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 Future 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

  • 2025-10-24

    Digital twins, analog practices and posthumanism at this year's Landscape Days

    About fifty employees from SLU's departments of Urban and Rural Development, People and Society and Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management gathered in October at SLU Ultuna for a 24 hour conversation and inspiration about future landscape practices.
  • 2025-10-24

    SLU Landscape Days explore more-than-human landscapes

    During a panel discussion at this year’s SLU Landscape Days, researchers and practitioners came together to discuss what it means to think and live in “more-than-human” landscapes - places where humans, animals, plants, and other materials are deeply entangled.
  • 2025-10-23

    "Stop talking about waste – point to the value instead"

    The quote is from Jón Jónasson, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Iceland, during a side event on innovative solutions for a sustainable future, addressing food insecurity, climate change, and waste management. The event took place during the 53rd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security.
  • 2025-10-21

    When water redraws the map – challenges and opportunities for future outdoor urban spaces

    Water shapes our landscapes in profound ways, especially as climate change intensifies risks and drives innovative solutions. In the latest webinar of the Mötesplats: Urban landskap series, researchers and practitioners discussed how water management is transforming urban environments.
  • 2025-10-20

    Seascapes in focus: coastal challenges and design solutions

    Seascapes – biodiverse coastal zones under growing pressure – are gaining attention at SLU. Through design, research, and collaboration, landscape architects are exploring new ways to protect and regenerate these vital, yet often overlooked, marine environments.

Calendar

  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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. The event is fully booked.
  • 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.
  • 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.