When we started thinking about who we wanted to join us in the leadership team, we began with a fairly simple question: who are the engaged colleagues in our organisation who regularly contribute thoughtful ideas and valuable perspectives? We were looking for people who have long taken responsibility beyond their own research and immediate environment, and who have demonstrated a commitment at both departmental and faculty level.
We also wanted to find a good combination. The Faculty of Science encompasses many different disciplines, environments and activities, and we believe that should be reflected in the team. It was therefore important to bring together different experiences and professional backgrounds, and to include perspectives that complement our own.
We also wanted to create a leadership team in which people can disagree and have the space to argue their case constructively. We need people with integrity who are prepared to express their views while using differences of opinion productively. We know that both Dirk and Anders do this. Over many years, they have contributed to the Faculty in different ways and shown that they can both drive issues forward and take a broader view of the organisation as a whole.
At the same time, of course, we cannot all head off in four different directions. We need to be able to agree on the bigger questions, on our vision and on where the Faculty is heading. That is precisely why we have talked a great deal together about the coming years, and we feel confident that the four of us share a view of the overall direction and have a common foundation to build on.
Two different sets of experience
Anders Scherstén comes from the newly established Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MGeo), and before that the Department of Geology. He has extensive experience of both teaching and academic leadership. Among other roles, he has served as Director of Studies for doctoral education and as Head of the Department of Geology for seven years. He has also taught extensively throughout his time at Lund University and has a strong commitment to educational matters.
In addition to Anders’s commitment to students and their working environment, his experience as Head of Department is valuable to us. This kind of experience is important in a Faculty leadership team, as it brings an additional perspective on how decisions and changes at Faculty level are received and play out across the organisation.
Dirk Rudolph is a professor and Head of Division at the Department of Physics and has a long research career in nuclear structure physics. He also has an extensive national and international network and considerable experience of large-scale research infrastructures. At faculty level, many colleagues will know him through his work as Chair of the Readership Appointments Board and as a member of the Academic Appointments Board. We are excited to have a Vice-Dean with a dedicated focus on research, and we look forward to benefiting from Dirk’s perspectives and expertise in this area.
Dirk also brings many years of experience as Head of Division at the Department of Physics. Having spent many years in a leadership role close to the day-to-day activities of the department, he has a strong understanding of the conditions and challenges that researchers and other staff encounter in their work.
And, in fact, Anders and Dirk were the two people we most wanted to join us. We are delighted that they both accepted the roles!
Continuity without standing still
Over the past few years, with Per Persson as Dean, the Faculty has initiated work on several important issues and areas that will continue for years to come. Continuity is important to us, while a new leadership team also brings new experiences, perspectives and ideas. So we will not be starting from scratch in January. Instead, we will pick up where the work currently stands and continue moving forward with a partly new team and renewed energy.
We are now looking forward to working together. We believe our different backgrounds and experiences will provide a strong foundation for leading the Faculty’s continued development over the coming years.
Charlotta Turner, current Vice-Dean for undergraduate and Master’s education and incoming Dean of the Faculty of Science.
Karin Rengefors, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science.
