Contact
Pernilla Christensen, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Forest Sciences. Analyst
Department of Forest Resource Management/Division of Landscape Analysis, SLU
pernilla.christensen@slu.se, 090-786 85 27, 070-633 73 86
All in, all together
Last changed: 08 May 2025
An exciting change is coming to the faculty: work environment and equal opportunities are being merged to form a single area, ‘inclusive work environment’. During the last term of office, I had the privilege of leading the work on work environment issues, and now the remit is being broadened to include equal opportunities, something that feels both meaningful and inspiring.
Right now, work environment in the field is a hot topic – the field season is just around the corner and preparations are in full swing. The updated field safety procedure, SLU-1652, is now available, and an important new feature this year is the clarification that all staff, regardless of whether they work in the field or are only in the field on an occasional basis, must sign Annex 7 and submit it to their line manager. Everyone must also complete the questionnaire that accompanies the procedure before fieldwork begins. This is about creating security for everyone, at all levels.
At the same time, equal opportunities work is more relevant than ever. How can we work together to retain skills, attract new talent and create an environment where diversity is truly valued? It’s about broadening our view of what constitutes merit – in research, environmental monitoring and assessment and teaching – and reviewing how tasks are distributed. What can you do in your role? What can your work group, your department and the faculty contribute? This autumn, we will be working actively on these issues in the departments.
The faculty is buzzing at the moment; we’ll be attending Elmia Wood and showcasing ourselves at Almedalen in June. Student recruitment is a priority, and we're preparing for a new podcast series coming out in the autumn, SLU Day in Umeå on 11 October, and much more. To succeed in this, we all need to contribute in different ways – researchers, environmental analysts, technical and administrative staff, teaching staff, students – everyone at the faculty is needed.
While there are many excellent examples, I would like to emphasise the development of the field safety procedure as a great example of collaboration at the faculty. Every year, department members dedicate time and energy to improving procedures that benefit all of us. Thank you very much for your commitment this year– Maria Sjödin, Fredrik Stenbacka, Anders Sjöström, Meredith Blackburn, Per Marklund, Arne Nordius, Camilla Widmark, Gustaf Egnell – it’s a pleasure to work with you.
Pernilla Christensen, deputy dean