So was Klara's research visit to Down Under

By lill [dot] eriksson [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Lill Eriksson) - published 7 April 2025

Woman in white dress in front of a pond in parc — SWEAH PhD student Klara Le applied for and received a travel grant to learn more in Australia. Photo: Private

A few questions for SWEAH PhD student Klara Le at Örebro University, who has just returned from a research trip in Sydney, Australia.

Klara Le was awarded a travel grant of SEK 50,000 from SWEAH to visit the School of Social Sciences, at Western Sydney University, in Australia during February and March.

What have you learned?

– I have had a great time in Sydney. During this research visit, I have come to appreciate the immense value of international collaborations and the importance of gaining new perspectives on one’s research. Working in a different academic environment has not only broaden my understanding of my field, but has also allowed me to refine my analytical approach by comparing different contexts.

Computer on table in lecture hall — Photo: Private

What made the most impression?

– That was my encounter with the Older Women’s Network in Sydney. This organization has provided me with valuable insights into how research and practice can intersect to promote the rights of older adults in society. Their work demonstrates how activism, policy, and research can be integrated to drive meaningful change, offering me new perspectives on how my own research can contribute to societal progress.

Activism, policy, and research can be integrated to drive meaningful change.

What would you like to say to those who are thinking about going abroad?

– Having the opportunity to undertake a research visit is both a privilege and an invaluable experience. It opens doors to future collaborations, strengthens academic networks, and creates new opportunities beyond the PhD. Moreover, it fosters greater independence as a researcher, which is essential for career development.

Man in red t-shirt at a café — Dr. George Turner, Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Community Welfare, a disability and sexuality researcher. Photo: Private

Woman having a presentation in front of a big screen — A lecture about indigenous peoples and how Western Sydney University works with these issues. Photo: Private

During SWEAH PhD Student Days in Lund on April 8-10, Klara Le will tell more about her visit abroad.

Of the six applications received this year for travel grants for SWEAH's PhD students in autumn 2025, the following are now granted:

Ana Sabsil López Rocha, Karolinska Institutet, 10,000 SEK – visit to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
Pernilla Siljehag, Karolinska Institutet, 25,000 SEK – visit to the Laboratory of Education in Environment and Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Glenn Möllergren, Lund University, 15,000 SEK – visit to the Department of Social Work, Journalism, PR and Sociology, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania