How would you briefly describe your background and yourself as a person?
– I see myself as a broad geographer. After completing my undergraduate studies in geoscience/physical geography, with electives mainly in statistics and programming, I began my doctoral studies here in Lund. At that time, I worked both theoretically and practically with GIS and remote sensing for soil erosion modeling in East Africa. This was followed by a year of work at Lantmäteriet and just over a year of postdoctoral research in Australia before I returned to the department and Lund University. I became a senior lecturer and also director of the GIS Centre in 1995. Alongside my work as a teacher and researcher, I have since held a number of assignments both within and outside the university. Among other things, I have worked centrally with research issues, with pedagogy at a central level, with Middle Eastern studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, with international projects at what was then External Relations, with air pollution together with the Faculty of Medicine, with several Pufendorf projects, and with hydrological modeling together with colleagues from the Faculty of Engineering. I have participated in projects and collaborations with colleagues from both the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science and the Department of Geology, and I have also been involved as an evaluator for, among others, the European Research Council, ERC. As a person, I see myself as efficient and solution-oriented. I also find it easy to talk to people.
You are currently Head of the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science. How would you describe yourself as a leader?
– I hope and believe that I have a leadership philosophy based on transparency and democracy. It is important for a leader to listen to their staff, to take in the knowledge and wishes of the organization, and, when necessary, to raise challenges and recommendations to higher levels. I believe I am good at listening and considering different perspectives. My door is open to anyone who needs support and advice, or has questions. I also believe that the departmental board should have a well-defined and strong role.
You will soon take up your post as Head of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, where the management team is now also in place. What has been most important to you in forming the management team?
– It is extremely important that the management has good knowledge of the entire organization. Therefore, the team consists of representatives from the previous departments/centre. Hopefully, this will also have the effect of increasing trust in the management, as staff will not be faced with a completely unknown group of heads. I have also made sure that there is a gender balance in the group and that the personalities complement each other.
What opportunities and challenges do you see for the new department?
– We will face a number of challenges, but also great opportunities. There are advantages to larger units, both in terms of research and education, for example more efficient teaching and increased contact surfaces within research. The greatest challenge, as I see it, is to create an atmosphere where all staff feel seen, satisfied, and happy. If we succeed in this, our already high level in education and research will increase even further. Another challenge is that we have somewhat different traditions. These need to be harmonized so that we become a well-functioning organization.
What strengths come from now bringing together climate, environment, geology, and geography research in a larger organization?
– Broader contact surfaces through daily encounters between staff with different backgrounds and orientations create good conditions for innovation and development. Meeting naturally in corridors and around coffee tables gives rise to creative discussions where new perspectives, ideas, and solutions can be initiated.
As the new Head – what issues will you focus on in the first year?
– My focus during the first year will be on integration, security, and joy. I want to get to know the staff, for them to get to know each other, and to see that MGeo is, and will become, something really good – and thereby to view the new department positively. We have extremely skilled teachers and researchers, and if they are satisfied, everything will go very well. We will make sure that research and education develop positively, with increased collaboration within and outside the new department.
What feels most exciting about the new job?
– Even though the work will be a challenge, I am convinced that the result will be good, which feels very inspiring and fun. Getting to know colleagues I have not had much contact with before, and listening and learning from them, is also very positive. It will be rewarding to be able to influence the organization and its work so that the department thrives and becomes as strong as possible.
Text and photo: Johan Joelsson