New HR Director anticipates rapid digital evolution

You haven’t begun your role yet at the time of our interview, but I have to ask: how does it feel?
“I feel extremely excited about coming to Uppsala and getting started,” replies Lindberg. “It will be exciting to get to know Uppsala University and familiarise myself with its HR activities. I've already had the chance to meet some of the managers and staff during an AI day. My impression is that I’m joining a good team and a well-functioning organisation.”

Pia Lindberg has a solid CV; she holds both a teaching qualification and a doctorate in history. Not from Uppsala University, however, but from Örebro University. She has also worked at Mälardalen University and most recently at the Swedish Police Authority, alternating between the Kronoberg building in Kungsholmen and the old police academy at Sörentorp in Solna.

Why did you decide to apply for the role of HR Director here at Uppsala University?
“HR issues have always been close to my heart, both when working in various senior management positions in the higher education sector and in recent years when I worked on HR processes at the Swedish Police Authority,” says Lindberg.

HR increasingly important

HR will become an increasingly important development area for all employers in the future, according to Lindberg – a trend linked to developments in society and challenges in terms of skills supply and technological development.

“The opportunity to combine my experience from the academic world with my experience as an HR manager at the Police Authority feels extremely stimulating and I really look forward to contributing to the continued development of HR at Uppsala University,” explains Lindberg.

Academics are no strangers to Lindberg. She herself is a member of that group, holding a doctorate in history.

How can you benefit from this when joining us?
“Above all else, because I feel at home in the academic environment and have an understanding of academic culture,” replies Lindberg. “In addition to that, I have a relatively good understanding of the conditions and requirements of educational and research activities. I have first-hand experience of managers’ need for support services when it comes to leading and managing educational and research activities.”

Lindberg has held several positions in academia, including manager, senior faculty administrator and coordinator. She has also served as a member of the faculty board and a member of the assessment panel for the Swedish Higher Education Authority.

“I feel that a relatively good understanding of quality issues linked to both education and research is an advantage in the role of HR director,” continues Lindberg.

What other skills are you bringing with you?
“I have worked a lot ON digitalisation and the digital transformation and am interested in how we can use technology to improve our ways of working and increase the quality of what we do,” says Lindberg. “Having worked in a politically-driven organisation that is constantly in the political and media spotlight, I am used to dealing with the media and handling collaborations across authorities.

What and where should HR be in the future?

During her initial period at Uppsala University, Lindberg will focus on getting to know the University. She wants to listen to staff and managers to get a sense of what is working well, what needs improvement and what the biggest challenges are.

If we meet in a year’s time, do you dare to foretell something you will have been involved in changing at Uppsala University or something else that will stand out among your achievements?
“When I am more familiar with the organisation, my focus will be on our goals and vision,” replies Lindberg. “It’s a question of where or what we want HR to be in a few years and how best to get there.”

AI is something that Lindberg believes will affect us more in the future than we realise today.

“If I were to predict, which I don’t really like to do, I think within a year that will be the area in which we see the biggest changes,” says Lindberg.

Ulrika Hurtig