Academic Kindness in Action

There are moments in academic life that go beyond data, deadlines, and experiments—moments that remind us why we do what we do, and who we do it with. Today was one of those moments.

One of our Bachelor students had his final presentation, marking the end of his thesis work—an important milestone in any academic journey. What made this day special wasn't just his excellent presentation, but the fact that every single member of our lab team came to support him.

This might not sound extraordinary at first, but when you consider everything that was happening at the same time, it becomes truly meaningful. Experiments needed to be run. We’re in the middle of a very busy phase in the lab. One of our Erasmus students had officially finished her stay on Monday—yet she was still in Umeå and chose to come back just to be there. Another Bachelor student had her final thesis due today—and still made time to show up.

That level of support and presence is something I deeply value. When I heard last week that the whole team had planned to attend, it genuinely made my day.

These small, quiet gestures—showing up, clapping, offering a few words of encouragement—are what I think of when I talk about academic kindness. It’s not always grand or loud, but it matters. It builds trust, connection, and a culture where people feel seen and supported.

Academic environments can be competitive, isolating, or overly focused on performance. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can choose to foster cultures where kindness, encouragement, and celebration are the norm. Where we don’t just work together, but we show up for each other—even, and especially, when it’s not required.

Final presentations are a big deal. They are the culmination of months of effort, growth, and learning. I believe they deserve to be celebrated. And I am more than proud that my team shares this belief.

What Is Academic Kindness—and Why Does It Matter to Me?

Academic kindness means different things to different people. For me, it’s not about being overly permissive or avoiding hard conversations. It’s about being clear, fair, and respectful. It’s about holding high standards while recognizing the humanity of the people we work with. It’s about setting boundaries and being supportive—not either/or. In short, it’s about cultivating an environment where people can thrive, not just survive.

As a principal investigator, I see kindness not as a “nice-to-have” or a personal trait, but as a deliberate practice—a leadership value that shapes how we build teams, mentor others, and conduct our science. I believe that psychological safety is essential for excellence. People do their best work when they feel safe to speak up, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and admit when they don’t know something. That kind of openness doesn’t happen by accident; it takes intention, trust, and consistency.

In our lab, we try to embody these values in practical ways. One example is our lab culture document. It outlines our shared expectations, how we communicate, and what kind of environment we’re trying to create. Every new member reads it, and more importantly, has the opportunity to suggest edits. We revisit it together regularly—not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a living agreement that evolves as we do.

When I make decisions—whether about projects, authorship, or timelines—I try to explain the “why” behind them and invite input. While the final call often rests with me, I want everyone in the lab to feel heard and respected. Leadership, to me, isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about listening carefully, making thoughtful choices, and creating space for others to contribute meaningfully.

One practice I’ve found especially helpful is stepping back when I feel frustration or anger—particularly in moments that don’t require an immediate response. Instead of reacting on impulse, I take time to reflect: Why did that upset me? What expectations weren’t met? What might the other person be experiencing? This doesn’t mean avoiding difficult conversations—it means approaching them with care. I’ll often follow up with a conversation where I explain my perspective, listen actively, and focus on what we can learn or do differently moving forward. It’s not always easy—especially on busy, high-pressure days—but I’ve found that this approach builds trust and mutual understanding over time.

Of course, things don’t always go smoothly. Mistakes happen. Misunderstandings occur. But I’m proud to work with a team that shares a commitment to honest, respectful dialogue and a culture of continuous growth.

In light of Mental Health Awareness Week (starting May 19), I’ve been reflecting more deeply on what academic kindness really looks like in day-to-day practice. It’s not about being endlessly agreeable or soft-spoken. It’s about creating a climate where people can be themselves, take intellectual risks, and feel supported through both successes and setbacks. It’s about treating each other like whole people, not just producers of data or lines on a CV.

Academic kindness is not just about being “nice”—it’s about building a system where we can all do better science, better mentoring, and better living. That’s how we grow. That’s how we lead. And that’s how we care for one another.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—what does academic kindness mean to you?

What makes a good scientific discussion?

After our first session on how to do a scientific presentation, covering the dos and don’ts, we now want to put it into practice. We have our common group meeting with the Kohler MitoLab. Both of us, when starting the lab, were so excited about scientific discussions – we used to discuss science all the time and were looking forward to bringing in complementary expertise from our group members to boost the projects.

It's much easier to notice mistakes in others' presentations than in our own—our blind spots make self-evaluation harder. That's why, during our scientific talk group meetings, we developed a checklist to help presenters critically assess their own work. The checklist includes key points such as clearly stating your hypothesis before presenting results, explaining all figures thoroughly, tying conclusions back to your hypothesis, and delivering a clear take-home message. It's designed as a tool for self-reflection and improvement.I would be

We are also working on the other side – I want to have my team become great scientists who are critical and eager to think deeply into a project. First of all, we made sure that we have a safe space. We also encourage our bachelor students to ask if they did not completely understand something – our more senior members are already and will do practical supervision, so clear explanations are an important skill. That’s a win-win situation!

