Author: Anders Hagfeldt (Page 2 of 4)

A university is a place for critics

25 June 2024 / Anders Hagfeldt

In recent weeks, many emails have arrived in the Vice-Chancellor’s mailbox. Most of the emails call on the University to distance itself from Israel’s actions in Gaza. I have received numerous such emails, all much the same. Lately, however, I have also received other messages, speaking of vulnerability and distress. These emails are written with individual care and sometimes sorrow. In these unique messages, members of staff and students express their feelings of being vulnerable, uncomfortable and sometimes afraid.

I wish to emphasise that we cannot allow this at our University. Here, everyone must be able to be present, to work and to seek knowledge. Respect for one another and one another’s opinions goes without saying. We in the management team have not modified our views or changed our mind on the issue of taking a position in response to the demonstrations.

Let me be absolutely clear.

A university is a place for critics and critical thinking. If university leaders take a position on a matter of social debate in the name of the institution, this jeopardises the foundation upon which academia rests, by limiting the freedom of the individuals who constitute the whole. In matters of opinion, there is no voting and no pursuit of consensus at an academic institution. On the contrary, we must always defend the insight that the opinion of the majority at a university must never be enforced on all its staff or students. For this reason, the University does not take political positions. We refrain from doing so in the name of democracy, even when it is inconvenient and difficult.

We are a university and must remain free from pressure and always defend freedom and democracy. Of course we want the war to end, the killing to stop, the humanitarian aid to reach those in need. Just as we have stated before, we hope that this historically protracted conflict, which has escalated in a terrible way since 7 October, will end in a peaceful solution.

Until that happens, everyone active at our University must be able to feel welcome and safe. This is a shared responsibility.

Uppsala University Campus Gotland remains strong

28 May 2024 / Anders Hagfeldt

Over ten years ago, Campus Gotland became part of Uppsala University. Much has happened since then. Many students have received high-quality education in a wonderful environment. We have developed a graduate school that is both innovative and competent. The Blue Centre is a force for Gotland, for Sweden and even the world. The Department of Game Design has perhaps the most international programmes at the University, with unique expertise not previously available in Uppsala, as is the case at many other departments that have been strengthened and expanded since the merger. Problems and obstacles have largely been overcome and I can honestly describe the trend as a success. However, as in every other part of our great University, there are adjustments that need to be made.

Recently, several statements regarding the range of programmes at Campus Gotland have been made in the media, most recently in an open letter to the University from the organisation Tillväxt Gotland. Change often raises concerns. I completely understand that, of course. At the same time, I see the commitment as a strength to build upon.

At Uppsala University, the faculties are responsible for the quality and content of their programmes and research. Several faculties have recently decided, independently of each other, to put on hold or discontinue certain programmes. I understand that it may look like coordinated cuts, but it is the result of decisions being taken in different parts of the organisation at the same time. The reasons for the proposed changes differ between the different programmes. One programme has a lack of applicants, another has too few students, a third has been put on hold because it will be redesigned, a fourth will be offered by another education provider, and so on. All in all, these changes will be noticeable in the short term and the number of students on campus will temporarily fall. At the same time, future-oriented development work is under way on the teacher education programmes, for example, but also on the business studies programme, the results of which we hope to see soon. The target of 1,500 students on campus remains and it is my conviction that we will be back at those levels within the next few years. Research will also be further strengthened, and discussions on those initiatives are ongoing.

It is normal for all higher education institutions to review their range of programmes at regular intervals and make changes to them. In order to live up to our high standards and goals, we have launched extensive efforts to profile Campus Gotland more clearly. The Campus Gotland Board, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg, is tasked with driving these future-oriented ventures together with the University’s Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, Jenny Helin. Many employees both in Uppsala and on Gotland will be involved in this. The Campus Gotland Board will discuss the profiling and focus of these ventures this week, and a decision on the new focus will be made at the end of the summer.

As Vice-Chancellor, I can assure you all that Uppsala University is, and will continue to be, a responsible stakeholder on Gotland. Uppsala University has a long-term committment to Campus Gotland.

UUniFI – an investment in the future

26 April 2024 / Anders Hagfeldt

UUniFI is the name of a new initiative at the University very close to my heart. The abbreviation stands for Uppsala University Future Institutes, whose aim is to enable research into complex societal challenges by harnessing the breadth of Uppsala University. The institutes will be characterised by excellence and innovation, generate new research and establish new collaborations, increase visibility and strengthen the international position of the University.

