Joakim Appelquist
Academy Secretary and Vice President, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences
Sweden’s Technological Edge: Mapping Competitiveness and Strategic Investment Priorities
In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological shifts, and intensifying global competition, understanding Sweden’s technological strengths is vital to sustaining innovation, security, and prosperity. The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) presents Sweden’s Competitiveness and Investment Priorities — a new, data-driven analysis mapping Sweden’s position across 48 strategically important technologies. Developed in collaboration with the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), the study applies advanced methods in economic complexity and data science, similar to those used in the Draghi report on EU technological competitiveness. The analysis provides an interactive overview of Sweden’s technological performance, identifying key regional strengths, industrial and academic ecosystems, and priority areas for collaboration within the EU.
This talk will highlight the main findings, discuss implications for Sweden’s research and innovation strategy, and outline how targeted investments can enhance national resilience, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness.
Bio
Joakim Appelquist is the Academy Secretary and Vice President at Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), where he contributes to advancing innovation, sustainability, and knowledge exchange between academia, industry, and government. With a PhD in Economic History from Lund University, Joakim brings deep analytical expertise and strategic insight to his leadership roles. He has extensive experience in government administration and research policy, having served as Head of Strategy and External Relations at KK-stiftelsen and as Research Secretary at the Swedish Government Offices.
Joakim also serves on the board of the Swedish Biodiversity Data Infrastructure (SBDI) and has advised the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. His professional focus spans policy analysis, innovation management, and sustainable development, underpinned by a strong commitment to strengthening the interface between science, policy, and society. Based in Stockholm, he continues to shape Sweden’s innovation and research ecosystem.
