Go to eugreenalliance
Search

Leading European University intensifies collaboration with the University of Gävle

Svens-Erik Mathiassen

Professor Svend-Erik Mathiassen at the University of Gävle has been appointed Adjunct Scientist at VU University in Amsterdam.

Public health prioritised by EU

VU University in Amsterdam is rated as one of Europe’s strongest bastions of research within the field of occupational health and human movement. Some of the greatest public health issues in Europe, and one of the top priorities of the EU, are the fields of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, together with psychosocial health at work.

“The appointment is further recognition of the excellence of our research in occupational health,” says Svend-Erik Mathiassen.

Long term collaboration

The Centre for Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Gävle has taken an active part in the collaboration with VU University for the last fifteen years. At present the collaboration mainly concerns the health risks of sedentary work environments and the importance of alternating between sitting and standing at work.

A leading scientific journal in the field of work environment research accepted a joint article a week ago about what can be done in the work environment to reduce sedentary positions and increase physical activity.

“We have close contact, we have had visiting researchers from the university there, as visiting research fellows here in Gävle, and we ourselves have often visited them. I have also been an external reviewer at several public defences of doctoral theses at Vrije University.”

How research develops

At the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research the will to collaborate is strong. There is a constant stream of both Swedish and international guest research fellows and guest students that contribute great vitality and new ideas for research, and in addition, contact partners around the world.

“That is the best about collaboration; you acquire momentum, knowledge and inspiration from others who are reflecting on similar issues.”

“This is how research develops; at least this is my ideological stance regarding research.”

National knowledge centre

When the new government came into office one of their areas of priority was occupational health. Svend-Erik has spoken for a many years about the value of a national knowledge centre for occupational health.

“A centre that interprets the research results and based on them gives practical advice, thereby seeing to it that research is beneficial,” concludes Svend-Erik Mathiassen.

In addition, it must be noted that Professor Svend-Erik Mathiassen is one of the world’s most quoted researchers regarding ergonomics.

For further information, please contact:
Svend Erik Mathiassen, Professor of Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Gävle
Tel: 026-64 82 06 or 070-678 81 58
Email: svenderik.mathiassen@hig.se

 

Text: Douglas Öhrbom
Photo: Ove Wall           

Published by: Douglas Öhrbom Page responsible: Anders Munck Updated: 2016-02-27
Högskolan i Gävle
www.hig.se
Box 801 76 GÄVLE
026-64 85 00 (växel)