We also need to emphasize that a critique on the project is not a critique on the person – we rather help if we see limitations and tell them early on. Otherwise, some years later, reviewers might ask the same. More critical people help us avoid blind spots. However, it is sometimes difficult to know what you could ask. Especially for our younger team members, we are trying something new. We developed a sheet with guiding questions – suggestions that they can think about and try to find in the presentation. Examples are: which method did I find especially interesting or clever? Is there a graph or table I’d ask for more detail on? What question would I ask to link it to my own interests or other topics?

I am convinced that critical scientific thinking is a skill that can be learned, and we are here for that. With this, we hope to get all our team members more into the scientific thinking world.

Would be interested to hear – how do you get scientific discussions going in the group meeting? And how do you help your team members to think more critically?

Embracing academic kindness for scientific excellence

I recently completed a fantastic and thought-provoking course: Resolving Conflicts in Research - Leadership Skills for a Harmonious Team by Leadership Sculptor. This experience has been transformative, providing me with valuable tools to handle conflicts constructively.

Conflicts are challenging and often drain the energy of the parties involved. Depending on their size, they can also affect those around them. Ignoring conflicts is not an effective approach, as they can grow bigger and bigger until the all-destruction-I-do-not-care mode is switched on. This course has taught me the importance of catching conflicts in their early phases and addressing them constructively.

In some aspects, my inner voice was right, and for other situations, I now have valuable tools to navigate them effectively. The course also covered essential negotiation skills and strategies to build high-performing teams. I firmly believe that the best performance is achieved when a positive atmosphere and support are provided.

When humans interact, there are misunderstandings, miscommunication, and conflicts. I am convinced that it is the responsibility of a group leader to not only lead by example but also have strategies on hand that make the life of our groups easier. Clear communication and respect are keys for me, personally.

For me, scientific excellence is not just about achieving great results but also about how we achieve them. I believe in leading with academic kindness, fostering a supportive and harmonious work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. A positive team dynamic is crucial for innovation and productivity. By promoting clear communication, mutual respect, and understanding, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective success.

In conclusion, this course has reinforced my belief that leadership is not just about guiding a team towards scientific excellence but also about ensuring that the journey is marked by kindness, respect, and support. I am committed to applying these principles in my leadership approach and fostering a culture of academic kindness in my team.

Låna en forskare initiative

Today, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Låna en forskare initiative, where I shared “En dag i en forskares liv” (A Day in the Life of a Scientist) with students for the very first time. This experience was both thrilling and rewarding, and I’m so glad I took part in it.

During the session, I presented online and included some videos of my work in the lab to give the students a real glimpse into the daily life of a scientist. I also explained why we do our work, incorporating age-appropriate comparisons to make the concepts more relatable. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and enthusiasm. In the end, the students engaged in a lively discussion about their perceptions of what a scientist is and what they had learned from the session.

I had a lot of fun preparing the presentation, taking videos and photos while working in the lab to make it as engaging as possible. Participating in this initiative has reinforced my belief in the importance of science education and outreach. It’s crucial to inspire the next generation and show them the exciting possibilities within the field of science.

Looking forward to more opportunities to share and inspire!

Celebrating Success

Today was a super special day as we celebrated one of our amazing students graduating with her Bachelor’s degree! 🎓 To make it even more memorable, we crafted a fun DIY graduation hat in her favorite color, pink. 🎀

A Special DIY Graduation Hat

We wanted to do something unique to celebrate her big achievement, so we got creative and made a pink graduation hat. It was a fun project that showed just how much we appreciate her hard work and dedication.

The Journey to Graduation

She joined us in March and quickly became a key part of our team. Her passion for science and her determination have been truly inspiring. During the celebration, we shared so many funny and crazy stories from our time together. It’s amazing how many great memories we’ve made in such a short time!

The Celebration

The celebration was a team effort with my husband’s lab, and it was heartwarming to see everyone come together. The pink graduation hat was a hit and added a festive touch to the day. We laughed, we smiled, and we felt so proud of her accomplishments.

Looking Forward

This graduation is just the beginning. We’re looking forward to many more graduations and successes in the future. Each one will be special, but this first one will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Best Wishes

To our wonderful graduate, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Your hard work has paid off, and we can’t wait to see what amazing things you’ll do next. Congratulations again! 🌟

Embracing Efficiency: The Arrival of New Tools in Our Lab

There’s a certain thrill that comes with unboxing new lab equipment. It’s a feeling I’ve known since my student days, and it’s one that never gets old. Recently, our lab had the pleasure of welcoming two new members to our tool family: multichannel pipettes.

As a newly appointed PI, I’ve made it my mission to ensure my team has access to state-of-the-art tools. Why? Because I believe in the power of efficiency. I’ve always been a fan of high-efficiency tools, and now, I have the opportunity to provide the same for my team.

When the pipettes arrived, I couldn’t resist the urge to play with them. It was like being a student again, exploring the capabilities of a new tool, imagining all the ways it could enhance our work. These pipettes aren’t just for my personal entertainment (though I must admit, that’s part of the fun). They’re here to help us streamline our research and meet our screening goals in a time-efficient manner.

