News in Smart Cities and Communities

18 March 2026

Sustainability conference gathered researchers and stakeholders

How can resource efficiency, circularity and co-creation contribute to a sustainable societal shift? That was the key question when the first ProActS conference was held at Halmstad University last we...

17 February 2026

University researcher at the forefront in Gothenburg’s new climate report

The City of Gothenburg’s Climate Council has presented its third report, in which the Council’s researchers conclude that the progress towards the city’s transport-related climatetargets is too slow t...

12 February 2026

Education key factor in combatting AI cyber threats

With sophisticated AI attacks becoming harder to detect, AI-generated cyber threats pose a continuously increasing challenge. How can research and education within AI-driven cybersecurity be used to c...

26 January 2026

Professor’s portrait: From childhood creativity to sustainable design research

As a child, Lars Eriksson built small inventions at home with his father. Today, he is Professor of Industrial Design at Halmstad University, researching how we experience surfaces and materials, and ...

15 December 2025

Professor’s portrait: “Everyone should have the opportunity to grow”

For Pia Ulvenblad, newly appointed Professor at Halmstad University, all research begins with people. She wants to understand what drives us, which values shape our choices, and how knowledge can be t...

27 November 2025

“Relationships are as important as resources” – the University and MSB test crisis preparedness

How can we quickly shift to local and circular production if a crisis hits and imports come to a halt? On 24 November, entrepreneurs, researchers, students and innovators gathered at Stena Recycling i...

27 October 2025

Neighbours across the border – how communities cooperate in the shadow of war

As the war in Ukraine threatens to reshape the map of Europe, Sara Svensson, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at Halmstad University, turns her attention to the border regions. She studies how peo...

26 September 2025

Professor’s portrait: He’s at the forefront of biometrics research

How can we use eye, face and fingerprint recognition in areas such as mobile security and border control while ensuring that the technology complies with GDPR? Fernando Alonso-Fernandez, newly appoint...

9 September 2025

Professor’s portrait: The path towards a better world – one solution at a time

Henrik Barth is solution-oriented – to the extent that he has devoted his entire research career to tackling some of society’s most complex challenges. As a new Professor of Innovation Science at Halm...

5 September 2025

Professor’s portrait: She has laid the foundation for social work in schools in Sweden

What can schools do to prevent social vulnerability? How can social services work against violence in the everyday lives of young people? These are issues that are central to Sara Högdin, Professor of...

24 June 2025

Humanoid robot tested for safer traffic

Earlier this month, researchers from Halmstad University, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, and the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia tested how elementary school s...

19 June 2025

SAIS 2025 brought Sweden’s AI community to Halmstad

In June, researchers and practitioners from across Sweden gathered at Halmstad University for the annual conference of the Swedish AI Society (SAIS). Hosted by the Center for Applied Intelligent Syste...

11 June 2025

AI-generated faces help preserve privacy in data-driven systems

How can AI be used to anonymise faces in a realistic way, without losing important information in the visual material? In his doctoral thesis in Information Technology, Felix Rosberg explores this que...

10 June 2025

A parallel hierarchy emerged in overcrowded prisons

How can inefficient, undesirable and even downright harmful institutions remain in place, despite better solutions? Oscar Karlsson, who recently graduated with a doctorate in history, has written in h...

9 June 2025

Digital courses to equip tomorrow’s sustainability leaders

How can we build sustainable cities of the future? Through the EU project RES4CITY, digital, open courses in sustainable energy and mobility are being developed. Halmstad University contributes with e...

20 May 2025

European students unite to create green spaces in Halmstad

The other week, students and teachers from Halmstad University and partner universities in Paris, Salzburg and Valencia, collaborated in a cross-border initiative aimed at tackling regional challenges...

4 April 2025

Professor’s portrait: From the University’s first own PhD graduate to one of the most influential scientists in the world

How can autonomous systems and networked robotics help solve some of today ’ s most pressing societal issues? Edison Pignaton de Freitas, newly appointed Professor of Autonomous Systems at Halmst...

5 March 2025

Gaining acceptance and trust in highly regulated industries

How do new companies and products gain acceptance and trust in highly regulated industries? Two examples are the gambling and life science industries, where innovation must be balanced against strict ...

27 February 2025

Thoughtful choices when upper-secondary school students use AI in their schoolwork

Many students use ChatGPT in their schoolwork. New research from Halmstad University shows that science and technology students in upper secondary school have good strategies in their use of AI. This ...

