“This is not to be a narrow-minded centre where everyone thinks the same. It will be a place for critical dialogue,” says Johan Bergström, who will take up the position of director on 1 August. The aim of the Lund University Centre for Preparedness and Resilience (LUPREP) is to create an interdisciplinary research forum where researchers and students from several disciplines are brought together to focus on preparedness and crisis management issues. A key part of the work is to strengthen the University’s role in total defence by coordinating education, research and external engagement with public authorities and societal stakeholders.
“What is so good about this centre is that the Vice-Chancellor has really listened and invested to strengthen a network that has existed for a long time,” says Johan Bergström, senior lecturer in risk management and societal security.
Over the past 15-20 years, the University has built up networks for risk management, contingency planning and crisis management. The intention is for LUPREP to further develop previous initiatives, such as the Centre for Societal Resilience and the network for risk and crisis management issues (LUCRAM).
Lund University has long been a forerunner in security and preparedness research. LUPREP further strengthens the University’s position with a focus on areas such as security of supply, psychological defence, critical infrastructure, drone technology, legal and administrative issues and society’s role in total defence.
“We have faculties that already conduct research in these areas. This makes us uniquely equipped to bring together expertise in an interdisciplinary way,” says Johan Bergström.
Umbrella organisation for the faculties’ research
LUPREP will not be a research unit as such, but rather an umbrella organisation that strengthens collaboration between faculties and external stakeholders. The research will take place where it is already being conducted, and LUPREP will act as a bridge between academia and society.
“We are not competing with the faculties. Instead, we will create a platform for dialogue and collaboration that can engage and stimulate,” explains Johan Bergström.
At the core of LUPREP will be an interdisciplinary graduate school where initially six doctoral students from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law will be employed to conduct research. There will also be an investment in education. Two Master’s degrees (60 credits) will be developed in total defence, preparedness and societal resilience, and researchers from the entire University will be able to contribute perspectives.
A forum for debate and critical dialogue
“This is not to be a narrow-minded centre where everyone thinks the same. It will be a place for critical dialogue – that is the University’s unique role in society,” emphasises Johan Bergström.
Using the graduate school as a foundation, the aim is also to contribute to the broader societal debate through seminars, opinion pieces and public events.
“We are not to be fellow-travellers who only follow the prevailing consensus – instead we must examine the debate and question why some voices are heard more than others. Regarding defence and total defence issues in particular, there can sometimes be a consensus, which means that an alternative perspective is lacking. One of our tasks is to identify these gaps and contribute to a more nuanced discussion,” says Johan Bergström.
The plan for LUPREP for the next few years is to engage more doctoral students and build a broad research community. The focus is on seminars, opinion pieces and collaborative projects that can strengthen the University’s role in total defence issues.
Total defence issues in today’s world
The global situation has led to an increased focus on preparedness and security. According to Johan Bergström, the initiative is a response to the global changes in recent years.
“We have had several wake-up calls, not least regarding information security and security of supply. These issues are more relevant than ever. The global situation is currently uncertain, and that is exactly why initiatives such as LUPREP are so important. As a university, we have a key role not only in illuminating current issues, but also acting as a critical voice in the societal debate,” he says.
Sweden joining NATO also brings new international perspectives, but Johan Bergström points out that total defence is still a national concern in which research and education need to be adapted according to Swedish needs.
Collaboration with other public authorities
Several collaborations with relevant Swedish public authorities such as the Armed Forces, Civil Contingencies Agency, Police Authority, Transport Administration, Coast Guard, National Food Agency and other organisations involved in preparedness are already planned. Identifying the needs of public authorities and matching them with existing research at the University is a way to make an effective contribution to the development of total defence.
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