Spotlight on: The conditions of science
To be active in academic research can be seen as both a vocational calling and a professional career. The challenges for today's researchers are many – ranging from complex ethical issues to the constant grant-applications to fund their research. On this page we have collected some of the news and feature articles on the theme previously published in our different communication channels.
Academic freedom under threat
Academic freedom under threat
Several high-profile cases of intimidation, harassment and imprisoned researchers demonstrate that academic freedom is under considerable pressure. In May 2022, KI highlighted the situation during the seminar "Academic freedom and international collaboration in a turbulent world."
The story about Moderna and the mRNA vaccine
The story about Moderna and the mRNA vaccine
The success of the mRNA-based vaccines is a boost for the entire mRNA field and can lead to new treatments for completely different diseases. This is the view of KI Professor Kenneth Chien, co-founder of Moderna, one of the companies that has developed a COVID-19 vaccine.
A long road from research to practical benefit
A long road from research to practical benefit
Should masks be worn or not? What’s the best way to relieve pain? New information is constantly emerging from research. But translating new scientific results into practical applications often takes a long time.
Rapid research finds new paths
Rapid research finds new paths
When the world is on hold, research shifts into its highest gear. Time-consuming steps of the research project are skipped – but ethics must never be forgotten.
Sex and gender differences in health
Sex and gender differences in health
Professors in history – ideals have changed over time
Professors in history – ideals have changed over time
Opinions have varied on how many professors Karolinska Institutet is to have, according to science historian Daniel Normark. The first change took place in 1993, when over a hundred “kingdoms” were abolished.
Patience an indispensible quality for a professor
Patience an indispensible quality for a professor
Anita Aperia has been a professor for more than 35 years, Pernilla Lagergren took up her post quite recently. Yet, their attitudes towards their professional roles are in many respects similar.
How professors are made at KI
How professors are made at KI
Since 2011 universities and institutions of higher education in Sweden have had greater freedom to decide themselves on the appointment of a professor. KI has chosen to expose professorships to competition and has abolished the right to be promoted.
Increased citing of Bob Dylan in biomedical research
Increased citing of Bob Dylan in biomedical research
The number of articles citing the lyrics of Bob Dylan in the biomedical literature has increased exponentially since 1990, according to a study from Karolinska Institutet.
Five KI researchers among the most cited in the world
Five KI researchers among the most cited in the world
Five KI researchers are listed at the 2016 list of "Highly Cited Researchers". In total 3,000 scientists worldwide are listed as the most cited, and in that aspect also the most influential.
Reproducibility of research in psychology investigated
Reproducibility of research in psychology investigated
An international study questions the reproducibility of much of the published findings in psychology journals.
The challenge – to find the best research
The challenge – to find the best research
Within medical research, there is currently a range of different measures used to assess which research is best. But critics argue that the measurement has become an end in itself.
Liver in test tube replaces animal testing
Liver in test tube replaces animal testing
There is a continuously ongoing effort to improve research technology and replace animal testing with other methods. Meet three researchers at Karolinska Institutet breaking new ground.
New gene technology raises ethical questions
New gene technology raises ethical questions
The new genetic tool CRISPR may lead to improved treatments for severe diseases in the future – but is also a topic of debate.
The language of science has become harder to understand
The language of science has become harder to understand
It is not always so easy to understand a scientific article. And with time it has become even harder, according to a new study from KI.
He travels by train to international conferences
He travels by train to international conferences
In order to reduce his own and KI’s negative environmental impact, Shervin Shahnavaz is taking the train instead of flying for his official business travels, if it is possible.
She learned to appreciate the critics
She learned to appreciate the critics
As a young researcher, Liv Eidsmo, was at first scared by the critical culture at her new workplace – since then she has learnt to appreciate it.
"There is confidence in young researchers"
"There is confidence in young researchers"
Hello, Karin Jensen, who got one of the Assistant Professor posts in KI's career ladder advertised in 2014. Announcement period 2016: 22 February to 22 March.