2025-05-222024/25:UbU15 · p.9UbUEducation
Quality and Analysis
Follow-up of research quality and impact
What's at stake: A stronger follow-up system would provide a better basis for judging whether research funding delivers its intended effects, affecting researchers, universities and the agencies that allocate research funding.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether a new, joint and independent system is needed to analyse the results and effects of state research investment, or whether following up the research-policy sub-goals within existing structures is sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motions, pointing out that being able to follow up the research-policy sub-goals is important since it improves the ability to assess progress toward the overall goal; a separate new analysis system is therefore not seen as necessary.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 12 (C)
The reservation (C) calls for a clearer system for quality follow-up of Swedish research and innovation, with a joint and independent analysis of the results and effects of state investment in research, development and innovation - something already in place in most comparable countries - and for an inquiry to be set up to propose how this can be done.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 12 by C.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 18/0/0/6 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 89/0/0/17 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 14/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 15/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 58/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | No | Abstain 0/0/63/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2024/25:1445 by Patrick Reslow et al. (SD) request 7 and 2024/25:3312 by Anders Ådahl et al. (C) request 15.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1445 av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD) yrkande 7 och 2024/25:3312 av Anders Ådahl m.fl. (C) yrkande 15.
Riksdag decision: The Government has presented research policy for 2025–2028. In connection with this, the Government also presented a proposal that would allow the Government to determine rules enabling universities to decide that employment with them can be combined with employment outside the university. Parliament approved the Government's proposal. Today, combined employment at universities applies only to certain positions such as specially trained doctors and dentists, and the Government's proposal means that the limitation to certain sectors or positions can be removed. The purpose of the legislative amendment is to increase opportunities for knowledge and skills exchange between individual researchers, educational institutions and other sectors of society, and thereby strengthen skills supply and competitiveness. The legislative amendment enters into force on 1 July 2025. Parliament also issued a so-called formal request (tillkännagivande) to the Government regarding the Government's announced inquiry into how appropriate the current organizational form is for state educational institutions. According to Parliament, an inquiry into organizational change should not be conducted. The formal request was issued in connection with a proposal in a supplementary motion. Parliament rejected the remaining motions, of which approximately 140 proposals come from the general motion period 2024.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to address working conditions and workplace risks related to combined employment through a quick investigation. (C) — Reservation 12
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants policy to be based on solid research and on proposals that prove effective, and holds to independent scrutiny as part of society's control mechanisms.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants policy to be based on solid research and on proposals that prove effective, and holds to independent scrutiny as part of society's control mechanisms. A comprehensive and independent analysis of what investments in research and innovation yield is therefore supported. At the same time, the plan warns against control systems built on inspection and bureaucratic surveillance, which makes support uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att politiken bygger på stabil forskning och på förslag som visar sig effektiva, och håller fast vid oberoende granskning som en del av samhällets kontrollmekanismer. En samlad och oberoende analys av vad investeringarna i forskning och innovation ger stöds därför. Samtidigt varnar planen för styrsystem byggda på kontroll och byråkratisk övervakning, vilket gör stödet osäkert.
- policy grounded in researchdecisive»rörelse för ett bättre samhälle behöver bygga på stabil forskning och« (party programme ↗)“movement for a better society needs to be based on solid research and”
- independent scrutiny»insyn och oberoende granskning.« (party programme ↗)“transparency and independent scrutiny.”
- joint research investments»Vi vill se stora gemensamma satsningar på den teknikutveckling« (party programme ↗)“We want to see major joint investments in the technology development”
- warning against control systems»kontrollsystem och byråkratisk övervakning förstör människors« (party programme ↗)“control systems and bureaucratic surveillance destroy people's”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address follow-up systems for research.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address follow-up systems for research. The closest commitments are the party programme's requirements for major efforts for Sweden's position as a knowledge nation and that publicly financed activities shall be subject to scrutiny and accountability shall be demanded. An independent analysis of what research investments yield serves both. The plan therefore supports the requirement for an inquiry, but the reasoning is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte uppföljningssystem för forskning. Närmast liggande åtaganden är partiprogrammets krav på stora insatser för Sveriges ställning som kunskapsnation och att skattefinansierad verksamhet ska kunna granskas och ansvar utkrävas. En oberoende analys av vad forskningsinvesteringarna ger tjänar båda. Planen stöder därför kravet på en utredning, men härledningen är svag.
