Meet the Grants Office: Lars Erik

Hej Lars Erik! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in Örebro and spent my early years in Närke before moving to Bergvik in Hälsingland. After high school in Falun and a year of military service, I moved to Uppsala to study chemistry and biology at Uppsala University, and I've lived here ever since. My academic journey finally led me to get a PhD in Animal Ecology, also from Uppsala University, focusing on snakes.

I joined SLU in 1996, initially to work on a project developing teaching material for biology lecturers. This short-term role was extended, and one project led to another until I was eventually offered a permanent position at SLU Kontakt, which was later reorganised into SLU Omvärld. During that time, I focused on designing, building, and maintaining various educational websites, including projects for Skolfönstret, Genvägar, LivsmedelsSverige and Ett Myller av Liv. After SLU Omvärld was wound down, I moved to the newly formed Grants Office, which has been my home at SLU since.

What does your role as a Research Advisor at SLU involve?

I handle a mix of tasks. One key responsibility is managing the inquiries sent to the Grants Office mailbox, ensuring they are answered - whether by me, my Grants Office colleagues, or another unit at SLU. I also oversee and update the external funding pages on the staff web, which we've carefully developed over the years. Additionally, I sometimes help researchers with project budgets for proposals and occasionally read and comment on draft proposals.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

It is a privilege to work at a life science university, surrounded by smart, kind people and knowing that what we do here positively impacts the world. I particularly like that even small actions on our part - answering a question, offering advice, or providing a crucial document - can make someone's workday a bit easier. Being part of a team that supports such important work is very fulfilling.

Do you have a favourite success story from your time in the Grants Office?

One of the highlights of my time at the Grants Office is seeing how much SLU's presence in the European research programmes has grown. Since the unit was established, we've seen a significant increase in the number of proposals submitted and, more importantly, the number of projects awarded funding. This reflects SLU's rising profile as an internationally active and attractive research partner. I am proud that our work at the Grants Office contributes to that success.

What is your best piece of advice for people at SLU?

It's simple - don't be afraid to ask for help. People are usually more generous with their time and knowledge than you might expect, whether it's colleagues in your department or staff like me in central support roles. We're all working towards the same goal, so reaching out for assistance can lighten the load and improve the quality of your work.

Finally, what is life like for you outside of work?

Being an animal ecologist, I naturally enjoy spending time outdoors, especially around the lakes near Uppsala, where I often go birdwatching. What might surprise people is my passion for motorsports, particularly navigation rallies or "bilorientering" in Swedish. I've been competing in this sport since the early 90s, and for the last decade alongside my youngest son, Nils. We often compete internationally, with races in Finland and Denmark. I also enjoy competitive pistol shooting, and at home I relax by playing guitar, mostly classical music and acoustic blues.