The second Faculty Board meeting of the autumn has taken place, and here is a summary of the main points.
Graduate schools
Following a proposal from the Faculty Committee for Postgraduate Education, the Faculty Board decided which graduate schools will be established within the faculty for the coming four years, and what resources each of them will be allocated.
The following graduate schools will be in place during the period 2026–2029:
| Graduate school |
Main responsible department |
Allocation, 4 years (SEK ’000) |
| Ecology – basics and application |
Department of Ecology |
4,240 |
| Focus on food and biomaterials |
Department of Molecular Sciences |
2,480 |
| Focus on soils and water |
Department of Soil and Environment |
4,180 |
| Organism biology |
Department of Plant Biology |
4,280 |
| People, society and sustainability |
Department of Economics |
4,400 |
| Sustainable biomass systems – food, energy and biomaterials |
Department of Energy and Technology |
1,500 |
| Total 2026–2029 |
|
21,080 |
Special initiatives
The Faculty Board decided on the following initiatives:
- To allocate SEK 10 million to the departments as a temporary measure to facilitate the management of externally funded research projects where co-financing is required. The need for co-financing has become an increasing challenge for the departments.
- To extend the funding for statistical consultation during 2026, ensuring that individual researchers continue to have access to qualified statistical advice from the Department of Energy and Technology.
- To set aside SEK 200,000 per year for three years for activities that strengthen work on an inclusive work environment. Since the summer, a new organisation has been established at SLU to replace the previous structures for Equal Opportunities (JLV) and systematic work environment management. The allocated funds are intended to support activities across departments and will be distributed by decision of the Dean.
Recruitment matters
A large number of recruitment processes are currently ongoing within the faculty. To facilitate the work of the Appointments Board, the Faculty Board decided to increase the number of members from five to seven.The following individuals were appointed as new members of the Appointments Board:
- Giulia Vico, Department of Ecology
- Brendan McKie, Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
The Board also appointed externa experts in the following recruitment matters:
- Professor in Bioenergy Technology and Systems
- Professor in Landscape Ecology
- Professor in Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
- Professor in Soil and Environmental Physics
- Associate Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics
- Associate Senior Lecturer in Environmental Communication
- Associate Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Water Management
Pär Aronsson