Focus on improved support for researchers

Can you describe the basic idea behind unifying the University’s research support in the new Division for Research and Partnership Support?

“Uppsala University is a leading university and currently has very good research and collaboration support, but there is room to refine the support to meet new requirements and conditions. The funding landscape is constantly changing and research support needs to adapt to the current situation.

“There will be a clearer path to research support for the University’s researchers, with one goal being to be able to meet more needs than we can at present. One of the reasons for the division is to bring together different competences and expertise in areas such as collaboration support, project management, research advice, communication, EU support and finance, and to work together to make it more efficient and better.

“There is also a need for comprehensive support and thorough preparation of evidence for the University Management and other management functions to govern and prioritise support resources and activities, which the new division will provide.”

What do you consider the biggest challenge for the division?

“We will need to work on our priorities. The division will be made up of more than 40 people who are experts in various fields. At the same time, there are about 5,000 employees who conduct research at Uppsala University, and in addition to the researchers, we will support the University Management. There will be a lot of people for us to help. But there is a major upside – effective support benefits many researchers who in turn can apply for more and bigger projects. I'm looking forward to working with the other divisions and the faculty offices to enhance research support.”

Your activities will formally start on 1 January 2025, but you have already started your work as a full-time Head of Division. What are you working on now in autumn 2024?

“Among other things, I am getting to know and discussing how we should work together with the other divisions of the University Administration and the research support in the disciplinary domains. We’re planning for all staff to move in and be located together in the Segerstedt Building. We are also having intensive discussions in the staff group that will comprise the division. Finally, I am acting Head of the Innovation Partnership Office until the end of the year.”

In which areas have you worked previously at Uppsala University?

“I started studying at Uppsala University in 1993 and have spent most of my career here.  I have had a research team since 2007 and most recently came from the Department of Medical Cell Biology where I was Professor and Head of Department. In addition to teaching and research, I have also been involved in the sphere of innovation and collaboration across disciplinary domains and have been involved in establishing research infrastructures, competence centres and two companies as research spin-offs.” 

What prompted you to apply for the position of Head of the new Division for Research and Partnership Support?

“I became aware that the position had been advertised and it sounded exciting and interesting. Launching a new division with broad support for management and all researchers is an exciting challenge.

“There is a fantastic range of expertise among the staff who will be working at the division; they are experts in different areas and together we will enhance research support.”

Anders Berndt