Letter from the Dean

Last changed: 04 March 2025
portrait photo of Noél Holmgren

It has now been two months since I took up my position as Dean. The initial period has been devoted to staffing the faculty’s boards and committees. We have spoken with many interesting people within the faculty to ensure staffing for the coming three-year period.

Today marks the start of departmental dialogues, which will be an excellent opportunity to get to know the organisation. There are many aspects to take in: What subject areas exist, and how large are they? Is there environmental analysis, and who commissions it? What teaching is provided? How do students and doctoral candidates experience their studies? Who does the department collaborate with in society? Does it have an international environment, and does it perhaps work on an international level? All of this is driven by the knowledge and expertise that the department upholds, develops, and disseminates. 

The rapid shifts in the geopolitical landscape that we are now witnessing mean that SLU’s expertise in the field of bioeconomy has become highly significant for Sweden’s crisis preparedness. The bioeconomy concept captures the idea of a complete system of bio-based resources, from production to consumption and recycling, including side streams—in other words, a sustainable and efficient system for self-sufficiency. The research bill from December also clearly highlights research that contributes to strengthening crisis preparedness. 

Looking at the research bill as a whole, it includes investments well suited to us: bioeconomy, climate transition, polar research, marine and freshwater studies, chemical safety, sustainable urban development, and, not least, food security. I encourage you to read it, identify the critical questions, develop project plans, and build consortia for upcoming funding calls. 

Finally, I wish you all a wonderful spring! 

Noél

Previous letters

2024

Torleif's and 2024's last letter of Dean
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2024

New Challenges for Food Production Require New Cultivation Methods
Vice Dean Göran Bergkvist, October 2024

A (as usual) jam-packed autumn with environmental monitoring to look forward to
Vice Dean Jens Olsson, September 2024

Some news about Undergraduate Education
Vice Dean Jon-Petter Gustafsson, June 2024

Insights from this year's discussions with the departments
Deputy Dean Sara Hallin, April 2024

The opportunity to influence doctoral education
Vice Dean Petra Fransson, February 2024

2023

Why is the number of applicants to our programs falling?
Vice Dean Jon-Petter Gustafsson, November 2023

Autumn's Challenges and Opportunities in SLU's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Vice Dean Jens Olsson, September 2023

We wish the best of colleagues a wonderful summer.
Dean Torleif Härd, June 2023

What is required to become an associate professor?
Vice Dean Brendan McKie, April 2023

Opportunities in multi- and transdisciplinarity
Vice Dean Helena Hansson, February 2023

2022

Despite the troubled world that we live in, our faculty has certainly had its share of good news this year 
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2022

Festive October and quality in the research education
Vice Dean Petra Fransson, October 2022

SLU's expertise - more needed than ever?
Vice Dean Jens Olsson, September 2022

Summer, reflection and interdisciplinarity
Vice Dean Helena Hansson, June 2022

New at work, new perspectives
Deputy Dean Sara Hallin, February 2022

2021

Reflecting on today and the future
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2021

NJ Faculty and SLU in the debate
Deputy Dean Pär Forslund, October 2021

Looking forward to an autumn of environmental monitoring and assessment
Vice Dean Richard Johnson, September 2021

Dean's Summer Letter: Dear Colleagues at the NJ Faculty!
Dean Torleif Härd, June 2021

Pandemic – have we learned a lesson
Vice Dean Johan Meijer, 2021

Inclusive working environments
Vice Dean Marina Queiroz, March 2021

Of course there is a light in the tunnel
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2021

2020

Corona, online collaboration and multi- and interdisciplinary
Vice Dean Helena Hansson, November 2020

The EU, food strategy and moore research
Vice Dean Göran Bergkvist, October 2020

Well-deserved holidays
Deputy Dean Pär Forslund, June 2020

Times They are a-Changin'
Vice Dean Richard Johnson, April 2020

All the best for 2020: The International Year of Plant Health
Vice Dean Johan Meijer, February 2020

2019

Christmas and the New Year are approaching
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2019

Multi- and interdisciplinary research for complex issues
Vice Dean Helena Hansson, October 2019

Understanding differences makes a difference
Vice Dean Marina Queiroz, September 2019

Biodiversity is NJ's strength
Dean Torleif Härd, June 2019

Realize ideas in the doubling project
Vice Dean Göran Bergkvist, May 2019

More teachers, students and honorably doctors
Deputy Dean Pär Forslund, January 2019

2018

The faculty's areas are more important than ever
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2018

New EMA programmes at SLU despite strained budget
Vice Dean Richard Johnson, November 2018

Student numbers will grow – but not on their own
Vice-Dean Göran Bergkvist, September 2018

Summer longing and initiatives
Vice-Dean John Meijer, June 2018

The pussy bow blouse
Vice-Dean Hanna Bergeå, May 2018

Spring and students
Deputy Dean Pär Forslund, March 2018

2017

Wishing you happy, multidisciplinary holidays
Dean Torleif Härd, December 2017

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