Erik Möllerström appointed new Dean at Halmstad University

“I am delighted that Erik has chosen to take on the role of Dean. He is already highly regarded within the School and is described by colleagues as attentive and humble, with strong confidence in the staff at FIH. I am convinced he will do an excellent job in driving the School’s development forward”, says Halmstad University’s Vice-Chancellor Susanna Öhman.

Erik Möllerström came to Halmstad University as a PhD student in 2012. He was hired as a Senior Lecturer in 2017, became Head of the Department of Construction and Energy Engineering in 2019 and was appointed Docent in 2023. His extensive experience in teaching, research and leadership at the School was one of the reasons he applied for the position of Dean.

“During my years at the University, I have gained good insight into how the School is organised and governed. After a period of expansion and increased research intensity, it is now time to refine what works well while examining areas with development potential”, says Erik Möllerström.

Familiar with the School’s challenges

With his many years of experience at the School, he is well acquainted with FIH’s challenges and the concerns on the horizon. He mentions, among other things, the difficult economic situation and the consequences it may have in the future.

“It’s about balancing improvement efforts in the best possible way – both to maintain the quality of our operations and to create conditions for future investments”, says Erik Möllerström.

Another challenge ahead, according to Erik Möllerström, is to continue developing the research programmes and strengthening the connection between research and education. He also highlights doctoral education as a central area, particularly the importance of broadening the subject offerings within the doctoral education area of Innovation Science.

“I see the School’s management team as a key resource in the continued development work. It will be us, rather than me alone, who will work on these and other issues”, he says.

Committed to preserving a multidisciplinary environment

But he does not only see challenges. There is warmth in his voice when he talks about FIH, a School he describes as “incredibly multidisciplinary and inspiring”.

“At a larger university, you would need to take the bus to bring together researchers and lecturers from as many different disciplines as we have in our lunchroom at FIH! This environment fosters many exciting projects, both in research and education, that would be very difficult to achieve otherwise”, says Erik Möllerström.

Erik Möllerström wants to continue to nurture and develop this multidisciplinary environment, including creating new forums for cross-boundary collaboration and deepening relationships both within the School and with the University’s other Schools. He sees the staff as a crucial resource in this:

“FIH has very competent staff whom I am glad to have by my side in our continued development work.”

Erik Möllerström will take up the role of Dean on 1 August. He looks forward to his new role and also the opportunity to participate in university-wide contexts.

“Even though my role will be new, I know FIH’s management team well, which provides a sense of security. It will also be exciting to be involved in university-wide issues and participate in the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Board. I’m looking forward to that”, he concludes.

Text: Lovisa Essunger

Photo: Magnus Karlsson