When the question is: Can we make this thing a little bit better?
I constantly see evidence that we are good at trying out new thoughts and ideas together, and that we contribute sought-after and creative solutions that benefit society, writes Annika Olsson, Dean of LTH.
– Published 23 October 2025
It was, of course, great news for Lund University and LTH when it was announced last week that Lund University would retain its 95th place in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
Why do we in the academic world constantly keep an eye on rankings? Well, even though they don't tell the whole story, they do say something about our excellence in education, research and collaboration with the surrounding community.
This week, LTH welcomed two new Lise Meitner professors at a seminar on the importance of role models in ensuring that all talents are utilised, and that people of underrepresented genders are inspired to continue in their fields.
LTH established the Lise Meitner professorship in 1999, and today the professorship is still part of LTH's work for gender equality, diversity and research excellence.
Physicist Lise Meitner (1878–1968) succeeded in explaining nuclear fission, but unlike her fellow researcher Otto Hahn, she was not awarded a Nobel Prize.
Who is credited with excellence is not always fair, and measuring it is challenging.
Today, however, we can rejoice in the fact that we are among the top-ranked universities in the world. This is significant because many international students and researchers – as well as some financiers and collaboration partners – closely monitor rankings when choosing which university to tie their future to.
In the THE ranking, Lund University scored 99.9 points out of 100 in the patent category, which is absolutely world-class.
I dare to conclude that LTH's innovative problem solvers are an important contributing factor – and that we have large equipment halls and other first-class research infrastructure at our disposal.
Similarly, it matters that we all try to be role models and work for an open, curious and creative environment where different perspectives and approaches enrich us – and that we dare to try new things.
As Dean of LTH, I constantly see evidence that we are good at trying out new thoughts and ideas together, and that we contribute sought-after and creative solutions that benefit society.
Ultrasound technology, Bluetooth, Oatly and Proviva are often cited as examples of innovations that have seen the light of day at our technical university. I would also like to mention Acconeer, Cognibotics, Gasporox, Orbital Systems and Alligator Bioscience as some brilliant examples of exciting and useful LTH innovations.
Our talented students and researchers have several points of entry into Lund's innovation system – including X-Lab, Venture Lab and LU Innovation. Creating and building new things is of the utmost importance, as Sweden and the world need more LTH innovations that benefit the climate, industry, digitalisation, society and life itself.
That is why we must cherish the fantastic environment where we ask ourselves questions every day such as:
“How can this problem be solved?” And: “Can we do this thing in a slightly smarter way?”
Once again, the impressive work done by students, teachers, researchers and employees at LTH who create, explore and innovate for the benefit of society has been confirmed.