Elections

Carl Alwmark, senior Lecturer at the Department of Geology

I am an expert on meteorite impacts and meteorites and I teach at bachelor's and master's level in the geology program. I am also the laboratory manager for the electron microscope, where I conduct research, teach and educate users. For a total of more than ten years I have been a member of the board at the Department of Geology. My experience as a laboratory manager means that I have good insight into topics related to lab operations. I enjoy teaching and I am passionate about issues related to the (sometimes) complex situation of being both a researcher and a teacher. I look forward to start working on creating a new institution that builds upon community and collaboration.

Mikael Calner, professor at the Department of Geology

I want to promote an active and transparent board that, in addition to handling ongoing matters, also drives strategic initiatives—highlighting cohesion and gender equality, and creating clear and supportive conditions for our staff. This contributes to MGeo delivering teaching, research, and outreach of the highest quality. I take a broad view of our mission: we must develop our department, but it is equally important to strengthen our faculty and Lund University. In the coming term, I am particularly interested in ensuring that MGeo integrates where clear benefits exist and that we establish a vision for where we want to be in five or ten years. I believe that my previous experience—as Director of Postgraduate Studies (Geology and INES, 2007–2010), as Head of the Department of Geology (2013–2018), and over ten years of board service at departmental and faculty levels—will be valuable as we continue to advance MGeo.

Therese Ek, communications officer for BECC, Merge, and LU Land at the Center for Environmental and Climate science (CEC)

At CEC and its network environments (BECC, MERGE, LU Land, the profile area), we have seen how strategic communication can create real value – for example, by increasing impact, building partnerships, and promoting collaboration. With my expertise, I can bring a communication perspective that I believe can contribute to the board and the development of MGeo.
Furthermore, the network organisations are of a different nature, spanning several departments, faculties and universities with members from many disciplines. On the board, I can contribute to bringing forward the perspectives of these environments, while coordinating and finding natural areas of collaboration in the new department.
We are also entering an organisation that is new to us all. For me, it is important to represent my colleagues by listening and trying to understand both opportunities and challenges, with the aim of contributing to a smooth and positive transition to, and development of, MGeo as possible.

Lina Eklund, associate professor at the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (INES)

My research spans various disciplines, which means that I have collaborated with researchers, teachers, and communicators from large parts of LU as well as from other universities around the world. I am interested in how different universities and departments function, for example in terms of recruitment, career paths, teaching, and research funding. By participating in various leadership and career programs, I have had the opportunity to discuss challenges related to strategic and operational leadership at universities, including the complexity that comes with matrix organizations like our strategic research areas (SRAs). I also have previous experience being a member of several boards, both work-related and private. My goal as a board member of MGeo is to work towards a stimulating teaching and research environment that makes us an attractive institution with high-quality research, teaching and outreach. 

Maria C. Hansson, PhD and university lecturer at the Center for Environmental and Climate science (CEC)

My background as an ecologist, toxicologist and environmental scientist has allowed me to interact with many different research fields and society, both as a researcher and a teacher. I will use these experiences to help bridge our different departments so that MGeo becomes an important actor both nationally and internationally in the future. I would like to contribute to developing MGeo into an interdisciplinary research and education hub, where environmental, earth, geological, geographic and climate sciences come together, is developed and taught to students. MGeo should support and actively participate in efforts to promote a more sustainable world by engaging decision makers and governmental agencies, and by communicating with the general public.

Jutta Holst, researcher at the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (INES)

Having a background in meteorology, I spent my scientific life with applied meteorology mainly looking at exchanges between the lowest part of the atmosphere and whatever is below but also made some detours to human biometeorology (heat stress of citizens in cities) and air quality issues. During the last 12 years I have spent an increasing part of my time within the national Research Infrastructure ICOS Sweden as support for the station teams in data handling. Since 2021, I have been coordinating the operations at our stations which are hosted by six partners including LU, making the Swedish network a solid part of the international ICOS together with the station teams and my colleagues from the ICOS Sweden coordination office.
For the board at MGeo I hope it will be covering the bridges between the former three units and I will do my best to be a voice for all in the board.

Natascha Kljun. professor, Co-coordinator MERGE, Assistant Director at CEC, responsible for research infrastructure at the Center for Environmental and Climate science (CEC)

My background combines many years as a modeller with hands-on experience establishing flux towers sites, which gives me a strong understanding of both the modelling world and the efforts going into collecting in-situ data. Together with colleagues from CEC, INES, and Geology, I work on interdisciplinary research projects, and I believe such connections are key to MGeo’s future.
For the last few years, I have co-coordinated MERGE, served as Assistant Director of CEC for research infrastructure, I am PI and Co-PI of Lund’s ICOS stations, and have been on the ACTRIS steering board. I bring an international and well-established scientific network.
I would be honoured to serve on MGeo's steering board to help shape a strong and forward-looking vision for MGeo, ensuring that our new department thrives through collaboration and remains a leader in international research and education on topics that are more important than ever.
 

