At 40, TeA provides a glimpse into the University’s research

TeA Day gives our staff the opportunity to get a glimpse into the University’s research, while meeting colleagues who also work in technical support and administration. For 2026, science, networking and inspiration are all on offer under the headline “Från Hjärna till Framtid - Människans utveckling, kroppens mysterier och teknikens möjligheter” (From the Brain to the Future – Human Evolution, the Mysteries of the Body and the Possibilities of Technology).

“However, a day of lectures was not always organised in the past,” notes Åsa Isacson, who works at the University Administration and is one of those involved in organising TeA Day. “On one occasion, the network gathered and ate sausages on the steps of the University Main Building – after having listened to lectures. Nowadays, a normal lunch is included as part of the day,” she says.

Our own researchers give lectures and moderate proceedings

The origins of the network are somewhat unclear. Research by the current TeA working group shows that the network was probably first linked to the HR Division and a fund that covered some overheads and expenses. However, the original purpose seems to have been the same as today. Åsa Isacson again:

“The purpose of the network is to offer lectures by our own researchers, for our staff working in technical support and administration.”

In the past, excursions have also been organised in the spring, including to Gustavianum and Skokloster Castle, while the lectures were held in the autumn, around the name day for Tea on 23 September. The lectures were usually held at Polacksbacken, whose auditorium could accommodate up to 250 people. Since 2023, the lectures have been held in the University Main Building, in the Grand Auditorium, allowing a total of 600 people to attend. As the day is very popular, this enables everyone who wants to attend to do so.

In the past, external moderators were sometimes brought in for TeA Day, including Stina Wollter and Jacke Sjödin.

“This year, our own Anna-Sara Lind from the Department of Law will be the moderator,” says Åsa Isacson.

Voluntary efforts over a long period of preparations

The TeA Day planning group comprises people from different parts of the University. It currently includes Anna Henriksson from the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, SciLifeLab Data Centre; Veronica Hammar from the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology; Camilla Bergström from the National Centre for Knowledge on Men’s Violence Against Women (NCK); and Åsa Isacson from the University Administration.

“Everything rests on voluntary efforts,” says Åsa Isacson, “but it’s really a lot of fun to be involved in organising this day.”

Trying to put together a good programme that interests the employees is obviously a challenge, but Åsa Isacson feels that every year the working group is better prepared and more knowledgeable in this respect. The researchers are also very interested and keen to share what they do. The group has distributed the tasks across its members. Work on next year’s TeA Day will start immediately after the summer holidays

“Although there’s a very long preparation period involving a lot of meetings, the work is also very energising,” notes Åsa Isacson.

The HR Division no longer organises the day, but HR Director Pia Lindberg says:

“TeA Day is a great opportunity to bring support services closer together with core activities, increase understanding of the research carried out at our University, foster pride, and increase cohesion among our technical and administrative staff. This day is of great value.”

Ulrika Hurtig