Commitment to global development and collaboration with low-income countries have always been an integral part of SLU operations. In 2012, SLU Global was created to support this work. As of 1 January 2018, SLU Global is a unit at the Vice-Chancellor's Office and has a new, expanded assignment.
SLU Global’s new assignment emphasises that our work should be open, flexible, inclusive and support and reflect all SLU operations relevant to sustainable development, primarily those focusing on low-income countries. The unit’s operations will stimulate the development of new collaborations, research initiatives and education efforts within the area of global development.
Agenda 2030 has to some extent established new frameworks and priorities for the role of agricultural research in global development work – SLU’s strategy “Vetenskap för global utveckling” (Science for global development– only available in Swedish) from 2010 will therefore be revised in relation to this changing landscape. Furthermore, the work of analysing, describing and creating opportunities for funding strategically important research collaborations and capacity-building programmes in countries and regions that are relevant to SLU Global’s assignment will be intensified.
Develop activities that disseminate knowledge and form opinions, e.g. debate articles, participating in and organising conferences, panels, media, etc. Work for maximum spread of SLU Global news, including analysis and synthesis of global development issues and politics.
Establish an SLU doctoral student network focusing on global development through various types of activity, e.g. seminars, workshops, etc. The objective is to stimulate global networks for young researchers, highlight opportunities for international careers and collaboration, strengthen SLU doctoral students’ intercultural skills and increase knowledge of challenge-driven research as well as multi- and interdisciplinary working methods.
Support “global” professional development for teachers/researchers and administrators, both as a part of internationalisation at home and as preparation for those who take part in e.g. bilateral capacity-building programmes. The work is done together with the Educational Development Unit.
Contribute to making SLU visible and displaying its commitment to public authority networks and other relevant national and international organisations and networks. Coordinate and develop operations within the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA).
Carry out a comparative analysis of various methods and approaches to describe the impact of global development research as well as propose a method that can be adjusted to and used by SLU.
The new assignment also includes establishing Global alumni activities, work to create synergy between SLU Global and the platforms Future Food, Future Forests, Urban Futures, and Future Animals, Nature and Health as well as representing SLU in relevant contexts, both internationally and nationally.
“Inriktning av SLU:s verksamhet inom området global utveckling 2018” (The direction of SLU operations within the global development field 2018); SLU ID ua.2017.1.1.1-735. Only available in Swedish.
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From the SLU strategy
The SLU strategy for 2017–2020 highlights the global dimension of SLU’s sector role through its connection to the larger global challenges such as climate change, food and water supply, sustainability issues, etc. The strategy also emphasises international collaboration as a clear part of all SLU research and SLU support for development in low-income countries through research and educational collaboration.
SLU Global supports SLU's work for global development to contribute to Agenda 2030.
SLU Global
Vice-Chancellor's Office
Agricultural Sciences for Global Development
PO Box 7005, SE-750 07 Uppsala
Visiting address: Almas Allé 7
global@slu.se www.slu.se/slu-global
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SLU Global is recruiting a head of unit (2018-03-23)