Ekaterina Lantz, finance officer at CBG-kansli

I have been working as finance officer for the Department of Geology and Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science for the past 15 years. I work with individual projects as well as with economic issues of the Department as a whole (budget etc.) Due to my role and experience I have a deep understanding of financial part of the Department’s operation which I think can be a valuable resource to the Board.

Peter Olsson, researcher at the Center for Environmental and Climate science (CEC)

I would like to contribute to MGeo to create a prosperous department that people enjoy working at. I hope, if I am elected to the board, to contribute with suggestions for solutions to build a future strongly unified department that people are proud to work in. As I have had experiences from about 10 years as a consultant as well as working as a researcher and with teaching at Lund University for about another 10 years, I hope that my experiences and diverse perspectives can come to good use in the board work. I hope to be contributing to all employment categories as well as for our missions.

Victor Olariu, senior lecturer at Computational Science for Health and Environment (COSHE) at the Centre for Environmental and Climate Sciences (CEC)

Throughout my academic career, I have consistently pursued cross-disciplinary projects, aligning with the future core activities of the MGeo department. With 20 years of experience in interdisciplinary research, I am confident in my ability to quickly understand the breadth of research at MGeo and contribute effectively to complex challenges.
My background in teaching across diverse master’s programs has given me insight into what it takes to attract outstanding students to MGeo’s research schools. Additionally, my board membership at Lund University Clinical Center for Spectral and Acoustic Imaging has developed my ability to combine strategic vision with governance, overseeing collaboration among researchers from the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine, and LTH.
Being rooted in Sweden and having experienced academic cultures in four different countries, I bring a well-rounded perspective to academic systems. I am excited to use this experience to support MGeo’s mission and drive impactful research and education.
 

Thomas Pugh, senior lecturer in global carbon cycle modelling at the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (INES)

I thank my lucky stars that I ended up here. Colleagues who are brilliant as researchers, teachers and as people. A department many students want to study at. Support to try things. To build things. That is my experience at least.
The organisation has been central. Not simply cycling PhDs and postdocs below a small group of teachers who have little time to engage in science themselves. Instead, genuine and incredibly fruitful collaborations between long-term researchers, programmers, technicians, lecturers and professors with complementary skillsets. Bringing a depth of skills and knowledge that both create supportive structures for early-career researchers and give a huge competitive edge in our science.
Sure, not everything is perfect. But in this board I would work pragmatically to help mould a department that aims to make things better without losing what makes this place special, collegial, internationally leading. Oh, and did I mention fun?
 

Timetable for the election

• 2–14 October: Nomination period.
  Invitation to nominate candidates (PDF, 143 kB, new tab)
• 28 October –13 November at 13:00: Those who are entitled to vote can vote once during this period. Your vote is anonymous.
• 14 November at 13:00: Public vote counting in room Palmer Astro: B230, Astronomihuset, Sölvegatan 27.
  Minutes of the vote count – in Swedish (PDF, 104 kB, new tab)

Proposed candidates

The head of the faculty office proposes the candidates below based on the submitted nominations.

Scientifically competent teachers:

• Ullrika Sahlin, CEC
• Harry Lankreijer, INES
• Dan Hammarlund, Department of Geology 

Other staff:

• Caroline Unmack, CEC
• David Wårlind; INES
• Gisela Caesar, Department of Geology

Motivation:

They are well versed in the relevant areas of activity in education, research and external engagement, and have a broad operational base and contacts. There is good knowledge and experience of academic leadership, board work, regulations and financial management systems. Some of them also have experience of nomination committee work at both departmental and faculty level. 

Who is entitled to vote?

Employees at Lund University whose employment constitutes at least 50 per cent of full-time at the Faculty of Science. The employment must be a permanent position or include at least two years of continuous employment at the faculty.

Doctoral students with a doctoral studentship are not entitled to vote as they are considered students according to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 1, Section 4).

Who can be elected?

Teaching staff representatives must be employed at the faculty and be members of the teaching staff with research expertise.

Representatives of other staff must be employed at the faculty and not belong to the category of member of the teaching staff with research expertise.

By-elections are required as two people have resigned from the nomination committee. MGeo's nomination committee shall consist of six members, according to a decision by the Faculty Board, three of whom shall be scientifically competent teachers and three shall be other employees.

Schedule for the by-election

• 1 September: Nomination period.
• 10 September – 24 September at 12:00 noon: Those eligible to vote may vote once during this period. Your vote is anonymous.
• 25 September at 11:00 a.m.: Public vote counting in room Palmer Astro: B230, Astronomy Building, Sölvegatan 27.

