Swedish Research Council backs SSE’s recruitment of leading US innovation scholar
The Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for research on innovation and digital transformation. With support from the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet), the School will welcome Professor Kalle Lyytinen – one of the world’s most cited scholars in information systems – to the House of Innovation (HOI) in 2026. Professor Lyytinen, currently the Iris S. Wolstein Professor of Management Design and Distinguished University Professor at Case Western Reserve University, will join SSE for a three-year visiting professorship.
The appointment builds on long-standing ties between Lyytinen and the House of Innovation. During a sabbatical in 2023, he spent time in Stockholm, working with HOI researchers and laying the foundation for future collaboration.
"I have known many scholars at the House of Innovation for years and have always appreciated the Swedish tradition of open research and strong ties to industry," says Professor Lyytinen. "Sweden has the potential to be a global forerunner in the application of AI, given its innovation history and forward-thinking approach. I’m eager to contribute to that development.”
The opportunity to join SSE comes at the perfect time, Professor Lyytinen explains.
“The tightening of funding opportunities and the emergence of a more hostile research environment in the US make Europe an increasingly attractive market for academics. Europe is in a watershed moment in its approach to digital innovation and infrastructures.”
New interdisciplinary research program
At SSE, Lyytinen will take part in launching a new interdisciplinary research project on the design of societal digital infrastructures – in settings such as autonomous transport in smart cities, digital health, and the space economy. His appointment will connect SSE’s research to some of the most pressing challenges in how societies organize and innovate through technology.
"We are thrilled to be able to recruit Professor Lyytinen and collaborate with him over the coming years," says Anna Essén, Associate Professor at the House of Innovation and responsible for the application to bring Professor Lyytinen to SSE. "He brings an extraordinary depth of experience in digital innovation and systems design that will strengthen not only our research, but also our role as an international meeting place for academic and industry collaboration."
Lyytinen’s work has shaped how scholars and policymakers understand the relationship between technology, organizations, and innovation. At SSE, he will also teach a doctoral course on theorizing digital innovation, open to PhD students from universities across the Nordic region, and mentor doctoral students working in the same field.
Linking academic research and societal impact
The collaboration will also include new postdoctoral researchers and a series of practitioner and policy-oriented seminars – including discussions with government agencies and ministries – to strengthen the link between academic research and societal impact.
By attracting a scholar of Lyytinen’s calibre, SSE underscores its ambition to be a strong alternative for top international academics. SSE offers an intellectually vibrant environment, close partnerships with industry, and a unique blend of academic rigor and practical relevance.
The grant from the Swedish Research Council supports the recruitment of leading researchers currently based outside Europe, helping Swedish universities and research organizations build and expand world-class research areas – and offers foreign scholars an environment where academic freedom thrives. The grant covers both recruitment-related costs and salary for a limited appointment period in Sweden.
