12 Jul 2025
New collaboration between Chalmers, Universeum and researcher Ulrika Sultan will strengthen young people's interest in technology
Chalmers University of Technology and Universeum are initiating a new collaboration with researcher Ulrika Sultan in the role of visiting researcher. The aim is to deepen the research-based understanding of how technology education and learning environments can become more inclusive and meaningful – especially for groups that traditionally do not see technology as a possible path.
Applied research at Universeum.
Ulrika Sultan, a researcher at Örebro University with expertise in technology from a gender perspective, will have her research activities linked to Chalmers and Universeum for the next two years. The visiting researcher assignment provides a unique opportunity to apply and further develop her research in a concrete and public learning environment.
"We need to act, not just analyze. The research is clear: many young people, especially girls, apply for technical education – but too many drop out. That is where we need to put our efforts into action. In everyday life, in the classroom and in the way we are treated," says Ulrika Sultan.
Research for faith in the future.
As a national science centre with the mission to promote lifelong learning, Universeum sees great potential in the collaboration.
"We meet young people every day – in our learning environments, in the Universeum Science Club and in our school initiatives linked to STEM and the global goals. We know that many young people are looking for meaning and thinking about their future. Giving them an understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is giving them faith in the future," says Carina Halvord, CEO of Universeum.
Through this initiative, Universeum is strengthening its work to create inclusive learning environments based on scientific insights.
An initiative for increased research-based knowledge about lifelong learning in STEM.
The collaboration aims to create new knowledge and concrete methods for how technology education and science communication can be designed to reach more people – and keep them longer.
"We hope and believe that the collaboration between our researchers, the visiting researcher and Universeum will lead to new solutions for better inclusion. It is something that benefits everyone," says Ann-Sofie Axelsson, Head of Department and Head of Library at the Department of Science Communication and Learning, Chalmers.
