The Guild is pleased to announce that Professor Ole Petter 
Ottersen has agreed to step in as Acting Secretary-General from 1 August 2023. As Rector of the University of Oslo (2009-17), Ole Petter Ottersen was closely involved in the creation of The Guild and served as its first Chair (2016-17). Between 2017 and 2023, Ottersen was President of Karolinska Institutet. Alongside his leadership of some of Europe’s most distinguished universities, Ole Petter Ottersen has rich experience in strengthening excellent science across Europe, not only as a scientist himself, but also as Chair of the Kavli Prize (Neurosciences, 2013-17), and as Panel Leader for ERC Advanced Grants (2008-12) and for ERC Synergy Grants (2017-19).
Ole Petter Ottersen will lead the secretariat to direct all aspects of The Guild’s mission, on behalf of its members, between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024. At the same time, Jan Palmowski will only continue his involvement in The Guild in the emerging ARUA-Guild Clusters of Excellence throughout 2023-24 and the policy engagement that stems from this work.
Has your experience as former Rector of the University of Oslo and Karolinska Institutet had an impact on your view on EU policymaking?
My relationship with the EU has been longstanding and multifaceted. As university president – first at the University of Oslo and then at Karolinska Institutet – I have been much engaged in EU´s policies and have seen how important it is for research-intensive universities to have a clear voice and strong presence in Brussels. This is why I was happy to be involved in the establishment of The Guild and serve as its Founding Chair, and this is why I took part in the launch of a Stockholm Trio office in Brussels while serving as President of Karolinska Institutet. As a researcher, I have led and organised several research projects under various framework programs, contributed to different EU networks, and served as chair of ERC Advanced and Synergy grant panels.
How has the research and innovation landscape changed over the last few years?
More important than looking back, we should look forward and ensure that the EU continues to drive scientific excellence, upholding its position as a world leader in science. Taking world leadership implies that the EU should maintain and strengthen its global engagement and bolster collaboration also with other continents and with Africa not least. I am inspired by the initiatives that The Guild has taken in this direction.
What are your priorities for the R&I policy agenda in 2023-2024?
The priorities must be fleshed out in close dialogue with the member universities, but it is clear that The Guild must play an active role in shaping the new framework program. I also think that The Guild is poised to take leadership in debates on academic freedom and institutional autonomy as well as in the realm of responsible internationalisation. But we are living in a turbulent world, and priorities are subject to change. I am looking forward to input from and discussions with The Guild members on how to prioritise our efforts in a dynamic landscape for research, innovation, and education.
What can/will you bring to The Guild?
I will be serving for a limited time, but hope to carry forward the excellent work that has been done over the years by the current Secretary-General, by our very competent staff in Brussels, and by representatives of our member universities. As former university president and ERC panel leader, and as a researcher that has benefited significantly from EU funding over the years, I have gained a multifaceted experience with EU´s policies and I hope to make this experience an asset to The Guild in the year to come.