New Dean of Faculty – a team player who listens
2025-03-07
It was in February last year that Åsa Söderlind left her position as Head of the Department for the Swedish School of Library and Information Science and took over from Martin G Eriksson as acting Dean of Faculty.
It has now been announced that Åsa Söderlind will be entrusted to continue as permanent Dean of Faculty, a role that lies between the Faculty and the university's highest leadership.
“I chose to apply for the position largely because of the great teamwork that exists here, with my Heads of Department, controllers, and administrators. Of course I have influence, but I think it's important to discuss with others and come to an informed conclusion together. And I usually don't have much of a problem standing by decisions once they have been made. That gives peace of mind.”
Appreciating strong institutions
In addition to the aforementioned Swedish School of Library and Information Science, the Faculty also includes the Department of Educational Work and the Department of Information Technology.
“These three environments are very different and have different conditions and needs. This will shape the work ahead. I think it's good to have strong institutions and we have three Heads of Department who are very capable of leading the work of their respective management teams and management councils," said Åsa Söderlind.
She describes her role as working to ensure that each department has the best possible conditions and also to promote more collaboration between them. She describes last year as tough and far from normal, with the cuts to the Department of Educational Work. In the coming year, she will, among other things, participate in the work on how pre-school teacher and teacher training will be affected by the government's review. Åsa Söderlind also describes how she wants to review the way the Faculty meets, such as what type of management or staff meetings work best.
“We will also start up a leadership course for programme coordinators to elevate that role, and probably some kind of associate professor programme to support junior researchers in their career. In addition to the position of Education and Quality Coordinator, held by Malin Utter, we have a vacant position of Research and Quality Coordinator.”
An experienced leader
Åsa Söderlind first came to Borås as a student in 1994, when she moved from Uppsala for the Librarianship programme. Shortly after graduating, she had the opportunity to work for the newly established Centre for Cultural Policy Research.
“It was a project position as a documentalist, where I built a database and worked on research communication. Gradually, I received requests to join various courses and take seminars; it gradually got to be more and more,” said Åsa Söderlind.
In 1997, she was hired as a lecturer and in 2002, was admitted to the doctoral programme, which at that time was run in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg. Among her doctoral colleagues were Helena Francke and Karen Nowén Hedvall, who are still at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science. Åsa Söderlind remembers her time as a doctoral student as challenging, but at the same time it was fun to have time to immerse herself. As her doctoral work approached its conclusion, she was asked to take over as Director of Studies at the Swedish School of Library and Information Science, a task that was then more administrative than today. One work assignment then led to another. During the period when the university obtained rights to grant doctoral degrees in Library and Information Science, she worked as Director of Studies for the doctoral programme, together with Professor Jan Nolin. Since then, she has held a number of management positions, as Assistant Head of Department and Head of Department of the Swedish School of Library and Information Science.
“One of the things I am particularly happy about is the long-term development work to create a complete environment for the students who study both the Librarianship and Information Science programmes. The fact that we got two tracks that go together at the Master's level and on to the doctoral level – that was good. Holding different types of management positions has suited me and been rewarding, both being the immediate manager and being part of some type of management team. These are interesting roles, to be able to look beyond myself and my teaching and research.”
About Åsa Söderlind
Lives in Gothenburg
Has a large family in Uppsala and Stockholm
Interests: I am a culture nerd who enjoys a lot of literature, art, and music. At times it has been very important to me, more than just a hobby. Has sung in a choir and played the guitar, drawn and painted when young. Spends time with friends, siblings, and nephews and nieces.
People don't know this about me: I'm quite interested in Swedish movies from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. I enjoy history, but also keep updated on current culture, both so-called "fine" culture as well as popular culture.
The most fun part of the job: I enjoy talking to people and listening, whether it's about a problem or if someone wants advice. And I hope it shows – because I find it interesting.
The hardest part of the job: Last year's cuts to the Department of Educational Work were difficult. We are governed by the allocation we receive and cannot pull money out of thin air. It is also difficult when there are conflicts when colleagues do not agree, in situations where it is difficult to know what I should contribute to make things better.