Welfare
Collaboration with government authorities
In addition to responding to inquiries, consultations and the like, another way in which we collaborate with government authorities is through our participation in working groups and expert panels. It enables us not only to share our expertise, but also to advance issues relating to the role of universities in health crisis preparedness and management.
For example, we have participated in SBU’s– the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Social Services - reference group on developing systems and formats for rapid evidence reviews in crisis situations. This was an assignment that SBU was given in their 2025 regulatory letter, which specifically stated that it was to be carried out in collaboration with the Centre for Health Crises. It is partly based on work we carried out together with SBU in 2024, where we worked on the rapid response briefs format, something we also tested in a joint workshop here at KI.
Participations in panels, debates, discussions, lectures and in the media
We also share our expertise and conduct advocacy in forums other than those we organise ourselves, for example by taking part in panels, debates and discussions, and by writing opinion pieces.
A selection of panels and debates that we have participated in
- Health Preparedness at People and Research 2026
- Preparedness – Knowledge for a Resilient Society – a collaboration between Stockholm Science City and Stockholm Trio
Examples of opinion pieces we have written
- We are ready – give universities a clear role in total defence, in Curie, 17 December 2024
- We need a network for clinical trials ahead of the next health crisis, in Dagens Medicin, 1 March 2024
- The healthcare system has become a target in the world’s wars, in Dagens Nyheter, 12 May 2025
Moreover, our expert coordinators and other members of staff are regularly invited to speak at conferences and similar events, and they also frequently give lectures in their areas of expertise.
Finally, we are also frequently approached by the media for our expertise, and we carry out our own proactive media work in order to reach out and disseminate knowledge on health crisis issues to a wider audience.