Polarization vs. Pluralism

Academia’s Crucial Role in Bridging Perspectives

09-10 November 2023

Where: KMH - Royal College of Music in Stockholm and Openlab

ON STAGE

Welcome to

STOCKHOLM EXPLORATIVE TALKS 2023

Polarization vs. Pluralism

Academia’s Crucial Role in Bridging Perspectives

In a world where increasing polarization poses complex challenges to many layers of society, academia plays a more important role now than ever. When one-sided, powerful stories describe the world from opposite extremes, inviting opposing perspectives to the table (the very essence of academia) for thoughtful exploration and discussion, is an essential ingredient in the antidote. This takes curiosity and courage (and what are academics if not curious and courageous?) and a good arena for dialogue. That’s why we would like to invite you to explore academia’s crucial role in bridging perspectives at this year’s Stockholm Explorative Talks – alongside academics and artists from all 18 universities and higher education institutions in Stockholm.

9 NOVEMBER

09:00-09:05

Welcome and Introduction

09:05-10:00

Session I: Explorative Dialogue – Dimensions of Health

Health is so much more than the absence of disease. According to WHO, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Other dimensions of health can be existential, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, vocational, financial, and environmental. In what ways do these dimensions interact and impact our health? Are there other dimensions too? This session will explore how academic knowledge, local know-how and exchange can contribute to responsible and sustainable global health.

EXPLORERS
Aku Kwamie | Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research at the World Health Organisation
Ole Petter Ottersen | Former President of Karolinska Institutet and Oslo University

CURATOR
Olle Burell | President of the Stockholm City Council

10:00-10:30

Coffee Break

10:30-11:45

Session II: Breakout sessions

During these breakout sessions, we’ll give the stage to our Explorers for 10 minutes to present their take on the topic in question. Then the conversation opens up for a freewheeling discussion with the Co-Explorers (representing widely different disciplines) where thoughts and ideas from various angles meet in a spontaneous way. For the first time we’ll also have representatives from the private sector participating in the conversations. (Oh, and did we mention? It’s 100% PowerPoint free.)

Breakout A: Home

– Where we live, what we design, where we’re from…

EXPLORER
Sara Ilstedt | Product and Service Design, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

CO-EXPLORERS
Magnus Karlsson | Civil Society Research, Marie Cederschiöld University
Janina Seubert | Psychology, Karolinska Institutet
Nguyễn Thanh Thủy | Music, Royal College of Music in Stockholm
Johannes Tovatt | Architecture, Sweco

Breakout B: Age

– Life and death, old and new…

EXPLORER
Siddartha Aradhya | Demography, Stockholm University

CO-EXPLORERS
Johan Lind | Ethology, Stockholm University
Jessica Pehrson | Social Work, Erica Foundation
Ami Skånberg | Dance, Stockholm University of the Arts
Eugen Steiner | Medicine, BioArctic
Rui Wang | Epidemiology, The Swedish School for Sport and Health Sciences

11:45-12:45

Lunch Break

12:45-14:00

Session III: Breakout sessions

Here’s your second chance to pick a topic, sit back and enjoy a freewheeling conversation between academics, artists and representatives from the private sector (who probably wouldn’t have met otherwise).

Breakout C: Travel

– Movement in time, space and mind…

EXPLORER
Bengt G Karlsson | Social Anthropology, Stockholm University

CO-EXPLORERS
Robert Blasiak | Sustainable Ocean Management, Stockholm Resilience Centre (SU)
Elisabeth Hörnfeldt | Innovation and Sustainable Transport Solutions, Scania
Fariya Sharmeen | Mobility and Urban Planning, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Anna Ådahl | Visual Art, Royal Institute of Art

Breakout D: Surveillance

– Observe, protect, watch, trust, control…

EXPLORER
Sonja Buchegger | Computer Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

CO-EXPLORERS
Davor Džalto | Religion, Art, and Democracy, University College Stockholm
Henrique Garbino | War Studies, Swedish Defence University
Stellan Söderström | Solution Architecture, Security and AI, Securitas Digital
Maiting Zhuang | Economics, Stockholm School of Economics

14:00-14:15

Break

14:15-15:30

Session IV: Conflicts

Conflicts are omnipresent and unavoidable in a pluralistic society. But how do they impact us? Do we see conflicts as threatening, natural, bad, necessary, dangerous, fun, unpleasant, constructive, destructive – something else entirely? How would reframing our understanding of conflicts help us develop pluralistic societies by effectively navigating tensions among conflicting views? In this session, different perspectives will meet in a creative way (you’ll see how on stage!) to explore interdisciplinary approaches to conflicts.

EXPLORERS
Walid Al-Saqaf | Journalism and Media Technology, Södertörn University
Nina Gårevik | Psychiatric Care, Swedish Red Cross University
Behzad Khosravi Noori | Artistic Research, Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design
Carol Tishelman | Innovative Care, Karolinska Institutet
Elisabet Yanagisawa | Artistic Research and Aesthetic Philosophy, Beckmans College of Design

CURATOR
Christopher Persson | Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, The London Interdisciplinary School

15:40-16:30

Session V: Presidents’ session – Academia’s Crucial Role

Stockholm is in many aspects segregated, which leads to polarization between people. How can Stockholm’s academic ecosystem bridge the gap? Five of Stockholm’s university leaders will discuss how their work and vision on education, student recruitment, research, and collaborations with the city, businesses and other organizations can act as catalysts to change this negative trend.

EXPLORERS
Johanna Adami | President, Sophiahemmet University
Anna Maria Jönsson | Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Södertörn University
Sanne Kofod Olsen | Vice-Chancellor, Royal Institute of Art
Ian Plaude | Vice-Chancellor, University College of Music Education in Stockholm
Lars Strannegård | President, Stockholm School of Economics

CURATOR
James Savage | CEO and Publisher, The Local

16:30-17:30

Mingle

Stay and mingle with academics, artists and business representatives who you might not meet otherwise!

10 November

09:00-12:00

Interdisciplinarity in practice at Openlab!

Do you want inspiration, insights and tools on how to collaborate and co-create across disciplines?

Put your minds and hands to work in Openlab’s creative session Interdisciplinarity in practice. Based on the method and mindset of design thinking you’ll get to explore subjects and challenges further, through radical collaboration, hands-on exercises and with a curious and human-centered approach. Themes: Home, age, travel and surveillance.

Please note that the number of places is limited!

About Openlab
Openlab is a creative center for societal innovation fostering collaboration between the public sector and academia. Through open innovation, a playful seriousness, and the courage to test ideas at an early stage, we equip our partners to find sustainable solutions to complex challenges.

Event details

Who can come? | This event is open to everyone.
When is the registration deadline? | 1 November (if you want to have lunch and stay for the mingle).
What’s the registration fee? | It’s free! But there’s a 500 SEK no-show fee, so make sure to unregister for the event before 1 November if you won’t be able to join.
Who’s organizing the event? | Stockholms Akademiska Forum – 18 universities and the City of Stockholm.
How do I get to KMH – Royal College of Music in Stockholm? | Find detailed information here.
How do I get to Openlab? | The address is Valhallavägen 79 (right by KTH Royal Institute of Technology).