New head of UUniFI: sights set on future research

UUniFI will comprise six different research institutes; at the time of writing, directors have not been appointed for all of the research institutes. However that process is in full swing and is expected to be completed shortly. Tobias Sjöblom will be the formal manager of the directors and the administrative staff employed at UUniFI.

“My role as head of UUniFI involves creating the best possible conditions for the six institute directors to ensure that UUniFi reaches its goals within its given parameters,” says Tobias Sjöblom.

The initial work will involve creating solid, common working methods and processes so that each of the directors can focus on leading their institute’s research activities.

“It also means ensuring that UUniFi can be implemented in the University’s core activities, as the funds will be used out in the University’s various departments,” he adds.

Biggest challenge still unknown

The biggest challenge with UUniFI is still unknown according to Tobias Sjöblom, but the initial challenge is quite concrete: to develop simple, well-functioning and transparent models for how the funds in UUniFi will be put to work out in the University’s core activities.

“The goal is for these models to be understood and accepted by researchers, administrators and heads of department in all the disciplinary domains. A second challenge will be to deliver such a valuable activity that UUniFi will become an obvious part of the University in the long term”, says Tobias Sjöblom.

The vision is that UUniFI will engage the University very broadly to develop and implement interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects of the highest scientific quality in the research institutes’ spheres of activity. The actual formats for the institutes’ activities will be crystallised in 2026.

Sights set on completely new research environments

How will UUniFI succeed in its activities within the University? But perhaps most importantly, what does that success look like? Tobias Sjöblom believes that is an important question to ask before UUniFi starts its operations.

“My vision is that organisational success would mean that our institutes and researchers, regardless of their disciplinary domain, would see UUniFi as a fantastic opportunity to get support to revitalise their research,” he says.

He continues this line of reasoning with a few concrete examples.

“We will be supporting interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects that, after a few years, will attract external grants from national and international funding bodies. After a few more years, they will deliver research findings of the highest scientific quality in important areas where we were not active previously. Many people at different levels within the University will be engaged in continuing professional development in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary activities. In addition, we will see completely new, externally funded research environments that have their origins in UUniFi”, says Tobias Sjöblom.

UUniFI will formally begin its operations from 1 January 2026 and its ceremonial opening is scheduled for February 2026.

Johan Ahlenius