Sustainable Community

Deeply Rooted in Cultural Heritage

The university is home to a UNESCO Chair on Heritage Futures, focusing on the cultural legacy we leave behind and how it can benefit future generations.

Courses like Storytelling in Pedagogical Practice are offered in partnership with Sagomuseet (Museum of Legends) in Ljungby, closely connected to the Land of Legends – a UNESCO programme that promotes and revitalizes storytelling traditions in the region.

Furthermore, a leading European research hub, Centre for Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, is part of Linnaeus University. The centre explores the global impact of colonialism and imperialism, with a focus on the experiences of marginalized and dispossessed communities.

A series of lectures within design, called What’s Up, offers seminars on cultural heritage, such as the design history of Småland and Sápmi, the cultural region of the Sámi people – linking design, history, and place.

Two Campuses, One University

Linnaeus University has two campuses, and both are open to the public.

Kalmar Campus is in a redeveloped city harbour district, just steps from the historic Kalmar Castle, once the heart of the Kalmar Union. The Campus is a short walk from the Central Station and offers a pedestrian-friendly environment with plenty of bike parking both outside and inside the buildings.

Växjö Campus is set in a beautiful English-style park near Teleborg Castle, connected to the city centre by bus and bike paths. The campus also provides generous bike parking.

Employees commuting between Kalmar campus and Växjö campus for work-related purposes travel by public transport, paid for by the university.

Cooperation with society

Cooperation is a key component for the university and its faculties. It is common for our lecturers to participate in media and to offer lectures outside campus for e.g. civil society organisations, government agencies, etc.

The university also facilitates projects aimed at connecting students and researchers with e.g. companies so that they may develop their skill through SmålandsNavet.

Cooperation is also important for education through practical training-placements in local society where e.g. students within teaching, nursing and maritime studies practice their future careers as a part of their education. 

An open university for all 

At the university there is consistently lectures and events open to the public and students alike. For those who want to advance their skills the university offers MOOC-courses that are free of charge and open to anyone.

The university also provides lectures in cooperation with external organisations, such as The Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research and Charity.

With the help of the Kamprad Family Foundation Linnaeus University has offered public lecture series about ageing well, focusing on loneliness and belonging in 2025 (during 2023 – 2024 the theme for the lecture series was food).

Linnaeus University also offers community-aimed events such as open houses for potential students, and orientation fairs for new students. These are organised in cooperation with local organisations including the student union and student organisations.

The university also offers different educational outreach activities. One example is Science Linné, an event aimed at pupils from year 5 to upper secondary school. The pupils are invited to campus to experience technology, science and mathematics in all kinds of contexts and forms. 

At Linnaeus all dissertations and inauguration lectures are open to the public, so keep an eye on the Linnaeus University calendar for such events.

Accessible libraries

The University Library at both campuses is physically accessible for the public as well as for students and staff. There are also computers available in the buildings and anyone over age 18 can get a library card and use available equipment.

Digital resources are available for anyone around the clock and OneSearch is the university library's search service for joint searching in our databases and the library catalogue, as well as the national database.

The University also offers access to a database containing all publications at Linnaeus University.

Student Housing and Community Life

Linnaeus University works closely with the student union and local housing companies, to ensure that students have access to affordable housing near both campuses and city centres.

Whether living close to campus or in town, students are part of an ongoing conversation between the university and its partners to improve housing options and quality of life.

Flexible Work and Employee Engagement

Remote work is a standard practice for most employees, depending on their role and responsibilities. Staff also have varying degrees of flexibility in setting their own priorities and working hours.

Beyond work, employees are encouraged to take part in university life. There are opportunities to join associations such as a big band or an art club, fostering creativity and connection across departments.

Workers’ unions are active and visible at the university. They play an active role in shaping the workplace. Safety officers, appointed by local unions, help monitor and support a healthy work environment throughout the organization. 

Student Representation and Community

Students at Linnaeus University, including PhD students, are represented by the local student union, Linnékåren. The student union is involved in decisions and discussions related to education and student life.

The Cultural University

Linnaeus University is a hub for cultural activity and artistic expression. Through initiatives like The Cultural University platform, the university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and creative dialogue across research, education, and public engagement.

One highlight is the Linnaeus Residency Programme, which invites national and international artists to work on campus. The current resident artist is Brandon LaBelle, and previous residencies have included projects like Madam Snickeri with Tack Skogen 2.0 and Brita Björs. In 2025 alone, the platform has hosted more than 50 cultural events.

Art and Literature in Everyday Life

Pieces of art are present all over the university, both inside and outside the premises. The campuses are open to the public (with some areas subject to security clearance) and guided art walks can be booked by students, staff, or visitors.

LinnéReads is Linnaeus University's literary book club initiative for students — a place to explore thought-provoking fiction, share ideas, and connect through reading, engage in discussions with fellow readers, and take part in inspiring author talks.

Across both campuses, you'll find vibrant spaces filled with student-led activities, practical training (such as police education), and exhibitions of student projects—from design to performance.

Collaboration with the local community

Linnaeus University actively collaborates with local authorities and organisations within the Linnaeus region to address mutual issues, including efforts to ensure an attractive knowledge environment.

Through the strategic agreement with both Växjö and Kalmar municipalities and the local student union, the university engages in joint initiatives that aims to create university cities that are attractive both nationally and internationally.

The goal is to ensure that these cities grow with quality, and that their attractiveness continues to develop in terms of housing, education, student life, and employment.