Sweden’s total defence is being built up again owing to the deterioration of the security situation in Europe. Chalmers is committed to provide education and research to make society better prepared for crises.
The role of higher education institutions in total defence
Higher education institutions have the same task as usual in total defence, that is to conduct research, provide education and disseminate new knowledge for the benefit of society. Higher education institutions also play an important role in contributing to Sweden’s preparedness, and in strengthening and protecting democracy and the Swedish system of government.
As Sweden’s leading university of technology, Chalmers is well placed to contribute to building a resilient society and has a responsibility to do so. This may involve contributing knowledge that prepares Sweden for the next pandemic, how to restore destroyed infrastructure after storms or floods, or increasing the security of critical IT systems.
Chalmers contributes expertise to strengthen Sweden’s resilience and preparedness
Chalmers' contribution in education, research and innovation
Most of Chalmers’ educational programmes already contribute to creating a robust, resilient society via courses in subjects such as urban planning, transport, production, electrical systems and cybersecurity. Via contract education, we can also meet demand from total defence actors in specific areas.
The demand for new research in areas relevant to total defence is constantly growing, as are the opportunities for research funding. Academic freedom is a cornerstone of universities and is about researchers being able to independently choose what research to conduct without influence from political, ideological or commercial interests. Research at Chalmers is often conducted in collaboration with our industrial partners and total defence actors in society, such as the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). We do this because we want to contribute to Sweden’s preparedness and safeguard important societal functions in the event of crises.
Academic freedom is the foundation of our activities and it must never be restricted
Chalmers participates in the SNITTS network, a knowledge arena for actors in academic innovation support. Among other things, the network explores how research from Sweden’s universities and other higher education institutions can benefit defence innovation and total defence, that is both military and civilian.
How the SNITTS network promotes a secure, resilient society (in Swedish)
Campus totalförsvar – a university network
Chalmers participates in the strategic university partnership Campus totalförsvar, the aim of which is to provide total defence with research and education in relevant areas of knowledge. This may include cybersecurity, logistics, rebuilding energy systems and destroyed infrastructure, evacuation plans for the population and sewerage systems. The initiative is led by the Swedish Defence University, Örebro University and Luleå University of Technology and was established in 2024–2025.
The Campus totalförsvar network works to:
- identify and highlight educational programmes that are relevant to total defence actors;
- bring together researchers from Swedish higher education institutions in networks that can develop new research for, and in close cooperation with, total defence actors;
- create a platform for collaboration between academia, government agencies, business and civil society in the field of crisis preparedness and total defence.
Campus totalförsvar's website (in Swedish)
Campus Total Defence – Chalmers' Contribution to Sweden's Security
Chalmers, along with around 30 other universities, is part of the newly formed Campus Total Defence network. This network aims to provide skilled personnel for total defence.
Contact information
Contact information if you have questions regarding Chalmers' work in total defence or if you seek collaboration in education and research within the field.
Operative coordinator
- Director Industrial Relations, Management and General University Support, Chalmers Operations Support
Strategic advisor
- Head of Department, Computer Science and Engineering