From virtual worlds to academic culture – three new collaborations between Stockholm and Tokyo
Three projects selected for Stockholm Trio–UTokyo seed funding are bringing together researchers in Stockholm and Tokyo. The collaborations explore virtual reality, food perception and academic culture.
“Turning Vision into Action: For a Healthy and Sustainable Society.” Workshop with Stockholm trio and the University of Tokyo september 2025. Photo: Yasuko Watanabe
The funding supports joint activities that can initiate new collaborations or strengthen existing partnerships between Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and the University of Tokyo. The projects also aim to lay the groundwork for future applications for external research funding.The 2026 call attracted 14 applications, with three projects selected for funding in May.
Perception manipulation in virtual reality
A project led by Donald McMillan at Stockholm University will investigate how manipulating perception in immersive virtual environments affects cognitive load, stress and spatial cognition.
Researchers from Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet and the University of Tokyo will conduct parallel experiments in Stockholm and Tokyo. The collaboration aims to generate methods and findings that can support future international research initiatives on human-centred virtual worlds.
Enhancing food perception in virtual reality
The second project, headed by Janina Seubert at Karolinska Institutet, brings together researchers from all four universities to explore how smell, taste and visual cues influence food perception in virtual reality.
Through workshops in Stockholm and a research visit to the University of Tokyo, the researchers will develop shared methods, test small-scale virtual reality demonstrations and generate pilot data. The project will prepare the consortium for future applications to international funding programmes and possible collaborations with industry.
Communicating knowledge in a new academic culture
The third project is led by Björn Kjellgren at KTH and focuses on the academic, cultural and linguistic expectations encountered by Japanese researchers coming to Sweden.
Researchers from all four universities will develop and test activities to help Japanese scholars navigate Swedish academic culture. The project will include a needs analysis, interactive workshops and seminars, followed by evaluation and dissemination. Its longer-term aim is to establish a sustainable platform for collaboration between the Stockholm Trio universities and the University of Tokyo.
In a recent interview, External link. Müjde Nordling at Karolinska Institutet University Library discusses how the project can support international researchers and contribute to more inclusive academic environments.
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Learn more about the project "Communicating knowledge in a new academic culture". External link.