The Digital Futures Summer Research Internship (SRI) is an exciting initiative aimed at offering undergraduate and master’s students from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University a hands-on introduction to academic research. Designed specifically for students nominated by Digital Futures faculty, this program fosters the development of critical research skills, collaboration, and academic growth within a high-impact, interdisciplinary, and increasingly international environment.
Running from June to July 2025, the 8-week internship program allows selected students to work under the direct supervision of researchers affiliated with Digital Futures. The SRI’s primary objective is to offer participants a first-hand academic research experience, helping them build foundational expertise for future graduate studies or research careers.
The program is coordinated by Assistant Professors Ioana-Oriana Bercea and Giuseppe Belgioioso, both from KTH, and offers a mix of structured events, panel discussions, mentorship, and optional excursions.
“The Digital Futures SRI is more than just a summer internship; it’s a transformative experience that bridges academic inquiry with real-world impact. Through structured mentoring, exposure to pioneering research, and opportunities to build community with international scholars and peers, participants emerge equipped and inspired to tackle future challenges in research, innovation, and graduate studies,”
explains Ioana-Oriana Bercea.
“Whether interested in a career in academia, industry, or public service, the SRI empowers students with the skills and confidence to thrive in a fast-changing digital world,” adds Giuseppe Belgioioso.
Interns have access to the Digital Futures hub, providing a dedicated and inspiring venue for collaboration – when not otherwise occupied by other events.
The SRI 2025 kicked off on 10 June with an official Kick-off Program that included an Introduction to Digital Futures, three parallel presentation sessions – where students introduced the research projects they will be working on during the summer – and a light mingle for students, mentors, and staff.
The program draws on a strong international dimension. In addition to exchange students, the majority of panel speakers and scholars in residence participating in “Meet the Scholars” come from outside Sweden, offering interns global perspectives and cross-cultural academic insights.
This year’s program also includes international student participation through the Digital Futures Exchange Program. Three students from UC Berkeley and three from Purdue University are currently doing their internships at KTH. In return, six KTH students will spend the summer at UC Berkeley, while one student has been sent to Purdue University, and another to Caltech. These students are also engaged in summer research projects, supervised by faculty members at the receiving institutions.
Four key mandatory events anchor the summer program:
- Panel 1 on 17 June: How to Do Research in Industry and Academia – session hosted at the Digital Futures hub offering insights into diverse research career paths.
- Meet the Scholars on 25 June: Dialogue session with Digital Futures visiting scholars, many of whom come from top international institutions, giving interns the chance to explore global perspectives in research.
- Panel 2 on 15 July: How to Apply for Grad Schools and How to Make a Poster – practical session helping students prepare for the next steps in their academic journey.
- Poster Session on 26 August: A culminating event where interns present the outcomes of their summer projects in a formal academic setting.
In addition to the core research and training agenda, the program features several optional activities aimed at broadening participants’ professional and cultural horizons. On 11 June, students visited Stockholm City Hall, where they were welcomed and received a special tour from Karin Ekdahl-Wästberg, Innovation Director for the City of Stockholm.
Next, on 13 June, during a scheduled tour of AstraZeneca, organized by Anders Bergman, Digital Business Transformation Lead at AstraZeneca, students learned more about the digitalization journey of the Operations Unit in Södertälje. Here they gained valuable insights into how digital technologies are reshaping the pharmaceutical industry. On 1 July, students will visit Xylem, a global water technology provider, further expanding their understanding of real-world applications of digital innovation.
