Help shape the future of ABE and KTH

Erik Stenberg , chair of the election committee for the ABE School’s Faculty Board, explains more about the role and what the election committee is looking for in candidates.

What are you looking for in a candidate?

"We are looking for people who are passionate about collegiality and want to contribute to the development and quality assurance work of the entire school. It is important that their commitment extends beyond their own group or department.” 

The teacher members of the Faculty Board represent the whole faculty, not their respective disciplines. The Board gives more people the opportunity to contribute to KTH’s and the school’s decision-making processes and, in this way, complements the line organisation. 

"It is about being curious about different perspectives on university activities and drawing on collective intelligence within the faculty. We need both a strong line organisation and a strong faculty organisation at the ABE School to drive it forward and contribute to a development that benefits all of KTH.” 

What will the new Faculty Board be dealing with?

"The work spans both short-term, operational issues and more long-term, strategic issues. This may, for example, involve deciding on new course syllabuses, but also discussing what kind of faculty ABE needs to strengthen its activities in the long term.” 

The role is operational and requires both time and committed effort. The key driving force must be a desire to contribute to the school’s development. 

The current Faculty Board has, amongst other things, developed the quality assurance work, established committees and initiated more strategic development work. The next term of office offers the opportunity to build on that foundation.

"The first term was largely about establishing the structure and putting working methods in place. Now, we can look further ahead and work more strategically on the issues that are important for the ABE School in the long term. What sort of faculty does ABE need to be to achieve even higher quality? What programmes and skills do we need to meet changes in the wider world?” 

“ABE possesses a broad range of expertise that is relevant to many of the major societal challenges – from energy and resource crises to changing political conditions and new skills requirements. Through our expertise in the built environment, the ABE School can not only participate in KTH’s development efforts but also help to lead them. The Faculty Board contributes to highlighting these perspectives and establishing a shared direction for the faculty’s development.” 

How does the Election Committee go about finding the right people?

"To identify more issues that will be important in the future, the Election Committee has sent out a survey to ABE staff. The results will, amongst other things, support the Election Committee’s work in finding people with the commitment and perspective required for the Faculty Board’s tasks.” 

The Election Committee has also taken note of the experiences of the current Faculty Board. As none of the members of the current Election Committee have themselves served on the Board, they have listened to how the work has been carried out and what lessons can be taken forward into the next term of office. 

"ABE’s Faculty Board has been praised for functioning well. Their work provides a good foundation to build on.” 

The survey is now closed – is it still possible to contribute to the process?

"Absolutely. Just because the survey is closed doesn’t mean the door is shut on suggestions. We’d love to hear more thoughts and perspectives. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact one of us on the Election Committee, nominate a candidate for the Faculty Board, or submit a question or comment.”