The Riksdag’s involvement in science and research
The Riksdag takes thousands of decisions every year that affect our society. For well-founded decisions to be taken, an interplay between research and politics is needed, and the Riksdag is involved in several different ways in ensuring that this interplay works as well as possible.
In addition to its contacts with research and researchers in its daily work, the Riksdag has several recurring events and engagements aiming to unite the worlds of politics and science.
The Riksdag’s annual Research Day
Every year, a research day is arranged to highlight the value of science for politics, democracy and decision-making as well as to provide the committees with a further opportunism to follow research within their particular fields. During the day, every committee arranges an internal seminar and the day is concluded with a joint seminar which is also broadcast via the Riksdag webcast service and is thus open to the public.
Riksdag scholarship for doctoral students of political science
Since 1990, doctoral students of political science have had the possibility to apply for a Riksdag scholarship. Holders of a Riksdag scholarship may participate in the work of the Riksdag for a year, thus having a unique opportunity to follow the work of the Riksdag at close quarters, for example at a committee secretariat.
During the year, the scholarship has been a contributing factor to more than 40 dissertations and several of the scholarship holders have returned to the Riksdag after having completed their doctorates. Several former scholarship holders have also been working as experts for example in the Riksdag Board’s gender equality working group and in connection with the Riksdag Democracy Centenary.
Applications for the scholarship are made in the spring and when selecting scholarship holders, the Riksdag looks first at the subject of the dissertation and how useful the scholarship holder will find it to follow the work of the Riksdag at close quarters.
The Association of MPs and Researchers of the Swedish Parliament
The Association of MPs and Researchers of the Swedish Parliament (RIFO) is also linked to the Riksdag. This is a forum for the exchange of knowledge, discussion and networking primarily between researchers and members of the Riksdag.
Essay competition for students
Every year, the Riksdag invites students at universities and university colleges to take part in an essay competition on the Riksdag. The essays can be at bachelor or master level, and the subject is optional as long as it has a clear connection to the Riksdag. Two winners are appointed per year. The closing date for the submission of essays to the competition is 31 August every year.