Lars Hedström is Strategic Advisor to the Swedish Defence University (SEDU) and, until recently, served as Director of its Strategic Implications and Innovations Center. At SEDU, he previously held positions as Senior Associate Dean for External Relations and Executive Director of the Institute for National Defence and Security Policy Studies.

Earlier in his career, he established the Crisis Management Coordination Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office as Deputy Head, overseeing the 24/7 Situation Centre and the Daily Brief to the political leadership. He has also served as Deputy Director General at both the Swedish Emergency Management Agency and the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, in addition to his role as Chief Fire Officer in Stockholm’s Southern Area. His international experience includes a secondment to NATO Headquarters as an International Civil Protection Expert at the Civil Emergency Planning Directorate.

Widely recognized for his contributions to Sweden’s Total Defence and for advancing civil-military dual-use innovation within a triple helix framework, Hedström has played a central role in bridging research, practice, and policy. Through assignments from the Swedish Armed Forces and other partners, he has led studies, analysis, strategic exercises, and leadership education, working closely with all major actors across Sweden’s defense and security community.