SUA recruits Olof Gränström: "Knowledge must be made understandable to have an effect"
"AI is an enormous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to enter complex issues better prepared. It changes the conditions, but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships."
With a background as a social analyst and experience from organizations like Gapminder and companies such as Novus, Olof Gränström joins Skellefteå University's Alliance. His focus is clear. To put facts in their context, break down persistent myths, and make the learning of the future practical, for real.
When Olof Gränström talks about sustainable transformation, it is rarely technology that is at the center. Instead, he returns to how we interpret facts and which stories we choose to hold on to.
– One of the most enduring myths is that the green transition would be much more expensive. In reality, it often comes down to how we allocate costs. The technology is largely already available. The challenge is to use what we have and to get society to absorb the change, he says.
Analyzing societal development, contextualizing data, and making complex relationships understandable has been the common thread throughout Olof's career. As a trained political scientist and economist, he has worked as a social analyst, senior advisor, and consultant. He has extensive experience in building data-driven narratives that help organizations understand their present and make better decisions.
SUA recruits Olof Gränström: "Knowledge must be made understandable to have an effect"
Jan 20, 2026
Jan 20, 2026
Jan 20, 2026
With a background as a social analyst and experience from organizations like Gapminder and companies such as Novus, Olof Gränström joins Skellefteå University's Alliance. His focus is clear. To put facts in their context, break down persistent myths, and make the learning of the future practical, for real.
When Olof Gränström talks about sustainable transformation, it is rarely technology that is at the center. Instead, he returns to how we interpret facts and which stories we choose to hold on to.
– One of the most enduring myths is that the green transition would be much more expensive. In reality, it often comes down to how we allocate costs. The technology is largely already available. The challenge is to use what we have and to get society to absorb the change, he says.
Analyzing societal development, contextualizing data, and making complex relationships understandable has been the common thread throughout Olof's career. As a trained political scientist and economist, he has worked as a social analyst, senior advisor, and consultant. He has extensive experience in building data-driven narratives that help organizations understand their present and make better decisions.
"AI is an enormous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to enter complex issues better prepared. It changes the conditions, but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships."
"AI is an enormous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to enter complex issues better prepared. It changes the conditions, but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships."
An important part of that experience comes from the time at Gapminder, where he worked closely with Hans Rosling and collaborated with entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the IKEA Foundation.
– It was largely about breaking mental barriers. Why don’t we see the world as it is? Hans Rosling was early in designing learning and communication more from the recipient's perspective. You do not own the recipient's frame of reference, but you must understand it.
In parallel, Olof has had a strong presence in the media and public life. He is a sought-after speaker and often participates in contexts such as TV4 Nyhetsmorgon and SVT and is currently engaged as an expert by the Swedish Council for Higher Education.
It was the combination of analysis, learning, and practical application that attracted him to Skellefteå Universities Alliance.
– We are facing a change in what learning is. At the same time, northern Sweden is in the middle of an industrial transformation. Even though individual events, such as the bankruptcy of Northvolt, receive significant attention, they are often just blips on the curve. The need for new skills and new ways of learning is long-term, and these issues are often addressed separately. What appealed to me about SUA is that it connects them.
An important part of that experience comes from the time at Gapminder, where he worked closely with Hans Rosling and collaborated with entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the IKEA Foundation.
– It was largely about breaking mental barriers. Why don’t we see the world as it is? Hans Rosling was early in designing learning and communication more from the recipient's perspective. You do not own the recipient's frame of reference, but you must understand it.
In parallel, Olof has had a strong presence in the media and public life. He is a sought-after speaker and often participates in contexts such as TV4 Nyhetsmorgon and SVT and is currently engaged as an expert by the Swedish Council for Higher Education.
It was the combination of analysis, learning, and practical application that attracted him to Skellefteå Universities Alliance.
