Halfway through the PhD project on the Campus Alnarp development

How has the project developed?

"It has progressed, although its direction has shifted somewhat. In the beginning, the connection between my research project and the development plan for the campus was clearer. However, over time, these aspects have moved further apart. The project still has great potential to contribute to the campus development, but it is also designed to be applicable to other campus environments across Sweden."

What challenges have you encountered?

"One difficulty is that decisions regarding the future of Campus Alnarp are often made elsewhere, in places like Ultuna, Stockholm, and Uppsala. This slows down the process and makes it less adapted to local conditions. Decisions are made far from the people who research, teach, and study here, which creates a sense of distance and a lack of connection."

Can you comment on your expected results?

"A key takeaway for campus development in general is that it should incorporate more perspectives beyond just research and administration. Visitors and those who use the campus for other purposes, such as recreation and social activities, should play a larger role in the process.

Both students who complete their entire education here and those who come from other countries for shorter periods are important voices to consider. International students tend to live on campus to a greater extent, meaning that the campus becomes their introduction not only to Alnarp, SLU, and Skåne but also to Sweden and the Swedish society. There is much to be done to make them feel welcome, rather than, as is often the case now, forming their own community isolated from other staff and students who leave after working hours."

How can this be achieved?

"Initiatives like the study I conducted over the past year, exploring co-creative mapping, allow participants to highlight their favourite spots and problem areas on a map. This method fosters a deeper social connection to the campus. By making the perspectives of different user groups visible, we can create a more dynamic and inclusive campus environment."

What good examples have you found?

"Two successful examples of campus development are the Landscape Lab and Alnarp’s Farm. The Landscape Lab has been carefully preserved despite competition for land, demonstrating that long-term visions can become reality. Alnarp’s Farm has managed to expand and establish itself, even though this has posed challenges for the students running it.

Another exciting future project is the initiative to transform the park into a botanical garden, which could enhance and make its value more accessible without requiring significant physical changes."

How do you navigate the balance between academic freedom and funder expectations?

"I feel that I have a great degree of freedom. At the same time, I want my research to be interesting and relevant for all funders, and it is sometimes difficult to interpret what the funders expect in terms of results. The freedom of being a researcher comes with both opportunities and challenges, as the impact of the project is difficult to predict in the end."

Is there anything you would like to add?

"For those who want to get involved in the continued development of Alnarp, there are great opportunities, both for students and colleagues, as well as other stakeholders who are passionate about developing Alnarp. Feel free to reach out to me to exchange ideas and jointly find ways forward for a vibrant and dynamic campus here at Alnarp."