Kristian Widén appointed new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for collaboration and innovation

“Kristian Widén has extensive experience with and knowledge in collaboration and innovation, both practically and academically. I am very pleased that he is taking on the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, which allows us to further utilise his experience and competence within the University management. Kristian leads one of our two profiled focus areas and has a well-documented ability for both internal collaboration and external utilisation”, says Vice-Chancellor Susanna Öhman.

Since his time as an industrial doctoral student, Kristian Widén has been situated at the intersection between academia and the surrounding society, not the least industry. He was a doctoral student representative on the board of the national research school Competitive Building, as well as secretary in Byggrådet – a collaborative body between academia and the construction industry in Skåne. He has also been Chair of the Swedish Association for Quality and during that time also owner representative in the association’s wholly owned certification company, Qvalify.

Extensive experience with collaboration

Kristian Widén holds a Doctor of Technology degree and defended his thesis at Lund University in 2006. He then continued as a lecturer there until 2014, when he instead joined Halmstad University. Here, he has been a teacher, researcher, supervisor and member of the Research and Education Board. He was inaugurated as a Professor of Innovation Science in 2021. During the University’s time as a Knowledge Foundation Environment, he led the strategic development work that led to the establishment of the second profile area, later focus area, Smart Cities and Communities in 2018. He has also, together with Fredric Ottermo, led the development of the Master’s programme Energy Smart Innovation in the Built Environment, which started in 2019.

“Through my many different roles and assignments, I have gained a comprehensive view of the opportunities and challenges that Halmstad University faces, both in daily work and on a more strategic level. I hope to contribute to developing the understanding of the benefits of collaboration, internally as well as with our existing and potential partners”, says Kristian Widén.

Continues as Leader for the Foucus Area

The assignment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor is for three years with the possibility of extension and comprises 40 per cent of a full-time position. The remaining time, Kristian Widén will continue to serve as focus area leader at 40 per cent of full-time, as well as teaching and researching at 20 per cent.

“Halmstad University generally has a good reputation for its close connection to the surrounding society, and I want to continue to develop and strengthen that. In the focus area, we have worked extensively to strengthen ties with both strategic partners and other partners with whom it is strategically important to collaborate. We have focused on building valuable relationships, which I intend to continue developing in my new role as well”, says Kristian Widén.

Text: Selma Sedelius

Photo: Ida Fridvall