Nils’s Academic Journey – An Inspiring Story

When Nils Eriksson, educational leader at Umeå University, began his academic career, it wasn’t necessarily a straight path upward. His fascination with academic opportunities began as the result of a love story that brought him from Stockholm to Umeå. It was a chance detour that opened the door to a world of opportunities in academia.

– I was living in Stockholm and had worked for a few years in industry and healthcare. I thought it was time to study something at university and had applied to a program in Uppsala. Then my partner, now my wife, was accepted in Umeå, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s close to my roots. Umeå will work just as well.’ It was really by chance that I started studying at Umeå University.

The Importance of Collaboration

Over the years, Nils’s interest in doctoral education grew, leading to a combination of teaching and research. He describes his first teaching assignment in the autumn of 1987 as a milestone in his career.

– I had just been offered a job at another government agency. At the same time, I was also asked if I wanted to work on a project and enroll in doctoral studies. I chose that because my interest had shifted in that direction.

Nils emphasizes the importance of collaboration and co-creation in both research and teaching. Working with colleagues and students from different backgrounds and disciplines has brought him both joy and success, showing the value of sharing knowledge and ideas.

– The most memorable thing really comes down to two connected parts: I got to both research and teach, and do it together with others.

I worked in an interdisciplinary project, which was both eye-opening and challenging

During his 37 years at the university, Nils has helped shape and develop both education and research. One of his most memorable experiences was working across disciplines, which allowed him to collaborate with people who had very different perspectives and ways of approaching research questions.

– Collaborating with people outside my own discipline, sociology, who had different approaches to research was extremely valuable. We were a close-knit group conducting interdisciplinary research for several years, resulting in multiple dissertations in different fields, Nils recalls.

A Changing University

Reflecting on his time at Umeå University, Nils notes that the work has become more complex and involves managing more tasks than before. The student body has also changed over time, bringing higher individual demands and expectations for teachers. Despite these challenges, he views the changes as mostly positive, even if they have brought increased complexity.

It’s never just one person who changes things, but being part of a process that leads to improvement is a reward in itself

Nils has been part of these changes by driving initiatives for development. Looking back on contributions such as digital examinations and pedagogical qualification systems, he sees how small steps can lead to significant transformations.

Supervision and Mentorship

Nils highlights the role of supervision and mentorship in his academic journey. Remembering the attentiveness and wisdom of his own supervisor, Jonas Höög in sociology, he recognizes the value of listening and being present for others.

– You only realize afterwards how much that supervision, that person, meant. He had a way of truly listening, of turning things over from all angles, and that’s something I’ve tried to carry with me whenever I’ve been in a mentoring role.

Retirement and the Road Ahead

As he approaches retirement, Nils looks forward to exploring new interests and opportunities. When asked what he plans to do, he laughs:

– What do old guys do when they retire? Well, they say I’ve got plenty to fix at the cabin.