11 February 2025

New research guides small businesses into the world of blockchain

Small businesses account for a large portion of jobs and innovation in society. But how can they benefit from blockchain technology, which is often associated with large corporations? In her dissertat...

23 January 2025

PLOUTOS project strengthens support for third-country nationals

Enhanced integration through entrepreneurship, that has been the goal of the EU-funded project PLOUTOS for the past three years. Now the project, in which Halmstad University has been a leading partne...

15 January 2025

New Research Programme about industry, innovation and resilience

Halmstad University has established a new research programme within the focus area Smart Cities and Communities. FIRP, Future Industry Research Programme will address contemporary societal challenges ...

18 December 2024

The University is part of the Knowledge Foundation’s initiative for the collaborative researchers of tomorrow

Halmstad University is part of the Knowledge Foundation’s new major investment in doctoral students. Two of them will work within the focus areas Health Innovation and Smart Cities and Communities at ...

16 December 2024

Carl Bennet invests heavily in postdocs in the humanities at Halmstad University

Through his company Carl Bennet AB, the business leader Carl Bennet is funding three postdoctoral positions in the humanities at Halmstad University. The aim is to open up new career paths for humanit...

13 December 2024

Local tourism trumps cross-border tourism collaboration

The EU wants to promote cross-border tourism, and offering “two countries in one visit” can attract more tourists to a region. Despite this, the countries’ marketing at a border, such as the Öresund r...

31 October 2024

New technology improves self-driving cars during sensor failures

Imagine a self-driving car suddenly losing one of its key sensors. What happens then? Tiago Cortinhal, who has completed his PhD in signals and signal engineering with a focus on sensor recovery at Ha...

24 October 2024

Professor’s portrait: AI to tackle real-world challenges

For over two decades, Carlos N. Silla Jr., newly appointed Professor at Halmstad University, has been researching Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to solve real-world problems. Through h...

14 October 2024

Professor’s portrait: Digital technology creates customised solutions for the future

Ross Friel, recently appointed Professor of Electronics focusing on advanced digital manufacturing at Halmstad University, is researching how digital systems can enhance manufacturing processes. More ...

4 October 2024

Professor’s portrait: Beyond the words – Linnea Gustafsson explores the underlying message of language

Language is alive and reflects our identities and interpersonal relationships. By constantly questioning and exploring the underlying message of language, Linnea Gustafsson, Professor of Swedish Langu...

13 September 2024

Improving forklift efficiency through data-driven innovation

In today’s digital world, monitoring machine productivity is more important than ever. Machine Activity Recognition (MAR) uses data to improve the efficiency of industrial equipment. In August, Kunru ...

18 June 2024

The energy solutions of the future require new working methods in construction

New research from Halmstad University emphasises the importance of collaboration for a successful energy transition in the construction sector. The research shows that long-term partnerships, trust be...

18 June 2024

Enhancing healthcare through cross-border collaboration

In Sweden healthcare is decentralised. Regions are responsible for primary and specialist care, while municipalities handle home healthcare. This division allows for care to be tailored to local needs...

17 June 2024

The eye is the key – future security through biometric recognition

Hi there, Kevin Hernández Díaz! At the end of May, you defended your doctoral thesis in biometrics. Could you tell us more about your research?

13 June 2024

Electronics Centre in Halmstad promotes collaboration and innovation

Electronics Centre in Halmstad (ECH) is an innovation arena for regional collaboration. It is also a test facility with EMC testing (electromagnetic compatibility), which can lead to faster product de...

5 June 2024

New research highlights challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in the Swedish market

New research from Halmstad University shows that female entrepreneurs with an immigrant background use digital tools to avoid discrimination. The study also reveals that refugees who run businesses in...

6 May 2024

Researchers see risks with robot colleagues: “act sensibly”

What happens to the work environment when a robot is introduced as a new colleague? How can digital automation contribute to good bureaucracy? These are questions that researchers at Halmstad Universi...

17 April 2024

Widespread use of ChatGPT among researchers

Since 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has gained much attention. This is because of the advanced language model’s ability to generate coherent text on various subjects. Its rise has not been without controvers...

