In 2019 Brandforsk started a research school for people who are employed within the fire and rescue service and who are researching subjects which are relevant to the Swedish municipal fire and rescue services.
Current Students
Currently, the Brandforsk Research School has three students carrying out postgraduate research. You can read more about them and their research by clicking on the boxes to the right or clicking on the links below.
Artificial Intelligence, Sensors and Decision-Making Support
Mikael Johanson, Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service
Linköping University
How can decision-makers in the development plan process better understand and address different risks and concerns?
Anna Ståhle Bofjäll, Greater Stockholm Fire and Rescue Service
Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University
Recruitment of Non-Career Firefighters
Emelie Lantz, Västra Blekinge Fire and Rescue Service
Division of Fire Safety Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University
Why a research school?
Brandforsk and MSB have both identified a great need for practical research which aims to increase knowledge as well as putting knowledge from existing research into practice. Combining academic work with the fire and rescue service presents many opportunities to identify important issues and have an effect on practice.
Research can cover all areas of the fire and rescue service’s work, from the management of large rescue operations to fire safety inspections and individually adapted fire safety. Research can also be conducted on the fire and rescue service as an organisation.
A postgraduate education is also a unique opportunity to become both specialised within a certain field and to develop general analytical capabilities. Students will also acquire a unique ability to interpret and evaluate research which will be of great use to the fire and rescue service in Sweden for a long time to come.
What is Brandforsk Research School?
Students at the research school set aside 50 % of their work time for research during a 4 year period which amounts to a licentiate of engineering[1]. The research school is realised with support from MSB.
The employer is responsible for salary costs whilst the research school finances other costs such as supervision, travel costs etc. This also means that the students retain their regular employment and maintain their salaries.
The research school does not conduct its own postgraduate education or give out any degrees, this is done by the higher education institution the students are enrolled at. However, the research school does help to identify suitable higher education institutions and supervisors as well as providing support during the
admissions process. The research school also offers certain graduate courses in collaboration with different higher education institutions.
[1] A licentiate of engineering is a postgraduate qualification which corresponds halfway to a PhD.
Are you interested?
In order to be admitted to study for a licentiate degree, basic eligibility criteria need to be met amounting to 240 higher education credits of which at least 60 must be at an advanced level. Each research subject can also set specific requirements which could include, for example, a certain degree or studies in a specific subject. It is, however, possible to apply for an exemption if you do not meet the required criteria but have other relevant qualifications or experience.
We plan to have a second admissions round to the research school with an anticipated course start in 2021. More information on this will be made available in 2020 but if you have questions, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
If you want to know more you can read the document below or contact us by email at info@brandforsk.se