Stefan Fors created a bridge between academia and practice
Stefan Fors, researcher in public health and sociology, contributed to strengthening the collaboration between Stockholm University and Region Stockholm during 2022–2024. Through funding from the Region, he has promoted research, participated in seminars, and served as an important bridge between academia and practice in public health.
"The premise is to strengthen the collaboration between the Region and the Department of Public Health Sciences. The Region provides funding, and I’ve been available for collaboration and to share information about their work," explains Stefan Fors.
One of the research projects where he is involved focuses on mental health among young adults, particularly anxiety and depression, and examines who seeks care – and who does not.
"The researchers at the department applied for funding for the project before I joined and they included me as a partner from the Region in the application, which was subsequently approved. So far, we have designed the study, distributed surveys, and collected data. Now we’re starting the analysis," he says.
Flexibility and New Collaborations
Stefan Fors has also co-authored a larger research proposal on segregation and health inequalities and served as a natural point of contact between the Region and the department.
"These past two years have given me funded research time and a lot of freedom. I’ve been able to initiate collaborations, participate in projects, and serve as a resource for researchers who want to understand how the Region operates," he shares.
He describes how researchers, particularly those without prior experience in Sweden, often lack knowledge of policy and practices.
"I’ve noticed a demand within the department. Most people working in public health want to influence practice and policy but don’t always have necessary connections. I’ve had many questions about the kind of data we have and how we work at Region Stockholm."
A Natural Gateway to Region Stockholm
Despite the positive aspects, Stefan Fors also faced challenges. The biggest one was managing time.
"I was supposed to be present at the department, but with two other workplaces (Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm, editor’s note), it was hard to manage. I didn’t have a daily routine at the department, which would have been helpful if it had been practically possible," he says.
Looking ahead, he sees several opportunities to continue the work that has begun.
"The project on young people and mental health continues, and we also submitted applications that didn’t receive funding, but that we still plan to pursue. The department has gained a natural gateway into the Region. That feels very valuable."
He continues:
"One of the goals is to understand the prevalence of mental health issues in different groups and link this to healthcare utilization. There’s surprisingly little data on this, despite the topic being widely discussed in the media."
What is a affiliated professor?
Affiliation is not a form of employment but rather a collaborative partnership between a professor or researcher and a university or college. To be appointed as an affiliated professor, the individual must hold a professorship at another academic institution.
The aim of affiliation is to connect external experts, including professors and researchers, with a university or college, with the intention of expanding the network of both the institution and the affiliated individual. This is a mutually beneficial partnership designed to promote academic research and knowledge exchange with society at large.