Naturvetarnas förbundsstyrelse november 2024. Foto: Tobias Ohls
President of the Federation
Name: Patriq Fagerstedt
Professional title: Research Secretary, Swedish Research Council
Education: PhD in Medical Sciences (Neuroscience). Basic training in chemistry and microbiology
Trade union experience: President of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, 2021- Member of the Board of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, 2012-2021 Member of the Board of PTK's Education Foundation, 2022- Member of the Saco-S Representative Council, 2010-2014 Chairman of the Saco S Association, Karolinska Institutet, 2010-2013 Personnel Responsibility Committee KI, 2010-2013.
How I see the role as chairman: The role of the chairman is to represent the trade union externally and to lead and plan the work of the board by creating a creative and open environment where all board members feel involved and can use their skills and experience for the good of the trade union.
Core issues: The board must develop visionary strategies and plans to achieve the trade union's goals, ensure that the office has the right resources and follow up the activities so that they are conducted effectively for the benefit of the members. We need more natural scientists to meet today's societal challenges. We need to get more people to study natural science subjects and programs and increase the throughput and become members with us.
My vision for Naturvetarna: Naturvetarna will be the sustainable trade union for all scientists in the Swedish labor market. We will increase our visibility and presence in more programs and workplaces and strengthen the common identity as natural scientists while we must strengthen our professional work with targeted initiatives. We will support our elected representatives with training and networks and increase the opportunity for all members to get involved within Naturvetarnas framework.
Gives me new energy: Visiting the Naturvetarnas office and local associations and meeting our professional and dedicated employees and elected representatives who are passionate about providing our members with the best service, support and advice. Together with our members we are building the future of the world!
Members of the Board
Name: Anna Ebbesson
Job title: Head of Department Construction and Environment
Education: Chemical engineer, analytical chemistry and environmental and health protection inspector
Trade union experience: Started local association and was its chairman. Convened local saco network, represented saco in central collaboration at my workplace Trustee elected Academic Alliance Representative Council Vice President Academic Alliance Representative Council
How I see the role as a member: The Federation Board needs to have a constant ear to the rail to listen in and sense both the current situation and what is going on in both the short and long term. Wise strategic decisions need to be made based on the direction of the Congress and with a great sense of responsibility for our common resources.
Key issues: Lifelong sustainable working life Secure local elected representatives Making Naturvetarna a natural part of social development and the labor market
My vision for Naturvetarna: Naturvetarna is an obvious partner in all forums for sustainable social development. The members' competence is prioritized, demanded and highly valued, which also leads to good conditions and a sustainable labor market.
Gives me new energy: The best place for me to recover and replenish my energy is the forest. There I can think and find solutions to challenges of various kinds. I like to pick mushrooms, hike long distances and this year I have also started running.
Name: Colin Andersson
Occupational title: Student (Vice President of Saco Student Council)
Education: Bachelor's program in Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, 2018-2021. Master's program in Physical Geography, Uppsala University, 2021-
Trade union experience: Member of Naturvetarnas student council, 2020-2021 Member of Naturvetarnas union board (student representative), 2021-current Member of Saco student council, 2022-2023 Vice chairman of Saco student council (full-time paid), 2023-current
How I see the role as a member: I have had the privilege of sitting as a student representative this congress period, and it has been incredibly rewarding! I have learned an incredible amount about what Naturvetarna works with, trade union issues and political work. It would be great fun to continue working with this in FS!
Issues close to my heart: - Education and research issues for natural scientists - Student recruitment and engagement in the trade union - Member engagement and contact in general
My vision for Naturvetarna: My vision for Naturvetarna is that the trade union will be further strengthened. Progress has been made in recent years but more can be done. This can be done by continuing to recruit students and engaging them in the trade union, being even more visible to members and elected representatives to attract even more people to join. And in this way, we will have a stronger trade union that can be seen and get more improvements for our members.
What re-energizes you: The feeling of progress and success energizes me! When you have worked hard on something and succeeded, it gives you an incredible feeling of joy. In my life in general, relaxation also gives me energy, resting after a lot of work, quiet walks or good company is a good way to recharge your batteries.
Name: Ewa Lavett
Professional title: Marine Ecologist
Education: MSc Biology / Marine Ecology
Professional experience: Elected to the trade union board in 2018, re-elected in 2021. During 2021-22 in the presidium as 2nd and 1st vice president. Member and vice chairman of the SACO-S association Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland 2011-2019.
