Almost five months after the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), the Department of Geology and the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (INES) were brought together within the new organisation, the inauguration marked the beginning of the next phase – with a focus on strengthening a shared identity and building a future research environment in environmental, climate and geosciences.
Bleckhornen set the tone for the sunny afternoon with both music and dance before Head of Department and Professor Petter Pilesjö welcomed everyone and expressed his appreciation for the strong commitment that has characterised the work of establishing the new department. He was especially pleased to see so many people gathered for the inauguration.
The Faculty’s Deputy Dean Charlotta Turner then officially welcomed MGeo into the faculty family by presenting the department with a symbolic gift and a poem. Among the gifts were an unwritten notebook for future research ideas and “seminar sweets” intended to inspire engaging seminars.
– It feels incredibly rewarding to finally inaugurate MGeo together, even though the department has been operational since January. The inauguration marks an important milestone for the department as we continue to develop the organisation, strengthen collaborations and build a shared vision for the future, says Head of Department Petter Pilesjö.
He also highlights the strong support he has experienced from staff throughout the process and the collective willingness to establish the new department together.
– There is a strong sense of commitment and a forward-looking spirit that feels very inspiring. I feel that many people genuinely want to contribute to building something shared and long-term together.
During the afternoon, panel discussions were held on excellence and impact in a changing research and educational landscape, alongside seminars, poster exhibitions, portrait photography, a photo competition and guided tours of the building focusing on minerals important for the green transition.
Just inside the entrance to Geocentrum II, students served popcorn to the steady stream of MGeo staff arriving throughout the afternoon. Vera Givell, Chair of the student council GNOMES (Geologists’, Physical Geographers’ and Environmental Scientists’ United Student Council), sees many advantages to the newly formed department.
– It is much better now that more students are gathered in the same building. We meet each other more often and we also encourage students to take each other’s courses, work together and learn from one another. The social side is important too – we have lunches, pub evenings and other fun activities together, she says.
The inauguration concluded with a joint spring celebration and dinner for the department’s staff.
From vision to reality
The establishment of MGeo forms part of the Faculty of Science’s long-term efforts to further strengthen research, education and collaboration within environmental, climate and geosciences. By bringing the different activities together under one roof, new opportunities are being created for interdisciplinary collaborations, joint research initiatives and stronger links between research and societal challenges connected to sustainability and green development.
Dean Per Persson sees the inauguration as an important milestone for the faculty.
– I am very pleased that we now officially have the new department in place. This is the result of several years of work that has now become reality, following an investigation in 2022 which identified major opportunities in bringing research and education in these areas together within a shared organisation. It has been an extensive process involving many staff members and many important discussions along the way, which makes it especially rewarding to now see MGeo up and running and full of activity, says Per Persson.
The work now continues to further develop the new organisation, strengthen collaboration across different parts of the department and establish shared ways of working, goals and visions for the future. The ambition is for the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences to become a clear and influential voice within environmental, climate and geosciences – both in Sweden and internationally – and an environment where research, education and collaboration together can help address some of the greatest societal challenges of our time.
Photos from the inauguration, taken by Erik Törner, Communications Officer at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences:
Explore additional photos from the inauguration on flickr.com.