The idea behind the institutes has been in the works for a long time. A seed was planted in the previous government’s research policy bill, which raised the issue of profile areas. That task, as we interpreted it, was to identify a number of profile areas for the University. It was a difficult challenge for a university like ours, as our profile is, in actual fact, to not have one. Rather, we want to be a broad, leading university with a range of areas of excellence identified by researchers that vary over time. The question is an interesting one, though. What more can we do as a university to contribute to a better world, as we typically say.

If our breadth is our strength, perhaps we need to embrace it; or so my thinking goes.

There is much discussion across society about the challenges we face: the climate issue, pandemics, conflicts, data security, migration and so on. These challenges are difficult for many different reasons. There are often no clear-cut answers; conflicting objectives influence choices; the issues are multidisciplinary in nature and require multiple resources that do not typically work together.

Across our fantastic University, many people are contributing in different ways to finding answers to questions related to all these challenges facing society. That is positive, but I think we can achieve more if we connect the forces that are currently strong but scattered across the University. The question is how?

My answer, after visiting other universities and holding many fruitful discussions with wise people at our University, is UUniFI. To start with, we have identified six different institutes with specialisations in which we are currently strong and where we believe the University can quickly establish broad, constructive, rewarding and world-leading collaborations – collaborations that could produce the answers the world is waiting for.

These institutes are focused on:

Conflicting objectives – Multidisciplinary studies of conflicting objectives and synergies in processes where society is being transformed to tackle major challenges
Multi- and interdisciplinarity – Platform and physical environment for the initiation and development of problem-driven and thematic research cooperation across subject, faculty and disciplinary domain lines (CIRCUS)
AI research – Multidisciplinary studies of the opportunities and problems related to the use of AI and the digitalisation of society
Migration – Multidisciplinary studies focusing on processes related to migration and integration
Precision health – Multidisciplinary studies focusing on increasing and providing more equitable health by preventing, diagnosing and treating with precision
Green energy transition – Multidisciplinary studies focusing on the energy transition and society’s increasing energy demand

These are lofty ambitions, perhaps even a little cocky. It’s a question of sticking our neck out, but not too much. We can back up our claim that we can do this. At Uppsala University, we have capabilities that not many others have. I am convinced that these well-motivated initiatives can deliver better, more pioneering and relevant research and unite all parts of the University. A common feature of all the identified areas is that they have strong research across the board. This means they can mobilise – both individually and by connecting with each other – interdisciplinary added value with a strong relevance to these major societal challenges. Through UUniFI, we are bringing together research from all of the University’s faculties and disciplinary domains, enabling them to make an even greater contribution to the shaping of society.

When should the University take a position?

8 February 2024 / Anders Hagfeldt

The war between Hamas and Israel has been in progress for almost six months now. The situation for the civilian population is appalling and the suffering indescribable. The international community and all of us are concerned about the alarming developments and want to see a peaceful resolution.

At the University, there are staff and students who have family, friends and colleagues caught in the middle of the conflict. I sympathise with you all. The University’s support system, comprising the Student Health Service and Occupational Health Service, is available for those who need counselling. Even those of us who are not directly connected are affected. During difficult times, we need each other.

Recently, there has been a discussion about the University’s position. From the management’s side, we do not take a position and I believe it is important to explain why.

It goes without saying that our University endorses the rights adopted by the international community through the United Nations conventions. For clarity’s sake, this includes human rights. At the same time, Uppsala University must always safeguard democratic discussion, free speech and open debate. For us, academic freedom is the foundation of our activities, and everyone should be able to express their opinions and views freely and without restriction.

If the organisation – Uppsala University – takes a position on individual issues, there is a risk that staff could perceive it as a position that everyone in the University is expected to share.

The University always encourages discussion, debate and engagement. In connection with this, the University Board issued a statement in December.

“The University Board welcomes debate. So long as they do not seriously disrupt teaching or create dangerous situations, students and teachers must be able to express different points of view in accordance with applicable regulations and our tradition of academic freedom.”

(University Board’s meeting, 14 December 2023)

The University only considers making a statement when the issue concerns academia. We often express our opinion when the freedom of research is under threat and when the ability of our colleagues to pursue research and studies throughout the world is restricted – something I assume that everyone at the University endorses. In such cases, we have a voice and a natural commitment.

