The history of IVA

Sweden’s second youngest Royal Academy, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), was founded as recently as 1919, but is nevertheless the world’s oldest engineering academy.

Magnets for a Sustainable World

Science & Society Forum 2024

IVA's Annual Meeting Festivities

2025 Hans Werthén Scholars

Ten young researchers and students residing in Sweden have been awarded this year's scholarships from the Hans Werthén Foundation, for studies and research abroad. The scholarships are granted with the aim of giving young academics the opportunity to develop in other countries and return with new knowledge and experience that can benefit Sweden.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Government Agencies

As a Swedish citizen with a diverse background from Germany, the US, and China, I would like to highlight a feature of Sweden I admire: our efficient (and at times rather dry) government agencies. Having experienced bureaucracies in several countries, I can say that Swedish public administration stand out.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on a Swedish Minister for Technology

Arguably, a country’s administrative model need not have a large impact on outcomes, but in this critical time of global tech competition, perhaps a designated Committee or Minister for Technology could be of advantage for Sweden.

IVA’s Gold Medal 2025: Helena Hedblom

Throughout her career, Helena Hedblom has made a remarkable contribution to the mining industry and is today one of the most influential leaders in Swedish business. With a background in materials engineering, she has risen from Head of Research to CEO of Epiroc AB – reshaping Sweden’s mining sector.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Drivers of Economic Growth

Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2025 was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their research on how new technology drives sustained economic growth. This is exciting research. I see the interaction between technological development and economic growth as a key issue for IVA. 

IVA’s Gold Medal 2025: Mats Danielsson

With a background from CERN and Berkeley, Mats Danielsson has successfully combined cutting-edge research with technical innovation and entrepreneurship. Today he is a leading researcher and entrepreneur in medical imaging, whose work has had a strong impact both nationally and internationally – in healthcare as well as in industry.

IVA’s Great Gold Medal 2025: Carl-Henric Svanberg

For decades, Carl-Henric Svanberg has stood at the helm of some of Sweden’s – and the world’s – most successful industrial companies. With a rare blend of technical insight, business acumen and strong communication, he has helped shape Assa Abloy, Ericsson, BP and Volvo into global market leaders.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Academic Freedom

It is the time of year when our sister academy, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, announces the Nobel Prize winners, and as always, it is both inspiring and gratifying to see how the world turns its focus to science during Nobel Week. In an era when facts and science are being questioned at the highest levels, it feels perhaps more urgent than ever to celebrate science and the advances it brings to humanity.

IVA's President: some thoughts on Swedish Futures

In virtually every context, I hear the same questions: How can we secure our future prosperity in the face of global competition? How can Sweden defend its position as one of the world's most innovative and technologically advanced countries? In short: Where is the vision for Sweden? 

Report: Sweden's position in 48 strategically important technologies

In the report "Sweden’s Competitiveness and Investment Priorities" IVA presents a new, data-driven analysis that maps Sweden's position in 48 strategically important technologies – crucial to our future prosperity, economic resilience, and national security.

IVA strengthens its ranks with new Fellows

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) has elected 39 new Fellows, comprising distinguished engineers, economists, researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders from both the private and public sectors. Each brings valuable expertise that will further reinforce the Academy’s work. Here is the full list of new Fellows.

Global Outlook: Asia #1

The launch of the DeepSeek R1 chatbot in early 2025 prompted a flurry of responses. In Asia, it touched off discussions about gaining ground against big tech and national AI strategies.

Joakim Nivre granted the Chester Carlson Research Award

Professor Joakim Nivre has been granted the Chester Carlson Research Award of 100,000 SEK for his innovative contributions to computational linguistics, his leadership in the research community, and his commitment to language technology through collaboration. The award has been granted since 1985 to promote scientific research in the field of information science.

IVA's President: some thoughts on European defence

Today, Denmark took over the EU presidency. Denmark is the second member of the trio leading the Council of the European Union across three consecutive terms, between Poland and Cyprus. When the Trio Presidency set its shared priorities in late autumn 2024, the global situation looked quite different.

Industrial robot performs cello piece composed for IVA by Jacob Mühlrad

Listen and watch as an industrial robot performs a cello piece specially composed for IVA by the world-renowned composer Jacob Mühlrad, in a film recording from the performance at IVA’s Annual Meeting in October. Also, meet the robotics researcher and composer Fredrik Gran, who programmed the cello-playing robot.

IVA spotlight on: Sweden's digital infrastructure must be strengthened

Sweden’s digital infrastructure must improve its ability to withstand disruptions, crises, and conflicts. This could be crucial for our ability to maintain critical societal functions and for the competitiveness of the business sector. In the newly launched project ‘Resilient Digital Infrastructure,’ IVA will map out what is required to create world-class digital infrastructure.