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UCL strengthens collaboration with University Alliance Stockholm Trio

17 February 2025

UCL has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the University Alliance Stockholm Trio, strengthening international research and innovation partnerships. Initially, it will focus on sustainability, climate crisis, and mental health, with scope to expand into other areas.

UCL strengthens collaboration with University Alliance Stockholm Trio

The signing with University Alliance Stockholm Trio, comprising Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University, took place during a UCL delegation visit to mainland Europe from 17 to 22 February 2025, led by Professor Geraint Rees, UCL’s Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement). The visit, which includes stops in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Munich, brings together senior UCL academics and leaders to strengthen collaborations across multiple disciplines. 

 “This agreement reinforces our dedication to global collaboration in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Professor Rees. “By working together with our esteemed partners in Stockholm Trio, we can leverage our collective expertise to drive impactful research in sustainability, climate change, and mental health, while also exploring opportunities to expand our collaboration into additional areas in the future.” 

Representing Stockholm Trio at the signing were vice presidents from Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University.  

Stefan Östlund, Vice President for International Relations at KTH Royal Institute of Technology stated:   

“At KTH, we look forward to deepening collaboration and strengthening ties between Stockholm Trio and UCL. By harnessing the partnership’s diversity and excellence we can address some of the most complex challenges our societies face.” 

Clas Hättestrand, Vice President at Stockholm University echoed this sentiment:  

”We are very pleased that, by signing this agreement, we can join forces with Karolinska Institutet, KTH, and UCL to tackle some of today's most pressing global challenges. Together, we can reach further.”  

Martin Bergö, Vice President at Karolinska Institutet added:  

“Our long-standing collaboration and joint publication record with UCL have built a strong foundation for this partnership. With our collective expertise, we are better equipped to address complex issues, such as the climate crisis. Also, through our shared efforts in securing EU funding, we aim to enhance student, doctoral, and teacher mobility, which will benefit academic exchange and deepen the collaboration.” 

From left to right: Clas Hättestrand (Stockholm University), Martin Bergö (Karolinska Institutet), Prof Geraint Rees (UCL), and Stefan Östlund (KTH Royal Institute of Technology).


The LoI builds upon strong existing research links between UCL and Stockholm Trio and extends the legacy of the UCL Cities Partnership Programme, which focused on the city of Stockholm from 2020 to 2023. It also aligns with UCL’s Grand Challenges programme, which brings interdisciplinary research and local, national, and international partnerships together to tackle major society issues. 


The collaboration will initially focus on sustainability and the climate crisis, and will explore support for activities including 

  • Workshops supporting applications for EU grants; 

  • Institutional support of workshops and joint scholarship projects in areas such as food security, sustainable aviation, and other areas relating to the climate crisis; 

  • Exploring further research areas for engagement, starting with mental health of children and young people; 

  • Exploring further collaboration in education, for example mobility initiatives. 

UCL has a strong track record in sustainability, recently ranking 1st in the UK and 5th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings. This collaboration further strengthens UCL’s leadership in global sustainability research and innovation. 

With faculties such as Brain Sciences and Population Health Sciences involved, alongside initiatives like UCL Grand Challenges, this partnership signals a long-term commitment to cross-border research and education.

The University Alliance Stockholm trio form a world-leading academic environment offering collaborative opportunities across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including medicine, law, architecture, engineering sciences and technology, the natural and social sciences, the humanities, and more.  

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities; KTH Royal Institute of Technology is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities; and Stockholm University is one of Europe’s leading centres for higher education and research in human science and science. 

Featured image


From left to right: Prof Geraint Rees (UCL), Clas Hättestrand (Stockholm University), Martin Bergö (Karolinska Institutet), and Stefan Östlund (KTH Royal Institute of Technology). They met at KTH in Stockholm to sign the agreement.

Photo credit: Theresia Jatta Kölin

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