"It is collegiality that makes a university"

"Collegial governance is the cornerstone of a university – being involved in processes and decision-making. It is incredibly important for an academic institution to weigh different perspectives and viewpoints against one another," Eva Malmström says.

She believes this is perhaps more important than ever in today's global context, where democracy is under pressure in some parts of the world and where attitudes towards evidence, facts and research findings can at times be deeply concerning.

"Universities must remain independent generators of knowledge. That role is becoming increasingly important, so we really have to stand up for it."

For Pernilla Hagbert, serving on the Faculty Board has also provided a valuable introduction to KTH's organisation. The role has enabled her to look beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, gain a School-wide perspective and develop a broader understanding of how the University operates.

Tangible results

Asked about concrete achievements, Pernilla Hagbert points to significant improvements in the quality of documentation prepared for different types of decisions, including the procedure for establishing new courses.

"We have worked extensively together with the University Administration to develop robust decision-making processes. More people now review the documentation before it reaches the Faculty Board, making it much easier for us to make well-informed decisions," she says.

Pernilla Hagbert also highlights the establishment of the Appointment Committee as an important step forward. Responsibility for academic appointments, which had previously been handled centrally, has now moved closer to the Schools.

Eva Malmström emphasises that serving on the School Faculty Board has been both stimulating and rewarding.

"Even though I already had extensive experience of KTH, I have learned so much more about the dilemmas that can arise in different types of decision-making. Things are rarely simply black or white; most issues lie somewhere in between. It is enriching because it gives you an even greater appreciation of how multifaceted KTH is – and should be."

Keeping colleagues informed

When it comes to awareness of and engagement with the Faculty Board's collegial work, Pernilla Hagbert says that interest varies across her School. She believes it is important to communicate the Board's work through different channels. After each Faculty Board meeting, for example, one of the participants is interviewed and the interview is published in the School's newsletter.

"It's an effective way of reporting on the issues discussed at the meeting and informing colleagues about what's coming up," she says.

Eva Malmström concludes:

"We've now had three years to develop our way of working, and we're learning all the time – it's a continuous process of learning. This is a good opportunity to reflect on where we are today and how we want to move forward. I often say that I am immensely proud to be contributing to the rebuilding of collegial governance at KTH. I believe it is enormously important."

Text: Marianne Norén