On December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, the Nobel prizes are officially awarded in Sweden each year. Though there will not be quite the usual celebrations this year, the recipients will still be honoured in different ways worldwide. So in the spirit of celebrating the contribution of science and research to society, Chalmers University of Technology, one of the leading scientific universities in Sweden, aims to shine a light on the years of hard work that lie behind crucial scientific breakthroughs, through a rather unusual way – by singing for science.
The way to scientific understanding is paved with many important and cumulative steps and contributions. Every year, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology publish over 4000 scientific articles outlining new, peer-reviewed findings in a wide array of areas – everything from sustainable energy technology, food science, medicines, climate modelling and new materials, to foundational research laying the groundwork for future applications.
“Research at Chalmers and other universities helps new knowledge get out into society and industry for the benefit of everyone, to help with better decision-making. With the help of new research, we can better understand our world, and guide the way forward to more sustainable ways of living,” says Stefan Bengtsson, President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology.
Singing for science is perhaps not the most standard way for a university to communicate. But there is a long musical tradition in Swedish academia, and last year the Chalmers Choir celebrated its 150th birthday. The pandemic unfortunately put a halt to rehearsals and concerts for a time, but now, they can sing together again, and are proud to present a new song in four voices, to the tune of the 18th century Swedish musician Carl Michael Bellman’s popular song ‘Så lunkar vi så småningom’ (‘So we gradually amble’).
The lyrics are in Swedish, but an approximate English translation is provided in the video. Watch here.
“We are very happy to contribute and celebrate science in this way. We hope our message of faith in science can spread far and wide with the help of the song,” says Maria Cervin-Ellqvist, Vice-President of the Chalmers Choir and a doctoral student at the Department of Communication and Learning in Science where she researches, appropriately enough, research communication.
If you want to share Chalmers University’s celebration of the contribution of research to society via YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or Instagram, please use the hashtag #singforscience.
ABOUT CHALMERS UNIVERSITY
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture.
With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.The EU’s biggest research initiative – the Graphene Flagship – is coordinated by Chalmers. We are also leading the development of a Swedish quantum computer.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
