New Heads of Faculty take office in five Faculties at UNAK

The University of Akureyri has two schools: the School of Health, Business and Natural Sciences and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Within these schools are the University's faculties, which serve as its core academic units. Teaching, research and academic leadership are carried out within the faculties, which are responsible for the quality of their academic programmes and the awarding of degrees in accordance with University regulations.

The Deans of Schools appoint Head of Faculty for two-years terms following nominations from faculty meetings. New Heads of Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Psychology, will lead their respective faculties over the next two years.

• Professor Markus Meckl succeeds Professor Sigurður Kristinsson as Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences. In his remarks, Markus highlights the faculty's diversity as one of its greatest strengths, noting that "the most interesting questions rarely respect disciplinary boundaries."
• At the Faculty of Occupational Therapy, Assistant Professor Sara Stefánsdóttir succeeds Assistant Professor Sólrún Óladóttir as Head of Faculty. Sara emphasises that occupational therapy is fundamentally about people, communities and the many ways in which participation, health and wellbeing can be enhanced.
• At the Faculty of Education, Associate Professor Sigríður Margrét Sigurðardóttir succeeds Assistant Professor Guðmundur Engilbertsson as Head of Faculty. Sigríður describes the faculty as playing a vital role in educating teachers and school leaders, with "research, critical thinking and professionalism" serving as guiding principles in its work.
• Assistant Professor Valgerður Guðmundsdóttir has been appointed Head of the Faculty of Law. Adjunct Ingibjörg Ingvadóttir has served in the role since May, following the departure of Professor Davíð Þór Björgvinsson. Valgerður highlights the faculty's diverse and challenging programmes, which prepare students for their future careers, and emphasises its close-knit learning environment, where discussion and legal reasoning are encouraged.
• Professor Mehmet Harma succeeds Associate Professor Richard Taehtinen as Head of the Faculty of Psychology. Mehmet describes psychology as addressing some of the most fascinating and important questions in science, seeking to "understand how people think, feel and behave."

We congratulate the newly appointed Heads of Faculty and wish them every success in their new roles. At the same time, we extend our sincere thanks to the outgoing Heads of Faculty for their valuable contribution to their faculties and to the University.