Sebastiaan Meijer on the move to KTH Flemingsberg

What are the most concrete plans you have developed for Flemingsberg?

“We are increasing the volume of the foundation year programme by about 180 places from HT25. This means that some teaching staff from ITM in Södertälje need to move to CBH in Flemingsberg, and that we need to work with the premises, scheduling and some other things. We will also start offering some foundation year education via so-called learning centres.

What changes can employees expect already in 2024?

“For CBH, it's mostly preparations to be able to receive the increase in HT25. We also need to ensure that staff who can move will feel welcome and part of the teaching team in Flemingsberg.”

Will staff be moved already in 2024?

“No, except perhaps on paper to assure those concerned that they have jobs after the move. The physical move will not happen before HT25.”

Have you identified any problem areas that might be particularly difficult to manage?

“Our relocation project is the simplest of the three, and it's important that we don't try to complicate it either. Good dialogue between the people involved should ensure that the move is handled smoothly.”

How will the relocation of lab environments be carried out?

“It's just a matter of some inventory as it stands now. I've just renewed my lorry licence, so maybe I can drive the removal van myself!”

What has the dialogue with employees and students been like since the decision was made last September?

“In Flemingsberg, we are happy that our campus continues and welcomes new colleagues and students. In general, all dialogues have been in a positive spirit. We started out eating cake and getting to know each other instead of planning. These things make things easier.”

Now that the move is becoming more concrete, how will you continue to work on involvement and engagement?

“There is a project group where many of those affected are directly involved, or where they can be representatives of a group of stakeholders. The most difficult changes concern staff from ITM and we are trying to work a little more closely with managers and HR to get things right. The other major change will be the learning centre collaboration, where the teachers from both Flemingsberg and Södertälje will develop it together. Students are involved all the way, and we have three students in the project group!”

What are the main risks/challenges you have identified with the move and how will we solve them?

“The biggest risk is that we lose talented staff from Södertälje, if they don't want to come with us. In that case, new assistant professors will be needed to teach the foundation year and it takes an average of 1.5 years to get them through the employment board and the recruitment process. At the same time, KTH would lose the pedagogical expertise required for the foundation year teaching. Hence our focus on these people.”

What parts of the planning remain?

“We are taking it in stages. The first step is to map the admission opportunities (autumn/spring balance, volume), and what it looks like at ITM with staff who could consider moving with all that entails. Teachers do not only teach on the foundation year and therefore it is a small puzzle. Then we will match these things and investigate scheduling and requirements for the premises in Flemingsberg. All the other programmes in Flemingsberg also come into play here. Work on the learning centre variant has just started. Then we have a work package that prepares all the decisions that need to be taken by the usual decision-making structures, such as the SSG, education administration and school management.”

How does it feel to be the project manager for one of KTH's largest relocation projects?

“It's great that Flemingsberg is being strengthened, of course, but I try to keep things simple. We will welcome new colleagues and more students, which is something you do as a human being, not with formalities, even if it requires some planning.”

Text: Jon Lindhe