Today we formally installed 24 new professors at the University. The grand ceremony in the University Main Building concluded a week in which the new professors have been in the spotlight. They have given well-attended inaugural lectures in the University Main Building, giving the audience a fascinating sample of many aspects of our multifaceted University.

The ceremony began with music played by the Academic Orchestra. I then gave the traditional Vice-Chancellor’s inauguration address, in which I emphasised some principles that our new professors must bear in mind.

You can read the speech here.

The inauguration had a full programme. Inaugural lectures were given by:

  • Professor Sven Oskarsson on “Family connections and political engagement”
  • Professor Rose-Marie Amini on “Malignant lymphoma – a diagnosis with many challenges”
  • Professor Johannes Messinger on “How bacteria solved the energy problem”.

In addition, we honoured some of our skilful teachers, who received the Distinguished Teaching Award. This year’s recipients were:

  • Theology, Humanities and Educational Sciences: Senior Lecturer Jenny Beckman, Department of History of Science and Ideas
  • Law and Social Sciences: Senior Lecturer Susanne S:t Clair Renard, Department of Law
  • Medicine and Pharmacy: Senior Lecturer Martin Wohlin, Department of Medical Sciences
  • Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology: Senior Lecturer Magnus Hellqvist, Department of Earth Sciences
  • The Free Distinguished Teaching Award: Senior Lecturer Malin Löfstedt, Department of Theology, was awarded the 2017 Free Distinguished Teaching Award on the theme “Teaching that develops ethical competence”.

The University’s innovation prize Hjärnäpplet, awarded to a researcher or research student for an outstanding transfer of academic knowledge that has resulted in an innovation, was also presented. This year it went to Hans Lennernäs, Professor of Biopharmacy.