8 February 2024

Successful and fully booked Swedish Big Science Forum in Lund

And so they met up again – the Big Science research facilities and Swedish industry and universities – at the year’s best meeting place, the event that has put Sweden firmly on the map and shown that we are an important and growing Big Science nation.

Håkan Nilsson (RISE), Patric Dehlfors (Qamcom Technology), and Carl-Johan Fagerström (Fagerströms). Photos: Charlotte Carlberg-Bärg

Meetings, new knowledge, and inspiration

The Forum kicked off with an introductory address by the Director General of Vinnova, Darja Isaksson. Sweden has been a 'young' Big Science nation but, as Darja summed it up, "Let’s grow from teenagers into adults!"

Darja Isaksson, Director General, Vinnova.

What is in the pipeline?

The Big Science research organisations gave updates on their current status and future plans. The panel comprised representatives from the following research organisations: FAIR and GSI, XFEL, CERN, ITER, MAX IV, ESS, SKA, and ESO.

<p>Fredrik Engelmark and Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden), Kevin Jones (ESS), Antonio Bonucci (European XFEL), Anna Hultin Stigenberg (MAX IV), Jörg Blaurock (FAIR and GSI), Adrian Russell (ESO), Magnus Göhran (ITER), Alice Pellegrini (SKA), Joshua Davison (CERN), and Darja Isaksson (Vinnova).</p>

Fredrik Engelmark and Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden), Kevin Jones (ESS), Antonio Bonucci (European XFEL), Anna Hultin Stigenberg (MAX IV), Jörg Blaurock (FAIR and GSI), Adrian Russell (ESO), Magnus Göhran (ITER), Alice Pellegrini (SKA), Joshua Davison (CERN), and Darja Isaksson (Vinnova).

How Swedish companies win orders

Specialist expertise, a deliberate strategy, persistence, and key contacts. These are just some of the success factors behind our member companies winning orders from Big Science research facilities.

<p>Fredrik Engelmark (Big Science Sweden), Benny Björkander (RFR), Jörgen Stenarsson (LNF), Håkan Nils (RISE), Patrik Dehlfors (Qamcom), Carl Johan Fagerström (Fagerströms), and Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden).</p>

Fredrik Engelmark (Big Science Sweden), Benny Björkander (RFR), Jörgen Stenarsson (LNF), Håkan Nils (RISE), Patrik Dehlfors (Qamcom), Carl Johan Fagerström (Fagerströms), and Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden).

Technical presentations and discussions

An afternoon of parallel technical sessions gave participants the opportunity to examine technical issues in depth through presentations and discussions.

<p>Maja Olvegård (<span style="font-size: 1rem;">FREIA Laboratory, Uppsala University) in the session "Knowledge Transfer – Big Science as motor".</span></p>

Maja Olvegård (FREIA Laboratory, Uppsala University) in the session "Knowledge Transfer – Big Science as motor".

Swedish 'fika' – time for refreshments and networking

Generous 'fika' breaks between the formal sessions created time for productive and rewarding discussions.

1-to-1 meetings

These types of meetings are a proven and effective way to meet potential collaboration or business partners – meeting face-to-face is so effective.

The twenty minutes pass quickly, but this is usually enough to make an initial connection.

Roberto Bozzi (CERN), Anders Andersen (CERN), and Adam Wikström (Big Science Sweden).

Companies with exhibition stands showcased what they can offer Big Science.

Join us at BSBF in October

In 2024, Italy will be hosting the third Big Science Business Forum in Trieste. Hope to see you there – why not join us on the Big Science Sweden stand?

Catarina Sahlberg and Fredrik Engelmark talking with Paolo Acunzo, Director of the Big Science Business Forum, Trieste 2024.

Swedish Big Science Forum in Lund 2024

Swedish Big Science Forum is our biennial event where high-tech industry and academia meet with European Big Science organisations to hear about the latest developments and explore new opportunities. The forum is characterised by stimulating presentations and discussions, along with plenty of opportunities for networking.