- leading knowledge nationdecisive»upprätthålla och stärka Sveriges ställning som ledande kunskapsnation krävs stora insatser« (party programme ↗)“maintaining and strengthening Sweden's position as a leading knowledge nation requires major efforts”
- scrutiny of public funds»Oavsett i vilken form skattefinansierad verksamhet drivs ska medborgarna ha möjlighet att« (party programme ↗)“Regardless of how publicly financed activities are run, citizens shall have the opportunity to”
- research's significance»Forskningen utgör grunden för kunskapsutvecklingen i både samhälle och arbetsliv.« (party programme ↗)“Research forms the basis for knowledge development in both society and working life.”
- innovation's prerequisites»Stärk de långsiktiga förutsättningarna för företagande och innovation.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the long-term conditions for enterprise and innovation.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan has no system of its own for monitoring research investments, but establishes that the link between policy and research is important, that quality shall be continuously followed up and that universities' independence shall be combined with extensive public oversight.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan has no system of its own for monitoring research investments, but establishes that the link between policy and research is important, that quality shall be continuously followed up and that universities' independence shall be combined with extensive public oversight. An independent analysis of what effects research and innovation funds produce is in line with these principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen har inget eget system för uppföljning av forskningsinvesteringar, men slår fast att politikens koppling till forskning är viktig, att kvaliteten ständigt ska följas upp och att lärosätenas oberoende ska förenas med stor offentlig insyn. En oberoende analys av vilka effekter forsknings- och innovationsmedel ger ligger i linje med dessa principer.
- knowledge-based policydecisive»Politikens koppling till forskning är viktig och forskningens resultat bör tas tillvara för att utveckla lösningar på samhälls- och klimatutmaningar.« (party programme ↗)“The link between policy and research is important and research results should be used to develop solutions to social and climate challenges.”
- ongoing quality monitoring»Kvaliteten ska ständigt följas upp med olika slags verktyg.« (party programme ↗)“Quality shall be continuously monitored using various tools.”
- independence with oversight»Lärosätenas självständighet och oberoende ska utvecklas i samspel med en stor offentlig insyn.« (party programme ↗)“University independence and autonomy shall be developed in dialogue with extensive public oversight.”
- quality-assured fund allocation»Systemet för medelsfördelning till universitet och högskolor ska förändras och utformas så att det säkrar en hög kvalitet i både utbildning och forskning för såväl små som stora lärosäten.« (party programme ↗)“The system for allocating funds to universities and colleges shall be changed and designed so that it ensures high quality in both education and research for both small and large universities.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan says nothing about a system for quality monitoring of research, but it requires results-oriented leadership, that politics manages taxpayers' money, and that the public guarantees high quality requirements in education.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about a system for quality monitoring of research, but it requires results-oriented leadership, that politics manages taxpayers' money, and that the public guarantees high quality requirements in education. An independent analysis of what effects research and innovation investments actually generate is in line with these principles. The conclusion is derived and therefore uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger inget om ett system för kvalitetsuppföljning av forskning, men den kräver ett resultatinriktat ledarskap, att politiken hushållar med skattebetalarnas pengar och att det offentliga garanterar höga kvalitetskrav i utbildningen. En oberoende analys av vilka effekter forsknings- och innovationsinvesteringar faktiskt ger ligger i linje med dessa principer. Slutsatsen är härledd och därför osäker.
- results-oriented governancedecisive»Ett resultatinriktat ledarskap som säger nej till kortsiktiga populistiska satsningar och istället söker långsiktiga och konstruktiva överenskommelser förankrade i mitten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Results-oriented leadership that says no to short-term populist initiatives and instead seeks long-term and constructive agreements anchored in the centre.”
