Secure research and innovative production – the foundation of a resilient Sweden

The global security situation, increasing economic competition, and rapid technological development make research collaboration both more important and more risky. For Sweden, this presents a dual challenge: we must safeguard academic freedom and research security while international cooperation remains crucial for achieving climate goals and strengthening innovation capacity. Anna Öhrwall Rönnbäck, Professor of Product Innovation at Luleå University of Technology and steering group member of Net Zero Industry, shares her perspectives.

– Academic freedom and research security are essential for building an innovative and resilient society, says Anna Öhrwall Rönnbäck.

Research security is not only about technical protection against cyberattacks or industrial espionage. It is also about safeguarding academic freedom and ensuring fact-based knowledge in a time when disinformation is increasing, research funding is more strategically controlled, and the risks of research and industrial espionage have been highlighted by several Swedish authorities.

– For a country like Sweden, with a strong export industry and advanced technological development, this is not merely a research issue but part of our total defence. Protecting knowledge, data, and innovation capability is essential for developing and producing sustainable solutions, even in times of crisis, says Anna.

Several reports indicate that Sweden is exposed in areas such as green technology, quantum technology, and medicine – fields that directly influence industrial development.

– We cannot end up in a situation where research is politically steered or where results are predetermined. Maintaining a free academic sector is central to sustaining innovation capacity and long-term competitiveness, Anna adds.

When research security meets production – resilience as a critical factor

As a professor of product innovation, Anna Öhrwall Rönnbäck works with questions related to how we can be innovative in the future – economically, in business, in resource use, and in the stability of innovation systems. How are new products, services, and systems developed, and how can they then be translated into actual production solutions?

What connects research security with production innovation is resilience, defined within production systems as the ability to withstand disruptions and recover quickly. Where research security protects ideas, data, and collaborations, production innovation ensures that these ideas can be realized in practice, even under pressure. Together, they create a robust innovation system that strengthens Sweden’s competitiveness.

The rapid recovery of Polarbröd after a major factory fire is one example. By quickly developing alternative products, such as ready-made flour mixes for home baking, and forming innovative partnerships, the company managed to keep operations running while rebuilding production.

– It’s an excellent illustration of how product innovation can drive production innovation, and ultimately strengthen resilience, says Anna.

Collaboration as both security and strength

Both research security and production innovation are reinforced when academia and industry collaborate. At the same time, today’s security environment requires thoughtful internationalization. Recruiting researchers and managing sensitive information must be done with care. Industrial PhD students and clear confidentiality routines play an important role here.

– Academia has an inherent critical mindset and a strong focus on collaboration, which in itself contributes to resilience. When researchers, industrial PhD students, and companies meet, both knowledge and trust are built, two of the strongest protections we have against uncertainty, says Anna.

Net Zero Industry can contribute by developing competence packages, doctoral courses, and industry-focused training. These become continuous, structured meeting arenas where security within innovation and production is discussed and integrated into practice.

A stronger Nordic region, a stronger Europe

Sweden and the Nordic region are at the forefront of product innovation, sustainable production, and research collaboration. By strengthening and protecting our systems, we also reinforce Europe’s resilience.

– We prepare so that it never happens. By combining security, collaboration, and sustainability, we build a stronger and more innovative Sweden, Nordic region, and Europe, concludes Anna Öhrwall Rönnbäck.