The 2025 Gustaf Adolf Medal recipients

The Elder Gustaf Adolf Medal is also known as the Hedlinger Medal, after its engraver Johann Carl Hedlinger. The medal can be awarded, either in gold or silver, to individuals who have served as dean for a very long term, to heads of department who have initiated and directed extraordinarily significant work, and to individuals who have performed highly important investigative and similar work of great scope or long duration.

The medal was awarded by the University Board in connection with the awarding of the distinction “For Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm” (also referred to as “NOR”).

The Hedlinger Medal in gold is awarded to:

Lars Burman (born in 1958), professor of literary studies since 2001. He served as the University’s library director from 2012 to 2024. He has also served as head of department and adviser to the vice-chancellor.

During his time as library director, the library underwent a radical change in both the content of its activities and its organisation. Digitisation and technological development have been two major areas of focus. Burman has been a driving force in the work to make cultural heritage digitally accessible, both through strategic investments in the library and by initiating collaborations between major university libraries and the National Library of Sweden.

Lars Burman is a visionary and expansive person. At the same time, his leadership is characterised by a degree of caution and an understanding that change takes time. He has built a strong network within the library sector, both nationally and internationally. He has made a valuable contribution to its development through several books and articles with important perspectives on the conditions and challenges of university libraries.

Tora Holmberg has been professor of sociology at the Department of Sociology since 2015. She has made significant contributions to the success of Uppsala University through both her research and her leadership roles. In 2017, she was appointed vice-dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Subsequently, she was appointed deputy vice-chancellor of the Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2020. She held this position until January 2025, when she stepped down to take up the position of vice-chancellor of Umeå University shortly thereafter.

Holmberg’s commitment to creating inclusive and inspiring collaborative environments has had a strong impact on colleagues and students at Uppsala University. In her roles as vice-dean and deputy vice-chancellor, she has demonstrated exceptionally astute leadership by successfully managing complex challenges and spearheading strategic initiatives. Holmberg’s ability to lead with both firmness and compassion has created a strong and motivated organisation at the faculty and the disciplinary domain.

Eva Tiensuu Janson has been professor of medicine since 2008. She earned her medical degree from Uppsala University in 1988, became a specialist in endocrinology in 2001 and in internal medicine in 2002. She received her PhD in 1995, and became associate professor of experimental internal medicine as early as 1999.

Eva Tiensuu Janson served as head of one of the largest departments of the Faculty of Medicine, the Department of Medical Sciences, from 2009 to 2014. Her achievements as head of department and the esteem in which she was held by the faculty led to her appointment as dean of the Faculty of Medicine in 2014. She was elected as assistant deputy vice-chancellor of the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy (Medfarm) in 2020, and was re-elected to this position in 2023.

Eva Tiensuu Janson has been able to successfully combine research at the international forefront with key positions within Uppsala University in an admirable way. Her contributions as head of department, dean and now assistant deputy vice-chancellor are held in high regard by colleagues and staff. Her high legitimacy and reputation in clinical research in particular has been crucial for Medfarm’s good collaboration with Region Uppsala and the continued positive development of clinical research and education.

Ian Snowball received his PhD from Lund University in 1995 and then did a post-doctoral fellowship at Geological Survey of Finland before returning to Lund, where he became professor of quaternary geology in 2008. In 2012, he moved to Uppsala University, where he became professor and programme coordinator of the Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (NRHU) research programme, and later head of the Department of Earth Sciences.

During Ian Snowball’s tenure as head of department, there was a great deal of positive developments at the department, with several growing research environments. The department has a great disciplinary breadth in its activities, from geophysics and tectonics to sustainable development and meteorology. The department is home to a number of centres focusing on research and education, including CNDS, SMART, CLIMES, CEMUS and the Zennström Professorship in Climate Change Leadership.

Ian Snowball’s leadership combines ambition with excellent research and key societal relevance for understanding our world and how people affect it. He has contributed to the positive development of the department’s wide-ranging activities, including change management in the department's administrative support.

The Hedlinger Medal in silver is awarded to:

Eliane Forsse, who served as director of human resources at Uppsala University from August 2016 to November 2024. Her professional qualifications include social worker and licensed psychotherapist. She has had a long and successful career, including as head of social services in Örebro Municipality, internal consultant and HR manager at Örebro County Council, deputy department director at the Office of the National Police Commissioner, and acting regional office director of Police Region Syd.

During her time as director of human resources at Uppsala University, Eliane Forsse transformed the Human Resources Divisions into a modern HR unit that focused on providing the best possible support to the core activities. One example of this is the establishment of a “pool” of HR staff that the departments could call off services from. She also made improvements to the payroll process, significantly shortening it and making it much easier for departments and divisions.

As director of human resources, she supported managers at the University in challenging HR matters, and built trust with employee organisations and external partners. In her leadership, she has shown herself to be both someone who cares for her staff and a clear, communicative and committed manager.

Annica Hulth