Ulrika Sjöberg has recently been appointed Executive Director of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden a national knowledge and collaboration platform for social innovation. Forum for Social Innovation Sweden stakeholders from academia, the public sector, the business community, and civil society to address some of the most complex societal challenges of our time.
“It feels like a fresh start. With three decades of experience in academia, I see great potential to contribute to collaboration and social innovation,” says Ulrika Sjöberg.
She is a professor at Malmö University and most recently comes from a research career focused on children’s digital rights and innovations in children’s rights—an area that has also brought her into contact with Forum for Social Innovation Sweden.
– I’ve worked with Forum for Social Innovation Sweden a researcher and was impressed by the expertise and drive there. That made me even more interested in the assignment.
A broad mandate with strategic significance
As executive director, Ulrika Sjöberg will be responsible for both the day-to-day operations and the long-term development of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden. The role involves both fostering national collaboration among the five universities—the University of Borås, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University (coordinating institution), Umeå University, and Örebro University—and strengthening Forum for Social Innovation Sweden local and regional presence at Malmö University through education and research.
– Being part of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden our profile as a socially engaged institution. We share the same core values and goals, and our collaboration takes place at the local, national, and international levels. There are many exciting and important arenas in which to operate.
To both maintain and renew
With Ulrika Sjöberg at the helm, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden gains Forum for Social Innovation Sweden leader who will maintain the platform’s position—while continuing to develop its operations.
– The initial period as the new executive director is all about listening and getting to know the organization. After that, the focus shifts to working with the team to achieve the strategic goals outlined in the business plan.
An important part of the mission is to strengthen the link between Forum for Social Innovation Sweden the research and education activities of higher education institutions.
– My strategic role in relation to Malmö University will be to anchor Forum for Social Innovation Sweden firmly in ongoing research and education, as well as to foster synergies between projects and our regional hubs. That work will get underway this fall. I’m really looking forward to helping drive the development Forum for Social Innovation Sweden forward in close collaboration with dedicated colleagues.
About Ulrika Sjöberg
Title:Professor of Media and Communication Studies
Current role: NewExecutive Director of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden
Years at Mau:Since 2011
Other roles:Theme leader for “Home and Everyday Life,” Sustainable Digitalisation Research Centre; research leader for “The Best Interests of the Child: Strategic Communication with Children in the Welfare Sector”; member of the Human Rights Council at Malmö University; member of the Radio and TV Review Board.