How I see the role as a member: The commitment in the trade union board is alternately demanding, difficult but incredibly learning and fun.
Issues close to my heart: That Naturvetarna should be included as a negotiating partner in more private agreement areas, especially the large group of consultants, which I myself have been part of since 2022. We have always been passionate about monitoring psychosocial health issues in the work environment. The fact that skilled natural scientists are stressed and burned out is a terrible waste of skills.
My vision for Naturvetarna: Naturvetarna will continue to cultivate its special position and be "the obvious and only choice for scientific professions". We will also clearly show that we are an important force in the green transition, where our members often have key roles both publicly and privately.
What re-energizes you: A nice ride on winding back roads with your motorbike. Conversations about the present and the future with my two amazing, wise, but anxious teenagers. A day on and in the sea with a really nice dive.
Name: Isabelle Bask
Professional title: Environmental consultant
Education: MSc in Quaternary Geology
Trade union experience: I have held chairmanships at all of my workplaces and been the main safety representative for a long time. I have started up and run cooperation groups with HR and the CEO, countless MBL negotiations, too many work shortages, several sensitive cases and many questions from members.
How I see the role as a member: It is a tremendous honor to have the chance to be elected to the Board! I can't wait to perhaps get started and contribute in my own way to making workplaces with scientists as good as possible!
Issues close to my heart: The work environment for scientists, both the physical and mental work environment, is something I am passionate about. I'm driven by helping members, making them visible and supporting them, and making them feel that the trade union is doing an important job. I am driven by the desire to believe that most workplaces can be the best workplaces in the world if we work together.
My vision for Naturvetarna: My vision for Naturvetarna is that they should make visible and show the extremely important and special skills that natural scientists possess. To be able to support and show that the trade union is important even in today's society and push forward so that natural scientists get the best possible working hours. This is something I am convinced that everyone wins from - both members and employers!
What gives you new energy: I get energy from picking berries at home, reading historical novels, baking bread and making a really good flea market find!
Name: Latifa Lindberg
Professional title: Registered dietitian
Education: Master's degree in nutrition/ Leadership development and coaching
Trade union experience: During my many years in the role of manager and leader, I have seen it as important to collaborate with the trade union. This includes creating good conditions for a good and sustainable workplace. Since my student days and throughout my professional life, I have been a member of the trade union, and then Naturvetarna.
How I see the role as a member: With great humility and great responsibility. It is a team effort where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute to creating a good business. It's about being relevant and sharp at supporting our current and future members with their trade union issues and building a sustainable society.
Key issues: Health, sustainable organizations and development. I am particularly passionate about leadership development. Experts who also have leadership skills are very important to both create good results for the employer and that the employees feel good and are sustainable.
My vision for Naturvetarna: That Naturvetarna is associated with the sustainable trade union. As we have defined it in our social policy program, it also includes supporting our young people to choose scientific subjects and understand how this contributes to their own and society's development. Together, we build trust so that scientists want to belong to us, in good times and bad.
Re-energizes me: Healthy delicious food, but also my yoga and all the good people I have in my life. I also get a lot of energy from being in nature where the body can participate in various outdoor activities.
Name: Linda Berglund
Occupational title: Deputy Head of Department
Education: Master's degree in Biology, Umeå University, and PhD in Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå
Trade union experience: Has previous experience of both local and central trade union involvement. Has started and been chairman of a local trade union club, participated in central contract negotiations and in Naturvetarnas election committee. Participated in several processes to connect non-contractual organizations to collective agreements.
How I see the role as a member: It is important to be driven by a commitment and interest in better working conditions and better conditions for ALL members. You get a trust from the members that is important to manage. Centrally drive the Congress's decisions through strategic choices
Issues close to my heart: I am passionate about core trade union issues; the Swedish model and good working conditions. At a time when many people are worried about the future, it is even more important to safeguard this. Today, we see economic difficulties and redundancies among many employers and the world around us with wars and conflicts and an environment that is increasingly stressed. Together we can create change.
My vision for Naturvetarna: Naturvetarna shall be the trade union of choice. Naturvetarna will work for good working conditions, and conditions for its members, and show the importance of collective agreements. Naturvetarna shall be a strong voice for its members' best interests in current trade union issues. Naturvetarna will work to ensure that members feel confident that they can participate in the democratic debate in society.
What gives you new energy: I get new energy from being out in nature, walking on the small winding forest path down to the lake and going on a voyage of discovery both in the small and the large.
