UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT. Five years ago, he was recruited by the Sahlgrenska Cancer Center. In 2015, he became the director of the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine (WCMTM). At the start of 2018, Göran Landberg takes up office as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for research.
A symphony orchestra is the perfect model of collaboration. That is the opinion of Göran Landberg, professor of pathology, new deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Gothenburg and dedicated cellist.
“Playing in an orchestra demands skill, total concentration and the ability to listen to other musicians. They all have their different areas of responsibility. Yet, they help each other out while also following the conductor’s baton. Truly successful collaborations usually work in that way too.”
Göran Landberg’s notable successes include leading the formation of The Christie, a new breast cancer centre in Manchester and now one of Europe’s largest cancer hospitals. He has also been one of six heads of division at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Since spring 2015, he has been the head of WCMTM. This latter is not only a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland, Astra Zeneca and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, but also a venture that involves collaborating with similar centres in Lund, Linköping and Umeå as well as with SciLifeLab in Stockholm.
The initiative involves, amongst other things, recruiting a large number of research leaders, both female and male.
A lack of gender equality in recruitment and financing is otherwise a recurrent issue in research.
“We must keep the gender equality discussion alive at all times. Who is applying for funds and who is getting them? Are women being given the same opportunities as men? As regards gender equality, the University of Gothenburg should be at the forefront.”
Göran Landberg feels that infrastructure is another significant research issue.
“We must collaborate with other higher education institutions and also build up and maintain infrastructures with our own and national resources. Furthermore, to optimise our own research environments, we must collaborate across department and faculty boundaries.”
The relationship between external funds and direct government funding for research and third-cycle programmes is, additionally, an ever current issue.
“As researchers, it is only natural that we sometimes wish our existence was not quite so precarious,” reveals Göran Landberg. “We sometimes feel it is far better in other countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland. However, they have their own problems and, all things considered, finance in Sweden is rather good.”
The University of Gothenburg usually lies between 150 and 200 in various rankings. Some individual disciplines, odontology and political science for example, rank far higher.
“We should work on being placed as high as we can in various rankings. Of course, we can’t be top in everything. Yet, to be successful, we must invest in creating optimum conditions for research. We must also sometimes take risks.”
As he is continuing his cancer research at Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göran Landberg’s deputy vice-chancellorship will be a slightly more than half-time position.
“I think it’s good to keep one foot in operations. Of course, my new duties will take up a lot of time. I know the Sahlgrenska Academy and the Faculty of Science best, but I have a strong interest in societal issues and the humanities. I hope I’ll soon familiarise myself with those operations too. Even if there is going to be a lot of work, I’ll make sure I also have time for my cello.”
Footnote: With the appointment of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Göran Landberg leaves the assignment as Director of the Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine. A new director will be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor in consultation with the Center’s steering group.
This article was first published by i GU Journalen, November 2017.
TEXT: EVA LUNDGREN OCH ALLAN ERIKSSON
FOTO: JOHAN WINGBORG
