The initiative included both assistant professors and visiting professors. The budget for visiting professors has tripled – from the planned SEK 10 million to just over SEK 30 million.
In total, 32 visiting professors have been recruited, compared with the original plan of 10. In addition, 13 assistant professors have been recruited.
All told, the initiative means that 45 researchers will begin their assignments at Lund University in the spring of 2026.
“We chose to move forward with more than we originally planned as a response to the exceptionally strong field of applicants that included many high-quality applications and very interesting collaboration partners for Lund University,It’s interesting to look more closely at what has attracted the researchers. Besides the University’s good reputation, many regard Lund and Sweden as a model example of a well-functioning democracy with strong academic freedom and an open and equal society,” says Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.
Read more about the recruitment drive here.
Guest professor at the Department of Service Studies
To our department we can welcome Michael Hall. Michael has been a guest at the department several times before. He has also previously received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Social Sciences. Below is an interview with Micheal.
Why did you choose Lund University?
I have a long connection with researchers from Lund University and especially in tourism and service studies. I received an honorary doctorate from the University so it is really nice as a more experience researcher to be able to continue to work with people and encourage the further development of leading research where I can.
Can you briefly describe your current research?
My work has a number of connected strands but broadly I look at issues of sustainability, resilience, consumption, and regional development in relation to tourism and services. Looking at the interrelationships at different scales as well as the significance of factors such as geopolitics, digital technologies, and political consumerism.
What will be your main research focus during your time at Lund University?
In terms of research it will most like be in the area of sustainable consumption and degrowth but also seeing how it links in with organisational, community and individual behaviours. But some of time will also be spent sharing with colleagues and students about how we best do research in the current environment.
See interviews with all guest researchers in the Global Excellence programme.