In exceptional cases, the University takes a position on issues outside our academic community. One such exception was that we signalled our opinion when the sovereign state of Ukraine was attacked by Russia. Prior to the statement on Russia-Ukraine, the University’s position was prompted by a discussion at SUHF (Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions), in which the reasoning was that we as public authorities could support the government’s and thus Sweden’s national position. This position has been cited as an argument in favour of the University also taking a position on the Palestine-Israel issue. However, the conflict in which Israel and Palestine are involved is even more complicated and complex. Opinions differ, judicial proceedings are in progress, threats and hatred have become part of everyday life for many people in our country and, unfortunately, our University too. Threats and hatred have no place at our University.

I would like to emphasise that the University encourages our knowledgeable researchers to participate in the debate to nuance, explain and problematise issues. I would like to thank all those who have already contributed perspectives and knowledge.

Finally, I want to make it clear that the choice not to take a position still leaves room to express the view that hatred and the suffering and killing of civilians must stop.

Thanks for this year!

19 December 2023 / Anders Hagfeldt

As Uppsala University’s senior officers, we would like to thank you all for your impressive and important contributions over the past year. It is a privilege to work at Sweden’s best university. See you in 2024.

*Bookworms: Deputy Vice-Chancellor Coco Norén*, *Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt, University Director Caroline Sjöberg. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt*

No place for informers in academia

20 September 2023 / Anders Hagfeldt

A proposed new law – an ‘informers act’ – has provoked debate. The discussion stems from the Ministry of Justice’s Inquiry on reinforcing return operations (Ju 2022:12) and the supplementary terms of reference for the inquiry (Dir. 2023:126) that were issued in August. There is widespread indignation: many public employees in Sweden interpret the proposal to mean that they will be forced to take on police roles that they neither can, wish to nor should play. As Vice-Chancellor, I wish to take a firm stand against the proposal. No one at our University must be called upon to suspect or to inform against anyone. For us in academia, the very thought of questioning people’s right to join in the academic conversation is alien. It is against our basic principles, against our very being.

By definition, a university is a meeting place for thoughts born of curiosity and a zeal for knowledge. Though we accept national borders, we gladly work across them. Our goals are about understanding reality, spreading knowledge, strengthening democracy and increasing international cooperation and openness. Universities and other higher education institutions are mindful of security and cooperate with public authorities, but we are not policing or judicial actors. A law such as the proposed act risks leading to certain categories of students and employees being permanently under suspicion. We are not willing to go along with this.

Furthermore, at Uppsala University there are research projects in progress involving individuals who lack residence permits. The research concerns matters such as these people’s health, belief in the future, legal status, family situation and progress towards integration in society. All such research would become impossible if the legislative proposal becomes a reality. This in turn would mean that all measures to support and improve the lives of this vulnerable group would suffer.

As academics, our roles lie within research and teaching. For practical and pragmatic reasons, universities have become public authorities, but all public authorities have different mandates. The universities must maintain their particular identity and can never be reduced to mere authorities. Those of us who work at universities and other higher education institutions cannot and should not check up on our students’ or employees’ legal status, nor do we have any desire to do so. There is a public authority – the Swedish Police – whose role is policing. Let them do their job and let other authorities do theirs. That is a good arrangement.

Visit from Hallym University

13 September 2023 / Anders Hagfeldt

For a few days this week, we have the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Hallym University. Over the course of more than a decade, we have developed a close relationship with this university in South Korea in the field of medicine. Now we are discussing broadening our outlook. Today, Wednesday, our conversations have revolved around AI in health and medical care.

Here are a few pictures from the visit, which also give me the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has helped look after our international guests and give our discussions on scholarly collaboration a distinct Uppsala feel.

Foto: Marcus Holmqvist/Kommunikationsavdelningen

Don’t close to the door to international research

4 July 2023 / Anders Hagfeldt

The international engagements of Swedish universities are currently being jeopardised by government policy. In December, an announcement was made regarding a halt in research funding, and on June 27 the Swedish Research Council announced that the government had changed its appropriation directions in such a way that the Council can no longer allocate funding as part of the call for development research. The decisions will strike a blow to successful and vital research, as well as our international collaborations and Sweden’s status as a research nation. They will also have a negative effect on both our competitiveness and growth over the long term.

For a small country like Sweden, whose prosperity is dependent upon international trade and collaboration within the EU, international research collaborations are a necessity. This perspective is self-evident, and it is therefore unsurprising that there have been many reactions to the government’s decision. Despite this, among the general public the first debate about funding was partly drowned out by the heated discussions about how the government wants to increase control over university boards as part of efforts to strength its security policy. In my view, these decisions are connected by a short-term perspective, and ignorance appears to be blocking properly considered decisions.

Firstly, the government decided to cut aid. Perhaps political signalling became more important than concern for the research collaborations covered by the funding. Whatever the case, it is lamentable because these collaborations, developed over a long period, have been established based on the insight that our solutions and problems are connected to those of others – just as is often highlighted in the debate surrounding climate and migration issues.

Swedish research funding can of course be improved and the reasoning behind the cuts may likely appear reasonable to many at a time when Sweden finds itself in a harsh economic situation – we are talking about large sums of money, after all. I have full respect for the fact that both aid and research funding need to be reprioritised. But if we think more broadly, it is easy to see that the compulsory slashing of research collaborations to the level of economically weaker countries puts vital values at risk for both Sweden and for global developments. A well-functioning system like the one that has been built up in the International Science Programme – ISP – risks coming to nothing after sixty successful years. Furthermore, the decision to make cuts goes against the initiatives Sweden is pushing at EU level, where the government says it wants to work for a Europe that stands stronger in the world, deepens international trade cooperation and takes the lead on issues such as digitalisation and climate change – based on a foundation of research and innovation. It is hard to see how this strategy could succeed if Sweden and other EU countries each cut their research collaboration programmes to the level of regions that are lagging furthest behind.

And then there is another killer blow – the change in the Swedish Research Council’s appropriation directions that throttles the call for development research, that is, research funds allocated from the aid budget. The decision means that the ongoing call for 2023, which is currently in the consideration process, will be halted with immediate effect.

This will hit hard across Sweden. If we only take Uppsala University as an example, it is a matter of almost SEK 110 million over five years. Excellent international research environments in fields such as Political Science, Women’s and Children’s health, Peace and Conflict research, Cultural Anthropology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Materials science, Physics and Astronomy, Information Technology and Medical Sciences will all be affected. This is no small intervention. The cuts are coming suddenly and will affect planning and staff both in Sweden and in partner countries. Projects will unexpectedly find themselves unfunded and established international collaborations will be put at risk. We at the University have reacted forcefully and are doing whatever we can to influence the situation in all of the collaborative bodies in which we participate.

I want to be clear that without international collaborations, a major part of our research would become marginalised. A research university is by definition part of a global arena. For those affected, it automatically leads to the realisation that Sweden needs a policy that makes it easier for universities to run the collaborations they require so that we can contribute to solving social problems and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness and prosperity. For this reason, all measures that risk hindering efforts to deepen international collaborations must be carefully tested against principles such as proportionality and necessity. The actions of the government are regrettable and have been driven through without either an open process or a dialogue with concerned parties.

The government must take the responsibility incumbent upon it and mobilise the international collaborations that open doors for Sweden in the EU and globally.

Response to Svenska Dagbladet

15 May 2023 / Anders Hagfeldt

Right to take security issues seriously – Tove Lifvendahl

(SvD 2023-05-10)

In her leader on 10 May, Tove Lifvendahl expresses support for the Swedish government and for the approach taken by Minister for Education Mats Persson to security problems at Swedish universities. The leader gives the impression that the universities have acted ingenuously and naively and concludes that “Swedish public authorities, including universities and other higher education institutions, must improve their control over what and who is allowed in.”

While Tove Lifvendahl is right about the importance of taking security issues seriously, I object strenuously to the suggestion that Swedish higher education institutions are naive. International contacts are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Where collaboration is at issue, inquiries are made and references taken to ensure that academic collaborations are indeed based on an academic and scholarly foundation. If there is any uncertainty, we seek assistance from the Swedish Security Service and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in making our assessment.

However, this is not the main point of the debate. The issue concerns the government’s meddling in the make-up of university governing boards. In a democracy, academic freedom – the freedom for academia to manage its own business – is fundamental. The arms length principle applies. In the model we have in Sweden, the universities receive instructions in their appropriation directions. The government’s intentions – which Lifvendahl perceives as good – have detrimental consequences. That is why all universities and other higher education institutions are critical. Moreover, it would have been appropriate to mention that the agreements that Uppsala University entered into, to which the leader refers, were discontinued after information came to light showing the existence of security policy issues. These agreements were entered into after the government had explicitly expressed a desire for more collaboration with China, among others. Academic freedom comes with academic responsibility. That is something we will always uphold.

Anders Hagfeldt

Vice-Chancellor

Uppsala University

SASUF – strong ties

29 March 2023 / Anders Hagfeldt

We are currently leading a delegation from Uppsala in South Africa. We are here at a meeting with SASUF and the Sustainability Forum at the University of the Western Cape. SASUF (South Africa – Sweden University Forum) is a strategic internationalisation project uniting 40 partner universities. The aim is to strengthen ties between Sweden and South Africa in the areas of research, education and innovation.

By bringing together leading researchers, teachers, students, university leaders and other stakeholders, the project will develop common solutions to the challenges highlighted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.

The collaborations have been successful so far.

We have brought together 3,000+ researchers, students, university leaders and funding bodies through seminars and workshops.
We have funded 70 international collaboration projects (linked to the Sustainable Development Goals).
A joint declaration on the relationship between research and education among the countries was drawn up by the participating universities during the second Research & Innovation week in 2019. The declaration has been submitted to the ministers of higher education and research in both countries.
The SASUF Student Network has been established and consists of appointed student representatives from each partner university.

Here is my opening speech at the conference that is currently under way:

Colleagues and friends!

I have a special place for South Africa in my heart, and every time I come here I gain new perspectives on life. You see, my wife comes from this country and we are in fact sitting in her Alma Mater right now. She has taught me a lot about life here during Apartheid – about the system, about forces for good and about people’s struggles. Life here is quite different from back home in Sweden. Here people come and visit, stay over, have lunch, dinner, and then stay a little longer. In Sweden everything is scheduled. Sometimes when we are at our home here we receive a special visitor. This man fascinates me. He is something of a genius. He has a knack for solving complicated problems with limited means. This does not mean he finds simple or sloppy solutions. On the contrary, he can create something beautiful and impressive using things that others have discarded.

One time we were sitting and discussing solar panels. He had read up on the area, and thanks to my many years in that sector I could quickly see that he knew what he was talking about. Inverters, conversion efficiency – it was all clear to him, and using parts from this and that he had succeeded in putting together a functioning, battery-run solar panel installation that powered the lights in his house.

I think about him from time to time. Sometimes I think he could well have been a professor or research leader if he had gotten the chance. Or perhaps having access to resources would have made him less creative. It’s hard to say.

Throughout my life, I have been most creative in situations where we have been given clear and exacting requirements, when I have been part of a group that identified shared goals and then jointly tried to solve the Gordian Knot created by the problem in question.

As I said – everything in Sweden is scheduled, ordered and clearly defined. This can be good, but it also boxes us in and narrows the options. We need to see the world through other people’s eyes sometimes. To open our minds. Working together is a great way of achieving this.

And it seems you all agree.

In the last few years, collaboration between South Africa and Sweden has grown tremendously. SASUF has played a key role in this development. What makes this collaboration stand out is the amazing commitment from the participants in both countries.

Just this week, more than 80 workshops are taking place across South Africa, all of which have been organised from the bottom up by students, researchers, and teachers who share the conviction that collaboration is key to our future prosperity. It’s heartening to see such enthusiasm and dedication to building a better future for all.

I’m particularly impressed with the SASUF Student Network, which comprises almost 800 students. This week, they’ve organised satellite events and will be hosting a student summit here at the University of the Western Cape. Their hard work and dedication are truly commendable, and they’re all involved in shaping a better future for students in both countries and globally.

But it doesn’t end there.

The SASUF conference is also a place to meet new colleagues and develop new ideas for research. Countless projects have been initiated as a result of this forum. With poster sessions and workshops on topics like antibiotic resistance, preventing childhood malnutrition, beekeeping, public transport, and many more, there are plenty of opportunities to explore new partnerships over the coming days.

The strong relationship between our two countries rests today on a foundation of mutual trust, collaboration and exchange. SASUF brings us together to discuss and tackle the challenges facing the world today. By working together, we can build a brighter future for all.