Contact
Christina Lunner Kolstrup
Dean at the Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science
Telephone: +4640415494, +46730881634
E-mail: christina.kolstrup@slu.se
News from the management: The world, the faculty and us
Last changed: 19 December 2023
It’s been an intense year, but we’ll soon be able to enjoy some time off over the festive period, which can and will be celebrated in many different ways. The year 2023 is coming to an end, and a lot has happened; not only at the LTV Faculty, SLU and in Sweden, but also on the geopolitical stage with wars and unrest around the world. This makes it even more important to focus on the bright side and all that we have achieved together in 2023.
Our researchers have been very successful in this year's calls for proposals, several doctoral students have defended their theses, more docents than ever have been appointed, our teachers have made fantastic contributions to teaching, and our administrative support has admirably assisted us in our work.
And let's not forget all our wonderful students who, together with their teachers, enrich our campus with their knowledge. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new colleagues who have joined us during the year, and who now contribute to the faculty’s knowledge. It is truly inspiring and motivating to be the dean of a faculty with such competent colleagues, and I look forward to 2024 with great joy and enthusiasm.
Strategic research initiatives
Our faculty is doing well and will deliver a solid financial performance in 2023. This is why we’re choosing to launch a number of strategic research initiatives, including associate senior lecturers, seed money for transdisciplinary projects, a doctoral student project, a temporary increase of subject funding for 2024, the setting up of a research strategy council and, in 2025, investments in tying external key competencies to the faculty.
Financial support for doctoral students
The latest faculty initiative is about supporting researchers early in their careers (docents admitted after 2017). This is done by the faculty co-funding the salaries of 10 doctoral students in different fields. The deadline for applications is 1 February, and we look forward to receiving many exciting applications.
Development plan for the faculty’s subject fields
Another round of the subject area review took place in early autumn, and in November, the faculty board adopted a development plan for the faculty’s subject areas. As part of this plan, the faculty board will meet for two days in January 2024 to draft a decision on principles for defining our subject areas, heads of subject, criteria for the allocation of subject-specific funding as well as the initiatives and incentives needed to secure dynamic and successful research teams. In March 2024, the departments will be tasked with preparing proposals for subject areas and subject area descriptions, based on the faculty board’s decision. Departments will be offered professional process management support for this task.
Campus development plans
The proposal for renovation and construction of the Western hub (the Vegetum/Horticum complex) has been the subject of consultation, and your opinions will be presented to the heads of department in January 2024, and to all staff at a later date. A big thank you to everyone for your contributions – we are our campus, and we want everyone to enjoy an optimal indoor and outdoor environment.
Happy holidays!
Thank you all, for your work and commitment in 2023. I wish you a wonderful festive season and a happy new year – no matter how you choose to celebrate.
Enjoy your well-earned leave, and I’ll see you in January 2024.
//Christina
