Welcome as a PhD candidate Laila Adelson!

• Post by: Tobias Larsson
• 25th June 2025
• 1 Comment

Laila Adelson is a PhD candidate starting July 1st, signed up in Mechanical Engineering research education with postdoc Jenny Elfsberg, Professor Tobias Larsson, and Assoicate Professor Oskar Frånberg as supervisors. She is funded via the Knowledge Foundation Jubilee Doctoral Student grants and will be researching innovation methodology applicable to both civilian and defense-oriented sectors, and in close collaborationa with the Marine Technology Center and the joint initiative between Region Blekinge, BTH and partners.

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

My name is Laila Adelson and I’m a diehard optimist and a dreamer. Born and raised in Malmö, Sweden with an MSc in Strategic Environmental Management from Lund University, I’ve never believed in staying within conventional boundaries. My focus on sustainability and resilience led me to cleantech and eventually to a broader fascination with how emerging technologies reshape industries and society.
During my time as a Junior Wallenberg Fellow in Silicon Valley, I conducted independent research on autonomous driving, comparing policy landscapes between California and Sweden. That experience deepened my interest in the systems and processes that can either slow down or accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. 

After the fellowship I joined Stellar Capacity, a global education company focused on digital transformation, future skills, and AI-driven leadership. There, I worked with research and leadership development programmes that explored how technologies like AI and XR are reshaping decision-making, organisational structures and ways of working. It gave me insight into the practical challenges organisations and society face when navigating major technological shifts, and highlighted the need for more effective innovation processes to support sustainable transformation.

This combination of interests and experiences is what led me to BTH and its strong commitment to driving real-world innovation.

WHAT WILL BE YOUR RESEARCH?

My research will focus on dual use innovation processes, exploring how emerging technologies can be more effectively adapted and integrated. Given today’s geopolitical uncertainty, there’s a growing need to rethink how innovation is managed, assessed, and applied in Sweden, with resilience and sustainability in mind.

WHAT WILL YOU BRING BTH AND THE COMMUNITY?

My curiosity! I ask a lot of questions and enjoy collaborative research. My time in Silicon Valley also taught me the value of a pay-it-forward mindset. I enjoy connecting ideas across fields (or boundaries) and exploring how we can approach innovation in more effective ways.  This interdisciplinary approach, combined with my background in sustainability and interest in emerging technologies, is what draws me to the BTH research community. I want to contribute through collaboration, open dialogue and a willingness to question established ways of thinking.