You’ve been at LTH for a year now. What has your focus been on?
“My first year has been about getting a comprehensive overview of the office – understanding the operations and our missions. Starting in the middle of the budget process, while also meeting with all the department heads, gave me an early sense of the needs and priorities within the organization.”
What development work is currently underway?
“At the Faculty Office, we are now focusing on operational planning with a somewhat shorter-term perspective than before, as well as on developing new descriptions for our various roles. I want it to be clear what the office contributes and how each employee strengthens the whole through their role. Our role descriptions are intended to serve as a shared tool for providing direction, building trust, and making it easier to work toward common goals. Now that these documents are in place, the next step is to use them in dialogue, follow-up, and collaboration – in other words, they should not simply become documents that sit in a binder.”
You often come back to the word “trust.” How do you build a culture of trust?
“For me, it starts with being accessible, responsive, and closely connected to the organization. Trust grows when people experience transparency, feel heard, and are treated with respect. It’s not something that’s built overnight; it’s a long-term effort where we cultivate a shared culture of trust step by step.”
In what ways is your background in the humanities valuable in a technical environment?
“I hope that my background in the humanities can bring additional perspectives and dimensions to the table. My approach emphasizes culture, language, and human interaction, and this is closely linked to my view of the role libraries play in people’s lives. Libraries are more than just places to borrow books – they are spaces for curiosity and reflection, places that bring people and activities together.”
Could you briefly describe the work developing library services at LTH?
“I believe everyone needs a library nearby to find inspiration and a sense of community. Kårhuset is already a hub at LTH, and perhaps that is where a faculty-wide library should be located? If so, it would be a central location where it’s easy to meet up daily. My hope is for an inclusive and representative place that can benefit our students, staff, collaboration partners, and the public.”
You foster a culture of trust at work – what do you grow in your free time?
“I grow tomatoes! I got hooked after tasting an exceptionally delicious tomato at my neighbor’s house and brought some dried seeds home with me. To my great delight, all the seeds sprouted, and I’ve been tending to the plants carefully ever since. There’s something exciting about watching a small plant grow from seed to ripe tomato, and about giving it the care, patience, and attentiveness that growing requires. I feel the same way about contributing to a workplace where people are given the right conditions to grow – a truly good environment makes a huge difference, both for plants and for people.”
What made the strongest impression on you during your first year at the Faculty Office?
“What has perhaps impressed me the most is the genuinely positive atmosphere within the organization. The colleagues are professional, generous, and friendly, and I’ve really felt welcome.”
