The initiative was based on two key principles: prioritising in-depth meetings over conference-style formats, and minimising air travel in line with Lund University's sustainability ambitions. The aim of the project was to establish and deepen contacts with selected research environments at Nordic and European universities through a series of work-oriented workshops.
“By inviting senior researchers together with junior colleagues, we wanted to create opportunities for joint knowledge exchange, co-authoring, grant writing and future mobility,” says Malin Zillinger, Head of the Department of Service Studies.
Targeted visits based on research groups
Four of the department's five research groups participated in the initiative, and together they conducted a series of international seminars and workshops that strengthened contacts with Nordic and European research environments. The work was characterised by in-depth discussions, joint analyses and concrete plans for future collaboration.
“That was exactly the intention; we wanted to avoid the short and superficial meetings that often occur at conferences and similar events. Overall, the project has led to new networks, increased international visibility for the department’s sustainability research and clearer internal cohesion around sustainability issues. Several of the visits have also had a direct impact on teaching, with international perspectives and new theoretical approaches being introduced into the various specialisations of our master's programme. As head of department, I am really pleased with the investment that has been made. I think it is a very well-invested effort in internationalisation that has benefited many people," says Malin Zillinger.
Summary of the visits
Consumption, marketing & retail
The Consumption, marketing & retail research group welcomed Arve Hansen and Johannes Volden from the University of Oslo, which resulted in:
- Two seminars focusing on sustainable consumption, alternative proteins and mobility
- Identification of common research interests, planned publications and an upcoming doctoral visit in 2026.
- The seminars also helped to strengthen internal cohesion around sustainable consumption as a field of research.
Tourism, place and mobility
The Tourism, Place and Mobility research group welcomed Birgit Leick and Gunn Kristin Aasen Leikvoll from the University of Southern Norway.
- The visit included both teaching and research seminars
- Discussions about a joint special issue on rural entrepreneurship and joint applications in the future
- Joint half-day seminar at Roskilde University
Culture & creativity
The Culture & Creativity research group organised an intensive week with Mariangela Lavanga and Carlotta Scioldo from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
- During the week they held lectures, research seminars and events within the CROCUS research network.
- The group also held a writing retreat, which resulted in an accepted special issue in Kulturella Perspektiv.
Sustainability, resources & services
The Sustainability, resources & services research group was responsible for two visits. The first was by Diana Ivanova and Marta Baltruszewicz. The second was by Pasi Takkinen. The visits led to:
- Workshops and seminars
- A co-authored article
- Further development of the VR project IDLE
- New collaborations on post-sustainability
- A direct impact on teaching in the Master's programme
