After a tenure as Director of the WASP Research Arenas (WARA), Niclas Fock is stepping down from his role. Appointed in July 2023, Niclas Fock brought extensive experience from different managerial roles in organizations such as Ericsson, Saab, Combitech, and AI Sweden. His visionary leadership has strengthened the bridges between academia and industry within the WASP program.
“It has been an exciting and rewarding journey to lead the WARA initiatives. In a time when AI is rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives, WASP plays a crucial role in shaping Sweden’s research and innovation landscape. The arenas have become vital meeting grounds where academic excellence and industrial expertise come together. The mutual exchange of knowledge and skills not only drives innovation but also strengthens Sweden’s position at the forefront of AI research,” says Niclas Fock.
During his time as WARA Director, Niclas Fock emphasized the importance of collaboration to address societal challenges and drive technological innovation. Under his guidance, the WASP Research Arenas have expanded their activities, and he has been instrumental in the initialization of the just launched fifth research arena – WARA Medicine.
WASP extends its sincere thanks to Niclas Fock for his dedication and contributions and wishes him the very best in his future endeavors. The WASP Research Arenas will now be headed by Chair of the Arena Management Group, Professor Bo Wahlberg, as acting WARA Director.
Published: June 27th, 2025
