“You can utilise IVL’s skilled researchers throughout the research project and participate actively in the research yourself. This entails learning that goes far beyond studying results or reading a report.”
John Munthe, Vice-President, Research, at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
enables them to develop their skills. After this, it is not necessarily a disadvantage that the results are disseminated in reports, seminars or through trade associations. Having collaborated with IVL in a research project serves to strengthen your brand.” John Munthe: “It is also the case that the research benefits from having the company’s perspective. They possess a lot of knowledge and help to make the research incisive and relevant.” IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute’s co-funding projects deal with water, infrastructure, sewage, transport, smart solutions for electricity efficiency improvements – in fact, they encompass all of IVL’s thematic areas. Last year, the state awarded MSEK 37 to SIVL for this purpose, an amount that John Munthe feels ought to be larger, as the co-funding is such an important part of the basic mission. But in a research project, as is the case with co-funding, you don’t always know what the results are going to be. Is there a risk that you will deliver results the customer had not intended? John Munthe: “That can happen. We are always responsive to our customers’ needs, yet the research we conduct is an independent investigation and does not produce tailored results.” When it comes to Jämtkraft, many different actors were participating, including Chalmers and Lund University. Isn’t it be difficult for the customer with many parties involved? ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Kristina Jonsson: “In such circumstances, it’s good to have IVL holding your hand. We are used to leading large projects with many stakeholders.” John Munthe: “I agree. Coordinating complex projects with a large number of actors is one of our strengths. This is true whether we are talking about a co-funding project, a major research programme or a consultancy assignment.” On a number of occasions during the conversation, John Munthe and Kristina Jonsson come back to the word ‘commitment’. It is when the customer commits to the process that the co-funding project is best placed to succeed, and where the results are easy for the customer to apply. This commitment should ideally be stimulated early in the collaboration, according to Kristina Jonsson. What different ways are there to work together with IVL? John Munthe: “We are talking about three different forms of funding. Appropriations-based research, co-funding and consultancy assignments – and all three variants can involve a large number of actors. I tend to say that the first thing we do is identify research requirements and societal benefits. Then we decide together which type of funding is most appropriate.” Kristina Jonsson: “One of the strengths of our consultancy assignments is that we possess such extensive expertise in-house. You don’t just get the research, but also all relevant perspectives into the bargain. 15
