Stockholm university

Astrid Söderbergh Widding appointed new Chair of the Nobel Foundation

Astrid Söderbergh Widding, President of Stockholm University, has been appointed new Chair of the Nobel Foundation.

Astrid Söderbergh Widding
Astrid Söderbergh Widding
Foto: Anna-Karin Landin

Astrid Söderbergh Widding is Professor of Cinema Studies and President of Stockholm University since February 2013. She is a member of the Academy of Europe, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities. She has previously been Chair of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions and a member of the board of the Stockholm Environment Institute and has received numerous awards, including HM The King’s Medal in the 12th size of the Order of the Seraphim.

“It is gratifying that Astrid Söderbergh Widding has agreed to become our new chair. She has extensive leadership experience at institutions in science, culture and the humanities,” says Vidar Helgesen, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, in a press release.

“I am pleased to have been entrusted with the position of Chair of the Nobel Foundation. The Nobel Prize has a unique position in the world, and I look forward to contributing to the important work being done to promote science, literature and peace in our societies,” says Astrid Söderbergh Widding in the press release.

Astrid Söderbergh Widding succeeds Carl-Henrik Heldin, who has been Chairman of the Nobel Foundation’s Board of Directors for ten years. Last year Professor Heldin turned 70, and he has chosen to resign in keeping with the tradition that applies within the Board of the Nobel Foundation. At their meeting on 28 April, the Trustees of the Nobel Foundation also appointed Sven Nyman, MSc, as a new member of the Board of Directors.

Astrid Söderbergh Widding will continue as president of Stockholm University until January 31, 2025, when her appointment expires.

The Board of Directors of the Nobel Foundation includes:
Astrid Söderbergh Widding, Professor, President of Stockholm University, Chair
Berit Reiss-Andersen, Attorney, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Vice Chair
Vidar Helgesen, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation
Hans Ellegren, Professor, Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Mats Malm, Professor, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy  
Sven Nyman, MSc, Hon. Doctor of Business
Thomas Perlmann, Professor, Secretary of the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet and of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine
 
Deputy members
Peter Brzezinski, Professor at Stockholm University, Secretary of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry
Ulf Danielsson, Professor, Secretary of the Nobel Committee for Physics