Michael Martin conducts research for a more sustainable food production - an intersection between academia and industry
Michael Martin is employed at IVL Swedish Environmental Institute but is since 2021 an Adjunct professor at KTH where he conducts research for increased sustainability in the food industry. The collaboration, which is part of a strategic partnership between KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) and IVL, enables perspectives from both industry and academia to be integrated into the projects.
When Michael Martin, who is originally from the US, studied the bachelor’s program in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University, he met many exchange students from KTH. This is where he became interested in Sweden and KTH, and chose to move here to study the master’s program in Sustainable Technology. After a detour to Linköping, where he completed his doctorate, Michael Martin took a job at IVL, and the relationship with KTH was further deepened.
Apart from KTH and IVL technically being neighbors at KTH's campus on Valhallavägen, the two organizations also have, for a long time, conducted extensive research and have numerous projects together. This collaboration was further deepened in 2013 when the parties entered a strategic partnership.
A significant part of the partnership is about the mobility of people. Ever since Michael Martin started working at IVL, he has conducted research together with KTH.When it came to further formalizing Michael Martin's collaboration with KTH by making him an Adjunct Professor, he did not hesitate.
- Being an Adjunct Professor allows me to have one foot in academia and one in industry, which is enriching in many ways. I also get the opportunity to teach, examine master theses and lead seminars. The meetings with students contribute to many new perspectives and ideas. I also think it is important to show students that it is possible to work closely to industry, even while pursuing an academic career, says Michael Martin.
When he is not teaching, Michael Martin runs several collaborative projects between KTH and IVL within the sustainability field. One ambition is to increase sustainability in the food industry. Among other things, Michael Martin and his research team are trying to develop new systems for growing crops in urban environments, such as indoors, on rooftops, or in basements.
- Together, KTH and IVL are trying to profile themselves as a strong player in developing the food industry, a collaboration that both parties benefit from. The industry gets to take part in new research, and the academic results get to be tested in practice, which gives them a significantly increased opportunity for commercialization, explains Michael Martin.