– We are facing a change in what learning is. At the same time, northern Sweden is in the middle of an industrial transformation. Even though individual events, such as the bankruptcy of Northvolt, receive significant attention, they are often just blips on the curve. The need for new skills and new ways of learning is long-term, and these issues are often addressed separately. What appealed to me about SUA is that it connects them.
"Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change."
In the discussion about the future of learning, Olof argues that we in Sweden underestimate the importance of interpersonal relationships.
– AI is a tremendous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to be better prepared for complex issues. It changes the conditions but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships.
At SUA, Olof will contribute to the development of advanced education focused on problem-solving in sustainability areas and to the work with the testbed for the future of learning. The ambition is to work with the entire ecosystem around, for example, electrification, from cutting-edge research to popular education.
– We need education at all levels. Upskilling, popular education, and the ability to engage more people. Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change.
What he looks forward to the most in his new context is the interplay within the team.
– It is an unusually broad and disparate group of people, with different skills and perspectives. I believe I will be surprised by what our work actually leads to. And that is exactly where I want to be.
"Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change."
In the discussion about the future of learning, Olof argues that we in Sweden underestimate the importance of interpersonal relationships.
– AI is a tremendous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to be better prepared for complex issues. It changes the conditions but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships.
At SUA, Olof will contribute to the development of advanced education focused on problem-solving in sustainability areas and to the work with the testbed for the future of learning. The ambition is to work with the entire ecosystem around, for example, electrification, from cutting-edge research to popular education.
– We need education at all levels. Upskilling, popular education, and the ability to engage more people. Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change.
What he looks forward to the most in his new context is the interplay within the team.
– It is an unusually broad and disparate group of people, with different skills and perspectives. I believe I will be surprised by what our work actually leads to. And that is exactly where I want to be.
"Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change."
In the discussion about the future of learning, Olof argues that we in Sweden underestimate the importance of interpersonal relationships.
– AI is a tremendous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to be better prepared for complex issues. It changes the conditions but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships.
At SUA, Olof will contribute to the development of advanced education focused on problem-solving in sustainability areas and to the work with the testbed for the future of learning. The ambition is to work with the entire ecosystem around, for example, electrification, from cutting-edge research to popular education.
– We need education at all levels. Upskilling, popular education, and the ability to engage more people. Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change.
What he looks forward to the most in his new context is the interplay within the team.
– It is an unusually broad and disparate group of people, with different skills and perspectives. I believe I will be surprised by what our work actually leads to. And that is exactly where I want to be.
"Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change."
In the discussion about the future of learning, Olof argues that we in Sweden underestimate the importance of interpersonal relationships.
– AI is a tremendous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to be better prepared for complex issues. It changes the conditions but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships.
At SUA, Olof will contribute to the development of advanced education focused on problem-solving in sustainability areas and to the work with the testbed for the future of learning. The ambition is to work with the entire ecosystem around, for example, electrification, from cutting-edge research to popular education.
– We need education at all levels. Upskilling, popular education, and the ability to engage more people. Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change.
What he looks forward to the most in his new context is the interplay within the team.
– It is an unusually broad and disparate group of people, with different skills and perspectives. I believe I will be surprised by what our work actually leads to. And that is exactly where I want to be.
"Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change."
In the discussion about the future of learning, Olof argues that we in Sweden underestimate the importance of interpersonal relationships.
– AI is a tremendous force, but it also makes human abilities more important. At the same time, AI can help us to be better prepared for complex issues. It changes the conditions but not the need for critical thinking, collaboration, and relationships.
At SUA, Olof will contribute to the development of advanced education focused on problem-solving in sustainability areas and to the work with the testbed for the future of learning. The ambition is to work with the entire ecosystem around, for example, electrification, from cutting-edge research to popular education.
– We need education at all levels. Upskilling, popular education, and the ability to engage more people. Knowledge that cannot be applied creates no change.
What he looks forward to the most in his new context is the interplay within the team.
– It is an unusually broad and disparate group of people, with different skills and perspectives. I believe I will be surprised by what our work actually leads to. And that is exactly where I want to be.