10 April 2024

Solving traffic challenges with communicating cars

Hi there Galina Sidorenko! On 28 March, you defended your doctoral dissertation. We wrote about your licentiate thesis on enhancing road safety through wireless communication a few years ago. This is ...

5 March 2024

Agricultural companies are key players in sustainability

By investigating how innovation can lead to sustainable changes in agricultural business models, Anna Hansson, who recently defended her doctoral thesis in innovation science, aims to support efforts ...

28 February 2024

AI technology for a fossil-free future

In the field of transportation innovation, Mohammed Ghaith Altarabichi’s,who recently defended his doctoral thesis in machine learning at Halmstad University, research plays a key role towards a green...

12 December 2023

Important to build trust between humans and technology

How can you build trust between humans and technology? Is it possible? And why is it important? Kaspar Raats, a PhD student in informatics at Halmstad University, explores these questions in his docto...

5 December 2023

The School of Health and Welfare – from the past to the future – in the present

“Write about the School in today's situation and about its future potential." Those were the instructions for this chronicle. With just over five years as an employee at the University and Dean of the...

23 November 2023

Self-driving vehicles for a harsh Nordic climate

For Eren Erdal Aksoy, innovative solutions and systems are in focus, as well as how intelligent technology can be useful in society. Currently, he spends a lot of time researching on self-driving vehi...

20 November 2023

Wetlands effective against eutrophication of seas and bodies of water

Eutrophication is a global problem that affects countless lakes, rivers and coastal marine areas. Its harmful consequences, such as toxic algal blooms, are harmful to both animals and humans. Research...

17 November 2023

Long-term commitment to collaboration awarded with the Prize for Collaboration and Innovation

For the seventh time, the Prize for Collaboration and Innovation was awarded during the Academic Ceremony at Halmstad University. This year, the prize went to Magnus Clarin and Stella Erlandsson, who ...

24 October 2023

Professorsporträtt: Göran Sahlén har studerat trollsländor i 40 år

Sedan Göran Sahlén var åtta år gammal har insekter varit hans stora intresse – särskilt trollsländan. I 40 år har han följt naturens utveckling med fokus på just trollsländor. Hans drivkraft är att ta...

24 October 2023

Professor’s portrait: Göran Sahlén has studied dragonflies for 40 years

Ever since Göran Sahlén was eight years old, insects have been his great interest – especially dragonflies. For 40 years, he has followed the development of nature with a focus on dragonflies. His dri...

1 September 2023

A small step for students but a giant leap for the circular transition

Many innovations created by students at Halmstad University align with the Global Goals to be achieved by 2030. This spring, Iris Nyholm and Clara Olérs Ekman, from the Master’s Programme in Mechanica...

23 August 2023

How do selfie filters affect AI-based face identification?

AI-based face analysis can be used for anything from unlocking your phone to making self-driving vehicles recognise pedestrians in traffic. But the selfie filters on social media and in your phone can...

17 August 2023

Focus area Smart Cities and Communities creates innovation and value for a sustainable society

Society faces a number of challenges in order to secure a good life for future generations. Radical changes are needed – and it is becoming urgent. The challenges also differ from one part of the worl...

26 May 2023

The University hosts an international symposium in digital learning

At the end of April, Halmstad University was visited by national and international researchers in the field of digital learning. The symposium, which was part of the graduate school network GRADE Rese...

24 May 2023

Halmstad University establishes two new research programmes

Halmstad University is establishing two new research programmes – one within the focus area Health Innovation and one within Smart Cities and Communities. The programmes are part of the University’s i...

11 May 2023

Machine learning for safer and smarter truck transportation

By using large amounts of truck data, both on how they are operated and maintained, the CAISR+ Predictive Maintenance and Machine Learning project group managed to predict upcoming turbocharger breakd...

27 October 2022

Ingenjörer i hållbar energi på besök hos jättar inom dansk vindkraftsindustri

Energikrisen i Europa har knappast undgått någon, men i sådana tider kan vi på Högskolan glädjas åt att vi har ingenjörsstudenter som utbildas i att lösa framtida energifrågor. I våras åkte studentern...

20 September 2022

Människan i fokus i framtidens mobilitetslösningar

Hur ska infrastruktur och mobilitet se ut i framtidens städer? Det har studerats av Vaike Fors, professor i designetnografi, och hennes kollegor i projektet AHA II. Genom att främja samarbeten mellan ...

