News

Process begins to consider reappointing the vice-chancellor or recruiting a successor

Published: 12 November 2026

Maria Knutson Wedel’s current term as vice-chancellor ends on 30 June 2028, and Pär Forslund’s term as deputy vice-chancellor ends on 31 December 2027. The vice-chancellor has confirmed that she is willing to be re-appointed; however, the deputy vice-chancellor is not.

Under the Higher Education Ordinance, the vice-chancellor of a higher education institution is appointed for six years. The appointment is renewable up to two times, for a maximum of three years each time. The government decides on reappointment on the recommendation of the university board. The Ordinance also states that the university board appoints the deputy vice-chancellor.

At its meeting on 13 October, the SLU Board decided to set up a recruitment committee with representatives from the SLU Board, faculties, students and staff unions. The committee held its first meeting on 9 November. It will consult within and outside SLU to assess the options for reappointing the vice-chancellor or recruiting a successor. Its recommendations will inform the board’s decision.

Staff and students are welcome to contact the members of the recruitment committee, who are listed below:

  • Chair of the SLU Board: Joakim Stymne (also chair of the recruitment group)
  • Deputy chair of the SLU Board: Per Cramér (also deputy chair of the recruitment group)
  • Member of the SLU Board: Eva Pettersson, former CEO, The Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
  • NJ Faculty: Pär Ingvarsson, named substitute Göran Bergkvist
  • VH Faculty: Johanna Penell, named substitute Anna Wallenbeck
  • LTV Faculty: Caroline Dahl, named substitute Beatrix Alsanius
  • S Faculty: Hjalmar Laudon, named substitute Ove Nilsson
  • Sluss: Jasmin Pettersson, named substitute Tova Franzén
  • Sluss doctoral students: Emma Bromark, no named substitute appointed yet
  • Saco: Maja Reizenstein, named substitute Peder Axensten
  • ST: Roger Andersson, named substitute Lotta Olsson
  • Seko: Peter Wickman, named substitute Kennet Kreivi

Patrik Spånning, secretary to the SLU Board, is also the secretary to the recruitment committee.

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