Sustainable management of forest resources is fundamental to the welfare of the Swedish society. The integration of forest management and ecology has been a key to providing multiple forest goods and services that society depends on today. However, the environment as well as societies values are changing faster than ever. This brings in new challenges for the research community and research students in Forest Ecology and Management. In addition to in depth subject knowledge the students need to have a preparedness to interact with other fields and have a broad network in the academic world as well as in the broader society.

The Faculty of Forest Sciences at SLU currently has a very strong research environment in the field of Forest Ecology and Management. This field is spanning diverse but connected competence areas such as Silviculture, Forest History, Vegetation Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Soil Science and Ecophysiology. Integration of these and other subjects are fundamental for tackling present and future issues in sustainable forest management. This is also a challenge since specialization for research groups as well as students is required to succeed in the competitive research arena.

The main aim of the research school is to allow all PhD students in the Faculty of Forest Sciences to more effectively take advantage of the available multidisciplinary environment in order to enhance their competency  in field of ‘Forest Ecology and Management’.

We aim specifically to:

• Strengthen and consolidate the existing PhD education by providing a regular streamlined course package with inter-departmental and external participation.
• Provide new courses that are in high demand.
• Promote a range of other activities, including workshops and excursions that promote cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange.
• Make the courses and activities visible and predictable so that the students can plan their studies strategically.