Dean Anja Sandström: “The Faculty of Pharmacy stands stronger than ever”

You are the new Dean of Sweden’s only Faculty of Pharmacy. How does it feel?
Above all, I am immensely honoured and proud to have been entrusted with leading an outstanding faculty in every respect. I come directly from my role as Deputy Dean, with responsibility for first- and second-cycle education, and I choose to see the step up to the role of Dean as proof that I continue to have the faculty’s support for the form of leadership I represent.

What do you hope to bring to the role of Dean?
To, through transparency and responsiveness, build on the strong commitment that defines our entire faculty. More specifically, I want to contribute to our continued strategic development, where collegiality and well-defined goals create the best possible conditions for teachers and researchers to continue delivering high-quality teaching, research and innovation

How does it feel to hand over the role of Deputy Dean to your successor, Christian Sköld?
Very positive. Christian has already held several strategically important positions – most recently as Deputy Head of Department and Programme Coordinator – and consistently delivers at the highest level. With Christian, our Faculty of Pharmacy has appointed an experienced, thoughtful and very wise Deputy Dean who will undoubtedly bring great value to our educational programmes.

Where does the Faculty of Pharmacy stand in autumn 2026?
I would say stronger than ever. Not least thanks to the strong work carried out by the faculty under my predecessor, Mathias Hallberg. Our recruitments and initiatives deliver fruitful results. Interest in our educational programmes is growing. We are successful in both major calls for research funding and the collaborations we engage in – and all of this is reflected in the international rankings, where both our faculty and our researchers are making impressive progress.

Where do you see the greatest scope for further development?
In the pharmaceutical sciences, AI, new technologies and interdisciplinary approaches are opening up entirely new research opportunities that we are currently working to make the most of. I also see potential for us to become an even more important resource in matters relating to pharmaceutical practice and policy. For example, how can we best make use of our expertise in the ongoing development of Swedish pharmaceutical preparedness and the role of pharmacists?

What is currently at the top of the faculty’s agenda?
Our initiative in regulatory science is now taking concrete shape. We have recruited three promising PhD students and are ready to launch our new research school. The initiative is attracting interest both within Uppsala University and among our partners, and we are convinced that it will generate significant value in the pharmaceutical field.

text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt a o