The inauguration of professors at the end of September 2024 welcomed new professors, adjunct professors, visiting professors, a research professor, and a professor of the practice.
A historic aspect of this year's ceremony was that for the first time since the start in1943, a complete gender balance was achieved among the new professors, with 50% women and 50% men. This marks an important step forward in Chalmers Univeristy of Technologys efforts to increase gender equality in the academy.
All professors inaugurated this year have taken up their positions between July 2022 and June 2024 and represent a wide range of disciplines. The ceremony aims to both welcome the new professors into the Chalmers’ academic community and to showcase their research fields to colleagues and the public.
Most important contribution to humanity?
President Martin Jacobi Nilsson began by talking about the long tradition and importance of universities throughout history. ‘These remarkable institutions from high medieval Europe have an astonishing ability to fulfil an important social function for almost a thousand years. The emergence of the universities may be the most important contribution to the development of humanity made during the Middle Ages.’
The President also emphasised the unique appeal of the university and its ability to inspire individuals: ‘There is an attraction here. We have all felt it in this room today. The university is a place we want to be – a gateway to the unknown.’ In conclusion, the President encouraged the new professors to keep pushing science forward and to carry with them the university's motto: ‘Avancez!’
Breathtaking images of the universe
Professor Kirsten K. Knudsen represented all professors with her speech ‘In a galaxy far, far away’. She offered breathtaking images of the Milky Way, other galaxies and their evolution. At one of her favourite places – ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array), Chalmers/Onsala is also represented via the Radioblocks project. ALMA is a radio telescope in Chile consisting of 66 high-precision antennas and is one of the most powerful facilities for studying stars, galaxies and molecular clouds.
The Student Union was represented by President Sebastian Wikström who emphasised the importance of professors as role models and thanked them for demonstrating that the impossible can be made possible through their research.
Between the presentations, the awarding of diplomas and speeches, the duo Karin&Dennis and Wulfson Quartet and the Chalmers Choir offered beautiful singing and music. The master of ceremonies was Philip Wramsby.
The procession, under the exemplary leadership of the students ‘Marskalkämbete’, headed directly to the dinner. The programme included entertainment by Karin&Dennis, Wulfson Quartet, ExSpexors and an explosive finale from the Chalmers Pyrotechnics Committee.
Photographer: Ann-Lena Lundqvist
Adjunct Professors
Håkan Brodin, Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Nickel Based Alloys, Industrial and Materials Science
Helén Broo, Construction-Integrated Bridge and Structural Engineering, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Charlie Gullström, Circular Economy in Architecture and Urban Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Jeffrey Hesler, Terahertz Technology, Microtechnology and Nanoscience
Gunilla Kjellby Wendt, Adaptive Physiotherapy, Electrical Engineering
Guest Professors
Lori A. Brown, Architecture, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Carla Fabiana Chiasserini, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering
Nina Gantert, Probability theory, Mathematical Sciences
Tamara Rezk, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering
Caterina Riconda, Physics, Physics
Anna Syberfeldt, Digitized production systems, Industrial and Materials Science
Julia Tjus, Astronomy, Space, Earth and Environment
Brian Veitch, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences
Paul Walton, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Research Professors
Sverker Holmgren, Scientific Computing, Physics
Professors of the Practice
Krister Larsson, Applied Acoustics, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Professors
Meta Berghauser Pont, Urban Morphology and Urban Design, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Jia Wei Chew, Chemical process engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Peter Damaschke, Data science, Computer Science and Engineering
Lars Evenäs, Surface Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Petter Falkman, Automation, Electrical Engineering
Ulf Gran, Physics, Physics
Sophie Isaksson Hallstedt, Product Development, Industrial and Materials Science
Maths Karlsson, Materials Science, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Kirsten K. Knudsen, Astronomy, Space, Earth and Environment
Anna-Lisa Osvalder, Human-Machine Systems, Industrial and Materials Science
Pedro Petersen Moura Trancoso, Computer architecture, Computer Science and Engineering
Sebastien Rauch, Sustainable urban water management and environmental engineering, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Martin Raum, Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences
Teodora Retegan Vollmer, Nuclear Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Alejandro Russo, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering
Simone Sebben, Aerodynamics, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences
Ann-Brith Strömberg, Mathematical Optimization, Mathematical Sciences
Lyudmyla Turowska, Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences
Ergang Wang, Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Elizabeth Wulcan, Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences
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