Program Instruments

The WASP-HS program is planned to run from 2019 to 2028. In order to keep the program running it is built up of several components, these components are referred to as program instruments. Each WASP-HS Program Instrument is explained more thoroughly below.

Research Program
National Graduate School
New Faculty
Internationalisation
Collaboration with Industry and Public Agencies

Research Program

The WASP-HS Research Program aims at forming an interdisciplinary community across the projects which are funded by the program. By June 2021, WASP-HS conducts 40 research projects and 4 affiliated projects which form an interdisciplinary community across a number of Swedish universities.

WASP-HS expanded its contribution, in 2022, to the humanities and social sciences research for studies on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems with support to 11 new research groups at 9 Swedish universities. Each funding package covers the recruitment of one assistant professor and one PhD student in order for the universities to create or strengthen research groups in the area. Another PhD student or postdoc will be funded by the respective universities.

National Graduate School

The WASP-HS Graduate School addresses challenges and consequences of autonomous systems and AI in society, providing integrated training in philosophy, social science, policy research, organizational science, psychology, and other humanities and social science disciplines, together with a sound knowledge of the technical aspects of AI, software and autonomous systems.

The Graduate School takes a cohort-based approach bringing together students from a wide variety of backgrounds in interdisciplinary teams to address real problems taking account of the individual, societal, and ethical implications. WASP-HS will contribute to the diversity and inclusion of AI-related expertise and, as such, strengthen Sweden’s and Europe’s much-needed ‘soft-skills’ on AI and autonomous systems.

In 2020, a first cohort started with 35 students. The school aims to achieve an active community of researchers across Sweden through courses, joint study trips, and summer- and winter seminars. PhDs in the WASP-HS program are expected to work together with researchers on the WASP-AI and WASP-AS programs. The Graduate School will work in close interaction with industry and a number of the participants are expected to be industrial PhDs.

New Faculty

The objectives of WASP-HS require a strong, and internationally recognized faculty researching, and teaching the social, ethical, legal, economic, and cultural impact of AI and autonomous systems. To achieve this, WASP-HS will work closely with universities across Sweden to extend current faculty with junior faculty and visiting professors working on these topics.

In 2020, the program started the process of appointing a number of assistant professors (biträdande lektor) across Sweden. We will also appoint visiting professors across the participating universities. In all these appointments, special attention is given to the strengthening of Swedish excellence across the core disciplines of WASP-HS and to a strong embedding of these positions in the academic programs and visions of the universities involved.

Training and support for these positions as well as for the PIs and supervisors of the projects supported by the program is an important priority of the program. Regular meetings and workshops will be held, to facilitate interaction and the establishment of cross-discipline and cross-university collaborations as well as close interaction with industry and the public sector. Where relevant, we will also develop a mentorship program through which senior researchers will support program members, possibly involving our international partners.

Read more about the Call for Assistant Professor positions (application period is closed)

Internationalization

WASP-HS is establishing international contacts with leading groups and institutions across the world. The exchange of faculty and a postdoc program is a part of these collaborations.

Collaboration with Indusrty and Public Agencies

More information will be added shortly…