Malin Hansen

Trafikverket och Boverket har under åren 2005-2010 arbetat tillsammans med kommunerna Jönköping, Norrköping och Uppsala samt Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting med" Den Goda Staden-ett stadsutvecklingsprojekt”. Syftet med projektet har varit att gemensamt ...

This report is the result of a research project carried out by the Department of Urban Planning and Environment at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology during the period 2012-2013. The report was commissioned by Region Skåne. The aim was to discuss the possibilities of improving current and future exchanges and collaborations across Öresund, with a basis in a scientific frame of reference, as well as data on economics and development and interviews with a large number of respondents active in the Öresund region. The improved accessibility facilitated by the Öresund Bridge creates potential for increased collaboration, but this potential is not automatically unlocked. Greater accessibility also leads to new and clearer manifestations of differences and previously unexplored points of conflict. Our ambition has been to study various possibilities to realise development potential in the interplay between Zealand and Skåne by means of formal or informal initiatives. Our assessment is f...

European governments offer various forms of financial assistance to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in aspects of environmental improvement. Such subsidies can be controversial, but it is generally accepted that economic instruments must be used in working towards environmental policy goals.Through a comparative analysis, this article reviews 15 environmental incentives for SMEs in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Four broad themes identified in incentive coverage comprise environmental management, environmental technology, environmental employment and energy. The associated objectives range from launching research and development through to implementing environmental technology, raising awareness and skills, creating jobs and competing in the specialist environmental sector. In comparison with Europe-wide survey data, the Nordic countries have recently used a greater proportion of grants.Issues of research significance include the lack of clarity regarding company perception of environmental incentives, the impact of incentives on SME environmental performance and whether these subsidies ultimately contribute to economic competitiveness. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment.

This study focus on the role of teacher/student mentorship in the first year in higher education. This mentor relationship carries with it potential benefits for both faculty staff involved as mentors and the students (e.g. Campbell & Campbell 1997; Terrion & Leonard 2007; Colvin & Ashman 2010). For students it has shown to have psychosocial as well as academic benefits, affecting e.g. retention rates, integration into the university environment, academic performance. For faculty staff, in addition to leading to enhanced skills in mentoring, they e.g. benefit by taking part of the students views on the study environment, which can feed into the development of teaching and learning activities.

The study focus on the mandatory course “Introduction to the Planning and Building Process” (Samhällsbyggnadsprocessen, AI1527, 13,5 hp) given during period 1-2 in the first study year of the Degree Programme in Civil Engineering and Urban Management (CSAMH). This course is divided into different parts, where each part is designed to give the students their first experience with different subjects corresponding to the different specializations that can be chosen later on in the education. In addition to this there is a focus on developing the students’ skills concerning academic writing, giving/receiving feedback and carrying through presentations. In relation to the development of these more generic skills the students are divided into smaller groups assigned to six different teachers, in this study framed as mentors, i.e. each teacher is responsible for 25-30 students. This means that during period 1-2 in the first year of study each group of students have extended and close contact with one particular teacher. This can be seen in relation to the normal format with lectures carried through in full class in larger lecture halls, where the lecturers usually only meet the students a couple of times.

The aim of the study is to explore the potential benefits of including faculty/student mentoring activities during the first year of study, as an integrated activity in relation to the subject content of the curriculum. What are the experiences of the students and the teachers/mentors?

Methods for collecting data consist mainly of action research (autumn 2016), focus group interview with students (representing the years 2013-2016), and with the teachers/mentors (Feb 2017). This is supported with analysis of course evaluations and short self-reflective essays the students hand in two times during the course.