About us

The Baltic Sea Centre focuses on environmental challenges of the Baltic Sea through an interdisciplinary approach. We share the latest research findings and knowledge with authorities and organisations working with marine governance and management.

We do also support and develop Stockholm University's marine operations by providing infrastructure such as a marine field station, research vessels and marine modeling for research and education.

In addition to our Baltic Sea focus, we are also assigned to be a unifying force for marine research from all disciplines at Stockholm University, for instance by offering expertise in communication and analysis of important political processes related to marine environmental issues. In several appointed national assignments we also work closely together with other universities and regional water management actors.

Bridging the gap between science and policy

The Baltic Sea is one of the world's most polluted seas – but also one of the most studied. The scientific knowledge about this sensitive and unique marine environment is constantly being replenished with new findings, but only a fraction of this reaches the society's decision-makers. This is partly due to the fact that science and policy do not speak the same language.

Bridging the gap between science and policy is necessary to give future generations the opportunity to enjoy a healthy and thriving sea.

At the Baltic Sea Centre, researchers, policy analysts and communicators work to ensure that relevant research on the Baltic Sea reaches decision-makers both in the Baltic Sea region and in the EU. We work extensively with connecting researchers and decision-makers to present the latest knowledge.

We offer several ways to stay updated. For instance through our:

Web magazine Baltic Eye

Marine news from Stockholm University

Policy briefs and fact sheets

Seminar series Baltic Breakfast

Consultation replies

History

A new centre based on many years of experience

Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre was established on 1 January 2013, as a merge of the international collaboration Baltic Nest Institute, BNI, and the former Stockholm University Marine Research Centre (SMF) with the Askö Laboratory. The centre was also assigned to administrate the strategic research program Baltic Ecosystem Adaptive Management.

It was decided that the Baltic Nest Institute, BNI, would remain as an separate entity and retain its international board. Stockholm University's Marine Research Centre closed through the University Board's decision, but operations, including the Askö Laboratory, continued within the new Baltic Sea Centre.

Building on previous organisations

SMF previously managed the Science Faculty's infrastructure resources for marine research - such as the marine field station Askö Laboratory and various ships and measuring instruments. SMF also has a long-term collaboration with other marine centres, especially Umeå Marine Research Centre, which has resulted in several outreach products, such as the web portal havet.nu and the journal Havsutsikt. These aim to increase knowledge and interest in marine issues and marine research for a broad target group. SMF also focused on regional environmental analysis, mainly in the coastal and archipelagic environments in Svealand. Data from this environmental monitoring has been a foundation for understanding the state of the sea.

BNI hosts and develops the decision support system, used for decisions on measures to improve environmental problems in the Baltic Sea. These are interconnected numerical models and databases covering the sea, catchment and atmosphere, that was developed within a major previous research project. The modeling tool has been used to calculate the emission reductions that the Baltic Sea countries must make in order to achieve agreed environmental goals. These are summarized in the Baltic Sea Action Plan, which was signed by the ministers of all Baltic Sea countries in 2013.

The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management finances BNI annually to ensure the modeling tool to be continuously developed as new knowledge emerges.

An important addition to the centre

In 2013, the Baltic Sea Centre also entered a strategic partnership with the BalticSea2020 foundation to create Baltic Eye - with focus on action-oriented analysis, synthesis and communication. This "science for policy" communications project led to the special recruitment of researches, communications officers and advocacy officers that were to work together to provide decision-makers with scientific knowledge on pressing issues for the Baltic Sea. The work model that developed within the Baltic Eye is today included in all our areas of operations.

Newsletter and invitations

Once a month we gather marine news from Stockholm University in a Swedish and an English newsletter. Vacant positions, dissertations and marine events are also included in the newsletter.

Subscribe to the marine news from Stockholm University

Last updated: 2025-10-28

Source: Institutionsnamn