Presidents over the years

Martin Nilsson Jacobi is President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology since September 2023. He is professor of complex systems. With a background in theoretical physics, he switched research direction into the interdisciplinary field of complex systems during his PhD studies. In his career he has held several leading positions in academia, including being chairman of the Faculty Senate and Head of Department at Chalmers. He also has international research experience.

Stefan Bengtsson was President and CEO of Chalmers from 2015 to 2023. He is Professor of Solid-state Electronics. Professor Bengtsson’s research field is micro and nanoelectronics, with a particular focus on silicon-based materials and components. He has published over 100 articles in international journals and conference proceedings. Since September 2023, Stefan Bengtsson is chairman of the Board of Directors.

Karin Markides was President and CEO of Chalmers from 2006 to 2015. She is a professor of analytical chemistry and has previously worked and researched at Stockholm University and Uppsala University in Sweden and at Brigham Young University in the United States. Professor Markides has been a member of the class for chemistry at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences since 1999 and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences since 1992. She was awarded the Chalmers Medal in 2017, a medal given to those whose contribution to the University’s work and development has been exceptional.

Jan-Eric Sundgren was President of Chalmers from 1998 to 2006. He is a professor of Thin film Physics and has previously held positions at Linköping University, Sweden and the University of Illinois, USA. Professor Sundgren has been General Secretary of the former Swedish Council for Technological Research and active within the former Swedish Scientific Research Council. He was awarded a grant from the Jacob Wallenberg Foundation in 1984, and in 1995 he received the John Thornton Memorial Award.

Bernt Rönnäng was President of Chalmers Lindholmen University College (Chalmers Lindholmen högskola AB) from 1998 to 2004 and helped to establish  Lindholmen Science Park. He was awarded his doctorate in the field of Radio Astronomy and Electromagnetic Wave Theory. In 1977 he became Professor of Radioelectronic Systems Engineering at Onsala Space Observatory and in 1993 became Vice President with responsibility for the college’s doctoral programmes and research. Rönnäng was awarded the Chalmers Medal in 2005.

Anders Sjöberg was President of Chalmers from 1989 to 1998. He gained his MSc in engineering at Chalmers and became a professor of Hydraulics in 1978. He was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in 1990. Following his time as President at Chalmers, Professor Sjöberg became Chair of the Board of Chalmers Lindholmen University College. He was awarded the Gustaf Dalén Medal by the Chalmers Alumni Association in 2000 and the Chalmers Medal in 2001.

Sven Olving was President of Chalmers from 1974 to 1989 and was Professor of Electron Physics. Before becoming President, he was First Vice President of Chalmers from 1966 to 1974. He also worked at Cornell University, USA. Olving was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg and Sigma Xi in the United States. He was presented with the City of Gothenburg Merit Award in 1991.

Nils Gralén was President of Chalmers from 1966 to 1974. He was awarded his doctorate by Uppsala University and was Professor of Textile Chemistry at Chalmers between 1948 and 1977. He was also First Vice President at Chalmers from 1958 prior to becoming President. He was Director of the former Swedish Textiles Research Institute from its inception in 1944 until 1966. Gralén became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and was elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, where he was President from 1980 to 1982.

Lennart Rönnmark was president of Chalmers from 1958 to 1966. He was Professor of Construction Economics and Organisation at Chalmers between 1952 and 1974 (acting professor 1951). He was elected a member of Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg, of which he was also Chair from 1981 to 1982. Rönnmark was a member of the board of the former Swedish Textiles Research Institute and Chair of the former Swedish Silicate Research Institute.

Gustav Hössjer was President of Chalmers from 1943 to 1958. He was Professor of Mathematics at Chalmers between 1936 and 1963. Hössjer was previously an associate professor at Lund University and a senior lecturer at the Malmö College for Girls. He was elected to the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg in 1937, and also became a member of the Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Sven Hultin was President of Chalmers from 1933 to 1943. He was Professor of Civil Engineering and Building Statics. He was Chair of both the former Swedish Textiles Research Institute and the Swedish Institute for Food Preservation Research. Hultin also became a member of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star and Commander of the Royal Order of Vasa.

Hugo Grauers was President of Chalmers from 1913 to 1933. He was Professor of Mechanics and Mathematics at Chalmers. He was also previously a senior lecturer at Norrköping Technical Elementary College. Grauers became a member of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg in 1910, Commander 2nd Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star and Commander 2nd Class of the Royal Order of Vasa. The street Hugo Grauers Gata in the Johanneberg district of Gothenburg was named after him.

August Wijkander was Rector/President of Chalmers from 1881 to 1913. He was Professor of Physics and wrote several papers on astronomics, meteorology and geomagnetism. Wijkander was Director of Chalmersska Slöjdskolan [‘Chalmers Technical School’] and when this became Chalmers tekniska institut [‘Chalmers Technical Institute’] he became its first Rector/President. He was previously Associate Professor of Physics and Meteorology at Lund University. He was a member of the Royal Physiographic Society in Lund and the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg.

Eduard von Schoultz was Rector/President of Chalmers from 1852 to 1881. He taught physics at Chalmersska Slöjdskolan [‘Chalmers Technical School’] from 1849 to 1881 and was given the title of professor in 1862. He was Chair of the Gothenburg Society of Crafts and of the Gothenburg Workers’ Association. Von Schoultz became Director of Chalmers following a period in military service, including as an information officer with the Göta Artillery Regiment.

Carl Palmstedt was Rector/President of Chalmers from 1829 to 1852. He was Professor of Chemistry;  taught chemistry, physics and also chemical and mechanical technology. He was responsible for the initial organisation of Chalmersska Slöjdskolan [‘Chalmers Technical School’] and its first Rector./President. Palmstedt became Commander 1st Class of the Royal Order of Vasa in 1859 and Knight of the Order of the Polar Star and was awarded the Royal Gold Medal for Civil Merit. He also became Knight of the Norwegian Order of St Olav and Officer of the French Order of the Legion of Honor .