Global Astronomy Survey : Sweden

First submission : Bengt Gustafsson(SpoC) [see human resources section] 13 Feb 2009

SPoC Aprroved : Yes

1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

Chalmers, Göteborg, Lund, Stockholm University, Uppsala, and in limited sense a few other smaller places.

(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

In addition about 5 places.

(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally

with their names and levels of qualification)

About 150 people with a PhD. I hardly believe you need the names.

(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc)

and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)

About 10 optical telescopes (>50 cm aperture) and one radio observatory but in particular

active membership of ESO and Nordic Optical Telescope

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would

you rate your country in terms of Professional Astronomy? Please include

any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

No doubt Phase 1. 

2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the

public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or

national facilities)

According to Swedish University law also University departments have this obligation and numerous activities are

going on. IN addition to this, science centres, museums, etc are actively furthering

public outreach in astornomy.

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the

public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your

country is involved in)

Numerous, e.g. acitivities by Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, by

Swedish Astronomical Society and many

amateur astronomy societies.

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio,

newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on

astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?

I would say rather prominent. No really specific programmes, though.,

(iv) Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture

of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is

astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?

Yes, no problems. Sometimes presentations are however a bit shallow,

just pushing or even selling the wonders of the universe without a proper

cultural background or motivations why tax-payers should be involved.

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would

you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy?

Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

       Rating: Phase 1.

3. Astronomy in Schools:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach

programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government

departments or national facilities)

Schools have astronomy in their curricula, but teachers' knowledge

is too limited. Initiatives for further educations are needed, and presently

such initiatives are taken, as part of the Year's program.

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach

programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international

programmes that your country is involved in)

In particular the NTA project of the Academy of Sciences should be

mentioned. We try to bring the GTTP program of the Year into

interaction with the NTA for mutual benefit. 

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is

it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?

Yes, rather, for all levels. But the curriculum can be chosen from by

the individual teacher and thus depending on his/her competence and

taste.

(iv) Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools. Are there

any specific challenges or setbacks? Sufficient number of students

studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy

in schools?

See above. The interest among students in maths/science is conceived a

real problem. Astronomy is seen by some as a new way into science

and math in general. We propagate that view.

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would

you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools? Please include

any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

For schools, it is not so much a question of needing more support, but

more a question of time and education of teachers. There one could say that we are in between Phase 1 and 2.