Pro-vice-chancellor Anneli Orrung Wallin
I am currently the pro-vice-chancellor with specific responsibility for quality and collaboration in higher education (as of 16 August 2021) at Kristianstad University. I enjoy the cohesive community at the university and the watchwords “Commitment, Closeness and Openness” in Kristianstad University's strategy, which are fully in line with my own values, my view of leadership and my commitment to quality in higher education.
One of the main reasons I chose to work at Kristianstad University is the university’s stellar reputation, its small size and good climate for students and staff alike. Decision paths at the university are short, which means that there is an opportunity for individual employees to have an influence; and last but not least, I have the privilege of working with colleagues who are genuinely interested and engaged in the development of our education programmes.
Career background and education
My professional career in care started in the field of psychiatry, where I worked before beginning my formal education. I felt at home in my work with people in vulnerable situations and continued my education to become a mental health nurse. I continued to train as a registered nurse and then a specialist nurse in the care of older people and have worked extensively with dementia assessment and counselling.
The common thread throughout my professional life has been a strong interest in understanding the perspective of the patient, relatives and staff, an essential piece of the puzzle if care providers are to effectively provide help and support. It was this strong interest that led me to research, ultimately enrolling in a third-cycle programme in health sciences and completing a doctoral thesis that explored the conditions for staff caring for older people in residential care.
I started at Kristianstad University as a senior lecturer in nursing in 2014. Since that time, I have taken assignments that extend beyond teaching and research, including assignments as a programme director (POA) for the nursing programme (2016–2021).
I have always strived to achieve quality in education, and during the years I served as a programme director, I have been privileged to take the lead in the development of a revised programme, using McCormack and McCance’s (2016) framework for person-centred nursing as a guiding principle. The opportunity to take a leadership role while working in collaboration with students, colleagues and representatives of the community on the local, regional and national level has been an invigorating professional experience, not least the work to create a nursing programme with relevance at the community and individual level – here and now but also for the care model of the future.
My experience in leadership roles and working side by side with people, as well as my desire to have an impact and make a difference on a strategic level, led me to apply for the assignment as deputy-vice-chancellor with specific responsibility for quality and collaboration in higher education (2021– ). My assignment as pro-vice-chancellor includes, among other things, serving as chair of the Quality Council, with responsibility for quality control and business development, and not least, collaboration with the surrounding society.