Proposed candidates

The Faculty Secretary proposes the following candidates based on the nominations received.

Academically competent teachers:

Other employees:

• Lina Nikoleris, CEC
• Anna Schultze, Department of Geology

Motivation:

The nominees are interested in the role and mission of the nomination committee. They are familiar with Lund University's regulations and governance system, working methods and decision-making processes, and through their respective experiences can contribute to the nomination committee's work of proposing a new department board.

The representation of one gender in the nomination committee must not be less than 40 per cent of the members. As the Nomination Committee currently consists of three men and one woman, two women are to be elected, and the list of eligible “other employees” in EasyVote therefore consists solely of women.

Who is eligible to vote?

Employees at Lund University whose employment constitutes at least 50 per cent of full-time employment at the Faculty of Science. The employment must be permanent or refer to an appointment covering at least two years of continuous employment at the faculty.

Doctoral students with doctoral positions are not eligible to vote or be nominated, as they are considered students in this context in accordance with Chapter 1, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Who is eligible for election?

Anyone employed as a scientifically competent teacher at the Faculty of Science may be elected as a teacher representative.

Anyone employed at the Faculty of Science who is not a scientifically competent teacher may be elected as an other employee representative.

About Helena L. Filipsson

Professor Helena L. Filipsson is Assistant Head of Department at the Department of Geology, a role she has held since 2024. She is a professor of Quaternary Geology and has been affiliated with Lund University since 2007.

Helena earned her PhD in Oceanography from the University of Gothenburg in 2003. After her doctorate, she completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Bremen in Germany, followed by a year as a Fulbright Scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States. She was a member of the Young Academy of Sweden (2013–2018), and has held visiting researcher positions at institutions including JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) in Japan, the University of Angers in France, and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) in Spain. Her network is extensive, both nationally and internationally.

In addition to her research, Helena has held several university-level appointments. She has served on the boards of the Department of Geology, the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), and the Faculty of Science. She has also been a member of the faculty’s Infrastructure Council and the Academic Appointments Board, and served as Director of PhD Studies at the Department of Geology. She has supervised doctoral students in both environmental science and geology.

Helena’s research focuses on how climate and marine environments have varied over the past ~130,000 years, with particular emphasis on hypoxia in coastal areas and recent changes linked to human impact. Her research is field-based and relies on the analysis of marine sediment cores, with a focus on microorganisms—especially foraminifera—whose calcareous shells are preserved in seafloor sediments.

In recent years, she has increasingly applied synchrotron-based techniques and is actively involved in the research environment LINXS (Lund Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science), under the Environment and Climate theme.

She collaborates closely with the Marine Centre in Simrishamn, where the Hanö Bay area is a key research focus. There, she studies issues such as discharges from pulp mills, the Marco Polo oil spill, and the effects of artificial reefs for cod.

• All the way up

About Anna Maria Jönsson

Professor Anna Maria Jönsson serves as both Deputy and Assistant Head of Department at the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science (INES), a role she has held since 2022. She is Professor of Ecosystem Science with a specialisation in modelling, and has been affiliated with INES since 2005.

Anna Maria has extensive experience in academic leadership, both within the department and in broader research contexts. She is Associate Coordinator of the strategic research area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate), where she works to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthen the link between research and societal challenges.

Her research focuses on the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems. A key aim is to understand how a warming climate alters the growing season and increases the risk of damage caused by extreme weather events, insect outbreaks, and plant diseases. She uses ecosystem modelling as a tool to explore future scenarios, identify knowledge gaps, and evaluate different management strategies to support sustainable forestry.

• All the way up

The Nomination Committee develops requirement profiles for the positions of head of department and deputy head of department. The requirement profiles are based on Lund University's policy for academic leadership and views from current management. The requirement profiles must also be approved by the faculty's dean. Students and representatives from the trade unions are invited to all meetings.

Lund University's policy for academic leadership (PDF, 711 KB, new tab)

To be eligible to nominate and vote, you need to be employed at least 50 per cent of full-time at one of the departments concerned. Your employment must be a permanent position or include at least two years of continuous employment.

Doctoral students with a doctoral studentship are not entitled to vote as they are considered students according to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 1, Section 4).

List with eligible voters for the election of Head of Department and Deputy Head of Department is found on the Swedish internal page (naturvetenskap.lu.se/internt, new window)

Who can be nominated?

To be eligible for nomination as head of department or deputy head of department, the candidate must be a scientifically competent teacher, i.e. a person holding an academic position requiring a doctorate or equivalent qualification.

Nominate candidates via form

Those eligible to nominate have received an email from the Nomination Committee explaining the process and providing a link to the nomination form. The deadline for nominations is 12 January 2025.