Episode 35: Scandinavian perspectives: a view from Sweden's Longest University

Episode 35 of University Registrars Talking About Stuff is another international edition, this time featuring Martin Melkersson, Chief Operating Officer at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

Martin is the first Swedish COO I've talked to about stuff here and we learn firstly about his 10 years at SLU and his broad-ranging role, covering all non-academic matters at the University before hearing about a career journey which saw him starting out as a budding academic at Uppsala University then becoming a teacher before converting to university administration. Following 11 years in various roles at Stockholm University Martin applied for and successfully landed the job at SLU.

SLU is notable for being 'Sweden's longest university' with really significant distances between the three main campuses but also has a number of other large and remote agricultural sites too all of which creates some distinctive practical management challenges for senior staff. We also talk of the pandemic response at the university, noting some of the challenges of teaching learning and assessment, especially with practical courses but also the significant impact on students.

Martin is confident that SLU has come through the pandemic in good shape but development activity has paused and there remain concerns about  lots of people wanting to work from home whereas the university is aiming to rebuild the sense of community for staff and students which does require people to be present.

There are many similarities between higher education in Sweden and the UK but also some significant differences, not least in the generosity of research funding, student fee arrangements and property ownership, which Martin helpfully explores. Finally we look at the future of Swedish HE where Martin is optimistic about how things will play out  before hearing about a  distinctive aspect of SLU's activities, its operation of a research ship on behalf of the government.

See here for a blog on the most recent biennial meeting of registrars from the UK and Sweden as mentioned in the podcast.