Background & Purpose
Previously, combined employment at Swedish universities was restricted primarily to specific medical roles like specialized doctors and dentists. To foster stronger competence exchange between researchers and other societal sectors, the government proposed removing these sector restrictions.
The Decision
Following a parliamentary vote, Sweden approved the legal changes for broader combined employment and decided to stop an upcoming inquiry into universities' organizational form, while rejecting all opposing motions.
Does this affect you?
- Researchers and academics: Can combine their academic positions with jobs outside universities in a broader range of fields to exchange knowledge.
- Swedish universities and colleges: Gain the legal right to decide on combined employment models across more sectors than before.
- External employers and companies: Get enhanced opportunities for collaboration and competence development through shared staff with universities.
In Practice
- Universities and higher education institutions can decide to combine academic staff positions with employment outside academia in a wider range of fields.
- Restrictions limiting combined employment strictly to specific sectors, such as specialized healthcare, are removed.
- Researchers can more easily move between academia and other parts of society to exchange knowledge and skills.
- The ongoing plans to investigate a change in the organizational authority form for state universities will not be carried out.