Almedalsveckan: a highlight and a conclusion

In Almedalen, everyone from academia and politics to business and the public gathers, and Visby turns into a melting pot for discussions of vital and difficult issues. I love seeing the programme our colleagues at Medfarm offer, with many important conversations.

Great breadth and expertise

This year’s programme is more varied than ever and reflects the breadth of knowledge and expertise we have within our Disciplinary Domain. We offer seminars and panel discussions on clinical research, innovation in life sciences, sustainable resources in healthcare, and a sustainable working life. We will address the future of education and healthcare expertise, addiction research and mental health, and global health. The topics span local, regional, national and international levels, and there is strong engagement from panellists outside the walls of Uppsala University as well.

Not entirely unexpectedly, AI, digitalisation, and technological development will be one of the major areas highlighted at Almedalsveckan. This also applies to Medfarm’s seminars, where we will discuss AI in everything from examinations to implementation in healthcare. Another current topic is crisis preparedness, as well as our professions and our role in times of unrest. As in last year’s Almedalen, mental health and ill health are highlighted in many seminars and from different perspectives. Taken together, this shows the breadth of knowledge, education and research we have within this area.

Almedalsveckan provides a unique opportunity to influence

Why is it important that we are present? At Almedalsveckan, new, important contacts are made through panel discussions and active participation in seminars. In a small geographical area, we have the expertise and knowledge needed to discuss and potentially begin to untangle difficult issues that require the participation of many stakeholders. Above all, Almedalsveckan offers strong political engagement on site, this year further reinforced by the fact that it is an election year.

I very much look forward to concluding the spring semester’s work by making new contacts, discussing difficult issues and listening to our wise colleagues during a few summer days in Visby. This will be my last time at Almedalsveckan in the role of Vice-Dean for Collaboration within medicine and pharmacy.

Thank you for the trust you have shown me in this role.

Christel Bergström, Vice-Dean for Collaboration