Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson is Professor of Biology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and advisor to the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Her research and teaching address nature management, insect ecology and forest biodiversity. In recent years, she has also written five books about insects and nature. These books have been translated into more than 25 languages and are sold all over the world.

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson is particularly concerned with nature's anonymous species diversity, such as insects and fungi – species we rarely see and do not think about – which are nevertheless crucially important for processes in nature and thus for humans. In 2018, she published her book, ‘Extraordinary Insects: Weird. Wonderful. Indispensable. The ones who run our world’. The book’s publication propelled her from being a leading researcher into her additional role as an incredibly successful purveyor of knowledge. Some of her most recent books have been aimed at a younger readership. In 2019, Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson was also featured on one of Sweden’s most iconic radio shows, Sommar i P1.

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson is a role model and source of inspiration for many of SLU’s researchers thanks to her work in popular science and her ability to spread knowledge outside of academic circles.