20 September 2022

Human-centred focus in future mobility solutions

What should the infrastructure and mobility look like in the cities of the future? This is what Vaike Fors, Professor of Design Ethnography, and her colleagues have been studying in the AHA II project...

17 May 2022

Monitoring district heating substations important to the future smart city

Ineffective and incorrect behavior of district heating substations causes unnecessary energy loss. In his recently published thesis, Shiraz Farouq proposes the use of models based on statistical and m...

13 May 2022

Everyday experiences in focus when developing digitalised cars of the future

To create sustainable mobility solutions in the future, you need to understand how people think about digitalised cars. In his dissertation, Thomas Lindgren, who is an industrial PhD student in Inform...

6 May 2022

Human-machine collaboration improves the detection of anomaly

When a deviation in a data set is found, it can implicate that something is wrong. It can, for example, be a machine part that does not work, a computer intrusion or a first sign of illness. By combin...

6 April 2022

Research programmes for profiling

In the next few years, Halmstad University will establish research programmes in order to further strengthen the University's profile. The programmes must clearly contribute to one or both of the Univ...

23 March 2022

Agile start-ups most innovative

Hi there, Dulce Goncalves! Your research is about digital innovation and you defended your dissertation a while ago. Can you tell us a little about your research?

28 February 2022

Self-driving cars for a safer future

Self-driving cars have great potential in preventing rear-end collisions. PhD student Galina Sidorenko’s research shows the benefits of using wireless communication, also known as vehicle-to-vehicle (...

15 December 2021

Research about face recognition when using a mask

The Swedish Research Council has granted 3,6 million SEK over three years for a new research project at Halmstad University. The project goal is to provide reliable methods for face recognition when w...

2 November 2021

Drone for clean water engages researchers and students

The CatFish project has gone from being a student project at the Master’s Programme in Industrial Innovation to becoming a research and collaboration project that engages researchers, students and ext...

20 October 2021

Professor’s portrait: Our every-day-life is central in research about new technology

Understanding how humans are affected by technology development, and vice versa, is the driving force for Vaike Fors, newly appointed Professor in the unique field of Design Ethnography. “I’m interes...

18 October 2021

Professor’s portrait: “Being a researcher is like being an artist – you create and are passionate about what you do!”

Creating a sustainable society has long engaged Urban Persson, Professor of Renewable Energy Systems at Halmstad University. With his research in district heating, he hopes to contribute with new know...

11 October 2021

Nanotechnology for the environment and future sensors

With advanced nanotechnology, researchers from Halmstad and Lund are developing pioneering components that can be used in several areas. For example, the technology can be used for smart monitoring, d...

16 September 2021

His mission is for vehicles to talk to each other

Emergency vehicles asking traffic lights to change colour. Connected trucks that can drive closer to each other. Intelligent vehicles that handle parts of the driving themselves, without any risk to p...

10 September 2021

Professor’s portrait: Sylvana Sofkova Hashemi wants to support teachers in their work

Language in many nuances is important to Sylvana Sofkova Hashemi, new Professor of Digital Learning at Halmstad University. She is interested in the diversity of ways in which not least children and y...

18 June 2021

Integrating service innovation into the design of digital products

Interview with researchers Maria Åkesson, Michel Thomsen and Soumitra Chowdhury.

31 May 2021

Students learn to think and act sustainably in new research project

Today’s youth is very aware of contemporary climate issues and demonstrates a desire to change our society to become more sustainable. To meet this global movement, university education must be adapte...

20 May 2021

Enabling the full potential of Machine Learning

In this era of big data, there is a need for intelligent systems that can improve continuously by learning from ubiquitous data streams. Mohamed-Rafik Bouguelia is developing Machine Learning algorith...

6 May 2021

Creating a new mathematical theory of simultaneous events

Even as a child, he wanted to find his own answers, rather than asking an adult. Johan Thunberg is now a researcher in mathematics and is working on a new scientific theory of synchronised systems.

23 April 2021

Researcher at Halmstad University new chair of DHC+

Hello there Kristina Lygnerud, associate professor of business administration, and congratulations! You have just taken over the chairmanship of DHC+. What is DHC+ and how will it be noticeable that y...

31 March 2021

Joint human-machine learning can improve district heating

By combining machine learning and human knowledge in self-monitoring and intelligent systems, failures and deviations can automatically be detected. Research at Halmstad University shows that when the...