Women at Uppsala University to become a jubilee book in 2027
The author and literary scholar Carina Burman is writing a book about women at Uppsala University, which will be published on International Women’s Day during Uppsala University’s jubilee year in 2027. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt, Uppsala University
In 2027, Uppsala University will celebrate its 550th anniversary. Over the years, there have been many men at the University, and they have been very visible. But what about the women? Uppsala author Carina Burman took on the task of writing a book in time for the jubilee: Kvinnorna vid Uppsala universitet – en historia (Women at Uppsala University: A History).
The idea of writing about women at Uppsala University first came up in the early 2000s. In 2007, the Vice-Chancellor formally approved a book project on the subject. For various reasons, the project was put on hold. But then the idea for the book resurfaced at a meeting of the 550th anniversary steering group in the spring of 2022. Carina Burman, who has written around 25 books and is a docent in literary studies, had already been asked to take on the task back in 2007. In 2023, she finally began to write the history of women at Uppsala University.
“I have compiled information on all the women who enrolled at the University between 1872 and 1922,” Burman says. “All in all, there are 1,100 women. In some cases there is plenty to be found, whilst in others there is almost nothing at all. The register of the Women Students’ Association has been a valuable source and is very comprehensive.”
A lesson involving 40 men, one woman and a corpse
According to the author, the book on women at Uppsala University is expected to run to around 500 pages in total, of which 300 pages will be pure text. It will contain an index of names and an index of places and of course numerous pictures.
“I have an image editor to help me, but the pictorial matter has been a particular pleasure and there are plenty of strange pictures,” says Burman. “For example, I have come across pictures of teaching sessions in medicine featuring 40 male students and one woman – along with a corpse.”
Burman says she was given free rein in her book about women at the University.
“It will be a broad and accessible history for the general public,” she says. “The book is about women, wives, daughters, cleaners, administrative staff, and even prostitutes. Of course, the primary theme is how these women conquered the University. To be sure, not all of them graduated; some got married instead. But some carried on working despite getting married. The women found one another and worked together. And many became teachers.”
During her research, Burman has come across a great deal of fascinating material.
“I got excited about all sorts of things,” she says. “Some people become major characters in the book – there is material about them. One way to find it is via their husbands and sons, which says a lot...”
Student cap approved for women as well
The Women Students’ Association is one of the fascinating sources that Carina Burman has explored in greater depth. The association was founded in 1892 and initially consisted of eight women.
“The association served the same function as a student nation,” she explains. “Events with a variety of activities were organised, lectures were given by researchers, and excursions were arranged. However, one reason for establishing the association was that the women felt they should have the right to wear the student cap. At that time, it was not considered appropriate for women to wear the student cap. They were only allowed to be seen wearing their caps in the school leaving photo. However, at the Valborg celebrations in 1892, the women in the association attended the cap-donning ceremony with their respective student nations. They then kept their caps on. After that, it somehow became acceptable for women to wear the student cap as well.”
Publication date 8 March 2027
With just a year to go before the book is due to be published, Burman reveals that she still has the final chapter to write. The draft will then be ready for proofreading.
The book will be published by Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, Series C, University History. The plan is for the book to go on sale at Carolina Rediviva and Gustavianum, among other places, on 8 March 2027, International Women’s Day.
“Hopefully, the book will be available at bookshops in Uppsala as well,” says Burman. “Kvinnorna vid Uppsala universitet will be a handsome book.”
Ulrika Hurtig
Uppsala University: 550 years
Uppsala University celebrates its 550th anniversary in 2027.
The jubilee will have five themes:
- The University and Culture
- The University and Future Generations
- The University in Society
- The University Locally and Globally
- The University Moving Forward
The 2027 jubilee will be celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the year, with a range of activities in Uppsala.
The book Kvinnorna vid Uppsala universitet (Women at Uppsala University) by Carina Burman, author and literary scholar at Uppsala University, will be published on 8 March 2027.
There will also be a continuation of Uppsala universitets historia (The History of Uppsala University), a project that began to be published in book form to mark the University’s 400th anniversary in 1877 and was supplemented with two further volumes in 2012. During the 2027 jubilee year, University Historian Carl Frängsmyr will complete the final two volumes.