Annika Östman Wernerson: We need a new resource allocation model

Many of us at KI have already started preparing and working for the new term, but it doesn’t beat the feeling when our programmes start with roll-calls, “campus days” and a welcome ceremony for new students. 

My summer with family and friends, my dog and nature experiences, has brought both rest and anticipation. Coming back to KI with all the creative and committed colleagues and students, gives me a sense of pride, and I hope it applies to all of you before a new academic year!

The university management – Vice-President Martin Bergö, University Director Veronika Sundström and I – will be bringing last spring’s productive departmental meetings into our work as we discuss with the deans and departmental managers how we can best structure the day-to-day dialogue between the university management and the departments. Our intention is to meet the KI South, North and Solna departmental groups more frequently.

Distribution of government research grants

On 30 August, I’ll be deciding on a new resource allocation model to be brought in in 2025. This is being done at the request of the University Board to make the distribution of government research grants easier and more effective, and to meet external demands and internal needs. During the winter of 2023 and spring of 2024, a specially appointed committee held a large number of meetings with different parts of the university, basing its work on the principles that the groups were largely in agreement about. The criteria for a new model include: a flat rate for all departments and regular use of the grant, thus reducing administrative capital. By creating greater predictability, clarity and opportunities for strategic investment, the new resource allocation model will help to bring KI together as a whole.

The external review of the freezer malfunction

The external review of the internal investigation into the freezer malfunction at Neo during the Christmas weekend of 2023 was presented on 20 August. The report backs up the internal investigation, which pinpointed a long chain of failures regarding responsibilities and quality assurance in a number of areas. All this will require remedial action that is, in many respects, already underway under our strategic research areas. I see the report as extra impetus towards KI’s goals. 

No less important is our internal dialogues in management forums and with colleagues. We now invite you all to additional open dialogue meetings, one on 3 December in Solna and one on 5 December in Flemingsberg. See you there for some productive discussion!

Thank you to all the staff at BioNut and MedH

On 1 July, KI went down from 22 to 21 departments as the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (BioNut) became a division of the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH). The integration process will now continue within MedH. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the staff at BioNut and MedH, and to our Professional Services and the project organisation who have all worked so hard on this departmental reform, which has boosted the work KI is doing on its strategic focus areas as well as the “we” spirit within KI as a whole.

I look forward to working with you all this forthcoming autumn term!