Strategic councils
There are four strategic councils at Umeå University that act advisory to the University within their fields – education, research, administration and equal opportunities.
The University Management is the second-highest decision-making body at Umeå University – after the University Board. The Vice-Chancellor holds the highest position at the University and leads the day-to-day work of the University Management. The Vice-Chancellor is also the primary representative of the University both within and outside of the organisation.
The Vice-Chancellor is employed by the Government, after proposal from the University Board, for a maximum term of office of six years. The term may extended, but no more than twice at a maximum of three years per extension.
Beside the Vice-Chancellor, the University Management also consists of
Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor:
Sara Rambe
Executive Assistant to the University Director, Assistant University Director and the Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Katarina Andersson
Academy clerk: Daniel Andersson
Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University
ImageMattias PetterssonTora Holmberg is Vice-Chancellor from 1 April 2025.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Patrik Danielson
ImageHans KarlssonPatrik Danielson is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Deputy to the Vice-Chancellor) / Vice President of the University.
Executive Assistant is Sara Rambe.
Read more about Patrik Danielson.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Thomas Olofsson
ImageHans KarlssonThomas Olofsson is deputy Vice-Chancellor for resarch.
Executive Assistant is Katarina Andersson
Read more about Thomas Olofsson
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cathrine Norberg
ImageMattias PetterssonThe Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education is Cathrine Norberg. Her post also includes third stream activities and internationalisation within her area.
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University from 1 January 2023, Cathrine Norberg will have special responsibility for educational issues at undergraduate and graduate level, including collaboration and internationalisation in undergraduate and graduate education.
Cathrine Norberg is Professor of English at the Department of Language Studies.
Contact details and list of publications for Cathrine Norberg
ImageMattias Pettersson
The University Director is Hans Wiklund. The University Director is the highest administrative manager at Umeå University and heads the entire operational support of the University.
Hans Wiklund took office as University Director of Umeå University on 1 March 2020.
Hans Wiklund, born in 1972, has a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Umeå University. Thereafter, he completed his PhD in political science at Jönköping International Business School and worked as a research fellow in the US for some time.
Previous to joining Umeå University, Hans Wiklund had a position as Regional Director at Region Västernorrland and before that he was Director of Regional Development. Hans Wiklund also has experience from working at the Government Offices of Sweden, more specifically at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs from 2008–2011.
ImageMattias Pettersson
The Assistant University Director is Per Ragnarsson. He is also budget director and Head of the Planning Office. His role as budget director also includes comprehensive economic matters, such as for instance budget and distribution of resources, follow-ups and calculations.
The Assistant University Director forms a part of the University Management.
There are four strategic councils at Umeå University that act advisory to the University within their fields – education, research, administration and equal opportunities.
Learn more about the advisory and decision-making bodies at Umeå University. These committees, boards and councils decide on university-wide matters and advise the Vice-Chancellor or other boards and councils.
Umeå University has ties to many corporations and foundations that help strengthen and improve our contacts with trade and industry. Together we share knowledge and develop new ideas.