Key issues that the Central Administration is working on in 2026:
Support in welcoming new international staff
Lund University has recently recruited 45 international visiting professors and assistant professors (associate senior lecturers) – an initiative that further strengthens the University’s global profile. To support this ongoing work, the Central Administration has developed a digital training course about the regulatory framework and processes relating to residence permits, aimed at staff who recruit third-country nationals.
Register for the course in Kompetensportalen
We are now also strengthening our partnership with the International Citizen Hub Lund, which provides information, networking and activities for international staff and their families. This collaboration provides vital support for a smooth transition to the region and helps international staff feel welcome right from the start.
Read more: International Citizen Hub Lund
Investing in AI
Capitalising on the opportunities offered by AI in our day-to-day work is one of our key development areas. Last autumn, a team known as the Ad Hoc Group was established within the Central Administration to support all University staff in using AI in their day-to-day work. As part of this work, the University has made a significant investment in purchasing licences for tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT. In addition, a package of support measures has been developed, comprising workshops and online courses that demonstrate how these tools can be used.
Read more: AI at Lund University.
Perspective-based approach – developing together
To create better conditions for improving and streamlining administrative processes, the Central Administration is continuing with its perspective-based approach. Among other things, it aims to enhance understanding and collaboration within and between the University’s support services, and between support services and the University’s core activities. In 2025, we reviewed how the reporting process within certain management systems could be simplified. Dialogue with faculties and departments has been central to this work. Among other things, the review led to certain reports being produced every two years instead of annually – hopefully this will make things easier for faculties and departments.
The Central Administration needs to take even greater account of the needs of researchers, teaching staff and students when developing both new and existing support processes. I am convinced that this will benefit everyone at the University, but it requires dialogue and cooperation. So don’t be surprised if a colleague from the Central Administration contacts you to ask if you’d like to get involved and contribute. This might mean being interviewed, joining a focus group, or providing feedback on a proposal.
/ Susanne Kristensson, university director
