Sophie on FyFa's change journey
‘By making this change journey together, we can build a stronger future for FyFa and ensure that physiology and pharmacology remain central subjects in education and research at KI - and in the world' says Head of Department Sophie Erhardt.
When Sophie took over as Head of FyFa in 2022, she and the management team embarked on a change programme to create a stronger and more united FyFa. Here she answers some questions about the change journey: Why does FyFa need to change? What challenges do we face? And how will we work to achieve our goals?
Sophie, what is the change journey for you?
The change journey is about creating a place where physiology and pharmacology are at the centre. We need to address a number of challenges, both internal and external, and we need to work on identity and direction to strengthen who we are as a department. Together, we are creating a high-quality workplace, teaching and research environment, working towards common goals.
Why does FyFa need to change?
To ensure that FyFa is here for the next generation. We need to adapt and strengthen our department for the future. Without change, we risk marginalising physiology and pharmacology as subjects and research areas, and we may find it difficult to maintain our relevance and competence within KI and in society.
'The change journey is about creating a place where physiology and pharmacology are at the centre.'
What are the challenges we must overcome?
We have key challenges in areas such as finances, generational change, sustainability and community that we must overcome to be strong in the future. One of the biggest challenges for FyFa is also that physiology and pharmacology as subjects are in danger of disappearing or being overshadowed. These are key subjects for training the doctors of the future and for society at large, but I am proud and happy that we maintain a good standard.
What is the vision we should strive for?
My vision is for FyFa to be a strong and creative department where we work together towards pioneering physiology and pharmacology to drive next generation discoveries and health care. We will also be a sustainable department where we care about each other, feel job satisfaction, community and security for the future.
How do we achieve this goal?
By creating good conditions for work at FyFa, a good organisation and efficient processes where it is clear what is expected of everyone. Our new educational organisation is a step on the journey towards this goal. Getting an efficient and sustainable resource allocation system is another. At the same time, it is very important that we communicate better and create an even better sense of ‘we’ - a ‘FyFa spirit’ - at the department.
What message do you want to send about the change journey?
I hope that everyone feels excited and hopeful about the change journey. We need to trust the process and have confidence that it will be good. This change journey is a step towards a better and stronger FyFa. A lot of work has been done so far behind the scenes, in the management team, in working groups and in PI meetings. Now we have reached a point where we can communicate much more and also involve everyone at the department. We encourage everyone to take part, give feedback and contribute to making FyFa a place where everyone can thrive and develop. You can always read about the latest steps in the change journey on the ‘Change at FyFa’ page.
'pioneering physiology and pharmacology to drive next generation discoveries and health care'