Centre researcher Peter Søgaard Jørgensen joins the Young Academy of Sweden

“I wish to use this opportunity to strengthen the voice of science in society in relation to today's complex challenges of the Anthropocene. I believe this can only be achieved by collaborating with other young outstanding researchers across fields of study,” says Peter Søgaard Jørgensen.

The Young Academy of Sweden, founded in May 2011 by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and funded by the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation, aims to create a transdisciplinary forum and platform for science-policy dialogues among Sweden's leading young scientists across all disciplines.

Peter Søgaard Jørgensen continues:

“In particular, I am interested in the role of interdisciplinary science and science that is designed and produced with other actors in societies. These approaches have been an important, but also challenging skill to pursue in my career and I am interested in improving opportunities for young researchers who want to work across institutional silos in the Anthropocene.”

Peter Søgaard Jørgensen’s research aims to understand the global sustainability challenges of the Anthropocene, the current period where humans are the major force of change on the planet. A particular focus lies on how human societies can go from being disruptive to becoming a stabilizing force. He is also interested in how increased human interactions with the living environment can be a source of good health and well-being.

“This is where evolution comes in. For the green transition to be successful, human cultures and associated ideas, practices, technology and means of cooperation have to change. The scale of the required changes can be compared to major shifts in the history of life, such as the transition from unicellular to multicellular life. The problem is that we lack a comprehensive framework for understanding this transition,” explains Peter Søgaard Jørgensen.

The Young Academy of Sweden defines a young scientist as someone who obtained their PhD less than ten years ago. Members are elected for a five-year term based on scientific excellence and a demonstrated interest in the academy’s mission.

Peter Søgaard Jørgensen is the third Centre researcher to join the Young Academy. Juan Rocha was elected in 2023 and Beatrice Crona served as a member from 2012 to 2017.