Time for elections to the R&D Board – why you should get involved

Daniel Ekwall has been associated with the board for 13 years, first as a deputy member and then as a member:

 “The R&D Board is the highest collegial association at the university. Furthermore, it reports directly to the Governing Board of the University of Borås. Much of the R&D Board's work is carried out in the various committees at the university, which act on behalf of the R&D Board. I myself am the Chair of the Academic Appointment Committee. Formally, the various committees are linked to education and research and are subordinate to the board.”

What the R&D Board does

“All in all, it is the board that, via the committees, approves all course syllabi and is responsible for doctoral education. In the R&D Board, questions about the educational programmes are raised and discussed. All programme syllabi are formally adopted by the R&D Board. Finally, it is the R&D Board that formally conducts quality assurance reviews of education and research at the university.”

Why should you get involved in the R&D Board?

“As a member of the R&D Board, you gain unique insight into how the university works. On a personal level, you will meet colleagues from all parts of the university and discuss problems and solutions.”

How and what can I influence as a board member?

“You influence the quality of everything the university does through all the work that is done under the R&D Board.”

Why is it important to get involved in the election?

“The members of the R&D Board are there on behalf of their colleagues, so it is important that the members have the support of everyone who has the right to vote.”

Desire to influence the organisation

Agnes Nagy was elected to the R&D Board four years ago:

“I started when I realised that I knew so little about the university's organization; I was curious and wanted to have an influence based on my role as a teacher and researcher. The person who inspired me was Peter Ahlström, a former employee at the university, who was Chair of the R&D Board for a time.”

Why should you get involved in the R&D Board?

“It is a unique opportunity to be able to delve deeper into who makes decisions about, for example, the appointment of a professor, how the range of courses is developed each year, or the processes for developing new programmes. The R&D Board organises the education committees, the doctoral education committees, the Academic Appointment Committee, and everything that has to do with the systematic quality assurance work at the university. And much more.”

Why should you get involved in the election to the R&D Board?

“It is difficult to familiarise yourself with matters relating to education and research that concern subject areas other than one's own. It is therefore important to elect members in such a way that all the Faculties are well represented. The board is a forum for discussions about education and research, about employment, students and doctoral students: that is to say, about the university's core activities. We in the R&D Board are representatives of the teaching staff. You want to vote for the members who are really interested in developing the university into a sustainable organisation for students, teachers, and researchers.”

What do you personally get out of being a member of the R&D Board?

“I gain knowledge and understanding of the complexity of organising and leading the Faculties and the university as a whole, and I am involved in the discussions that take place at the R&D Board meetings. In other words, I get to learn from the collective wisdom of the university's employees.”

This is how the election works

The R&D Board consists of:

• 12 teaching staff representatives (of which at least ten must hold doctorates)
• 2 external members
• 3 student representatives

The terms of office for the teacher representatives are four years and they alternate. This means that elections are held every two years. The term of office of the Chair and Vice-Chair is two years. In the election that will be held this autumn, six teacher representatives will be elected, of which at least five must hold doctorates. The students appoint the student representatives.

The process begins with the R&D Board’s appointing a nomination committee that is to propose teacher representatives and external members. The Chair of the election committee sends information via email to all teaching staff about the upcoming election with a timetable and other details.

Who can vote?

All who are employed as a teacher of at least 50 per cent of a full-time position from 1 September this year are entitled to vote.

When can I vote?

The election of teacher representatives will take place during week 46 (11-15 November).

In week 48, (25-29 November), the election of Chair and Vice-Chair will take place. (To be eligible for these positions, nominees must hold doctorates and be teacher representatives elected the previous week or current R&D Board members. Based on the results of this election, the Vice-Chancellor then determines the Chair and Vice-Chair.)

How do I vote? 

The election will take place in a digital election system that those entitled to vote will have access to when the election opens.

Who can be elected?

Those who are employed as teachers of at least 50 per cent of a full-time position within the R&D Board's area of responsibility (i.e. all areas of education and research except design, which is under the authority of the Artistic Research and Education Board).

How do I find out for whom I can vote?

The nomination committee's proposal will be attached in the email that is sent out the morning of the election, but you can, in fact, vote for anyone who is eligible, i.e. anyone who is employed as a teacher of at least 50 per cent within the R&D Board's area of responsibility. 

Why should I vote?

To be involved in influencing which colleagues represent you in all the issues that the R&D Board handles.

Read more

Read more about the Research and Education Board

The process regarding who may vote and who is eligible to stand for election is regulated in the Rules for Elections to Boards at the University of Borås, Reg. no. 338-22.