Being a PI isn’t just about overseeing projects and directing research. It’s about supporting my team, providing them with the resources they need to do their best work. I want to create an environment where efficiency and innovation go hand in hand.

As we move forward, I’m excited to see how these new tools will enhance our productivity and drive our research. I’m committed to continually investing in our lab, ensuring we have the best tools at our disposal. After all, good research isn’t just about having great ideas—it’s also about having the right tools to bring those ideas to life.

Our first common groupmeeting

Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in our scientific journey. Andreas, PI of the Kohler Mito Lab, and I decided to join forces and held our first common group meeting. The decision to meet weekly and discuss our projects with all our team members has already proven to be a game-changer. The scientific discussions are livelier, the input is richer, and the development of ideas is smoother.

A special shout-out to Samantha and Zhwan who presented their Bachelor’s thesis work today. Their presentations were not only informative but also showcased their hard work and dedication. They did an exceptional job and I couldn’t be prouder!

One of the things I valued most about our meeting is the safe space we’ve created. A space where everyone can give and receive feedback, ask questions without fear of being judged, and acknowledge that we are all on different levels, both experience and skill-wise. This atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding is something I truly cherish and aim to maintain in all our future meetings.

Looking forward to more of these meetings and the continued growth of our team. Here’s to more insightful discussions, breakthroughs, and of course, #GroupMeetingSelfies! 🚀

Remember, science is a team sport. And today, we played well.

Welcoming the first PhD student of our lab

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Mostafa has joined us as the first PhD student of our lab! This is a significant milestone for us, as he is our first long-term member. His selection not only sets the pace for the future of our lab but also marks the completion of my first independent hiring process.

During this process, I spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on what I expect from a future PhD student and how I can assess that. My approach to selecting team members is twofold. Firstly, I consider how well the individual’s personality aligns with the existing or envisioned team dynamics. Secondly, I evaluate their critical thinking skills by discussing a scientific paper to understand their potential. While expertise in the field isn’t a prerequisite for prospective team members, the ability to learn and a critical mindset are incredibly important to me.

Mostafa demonstrated exceptional aptitude in both these areas. Our conversations led me to believe that he would be an excellent addition to our team. His ability to quickly comprehend complex concepts and provide insightful critique during our discussion on a scientific paper was truly commendable.

I firmly believe that while I guide my students, they also have much to teach me. This mutual exchange of knowledge makes me even more enthusiastic about our journey in the coming years. I will be there to support Mostafa as he shapes his own PhD project, encouraging him to take ownership and responsibility. I eagerly anticipate the fresh insights and perspectives he will bring to our team.

This is just the beginning of our journey, and I am excited for what lies ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow and learn together.

Constructing our first strains

In our lab, we believe in celebrating every successful step and today we have quite a big milestone:

The first strains from the very first students of this lab start populating our -80 freezer, Samantha’s strain being placed there yesterday and Zhwan’s strains about to join on Friday. Great job, team!

Looking forward to our first characterisation experiments that are now ongoing.

Exciting times ahead

The Art of Organization: A Peek into Our Lab Life

In our lab, we believe in the mantra, "Label the label maker!"

All jokes aside, starting out with a well-organized system has always been a top priority for me. I found myself in lab environments, where I had to search for hours if I needed specific chemicals - sometimes in vain. This was so frustrating and slowed down my research progress.

I promised myself that when I start a lab, I will have a well-thought-out system and implement it from the beginning.

Introducing our label maker: From our strains to our equipment, and even our inventory, everything is well organized. We use QR codes to link to our things, be able to search for chemicals, book our equipment within the group (and have fun).

This not only makes our science more efficient but also adds a dash of fun to our everyday work! I may or may not have spent a significant part of my afternoon playing with our newest gadget and sticking labels on every possible thing in the lab. After quite a long time of trying to figure out the label-design language, I felt that I truly deserved this little treat.

But hey, who's counting? So, what are the fun gadgets in your lab/life? I'd love to hear about them! Let's inspire each other and make science even more exciting!

Lab in Progress

I've got some exciting news to share. Our lab has officially started at Umeå University, and it's a solo mission at the moment. 

As I'm getting things up and running, there's this awesome mix of anticipation and, let's be honest, a bit of nerves too. Building a lab from scratch is no small feat, and I'm under no illusions that it's going to be a breeze. It's going to take some serious hard work, dedication, and, well, a whole lot of late nights doing research and running experiments to lay the foundation.

But here's the fun part – I'm not in this alone. I'm stoked about the idea of expanding the team down the line. The future holds the promise of new members who are as excited as I am about research and are all in when it comes to pushing the boundaries of what we know. Together, we're going to create a space where ideas flow, and breakthroughs become the norm, all while upholding the core values of our lab – integrity, curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for discovery.

I invite you to stick around and follow our journey. I'll be sharing updates on our adventures, discoveries, and all the cool research we've got brewing. Can't wait to have you along for the ride and to make some significant contributions to our academic community and the research world.