Recruitment of Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor 2025-2026
The process for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor of Lund University will be conducted during the period 2025-2026.
The Vice-Chancellor is the head of the University and its chief representative. On this webpage you find information on the schedule, process and who does what when appointing a new Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor.
Responsibilities and duties of the Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor is the head of the University and its chief representative. As the head of a public authority, the Vice-Chancellor has overall responsibility for the University’s education, research and external engagement. The Vice-Chancellor leads the University Management and reports directly to the University Board.
The deputy vice-chancellor’s term of office is the same as the Vice-Chancellor’s. The deputy vice-chancellor serves in the Vice-Chancellor’s stead when the Vice-Chancellor is not on duty. The deputy vice-chancellor stands in for the Vice-Chancellor to the extent determined by the Vice-Chancellor (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 2, Section 10) and may also have specific areas of responsibility, such as education or internationalisation
How the Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor are appointed
Appointing the Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor is an extensive process that has several stages. The process involves the Recruitment Committee, Electoral College and University Board, as well as the Government regarding the Vice-Chancellor.
The Recruitment Committee consists of representatives from both the University Board and the Electoral College. The Committee is responsible for developing the person specification, carrying out selection and interviews, and presenting the candidates to the Electoral College.
Composition
- From the University Board: a chair, one member of the teaching staff, one student and one external member
- From the Electoral College: two members of the teaching staff, one member of the non-academic staff and one student
The Recruitment Committee focuses on cooperation, a holistic perspective and feedback to both the Electoral College and the University Board.
The Electoral College is a body with specific tasks in election and preparatory processes. The College consists of 48 members, specifically:
- 24 members of the teaching staff
- 12 members of the non-academic staff
- 12 students.
The candidates for Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor are presented to and have a hearing with the Electoral College, which then votes. The College then submits a statement to the University Board.
The Electoral College also appoints three teaching staff representatives to the University Board and is to report on how gender equality has been taken into account in various election and preparatory processes.
The University Board is the University’s highest decision-making body. The Board has overall responsibility for the University’s operations and makes strategic decisions on education, research, finances and organisation.
Composition
- 8 external members, appointed by the Government (of whom one is the chair)
- 3 teaching staff representatives, appointed by the Electoral College
- 3 student representatives, appointed by the students.
The University Board has the formal responsibility for decisions in the process to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor. The Board is to:
- establish the schedule and person specification
- decide which candidate is to be proposed as the Vice-Chancellor to the Government
- appoint the deputy vice-chancellor after a hearing in the Electoral College.
The process
The appointment process for the Vice-Chancellor has the following stages:
- The Recruitment Committee produces a person specification, makes a selection from among the applicants and interviews the candidates.
- The Electoral College hears the candidates, votes and submits a statement to the University Board.
- The University Board decides which candidate is to be proposed as the Vice-Chancellor to the Government.
- The Government appoints the Vice-Chancellor.
- The University Board then appoints the deputy vice-chancellor through a special, separate process.
Schedule for appointment of Vice-Chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor
| Point in time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Autmn 2024 | University Board decides on the schedule. |
| Spring 2025 | Recruitment Committee is appointed. |
| Autumn 2025 | Recruitment Committee produces person specification. |
| December 2025 | University Board approves person specification. |
| Spring 2026 | Recruitment Committee carries out selection and interviews candidates. |
| May 2026 | Candidates are presented and heard in Electoral College, which then votes. |
| June 2026 | University Board makes a decision and submits a proposal to the Government. The Government appoints the Vice-Chancellor. |
| Autumn 2026 | Recruitment Committee and Electoral College carry out selection and hearing of deputy vice-chancellor candidates. |
| December 2026 | University Board appoints deputy vice-chancellor. |
Contact
Johanna Sandahl
johanna [dot] sandahl [at] kommunikation [dot] lu [dot] se (johanna[dot]sandahl[at]kommunikation[dot]lu[dot]se)
Latest news on the process
Composition of the Recruitment Committee 2025/2026
University Board
- Ingrid Petersson, chair
- Sara Ek, teaching staff member
- Pernilla Johansson, external member
- Anton Silverbern, student member
Electoral College
- Gabriella Nilsson, teaching staff member
- Tomas Brage, teaching staff member
- Mårten Sommelius, non-academic staff member
- Teo Houmann, student member
Representatives from employee organisations and two officials (one of whom has HR expertise) are included in the group with the right to attend, express opinions and make proposals.