Name: Pär-Olof Stål
Occupational title: Chancellor (Government Offices)
Education: Master's degree. Biology
Professional experience: Staff representative on the Board of the Swedish Forest Agency.
How I see my role as a member: As a member of the board of Naturvetarna, I will work to strengthen the conditions of its members and promote the role of science in society. By pursuing strategic issues and collaborating with various stakeholders, I can contribute to a more sustainable labor market for natural scientists.
Key issues: My key issues as a member of the Board are to highlight and improve working conditions for scientists, promote diversity in science and research, for a more sustainable development.
My vision for Naturvetarna: Naturvetarna should offer the sharpest member benefit a trade union can offer and, among the SACO trade unions, be the one that sets the agenda for the social debate.
What re-energizes you: I am re-energized by seeing concrete results, especially when it contributes to improved conditions for scientists. Collaborating with committed colleagues and participating in inspiring discussions, including on the future of science, also gives me the strength and motivation to continue pursuing important issues.
Name: Shahriar Badiei
Job title: Senior R&D Engineer
Education: PhD in Chemistry with specialization in Physical Chemistry
Trade union experience: Member of the Akademikerföreningens board at Vattenfall R&D 2008-2010. 2017 I was elected as a member of the board for the second time and vice chairman in 2018. 2020- I was elected as chairman of the board and member of the Akademikerrådet board within Vattenfall.
How I see the role as a member: I think being elected as a member is an honor and a challenge. I hope that I can manage the trust in the best way. I want to contribute to strengthening the position of Naturvetaren in society.
Issues close to my heart: Stronger Natural Scientists. I believe that I can contribute through my experience of working as a scientist in an industrial sector (EFA) where the scientist is not the first choice for the employer.
My vision for Naturvetarna: Already today, Naturvetarna contributes to community building and development in several different ways. As an association, Naturvetarna can strengthen these voices in society and thereby contribute to society making the best use of resources. In this way, Naturvetarna can create more space for its members in the labor market.
What gives you new energy: Challenges give me energy.
Name: Sonny La
Job title: Hospital physicist
Education: Hospital physicist training
Trade union experience: I have been involved in trade unions for most of my professional career. For many years I was chairman of the local Naturvetarföreningen in Region Skåne. For a number of years I also worked as a regional safety representative and today I sit on the trade union board.
How I see my role as a member: As a member of the trade union board, we have a great responsibility and ensure that Naturvetarna works with the issues decided at the congress. But also that the members receive the member service that is expected. Members should feel that they want to be members of Naturvetarna.
Key issues: Sustainability and the green transition is a constantly topical issue today. Naturvetarna has a lot of expertise in this area and can provide guidance. As an old trade union representative, I am always passionate about the elected representatives. I know what work the elected representatives put in and that all help and support is always welcome.
My vision for Naturvetarna: Naturvetarna will continue to grow and be a modern and attractive trade union that attracts all age groups. People should associate Naturvetarna with sustainability, knowledge and quality. To achieve this, we need to be more visible on various platforms and make people understand that we are a trade union.
What gives you new energy; What gives me new energy is when I get challenging and motivating tasks. Otherwise, it's training and spending time with nice people and, above all, spending time with my children.
Student representative
Name: Marina Kolpakova
Professional title: Student
Education: Environmental and Health Protection
Trade union experience: As a member of the Student Council in 2024, I worked to highlight the importance of trade union involvement from the beginning of my career. Previously, in my home country, I have been pushing issues of skills development and international cooperation for early career researchers.
How I see the role of a student representative: Being a member provides the opportunity to pursue issues that are important to members' interests. It requires good communication, collaboration and strategic thinking to ensure strong engagement and security for all members.
Key issues: My passion for science and commitment to improving conditions for young researchers and students drives both my career and trade union interests. Sweden needs to retain young talent, and a welcoming environment is crucial. As a newly arrived researcher, I have seen how important trade union involvement is for career development and support.
My vision for Naturvetarna: I see Naturvetarna as a key player in shaping the future of science in Sweden. My vision is for the organization to be strong and inclusive, actively working to strengthen the position of its members in the labor market and driving changes that facilitate the integration of international students and researchers. By focusing on career development, better working conditions and increased access to research funding, Naturvetarna can make Sweden more attractive to young talent.
What re-energizes you: Finishing projects, spending time with my family, exploring nature and engaging in environmental issues inspires me and offers new perspectives. I love sharing these moments with others; their enthusiasm is contagious and helps me regain motivation in my work.