Maria Kjellsson and Karin Svensberg win the Distinguished Teaching Award 2025

The Faculty congratulates Maria Kjellson, Professor of Pharmacokinetics, on receiving Uppsala University's Independent Distinguished Teaching Award 2025, which this year recognizes efforts for "Belonging and Participation". Maria Kjellson is the first teacher at our Faculty of Pharmacy to receive the Independent Award.

“I am genuinely surprised and above all very honored by this recognition of being a skilled teacher, but which must also be placed in the right context: I have amazing colleagues who have received pedagogical awards and been named excellent teachers. To work in this environment where teaching is regarded as something highly positive is both inspiring and makes you grow, says Maria Kjellson, who has a deep and far-reaching commitment to the Faculty of Pharmacy's First and Second cycle programmes.

Maria Kjellsson teaches international Master’s students at an early stage in their encounters with the Swedish academic context, and the motivation states that Maria "has taught herself more about cultural differences and mental illness, and through this she has developed an understanding of the challenges that these students face and developed strategies that enable her to respond to them in the best possible way. Maria engages her students by showing interest in their backgrounds and is keen to create a sense of belonging in the group. Students speak of her as an inspiring mentor and role model, not least because of her inclusive approach."

“This student group faces the same challenges as all students, but must also learn to understand Sweden, Swedes and the hierarchically flat structure of our Swedish academy. When the honeymoon with the new is over and November darkness falls, it is easy to feel homesick. In order to perform on top, both students and teachers must be aware of these challenges, and here we have an important task. Why not start with a course component to increase awareness of signs of mental illness, as this group is often under greater pressure but lacks full knowledge of our Swedish healthcare system,” says Maria Kjellsson.

Our Faculty also congratulates Karin Svensberg, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, on receiving the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award in the area of Medicine and Pharmacy – not least for her decisive commitment to creating the Practicum's authentically furnished training pharmacies, where students are given the opportunity to practise their skills in a safe environment based on realistic cases.

“The award is an incredibly honorable recognition of all the work we have put into developing Practicum's training environments, which our students have embraced in the best possible way. Right now they are onsite and practicing how to run a pharmacy, and just the other day they welcomed the British ambassador who was highly impressed with her experience,” says Karin Svensberg.

The award motivation emphasizes Karin Svensberg's skills in integrating her research and experience from outpatient care pharmacies into her teaching, as well as Karin’s abilities to develop course content and practical exercises around patient-centred drug communication and pharmaceutical care that help students acquire a clearer picture of their upcoming role as professionals.

“Our education is above all a team effort, and for me, our Department o Pharmacy is characterized by a creative, competent and supportive faculty that always welcomes new ideas. I hope this award will provide extra inspiration for our continued work to conduct and develop qualitative and relevant education that gives future generations of pharmaceutical experts the knowledge they need in their upcoming careers.”

text: Magnus Alsne, photo: M Wallerstedt, T Sterner, M Alsne