Election regarding members of the University Board appointed by teachers and researchers

For more information about the election, see Election Regarding Three Members of the University Board Appointed by the Teaching Staff . Also look at “It’s so worth the time you put in”  for additional information.

The election committee’s proposal 

The election committee for the election of members appointed by teachers and researchers of the University Board during the mandate period 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029 consisted of professor Hjalmar Brismar, chair, professor Anna Finne Wistrand, associate professor Anders Rosén and professor Meike Schalk. 

The election committee describes its work as follows:

"The election committee's work began in November, and we have held several meetings. By the end of the nomination period on November 28, we had received a total of 28 nominations from across KTH. We then conducted interviews with twelve selected candidates—five women and seven men—over four days in January. We also interviewed current board members to learn about their experiences." 

"For us in the election committee, the work has been very interesting and rewarding. It has been fantastic to meet colleagues from across KTH. We were particularly struck by the enthusiasm and genuine interest in KTH's development and activities that were evident during the interviews. Hearing so many good ideas and seeing our faculty’s high energy levels has been very stimulating." 

"The final proposal, with which we are very pleased, provides a good spread of subjects and reflects both research and teaching. The candidates come from different parts of the organisation, which provides both breadth and continuity. Together, the proposed members form a group that very well meets our criteria: 

• integrity, 

• the ability to take responsibility for KTH as a whole, 

• together reflect the breadth of KTH’s activities. 

The election committee proposes the following persons as members of the University Board: 

• Svante Linusson, professor, Department of Mathematics (SCI) 

• Wouter van der Wijngaart, professor, Department of micro and nanosystems (EECS) (EECS) 

• Gunilla Ölundh Sandström, associate professor, Department of Engineering Design (ITM) 

Svante Linusson, professor, Department of Mathematics (SCI) 

Svante Linusson's profile page

KTH faces several challenges in the coming years. One is AI, which will force the development of new solutions. How, and what, we should teach and grade. The board must not make hasty decisions. The faculty and students must be allowed to drive the change. For me, preserving a vibrant campus is central. 

The international attacks on academic freedom will also be a major issue. Even without changes in Sweden, we will be affected and forced to make choices. The autonomy of universities from political control is crucial, as is researchers’ freedom within KTH. This includes base funding, opportunities to apply for grants, a better functioning administration, and collegial decision-making on courses. This is necessary to continue to be world leading. 

I have been a professor since the age of 30 and have extensive experience working on boards and committees within KTH, civil society, and municipal politics. Being able to listen and make proposals, to collaborate, and to address differences of opinion.

Wouter van der Wijngaart, professor, Department of micro and nanosystems (EECS) 

Wouter van der Wijngaart's profile page

I am fast, analytical, creative, energetic, lyhörd and people first.  

As a board member I helped shape KTH’s vision, and want to continue strengthening the conditions for excellent education, research and outreach. KTH must empower students and faculty to build a sustainable society - a rich and meaningful life for current and future generations. This requires internationally recognised research, teaching that develops key soft and hard skills, adequate support, and efficient but sustainable operations. 

Key challenges ahead include safeguarding KTH’s long term, independent and international academic character while balancing its governance as a Swedish public authority in a shifting (geo)political landscape, and supporting the current shift toward a governance model where faculty and line share more balanced, parallel, and mutually reinforcing roles. As faculty representative, I will support this maturation process and ensure clear communication between the Faculty (Councils) and Board.

Gunilla Ölundh Sandström, associate professor, Department of Engineering Design (ITM 

Gunilla Ölundh Sandström

A university must continuously evolve to meet societal change and future needs. Higher education faces major challenges, and the board’s responsibility to safeguard academic freedom, education, and research, while addressing KTH’s role in a changing world, is central. I want to contribute to strengthening KTH’s long-term development and brand.  

My particular commitment concerns KTH’s education system. KTH should be attractive and reach new student groups. I aim to support educational structures that enable diverse competence profiles – from deep technical expertise to broad engineering skills, and the capacity to address major societal challenges and create actual change toward a sustainable society. Societal relevance and collaboration with the private and public sectors are essential. I also want to promote increased flexibility in educational structures, strengthened student choice, and a long-term sustainable education system for KTH’s teachers and researchers. 

In addition to the election committee’s proposal, there are the following eligible candidates:

Prosun Bhattacharya, professor, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (ABE) 

Prosun Bhattacharya

As a teacher and researcher at KTH, I seek to contribute to the University Board by strengthening KTH’s position through academic quality, strategic leadership, and relevant research. A central part of my work is developing rigorous methods to address risks related to water quality, environment, and health, in close collaboration with academic and societal partners. Much of this research has been conducted in developing countries that have since become strategic partners, including through educational collaboration with KTH. 

These perspectives are integrated into advanced education, where students gain tools to link technical and natural science knowledge with societal risks and responsibility. On the University Board, I will strengthen links between fundamental research and application, promote inclusive working conditions and academic quality, and contribute to long-term stewardship of KTH as an internationally leading higher education institution.

James Gardner, associate professor, Department of Chemistry (CBH) 

James Gardner

As Head of the Division of Applied Physical Chemistry (2018–2024), I saw the direct impact of university decisions on our daily operations. High-level strategy must be implementable and supportive of the people driving KTH forward. I am running for the University Board to bridge the gap between central administration and faculty, and to empower our academic mission. 

My Priorities: 

• Sustainable Financial Models: In a complex economic landscape, I will advocate for transparent resource allocation that prioritizes the "core" of KTH: teaching and research. 

• Reducing Administrative Friction: We are losing too much intellectual bandwidth to overhead. I will push for organizational changes that add value to the academic environment and reduce the bureaucratic burden. 

• Stable Faculty: A world-class university is built on its people. I will champion policies for clearer, more secure career paths, ensuring KTH remains a competitive home for global talent.