I meet Catarina Lindén on a rainy October morning at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. When we meet, she is still juggling two roles: her current position as acting Administrative Manager at the Department of Physics and her new role as Administrative Manager at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. In November, she will step into the new position full-time, ready to take on the task with full energy.
It has been a long time since the Centre for Mathematical Sciences last had an administrative manager – so long, in fact, that no one quite remembers when. That’s why it feels especially exciting that Catarina Lindén is now in place, with the opportunity to shape the role and lead the administrative work forward.
Congratulations on the position, Catarina!
– Thank you! I’m really excited to begin this journey at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. Even though I haven’t been here long, I already feel like part of the team. I’ve been working part-time since the autumn, but now in November I’ll be starting full-time.
Tell us a little about yourself – what’s your background?
I’ve worked at Lund University since 2009, mainly at the Department of Energy Sciences, where I’ve held several roles. I started as a finance and HR administrator, with early financial responsibility for a large competence centre with a multi-million kronor budget – exciting but also quite a challenge! Over time, HR became my main focus area, as I’m a trained personnel administrator and really enjoy working with people and HR issues.
In 2017, I became administrative manager for the technical and administrative staff. At that time, we were building up the administrative department, and now it feels a bit like I get to do it all over again – but here at the Centre for Mathematics. I like building structures, making things work and creating a sense of coherence. I’m really looking forward to doing that here too.
Some of us may have seen you as acting administrative manager at Fysicum earlier this year.
Yes, that was a very enjoyable assignment, even if it was only temporary. But thanks to that experience, it felt completely natural to apply for this position when it came up. When I saw the advert, I knew right away: this is what I want to do! Building something new and getting to know more people really appealed to me. And I’ve been very warmly received. It feels good just walking down the corridors here – I already feel at home.
How would you describe your leadership style?
My mantra is common sense – that gets you a long way. For me, it’s about talking to and helping each other, and thinking things through rationally. We sometimes tend to make things more complicated than they need to be at the university. Often the simplest solution is actually the best one.
What’s next for you in your new role?
Much of the work this autumn has been about bringing together all the administrative staff – twelve of us in total, including me – who were previously spread across different departments, into the same corridor. Several have already moved in, and two more colleagues will be joining in a couple of weeks. It’s a big change, but absolutely the right direction. To become a team, you have to meet. We need to talk about where we’re going and who does what. Sometimes, for instance, someone makes a purchase for a department that could be done jointly. There are many things like this we need to review. For me, it’s clear that when we talk to each other, we find ways forward and start moving in the same direction.
Will the Head of Department be pleased to have an administrative manager?
Yes, I think so. A key part of my job will be to ease the workload for the Head of Department. I want to build a collaboration where Erik, our current Head of Department, feels confident that the administrative side is running smoothly. The Head of Department shouldn’t have to worry about the details, but be able to focus on the bigger picture. I want him to feel that things are in order and that the framework is there for the long term. We’re here to support him and ensure the department runs smoothly.
What’s the most enjoyable part of being an administrative manager?
Being at the centre of things. I don’t have to know everything, but I like being able to fix, help and support colleagues – and often doctoral students and undergraduates too. That’s what I enjoy most. My door is always open, something I often get positive feedback on. It’s always nice to see who drops by – to ask a question or just chat for a while.
Are there any challenges you’d like to tackle?
One of the bigger challenges ahead will be the upcoming generational shift. Several colleagues are approaching retirement age, so we need to start planning for the future. Of course, it’s a bit sad that some will be leaving – we’ve built a great sense of community around the coffee table – but at the same time it’s an opportunity to shape something new over time.
Catarina leans back and ends our conversation with a smile:
“I feel very motivated. There’s a lot happening here, and I’m really looking forward to being part of developing the entire administrative organisation at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences.”
