These are among the findings of a new analysis of the University’s media impact.

Lund University was the most visible higher education institution in Sweden in the major national media outlets in 2023. But there is only a small difference compared with the number two, Stockholm University, and number three, Uppsala University. This was shown in an analysis by the Verian agency, previously Kantar Public, commissioned by LU’s Corporate Communications. 

While many organisations only have a few spokespersons, almost 500 of the University’s researchers appeared in major national media outlets last year. The most visible, besides Nobel Prize prize-winner Anne L'Huillier, were experts on some of last year’s major issues, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and issues including criminality, security and NATO. 

The University’s researchers were also involved as experts in high-profile news stories on Quran burnings, freedom of expression, extreme weather, inflation and food prices. 

Even though researchers were most visible in the media as experts, research studies also attracted more coverage in 2023. In particular, LU increased its visibility in the broadcast media (Radio Sweden and SVT) and in the newspaper, Expressen.

The Nobel Prize won by Anne L’Huillier was without doubt the most covered news event of the year. Another issue that received considerable coverage was Sameh Egyptson’s doctoral thesis defence in February, which was also the period of the year when the biggest percentage of the coverage had a negative angle. In total, negative publicity accounted for two per cent of the total impact. This was a lower level than for the previous year. 

Most visible in the media:

• Kristian Gerner – Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology 
• Klas-Göran Karlsson – Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology 
• Anne L’Huillier –  Faculty of Engineering (LTH) 
• Tony Ingesson – Faculty of Social Sciences
• Wilhelm Agrell – Faculty of Social Sciences