Hans Adolfsson: A big thanks to Astrid!
Words from the management: I would like to start my very first column by thanking Astrid Söderbergh Widding for her excellent leadership of Stockholm University over the past twelve years.
Hans Adolfsson. Photo: Johanna Säll.
Twelve years is a very long time, and there are few presidents at Swedish universities who have the strength and determination to hold the position of president for such a long time. With her wise and inclusive leadership, Astrid has successfully led Stockholm University since 2013, ensuring that the university stands on firm footing internationally, nationally and regionally.
I myself had the privilege of being part of the Senior Management Team during the first three years of Astrid’s presidency. As vice-president, I felt great support from her in all the issues that came across my desk, and the atmosphere and mood of the entire management team were exceptionally good. Simply put, it was fun to work together. It was therefore with some sadness that I left Stockholm University in mid-2016 to take over the presidency at Umeå University. At the same time, I knew that as president of another higher education institution, I would have the privilege of keeping Astrid as a colleague, something that I personally appreciated greatly. I also know that I can speak for all my president-colleagues around the country that Astrid will be sorely missed now that she has stepped down as president.
Coming back to Stockholm University and taking over the position of president feels both exciting and challenging. I am very grateful to be entrusted with the position, but I am also humbled by the task of leading the university in the coming years. There are many important issues that we need to tackle and prioritise together, not least all the proposals for research initiatives presented by the Government in the research and innovation policy bill. There are many areas where the university is already strong and where we can and should be competitive. We will certainly return to this during the year. I am now looking forward to a fruitful working relationship with staff and students based on the trust and collegiality that are hallmarks of Stockholm University.
This text is written by President Hans Adolfsson. It appears in the section “Words from the Management”, in which members of the university’s management team take turns to write about topical issues. The section appears in News for staff which is distributed to the entirety of the University staff.