SLU Alumnus of the Year

Johan Folkesson, chief architect at Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) got his degree from SLU’s Landscape Architecture programme in 2015. In his role, Johan has designed and driven the importance of architecture and construction in transportation systems. Johan as a strong international engagement and contributes to SLU’s research and education.

The award ceremony took place on 9 October 2024 on campus Alnarp.

Jury's motivation

Johan Folkesson has made an outstanding contribution in his field by raising the possibility of landscape architecture to contribute to a designed living environment. Through curiosity, drive and networking, Johan has developed the contribution of landscape architecture to societal development both in Sweden and internationally, for example in the transportation sector. With great commitment, Johan has developed an artistic approach to landscape architecture, the landscape architecture profession and the academic subject. Johan contributes in a commendable way to the progress in research and education at SLU. Through his active participation in courses and his commitment to supporting doctoral students, Johan is an excellent role model for our students.

Anna Richert graduated from the horticultural program at SLU in 1997 and has often collaborated with SLU in different fields during her career. Anna has been responsible for food issues at WWF since 2014 and is one of Sweden's most renowned food experts. She has a strong driving force and has a genuine commitment to achieve a more sustainable food system. In her commitment, she translates research into comprehensible activities. 

The award ceremony, lecture conversation took place on Campus Ultuna on 20 September 2023.

Recording of the award ceremony and lecture

Jury’s motivation

Anna Richert has had an outstanding career as a specialist in sustainable food systems. She has made a significant impact by elevating complex issues around food and the environment in a pedagogic way, always based on scientific rigour, pragmatism and with great humility toward various goal conflicts. In her genuine commitment to achieve a more sustainable food system, she translates research into comprehensible activities. Anna’s work has made it easier for Swedish consumers to make conscious and sustainable food choices.

Annika Bergman received her Higher Education Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management (Lantmästare) from SLU in 1992. Today, Annika is Managing Director at Hushållningssällskapet Halland, with a strong driving force for the green industries. She receives this award as she, by sharing her solid experience of business management and development, has raised leadership issues for the joy and benefit of many.

Recording of the award ceremony and lecture

Jury’s motivation

Annika Bergman is a true role model for her tireless commitment to the green industries. Annika doesn’t hesitate to make her voice heard on important issues. By sharing her vast experience of business management and development, she has raised leadership issues for the joy and benefit of many. Annika breathes and lives for the green industries, and most of all, she makes a difference.

Tove Fall receives this award not least for her contribution to research on Covid-19. During the corona pandemic, Tove Fall has appeared in media as highly competent and trustworthy representative for her subject field, molecular epidemiology. Her wise words and ability to share knowledge in an easily understandable way have been important assets in Sweden's fight against Covid-19.

Her competence and media appearances benefit SLU as they are clear evidence that an SLU education contributes to the public debate in a positive way, to to improved health in both humans and animals.

Tove received her Master of Science in Veterinary Sciences from SLU in 2005 and in 2009 she was awarded a doctorate at SLU. She is a professor of molecular epidemiology and deputy head of department at the Department of Medical Sciences at Uppsala University.

Recording of the award ceremony and lecture on 15 September 2021 (opens up in a new window).

Recording of an conversation between Anna Lundhagen, SLU Pro Vice-Chancellor and Tove Fall (opens up in a new window).

Svante Axelsson was awarded SLU Alumnus of the Year 2019 for his efforts as a strong secretary general for the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, inspiring author and debater. He was also very much appreciated as a teacher at SLU. As national coordinator at Fossil Free Sweden, Svante is leading the work to make Sweden one of the first fossil-free welfare countries in the world - with impressive results.

Svante Axelsson graduated from SLU in 1988; his degree was in agricultural science. Before taking up his current position at Fossil Free Sweden, he was secretary general of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation for 16 years, where he was a part of the society’s change of tone and shift of focus – from problems to solutions.

Recording from the award ceremony and lecture on 9 September 2020 (opens up in a new window)

Elin Olofsson received the SLU Alumna of the Year award 2018 because of her contribution to gender equality within the forest sector and at SLU.

Elin has a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry from SLU. After she graduated in 2010, she has had various roles at SCA Skog in Umeå, all connected to timber purchase and market.

At the end of 2017 together with a few others in the forest industry, took the initiative to lanch the hash tag #slutavverkat. Under this hashtag, over 120 stories about sexual harassment, domination techniques and discrimination has been collected from employees in the forest industry, but also from students and employees at SLU. The call to action also provided support for an open letter to SLU, and the entire forest industry, which Elin and several students at SLU submitted demanding them to take action.

Johan Rockström was awarded SLU Alumnus of the Year 2017 for his extensive commitment to global environmental and sustainability issues.

Johan graduated from SLU in 1991 with a degree in Agronomy - soil, water and environment. He is director of the Stockholms Resilience Center (SRC) and professor of environmental science at Stockholm Univeristy.

Rockström acts as an advisor to several governments and business networks. He also acts as an advisor for sustainable development issues at noteworthy international meetings, such as the United Nations General Assemblies, World Economic Forums, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC, also known as COP).

Rockström has received multiple awards and published over 100 research articles, including articles in Science and Nature. He is co-chair, and one of over 30 world-leading scientists, of the EAT-Lancet Commission, an assessment of the global food system, and whether a transformation towards healthy and sustainable diets is possible. This assessment was the first systematic analysis of the food system at the global scale. 

Olle Forshed received the SLU Alumnus of the Year award 2013 for being an inspiring role model for today's and future students. He has greatly contributed to the development of knowledge about how humans can use biological natural resources in a sustainable way, and thus contributed to a good quality of life ans sustainable growth.

Olle received his forrester degree from SLU, where he also did his doctoral studies. He completed his PhD in 2006 with a dissertation on gentle rainforest management. Since 2010, he has worked at WWF as an expert on rainforest and tropical forestry.