Lena Ulrika Rudeke

About Lena Ulrika Rudeke

Head of Operations and Programme Manager


Jonsered Collaboration and Programme at the University of Gothenburg

Since 2018, Lena Ulrika Rudeke has been responsible for the University of Gothenburg's collaboration and public engagement programmes at Jonsered Manor (2004–2026), now relocated to the University's main building in Vasaparken, central Gothenburg.

About Jonsered Collaboration and Programme

The Jonsered Collaboration and Programme operate under a mandate from the Vice-Chancellor and are overseen by a steering committee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. It is an an academic initiative and a strategic platform for the University's external engagement and collaboration. The programme includes seminars, conferences, public discussions and other events organised in collaboration with partners both within and outside the University. The Jonsered Seminar continues as a distinctive dialogue-based method for fostering collaboration, complemented by the Vasaparken Seminars and other programme activities. Each year, Jonsered Collaboration and Programme deliver more than 70 events, involving over 80 collaborating organisations and representatives from more than 200 participating organisations.

Responsibilities

As Head of Operations and Programme Manager, Lena Ulrika Rudeke leads the operational activities, develops strategic partnerships and is responsible for ensuring the programme's integration across all faculties of the University, as well as its engagement with external stakeholders in the public sector, cultural institutions and civil society.

She holds strategic responsibility for the development of dialogue initiatives and a dynamic portfolio of curated programmes designed to advance cross-sector collaboration, facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen the University's engagement with wider society. Her responsibilities encompass strategic organisational development, partnerships, collaboration, programme and budget management, line management of project-based staff and supervision of permanent staff. The role includes regular reporting to the steering committee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor and annual reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and the University Executive Management.

Special Assignments for the University Executive Management

Her role also includes a number of strategic assignments commissioned by the University Executive Management. These include membership of the Working Group for the Development of Cultural Collaboration and Encounters between Art and Science, as well as its executive committee. She is also a member of its associated Working Group for GU Reads, a university-wide initiative to promote reading, both as an integral part of students' academic studies and through extracurricular activities involving students.

Coordinator, UNESCO City of Literature Gothenburg

Lena Ulrika Rudeke is the University of Gothenburg's coordinator for UNESCO City of Literature Gothenburg and a member of its operational management office.

She coordinates cross-faculty collaboration within the University as part of the City of Literature initiative, and convenes the thematic collaboration area Freedom of Expression in a New Era.

Read more on the official website of Gothenburg City of Literature and the University of Gothenburg's website.

Appointments and Assignments at the University of Gothenburg

• 2025–2026: Coordinator, Adult Education and Popular Education Theme, Gothenburg Book Fair 2026, in partnership with the Swedish National Council of Adult Education, the Swedish Academy, the Swedish Bible Society, and the University of Gothenburg in collaboration with Folkuniversitetet.

• 2025–present: Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Critical Heritage Studies (CCHS).

• 2025–2027: Member of the Working Group and Executive Committee for the Development of Cultural Collaboration and Encounters between Art and Science at the University of Gothenburg, appointed by the University Executive Management.

• 2025–2026: Member of the Working Group for the Preparation and Development of GU Reads, appointed by the University Executive Management.

• 2023–present: Member of the Board of Trustees, Jonsered Foundation.

• 2015–2023: Guest Lecturer, Department of Cultural Sciences.

• 2024–2025: Thematic Editor and Editorial Board Member, Tidskrift för litteraturvetenskap (Journal of Literary Studies).

• 2004–2010: Programme Development and Moderator Assignments for Jonsered Manor, the University Administration and the Faculty of Humanities, University of Gothenburg.

• 2004–2010: Doctoral Researcher in Comparative Literature, within the research project Biographical Facts and Fictions of Authors, funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (the Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences).
  
  
  
  

Professional Experience Outside the University

Lena Ulrika Rudeke has nearly 30 years of experience in strategic organisational development, cross-sector collaboration and the leadership of initiatives in education, culture and public engagement. Her particular expertise lies in establishing and developing organisations, collaborative structures and platforms for knowledge exchange across sectors and institutional boundaries.

From 2017 to 2020, she served as an expert adviser and external assessor for the Cultural Affairs Administration of the City of Gothenburg, working with project grants, organisational funding, emergency support and individual artist grants. Between 2017 and 2019, she was curator of the public discussion programme at Gothenburg City Theatre and project manager for professional development in human rights, commissioned by the City Executive Office of Gothenburg. Previously, from 1999 to 2017, she was Head of Operations and Producer of ABF Gothenburg's public lecture and education programmes.

She has also contributed to the development of Världslitteraturhuset (the World Literature House) in Gothenburg, the Jozi Book Fair and educational programmes for civil society organisations in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a co-founder of the independent news publication Feministiskt Perspektiv and has initiated and developed networks in areas including media and urban development.

Through long-standing assignments and partnerships with government agencies, regional and local authorities, higher education institutions, cultural organisations and civil society, she has developed extensive expertise in institutional and cross-sector collaboration. Her work has focused particularly on bringing together different organisational mandates, perspectives and fields of knowledge, establishing sustainable forms of collaboration and translating shared ambitions into practical, long-term initiatives.

Awards and Distinctions

• 2020: City of Gothenburg Merit Badge

• 2012: Adult Educator of the Year Award, Västra Götaland Association for Adult Education

• 2006: Gothenburg Cultural Scholarship

• 2005: Swedish Humanist Association Award

• 2005: Västra Götaland Region Cultural Scholarship

• 2001: West Sweden Cultural Foundation Award

• 2000: Kurt Aspelin Scholarship
  
  

Selected Board and Trustee Positions

• 2023–2024: Member, Board of Trustees, Kvinnofolkhögskolan Foundation (Women's Folk High School)

• 2017–2023: Member, School Board, Kvinnofolkhögskolan Foundation

• 2010–2015: Vice-Chair and Board Member, Feministiskt Perspektiv (independent news publication)

• 2009–2015: Chair, Vice-Chair and Board Member, Allt är möjligt Media Watch Organization

• 2002–2012: Board Member, Ord&Bild (literary and cultural journal)

• 2003–2006: Board Member, Centre for Built Heritage in Western Sweden
  
  

Education

Doctoral studies in Comparative Literature, University of Gothenburg (2004–2010). Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature. Additional studies in Intellectual History, Philosophy and Cultural Studies at the University of Gothenburg, as well as studies at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.