Interpretation of requirements for docentship, Vetenskapens hus, and external review
The Faculty Board’s March meeting
During the Faculty Board’s March meeting, discussions included the work of the docent committee, the focus of the external collegial review, and broadened recruitment.
In early 2025, the Faculty Board’s docent committee began its work, and in May 2025, KTH’s guidelines for appointment as a docent were adjusted. As the committee has now been active for a year, its chair, Tina Karrbom Gustavsson, attended the Faculty Board’s March meeting to discuss experiences and responsibilities. The guidelines for admission as a docent leave room for interpretation, and ongoing efforts aim to develop the process and how the guidelines should be implemented at KTH in general.
Another topic of discussion was the upcoming external collegial review of programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. A working group has been formed, consisting of three Faculty Board members, programme directors for master’s programmes, the director and deputy director of first and second cycle education (Daniel Koch), the Faculty Board’s student representative, and Inger Wikström Öbrand, quality assurance officer at the university administration. The group has discussed how the external review can provide the greatest benefit, in combination with an internal review that is also being conducted. Programme directors see different needs for their respective programmes; while some want a review at the strategic level, others seek feedback on the content of their programmes.
In the work on broadened recruitment and participation, Vetenskapens hus can become a valuable partner for the school. Johan Lundberg, director of Vetenskapens hus, was invited to the meeting and spoke about their activities and how they could contribute to the goals of the ABE School, for example, by engaging doctoral students or participating in the “Borrow a Researcher” initiative. Johan Spross was tasked with maintaining contact with the House of Science and exploring possible activities.
Linnéa Holmsten has served as the Faculty Board’s student representative since 2024. She is now handing over the role to Viktor Karjalainen. Linnéa Holmsten’s work in the Faculty Board has been highly appreciated, and the board looks forward to welcoming Viktor Karjalainen into the work.
Next faculty board meeting will be on 23 April.
As told by Luigia Brandimarte to Johan C Thorburn.