Collaborative research
PhD students and researchers will work in close collaboration with SMEs in the region to identify challenges and develop new knowledge.
Luleå University of Technology has many years of experience in conducting projects in close collaboration with the region's companies. Within Norrlandsnavet, doctoral students and researchers will work in close collaboration with SMEs in the region to identify problems and challenges in the companies. The so-called collaborative doctoral students will carry out most of the fieldwork while PhD researchers are responsible for research design, supervision and mentoring. The collaborative doctoral students will therefore spend considerable time in the companies. This means that each company can access collaborative doctoral students and researchers from different scientific disciplines to best develop their business. The research activities will be applied in close collaboration with the company to focus on concrete industry and societal benefits – all to strengthen companies' conditions for growth.
Need-driven projects
Need-driven projects are created based on the concrete needs of small and medium-sized enterprises in the region. They are run by researchers and aim to solve concrete challenges and specific problems for the companies.
Current projects
In autumn 2024, new need-driven projects were approved for funding by Norrlandsnavet.
- 2DLowC: Low carbon concrete for wear and frost-resistant infrastructure
This research focuses on reducing carbon emissions from cement production, a process that accounts for 6-8% of the world's total CO2 emissions, to contribute to global carbon neutrality by 2050. - ABC of cybersecurity for SMEs
Cybersecurity in a digitalised business environment can be improved with blockchains and AI, but small businesses face specific challenges that are being explored in collaboration with IT companies. - Building a space technology innovation ecosystem for Northern Sweden SMEs
Northern Sweden's space industry has huge potential, but SMEs face barriers that limit innovation and growth. The project develops strategies to build a strong innovation ecosystem that will strengthen the competitiveness of these companies and enable their success in the space sector. - Competence development in timber construction for smaller construction companies
This project focuses on improving the skills and knowledge of construction workers to meet the growing demand for sustainable timber construction, addressing gaps in existing research and education. - Halvin: Innovative laser welding and cleaning
Halvin is a project exploring how handheld laser welding and cleaning can help companies in the north of Sweden become more sustainable, efficient and innovative. - Heating outdoor crops to extend the growing season and increase yields
The aim of the project is to use waste heat to thaw and warm the soil around the strawberry plants during spring and early summer so that the first harvest can be achieved even before midsummer, and the growers can sell Norrbotten strawberries to the midsummer tables. - Living big in a tiny house
This project aims to explore innovative, eco-friendly tiny house designs and co-designed solutions to create sustainable communities suited for Arctic climates. - Nutrifarm: Sustainable, resilient microalgae-based feed for SMEs in Northern Sweden
The “NutriFarm” project transforms agricultural waste into resources with green technologies for sustainable food production in the Arctic, positioning northern Sweden as an economic driver through innovative recycling in the agricultural industry. - Revolutionising the berry industry with robotics and AI
Sweden's wild berry tradition faces sustainability challenges, but the “BerryAI” project is developing a pioneering solution using AI and sensor technology to streamline berry picking, reduce emissions and strengthen the sustainability of the industry. - Wood chip formation analysis using high speed imaging
This project explores new ways to analyse chip formation and enhance wood machining tools and product quality.
Previous projects
- Agricultural robot collects data on grass quality
The aim of the project was to develop a functional prototype that demonstrates the concept and its possibilities, for farmers and for the market. The next step is to get in touch with farmers who can test the robot. - Sustainability and tourism in the North
This research shows that tourists want to invest their money in companies that care about the environment. They want to experience genuine natural wilderness, and they demand sustainability. - Digitalized food quality assessment
Is it possible to examine the quality of a cheese without cutting it into pieces? And is it possible to find out when a lamb is ready for slaughter – even when it is grazing? This project answers those questions. - Employer branding in the hospitality industry
This research examines whether employer branding can help companies in the hospitality industry in northern Sweden to overcome skills shortages and recruitment difficulties by highlighting the region's unique characteristics as part of their employer offer. - Energy efficient greenhouse cultivation in the north
Only 25 per cent of food in Norrbotten is locally produced, and increasing local food production would improve both food security and contribute to ecosystem diversity.
Doctoral projects
These are long-term projects lasting 4-5 years which are run by a senior researcher who supervises a PhD student in their PhD project. The aim of the projects is to produce new research relevant to SMEs.
Current projects
- Arctic farmers' lifelong learning
Climate change will transform the conditions for Arctic agriculture, requiring farmers to adapt and apply new knowledge to meet future challenges. - Green versus green: pathways to effective environmental assessment
Major investments in fossil-free technology are planned in northern Sweden, but protracted and uncertain environmental authorisation processes risk slowing down development.
Previous projects
- Digital transformation and rural community development
The project explores how digital solutions such as unmanned shops and information screens can simplify life and increase well-being in rural areas. - How SMEs want to collaborate with universities
The project shows that successful collaborations between small businesses and universities depend on effective communication through known channels, clear value proposition, access to expertise, focus on sustainability goals, personal contact and trust in confidentiality. - Developing your digital business model
The project explores how SMEs can develop digital business models and find the right customer segments, and what support they need to grow internationally, through interviews and workshops with over 40 companies in northern Sweden.
Post doc projects
- The role of small businesses in the green transition
The results of this research project are expected to have a significant impact on how small businesses across the region can contribute to the green transition, thereby promoting a sustainable and circular economy for future generations. - Helping small and medium-sized companies in Norrland to scale up
The project aims to support companies' business models and scaling up and to develop a framework for different scaling up processes.
Contact
Nerine Mary George
- Postdoctoral researcher
- 0920-492266
- nerine.george@ltu.se
- Nerine Mary George
Vinit Parida
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-492469
- vinit.parida@ltu.se
- Vinit Parida
Updated: