NEWS The decision has now been made. The Swedish Government has appointed Hans Adolfsson, professor in Organometallic Chemistry and currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm University, as new Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University from 1 July 2016.
Hans Adolfsson. Photo: Eva Dalin, Stockholm University
“It feels really good that the Government has finally reached the decision. It’s been a long process that set sail already in the autumn and has finally reached shore. I’m now looking forward to beginning my new assignment of leading Umeå University,” says upcoming Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson.
“My first task is to physically get to know the University. I’m planning on visiting the various operations together with the rest of the University Management as soon as the holidays are over and the University is in full swing again.”
“The Vice-Chancellor assignment comes first, which means that I can no longer be an active researcher, but I’m planning on finding time to lead a research team and discuss research with colleagues. My ambition is to start one research activity of my own in Umeå.”
“Having one foot in the general operations gives me perspectives on what happens at the departments. For me, research is a way to really establish myself at the University and its core business as well as get an understanding of what demands and prerequisites the operations face. In my mind, that will make me a better leader.”
Hans Adolfsson, born 1964, studied chemistry at Stockholm University from 1985–89, and completed his doctoral studies at the Royal Institute of Technology in 1995. Thereafter, he held the position of postdoc at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, USA, between 1996 and 1998. After his postdoc, he was employed as a postdoctoral research fellow at Stockholm University, and in 2007, he was installed as professor in organometallic chemistry at the same university.
Hans Adolfsson has been director of studies in organic chemistry, member of the Faculty of Science Working Committee for undergraduate studies as well as of the Chemistry Section Working Committee at Stockholm University. In 2009, he was elected to the Board of the Faculty of Science and in the following year he was elected Section Dean for the Chemistry Section at the Faculty of Science. Since 2013, he is Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm University.
Editor: Anna Lawrence