Spread the word

Defining the concept of excellence is difficult –the last time it was such a burning question in Swedish politics was 2006. However, based on the way we discuss excellence today, I believe that both SLU and the Faculty of Forest Sciences are in a strong position. We published in highly ranked journals and our citation rate is way above the average. We are often among the 10 per cent most-cited researchers in our subject areas. This is not by chance; rather it is the result of long-term efforts, strong skills and strategic prioritisations.

Excellence within research and education is at the top of our competence pyramid, resting on the stable foundations of education and research. The challenge we face is to keep on going, dare to prioritise and guarantee that our student recruitment is just as strong as our wide base of research competence. Our future successes will be built upon attracting the best students – and cracking the code behind how to increase our appeal towards Swedish students is one important task.

The focus on innovation is currently clearly linked to the role of research both in Sweden and internationally. We have the right conditions, but we could do more. Our research needs to go beyond simply creating new knowledge. It needs to be implemented practically to address existing and future societal challenges. I can see that as a faculty, we can and should take greater responsibility for making sure that our cutting-edge research also becomes part of Sweden’s think tank for new products and services.

Many of our ongoing research projects at S-Faculty are developing knowledge about how we use our natural resources and the consequences. At the core, this involves how we manage our forests, soil and water. We already excel in these areas, although we could be even better at highlighting how our research benefits society, both nationally and internationally. This is also part of being innovative.

Internationalisation is a natural element of our everyday activities. The faculty has staff from all over the world. Our research domains – forestry, ecology, water and bioeconomy – require international collaborations. Without these, we will not be able to tackle future challenges. In addition, with internationalisation comes innovation and excellence – a strength we will continue to build upon.

Nationally, I can see increased focus on STEM subjects at upper-secondary school, something that will most likely benefit us. Although we will only begin to see this benefit in five to ten years. But at the moment, we are facing a few critical years in terms of recruitment to our programmes that require skills in the natural sciences. I have no concerns about our Master’s programmes, as they attract many international students wanting to study at a leading international university.

However, we need to increase our efforts to guide Swedish students towards our natural science Bachelor's programmes. We are reviewing the possibility of linking a foundation year to our forestry programmes, to provide more students with the opportunity of supplementing their upper-secondary qualifications and take their first step towards studying with us. But we also need your help here as staff and ambassadors. We are spread out and meet many others when we teach, research and provide Sweden and the world with environmental monitoring and assessment. Let us use these meetings, regardless of whether they are in meeting rooms, in the field or around the coffee table, as an opportunity to spread the word about our forestry programmes. Together, we can make a difference and attract more students to our faculty. Thank you for joining this journey.

I would like to conclude by thanking you for once again putting your faith in me, and enabling me to continue as dean for the 2025–2027 period. Being dean at the Faculty of Forest Sciences involves an international and national workday. The role can be likened to being both a managing director and chair of the board. As the managing director, I am tasked by the vice-chancellor, and as chair of the board, I have been nominated by the faculty. It is a task with responsibility, but most of all, an honorary task. I am looking forward to the coming years and continuing to work with you all to boost our research, education and benefit to society. See you around!

Göran Ericsson, Dean