A new national competence centre at Lund University will use satellite data to strengthen social research and analysis in Sweden.
The centre aims to increase the use of Earth observation data in research and public policy, helping experts better understand social and environmental issues affecting society.
Every day, satellites collect a vast number of images of the Earth’s surface. When analysed using advanced methods, these images can provide valuable insights for research in areas such as sustainability, public health, economic growth and disaster preparedness.
Experts say satellite data can help researchers better understand the effects of major issues such as urban development, deforestation and climate change.
“The real potential lies in combining satellite images with Sweden’s uniquely detailed statistics. This means we could develop analysis that actually makes a difference,” said Ola Hall, head of department and associate professor at the Department of Human Geography at Lund University.
Collaboration Between Universities
The new centre, known as the Swedish Competence Centre for Satellite-Enabled Social Science Analytics, was officially launched on March 5.
The centre will bring together researchers, government agencies and industry partners to promote the use of satellite data in policy development, social planning and other areas that benefit society.
It will also offer training programmes, hackathons and technical support to researchers and institutions interested in using satellite data in their work.
The initiative involves collaboration with several universities, including Chalmers University of Technology, Linköping University and Karlstad University.
According to Ernesto Gutiérrez, head of innovation and societal benefit at the Swedish National Space Agency, the centre marks a major step forward in the use of satellite data.
“The inauguration marks the start of a new phase in which satellite data becomes a natural part of how we analyse and address complex societal challenges,” he said.
The Swedish National Space Agency has provided funding of 4 million Swedish kronor to support the initiative. The funding will help turn research findings into practical tools that can be used by public authorities, policymakers and other stakeholders.
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