We are deeply committed to sharing our knowledge of physics and astronomy, and we play a key role in addressing society’s major challenges, whether these involve new industry applications or observations of the Earth and the universe that place our civilisation in a broader context.
We generate and disseminate new knowledge and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and society. This is achieved, in part, through broad-based entrepreneurial activities in partnerships with Chalmers’ innovation units, and through collaborations in undergraduate education via industrial doctoral students and in research projects. This is also achieved by communicating about our research, participating in debates and engaging in dialogue with the public.
Our work on utilising research identifies the practical implications of the research and its results, and helps to pave the way for collaboration with various players. The overall intention is to address the needs and challenges faced by our partners and society at large, in order to build a sustainable future.
Activities
Onsala Space Observatory
The Onsala Space Observatory aims to make radio astronomy and research into the universe and Earth accessible to everyone. Schools and other groups are welcome to visit the observatory for guided tours and discussions. A study visit offers the chance to see our telescopes, explore our modern and interactive exhibition, and ask questions about space and the Earth.
Onsala Space Observatory
Onsala Space Observatory is the Swedish national infrastructure for radio astronomy.
Gothenburg Physics Centre
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is involved in the Gothenburg Physics Centre, a collaborative platform between the three physics-orientated departments at Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg. The overall aim is to promote physics as a subject in Gothenburg through a range of activities.
Gothenburg Physics Centre
The Gothenburg Physics Centre (GPC) coordinates cooperation between three departments: Physics and Astronomy and Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers University of Technology, and Physics at the University of Gothenburg. Our overreaching aim is to promote the subject of physics in Gothenburg by a wide variety of initiatives.
Academic Forum
We are involved in ‘Akademiskt forum’ (Academic Forum), a popular science platform at Chalmers, and the COMMONS Centre of Excellence at Lund University. Our aim is to disseminate research findings across disciplines and encourage participation in public debate. To this end, we guide our researchers in writing popular science articles, take part in discussion series where natural science researchers meet researchers from other fields as well as artists, and initiatives aimed at promoting engineering students’ ability to relate a specialised problem-solving process to general societal or existential issues.
Please contact project manager Julia Ravanis if you have any questions about ‘Akademiskt forum’.
The International Science Festival in Gothenburg
We regularly take part in the annual Gothenburg Science Festival, where our researchers and doctoral students share their knowledge of our fascinating subject areas.
Science Festival
‘Fysiklek’
Our ‘Fysiklek’ programme, run in collaboration with the Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg, is aimed at children and young people and teaches them about physics in a playful way that stimulates curiosity and imagination.