Successful kick-off for new course on safe and sustainable chemical innovation

On 16 September, Mistra SafeChem held a kick-off in Stockholm for the new course Safety and Sustainability in Chemical Innovation. The course brings together doctoral students and early-career professionals to explore how safety and sustainability can be integrated into chemical innovation.

"It was great to meet so many students who share an interest in how we can contribute to safer chemicals and better chemical safety already at an early stage," says Patrik Andersson, Programme Director at Mistra SafeChem.

The course, led by Prof. Em. Helen Håkansson, Karolinska Institutet, provides a strong foundation in the European Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework and its role in future chemical innovation. The course is designed by a course team consisting of Patrik Andersson, Helen Håkansson, Diana Kättström, expert at IVL, and Aji Mathew, professor at Stockholm University. Participants will learn about chemical regulation, risk and sustainability assessment, life cycle thinking, and the role of chemicals in sustainable development.

“We are really looking forward to getting this course going. Our speakers include leading researchers, industry representatives, and regulatory experts who will share their expertise during the course,” says Diana Kättström.

During the course, guest speakers will be invited to give presentations at seminars. The speakers will represent government agencies, industry, and academia, and will share their perspectives on chemical safety, discuss current challenges in evaluating and regulating chemical risks, and provide an introduction to the principles and methods used in regulatory toxicology.

The seminars are open to participants outside the course as well. More information will be provided soon.

The course runs from September 2026 until June 2027, supporting the next generation of professionals working towards safe and sustainable chemical innovation.