Vice-Chancellor installation for Ellen Røed

On 27 August, SKH staff gathered to install the new Vice-Chancellor, who was officially welcomed into her role by Peter Egardt, chairman of the University Board. There were speeches, live music and a circus show with SKH alumnus Florimond Dumas, but the focus was naturally on the afternoon’s headliner, Ellen Røed herself.

“It is with deep respect and humility that I now transition into this new role as Vice-Chancellor,” Ellen explained in her installation speech. “Always remember that I do so as an artist and as a teacher. I commit to leading via these capacities, with the same care and dedication that you all demonstrate each day in your work. Together, we will ensure that SKH contributes meaningfully to the resilience of society, defending freedom of expression and the power of culture.”

The focus of the new Vice-Chancellor is no longer to develop a new university but to take it forward to become a strong actor in society with a clearer role in the public sphere. One of the most exciting challenges Ellen will face is the move of the entire institution to a shared building in Slakthusområdet, planned for summer 2030.

“Being a Vice-Chancellor is a very challenging job, explained Peter Egardt in his welcome speech. “You have to be a good leader, an inspirational figure, a dialogue partner – but also put your foot down – an innovator, a mediator, an administrator and a communicator.”

Ellen Røed is only the second Vice-Chancellor in the ten-year history of SKH, and this is the first time this type of installation of a new Vice-Chancellor has been held. This, of course, provided an opportunity to try out new ways of conducting a ceremony.

While other university colleges use large silver chains, cloaks or even swords for their installations, Ellen was decorated with living materials befitting the occasion, a wreath of flowers. Then the Vice-Chancellor was further crowned with a ‘flower crown’ created by the costume department’s Nils Harning, as part of a ritual created by Head of Department Walter Ferrero. Inspired by folk headdresses from Hälsingland and Russia/Ukraine, the Vice-Chancellor’s new headpiece includes symbolism of keys opening locks and butterflies flying freely. 

The crown was handed over to the new Vice-Chancellor as part of an installation ritual where it would act as a “brainwave receptor”, a force collector where the organisation’s visions and dreams would be concentrated and transferred to the Vice-Chancellor. Walter led the staff through the powerful and humorous ritual of throwing away the past and installing the future in the vice-chancellor’s mind, using newsprint and paper bags.

Ellen Røed is an artist and has a long history at SKH, having served as a profile professor in Art, Technology and Materiality and most recently as Pro Vice-Chancellor. As Vice-Chancellor, the special potential of SKH is close to her heart.

“When I came to SKH, in 2016, I was drawn here by its unique vision,” she said in her installation speech. “An interdisciplinary environment where specialized art forms come together, fostering research through artistic practice connected to education and society.”

Head of Department Walter Ferrero led the group in a playful paper ceremony, possibly to drive out demons. Photo: Johan Palme/SKH