- stewardship of tax funds»Politiken ska hushålla med skattebetalarnas pengar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Politics must manage taxpayers' money.”
- high quality requirements»Det offentliga ska garantera att utbildningen lever upp till höga krav på kvalitet« (party programme ↗)“The public shall guarantee that education meets high quality requirements.”
- research effects should be realized»En ökad kommersialisering av forskningens resultat stärker Sveriges innovationskraft.« (party programme ↗)“Increased commercialization of research results strengthens Sweden's innovation capacity.”
The plan makes it the state's role to set goals for education and evaluate its quality, and the election manifesto wants to tighten evaluation.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes it the state's role to set goals for education and evaluate its quality, and the election manifesto wants to tighten evaluation. Research grants shall be distributed based on quality, which presupposes that results and effects can actually be assessed. A gathered and independent system for quality follow-up of research and innovation thus follows from the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör det till statens roll att fastställa mål för utbildningen och utvärdera dess kvalitet, och valmanifestet vill skärpa utvärderingen. Forskningsanslagen ska fördelas utifrån kvalitet, vilket förutsätter att resultat och effekter faktiskt kan bedömas. Ett samlat och oberoende system för kvalitetsuppföljning av forskning och innovation följer därför av planens åtaganden.
- the state evaluates qualitydecisive»fastställa mål för den och att utvärdera dess kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“set goals for it and that it evaluate its quality.”
- tightened evaluation»Vi vill öka den lärarledda undervisningen, skärpa utvärderingen och bygga ut de utbildningar och lärosäten som håller högst kvalitet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to increase teacher-led instruction, tighten evaluation and build out the educations and institutions that maintain highest quality.”
- quality-based distribution»Forskningsanslagen ska fördelas utifrån kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“Research grants shall be distributed based on quality.”
- consequences of low quality»Låg kvalitet på en utbildning ska kunna leda till att utbildningen stoppas.« (party programme ↗)“Low quality on an education shall be able to lead to the education being stopped.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that activities at universities and colleges are constantly evaluated so that they maintain high quality, and makes evaluation and quality control an important political task.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that activities at universities and colleges are constantly evaluated so that they maintain high quality, and makes evaluation and quality control an important political task. A comprehensive and independent system to analyze what results research investments produce is precisely such follow-up. The counter-proposal's requirement for an investigation of such a system is thus supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att verksamheten vid universitet och högskolor ständigt utvärderas så att den håller hög kvalitet, och gör utvärdering och kvalitetskontroll till en viktig politisk uppgift. Ett samlat och oberoende system för att analysera vilka resultat forskningsinvesteringarna ger är precis en sådan uppföljning. Motförslagets krav på en utredning av ett sådant system stöds därför.
- continuous quality evaluationdecisive»verksamheten vid universiteten och högskolorna ständigt utvärderas så att de håller hög kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“activities at universities and colleges are constantly evaluated so that they maintain high quality.”
- follow-up as a political task»Utvärdering, kostnadsuppföljning och kvalitetskontroll är därför viktiga politiska uppgifter.« (party programme ↗)“Evaluation, cost tracking and quality control are therefore important political tasks.”
- resources for high quality»Det är av gemensamt intresse att det görs lönsamt att genomgå högre utbildning och att resurser satsas för att verksamheten ska hålla hög kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“It is of common interest that it becomes profitable to undertake higher education and that resources are invested so that activities shall maintain high quality.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants a resource allocation system where academic quality and establishment in the labour market are prioritized, which presupposes that results can actually be measured and followed up.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants a resource allocation system where academic quality and establishment in the labour market are prioritized, which presupposes that results can actually be measured and followed up. The party programme makes quality steering for higher education and requires constant readiness to evaluate and reconsider what has been carried out. A combined and independent analysis of what research investments yield therefore aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill ha ett resursfördelningssystem där akademisk kvalitet och etablering på arbetsmarknaden premieras, vilket förutsätter att resultat faktiskt kan mätas och följas upp. Partiprogrammet gör kvalitet styrande för högre utbildning och kräver ständig beredskap att utvärdera och ompröva det som genomförts. En samlad och oberoende analys av vad forskningsinvesteringarna ger ligger därför i linje med planen.
