Research and Innovation Series (RIS) – Part I: Swedish Perspectives on Research and Innovation Security

Welcome to the first webinar in ISDP’s new Research and Innovation Series (RIS)! 

This webinar series, organized by the Stockholm Center for Research and Innovation Security, aims to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas related to research and innovation, and to further increase the understanding of the many factors and policies that impact security developments. We invite scholars and experts from diverse fields and backgrounds to a conversation moderated by staff at the SCRIS.

This inaugural lecture series establishes the conceptual foundation for understanding research and innovation security from multiple perspectives. While this episode focuses specifically on Swedish insights, subsequent lectures will explore European, Asian, African, and American perspectives, creating a comprehensive global dialogue on these critical issues.

Sweden, as a technologically advanced democracy with strong traditions of both openness and security consciousness, offers unique insights into how smaller democratic nations can navigate these challenges. The Swedish model of balancing neutrality with active engagement in international cooperation provides valuable lessons for how democratic states can maintain their autonomy while contributing to collective security efforts.

The questions this episode seeks to address include: 

• How can Sweden and Europe strengthen technological sovereignty while remaining globally competitive and maintaining their commitment to international collaboration?

• What role should trade policies, funding mechanisms (such as Horizon Europe), and public-private partnerships play in securing Swedish and European research and innovation without creating barriers to legitimate international cooperation?

• How can Sweden and Europe safeguard academic institutions and research hubs from foreign influence while upholding fundamental principles of openness and academic freedom?

• What measures can Sweden and the EU implement to harmonize security policies across member states without disrupting scientific progress or creating bureaucratic obstacles to innovation?

Speakers: 

Albin Gaunt is the Policy Manager at STINT (the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education) where he has a focus on responsible internationalisation. He co-authored STINT’s report Responsible Internationalisation: Guidelines for Reflection on International Academic Collaboration. Before STINT, he was an International Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, where he drafted the university’s internationalisation strategy and supported the creation of the NeurotechEU alliance. Earlier, he held roles at the Swedish Ministry of Education, including secretary to the national inquiry on internationalisation, and represented Sweden in forums such as the Bologna Follow-Up Group. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and has worked in higher education policy since 2001.

Dr. Christina Wainikka has a background as a legal researcher as well as an entrepreneur but is currently working as a policy expert on intellectual property at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. She has written books on topics like trade secrets, innovation and IP, public procurement and IP. Christina has studied at the Swedish Defence University and is currently on the board of two research institutes.

Moderator: Dr. Niklas Swanström, Executive Director, Institute for Security & Development Policy