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Change of Head of Department at ILM: "It should be easy for managers to do the right thing"

Portrait of woman. Photo.
Karolin Hansén Nord will take on the role as Head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine (ILM). Photo: Agata Garpenlind.

Karolin Hansén Nord will take on the role of Head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine (ILM) at the end of this year. What attracts most is the opportunity to influence and promote the development of the department.
"We are facing several challenges, but I see them as opportunities for improvement," she says.

How does it feel?

"Very exciting! It´s a big responsibility, but I´m motivated and I look forward to leading the Department forward.”

What attracts you the most about the assignment?

"It´s the opportunity to influence and promote the development of the department. We are facing several challenges, but I see them as opportunities for improvement. As a leader, I draw significant inspiration from the transformational leadership model developed by the Swedish Defense University. This approach focuses on fostering growth, innovation, and motivation by empowering individuals and promoting a shared vision, which aligns closely with my leadership philosophy.”

What are your expectations? 

"The role of Head of Department is an important task, and I look forward to working closely with the Department’s research group leaders. My role will be to listen to the organization’s needs and turn plans into action. My aim is to streamline and enhance management tasks, making them more efficient and appealing for future Heads of Department and research group leaders. In short, it should be easy for leaders to make the right decisions."

Have you already identified any important issues that you want to work on as Head of Department?

"Through my previous roles as member of the Department Board and Assistant Head of Department with a focus on work environment issues, I have gained a valuable insights into the organization and established key relationships. Some of my main priorities will be to foster a safe and collaborative work environment, support continuous professional development for all staff, including technical and administrative personnel, ensure the department's financial stability and strengthen external collaboration and internal relations for strategic initiatives and recruitment efforts."

"I will be supported in these efforts by the Assistant Heads of Department, the administrative office and, notably, our future Deputy Head of Department Johan Flygare. It is also essential that we regularly reflect on our work, asking ourselves whether we are doing the right things, not just doing things right.”

How do you view the collaboration with the other Heads of Department?

"I believe that fostering an open dialogue with the other Heads of Department within the faculty is essential. By leveraging each other's strengths, we can identify synergies that will benefit the entire Faculty. Insights from other faculties can also be highly valuable, and I have already planned a meeting with a Head of Department from another faculty at Lund University.”

About Karolin Hansén Nord

Current title/role: Assistant Head of Department for health, safety and work environment issues, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer and Head of Research Group at the Division of Clinical Genetics, ILM.

Education: Master's degree in Medical Biology from Linköping University and PhD in experimental clinical genetics from Lund University. Previous professional experience: Is it possible to work outside the university?

Family: Two daughters, 9 and 13 years old.

Hobbies: Hiking, running and downhill skiing.

Last book read: Do I have to have read it? I have many half-read books on my bedside table, and right now "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle is at the top.

Last Seen Movie in the cinema: Wonka