- quality shall be measured and prioritizeddecisive»Arbeta för ett resursfördelningssystem till högskolan så att akademisk kvalitet, genomströmning samt etablering på arbetsmarknaden premieras i högre utsträckning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for a resource allocation system to higher education so that academic quality, throughput and establishment in the labour market are prioritized to a greater extent”
- evaluation of what has been carried out»beredskap för att utvärdera, ompröva, förändra och förbättra« (party programme ↗)“readiness to evaluate, reconsider, change and improve”
- quality steering»Kvalitet och internationell konkurrenskraft ska vara styrande för den högre utbildningen.« (party programme ↗)“Quality and international competitiveness shall be steering for higher education.”
- learning public administration»Det kräver en pragmatisk reformvilja och en förmåga att se samhällsproblem för vad de är.« (party programme ↗)“It requires a pragmatic reform will and an ability to see social problems for what they are.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan demands clear results and clear citizen benefit for every public initiative as well as strengthened accountability when the handling of public resources fails.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands clear results and clear citizen benefit for every public initiative as well as strengthened accountability when the handling of public resources fails. A comprehensive and independent system to analyze what effects research and innovation investments deliver directly addresses that demand. However, research follow-up is not specifically mentioned in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver tydliga resultat och tydlig medborgarnytta för varje offentlig satsning samt stärkt ansvarsutkrävande när hanteringen av offentliga resurser brister. Ett samlat och oberoende system för att analysera vilka effekter forsknings- och innovationsinvesteringar ger svarar direkt mot det kravet. Forskningsuppföljning nämns dock inte särskilt i planen.
- results requirementdecisive»Begära tydliga resultat för varje offentlig satsning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Demand clear results for every public initiative”
- requirement for citizen benefit»Sverigedemokraterna vill koncentrera de offentliga utgifterna till välfärdens hjärta och begära tydlig medborgarnytta för alla satsningar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Sweden Democrats want to concentrate public spending on the heart of welfare and demand clear citizen benefit for all initiatives.”
- accountability»Sverigedemokraterna vill stärka möjligheter för ansvarsutkrävande när hanteringen av de offentliga resurserna brister.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Sweden Democrats want to strengthen opportunities for accountability when the handling of public resources fails.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:UbU15)
- Committee report full text (HC01UbU15)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:10 — Försök inom medicinsk forskning av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1007 — Flytt av Rymdstyrelsen till Västsverige av Rickard Nordin (C)
- Motion 2024/25:1096 — Stöd till forskningen om traumabehandling för sexualbrottsutsatta av Marléne Lund Kopparklint och Jan Ericson (båda M)
- Motion 2024/25:1103 — Bättre villkor för den forskande life science-industrin i Sverige av Helena Storckenfeldt och Gustaf Göthberg (båda M)
- Motion 2024/25:1313 — Minskande av PFAS i vår närmiljö av Katarina Luhr m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:1360 — En kvalitativ cancervård i framkant av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1362 — En stärkt psykisk hälsa i hela landet av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1366 — Socialtjänsten av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1369 — Svenskt fiske och vattenbruk av Martin Kinnunen m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1372 — Marina miljöer och vattenvård av Martin Kinnunen m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1382 — Vattenförsörjning och vattenhantering av Mikael Eskilandersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1397 — Djurskydd av Martin Kinnunen m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1403 — En human sjukförsäkring med individen i centrum av Clara Aranda m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1412 — Jämställdhet och diskriminering av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1421 — Nationella minoriteter och urfolk i Sverige av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1436 — Rymdstrategi av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1443 — Kvalitet och frihet för en högskola i världsklass av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1445 — Forskning i världsklass av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1451 — Svensk innovationskraft och immaterialrätt av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1452 — Stärkande av life science-sektorn inom näringslivet av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament