SLU's Future Platforms

Forest, food, health and urban landscapes. SLU's Future Platforms stimulate cross-disciplinary efforts to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

The mission of the platforms

The Future Platforms integrate different scientific fields and their activities are characterized by an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach, which is carried out across all faculties and in collaboration with relevant social actors. Complex scientific questions can therefore be tackled in a multifaceted way.

SLU Future Food

Stimulates and develops cross-disciplinary research and collaboration for economically, ecologically and socially sustainable food systems.

Scenic surroundings and a person squatting in the background.

SLU Future One Health

Our starting point is the One Health perspective, the interaction between animal, human and ecosystem health.

SLU Urban Futures

We live in an increasingly urbanised world. How do we create ecologically, economically and socially sustainable urban landscapes?

SLU Future Forests

The role of forests for sustainable development, a biobased economy, climate adaptation and ecosystem services.

Interdisciplinarity at SLU

One of the most important goals for the Future Platforms is to develop interdisciplinary working methods at SLU by initiating and enabling collaboration across scientific disciplinary boundaries.

News from the Future Platforms

  • 2025-09-16

    Vitamin Sea: Researchers collaborate globally to secure access to blue food

    How will climate change affect people's access to nutritious food from the ocean, especially those living in coastal areas and in small island nations? This is the focus of the project Vitamin Sea, led by researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
  • 2025-09-11

    Consumers are positive about new varieties of crops

    Most Swedish consumers view new crops developed through crossbreeding positively, according to a new survey conducted by researchers at SLU. The findings run counter to the perception that consumers are sceptical about plant breeding.
  • 2025-09-10

    SLU leads the way in developing future fish feed

    Farmed rainbow trout of the future is now available on the market. The fish has been fed a new feed where traditional ingredients like soy and fishmeal have been replaced by mussels, insects and fungal protein. The initiative is led by SLU, Axfoundation and 25 other partners.
  • 2025-09-08

    Global interest in farmers' mental health

    On 2-4 September, the Nordic meeting on Agricultural Occupational Health brought together around 120 people from 17 countries with the common interest of working to improve the health and working environment of farmers worldwide.
  • 2025-09-04

    Why climate messages need more depth, not less

    The Climate Conversation "Communication, imagination, and collaboration in climate response" explored how adequate knowledge is still overlooked in the field of climate-related risks in food production and adaptation planning.

Calendar

  • ALNARP | 2025-09-15 08.00 - 2025-09-19 16.00

    PhD course: Global policies and legal frameworks for research and innovation with plant genetic resources

    The aim of this PhD course is to enable an understanding of the relevant global policies and legal frameworks for biodiversity, accessing and utilizing plant genetic resources, and for plant variety protection such as plant breeders' rights and patents.
  • ALNARP, ONLINE, UMEÅ, UPPSALA | 2025-12-09 | 08.00-09.00

    The One Health Breakfast Club #30

    Welcome to the One Health Breakfast Club 9 December between 8.00 and 9.00. You get a short inspirational talk, some breakfast, and a chance to meet and have transdisciplinary discussions with SLU colleagues. See you there!
  • ALNARP, ONLINE, UMEÅ, UPPSALA | 2025-10-07 | 08.00-09.00

    The One Health Breakfast Club #28

    Welcome to the One Health Breakfast Club 7 October between 8.00 and 9.00. You get a short inspirational talk, some breakfast, and a chance to meet and have transdisciplinary discussions with SLU colleagues. See you there!
  • OTHER LOCATION | 2025-08-14 - 2025-08-15

    Children get to shape green spaces at Malmö Festival

    In August, SLU Urban Futures and Växtplats Botildenborg are organizing activities in Malmö Festival's Children's Land. The aim is to arouse children's interest in sustainable urban development and listen to their views on the city.
  • UMEÅ | 2026-06-08 08.00 - 2026-06-11 17.00

    12th International BIOGEOMON Conference

    Welcome to join us in Umeå, 8-11th June, 2026, for discussions of recent findings and exploration of future directions in the interdisciplinary field of biogeochemical research in ecosystems.
  • OTHER LOCATION | 2025-10-01 | 09.00-16.00

    Nature-based Solutions Summit: Co-learning, networking and showcasing

    A summit for boosting collaboration across research, practice and policy for advancing the impact of nature-based solutions. Registration is open!
  • UPPSALA | 2025-08-28 | 09.00-11.00

    Beyond restoration: Interdisciplinary exploration of restoration for present and future generations

    Last year, the EU Nature Restoration Law was adopted, highlighting the growing importance of restoration. Restoration efforts are becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, as they aim to support not only ecological recovery but also deliver social benefits and reflect diverse societal values.

Calls for funding

Open calls for funding and seed money from the Future Platforms.