Björn Þorsteinsson, Professor of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology at the School of Humanities, University of Iceland CV: 2016 –: Professor of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology, University of Iceland (UI) 2015–2016: Assistant professor of philosophy, Faculty of History and Philosophy at UI 2012–2014 and 2007–2009: Research fellow, Institute of Philosophy, UI 2009–2012: Postdoctoral researcher, Institute of Philosophy 2004–14: Part-time lecturer, School of Humanities and School of Health Sciences at UI, Iceland University of the Arts and Continuing Education at UI 2008–2010: Co-editor of Ritið, journal of the Institute of the Humanities at UI 2005–2015: Co-editor of book series Lærdómsrit Hins íslenzka bókmenntafélags 1997-1999: editor at Mál og menning publishers. Administrative and leadership experience: 2023–: one of five PIs of project Freedom to Make Sense, recipient of Centre of Excellence grant from Icelandic Centre for Research 2016–2020: chair, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of History and Philosophy, UI 2018–2020: chair, Humanities Teaching Committee, UoI; representative, UoI’s Central Teaching Committee 2017–: chair, Brynjólfur Bjarnason Philosophy Fund; 2016–2017: chair, Publishing Fund, Iceland University of the Arts 2016–2017: representative, UI’s Scientific Committee 2016–18: chair, School of Humanities Evaluative Committee, UI’s Research Fund; representative on Research Fund’s central committee 2014–2016: chair, Institute of Philosophy, UI; representative, board of Institute of Humanities. Family: Married to Sigrún Alba Sigurðardóttur, writer, cultural theorist and curator, three daughters Björn's website Social media: Björn on Bluesky Björn on Facebook

Elections for the position of Rector 2025

Q: Ganna Pogrebna

Ganna Pogrebna, Professor, Executive Director at AI and Cyber Futures Institute, Charles Sturt University; Lead for Behavioural Data Science, The Alan Turing Institute; Honourary Professor of Behavioural Business Analytics and Data Science CV: Award-winning academic leader, top-published interdisciplinary scholar, executive, and strategic advisor with over 20 years of experience. Recognised as a Tech Women 100 Winner UK (2019), Women in AI 2024 Winner (Asia-Pacific, Risk and Cybersecurity), and a finalist in the AI Awards Australia (AI Female Leader of the Year 2024). Proven expertise in managing high-impact projects (AUD 30 million in research funding over the past decade) and fostering global partnerships. Delivered strategic projects for the public and private sectors, including Google, Telstra, HSBC, and the Office of National Intelligence Australia. A thought leader in AI, cybersecurity, and behavioural data science. Administrative and leadership experience: Ganna has a strong track record in strategic leadership, research management, and institutional development. As Executive Director at the AI and Cyber Futures Institute (AICF), she established a high-impact research and education centre, driving interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, and policy engagement. As Lead for Behavioural Data Science at The Alan Turing Institute, she managed cross-disciplinary initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and behavioural science. She held leadership roles at the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham, fostering industry partnerships, managing large-scale projects, and strengthening research impact. Ganna has also led global research collaborations, advised policymakers, and developed executive education programs. Family: Married, has a son. Ganna's website Social media: Ganna on LinkedIn

Q: Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir

Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition at the UI School of Health Sciences and Pro-rector for science CV: 2023 - Pro-rector for Research (and Society from 2025), University of Iceland 2024 - Dean of the School of Health Sciences, temporary role from March 1st to June 30th 2010 - Professor, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland 2013 - 2023 - Unit for Nutrition Research, Head of Department 2013 – 2023 - Head of Department of Clinical Nutrition at Landspitali University Hospital 2006 - 2010 - Associate Professor, University of Iceland Administrative and leadership experience: Extensive experience in management within the University of Iceland (UI) and a leading role in national and international research. Human resources as well as professional and financial responsibility at the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Landspitali University Hospital. 2023 - Science Committee (Chair), UI 2023 - Promotion and Tenure Committee (Chair), UI 2023 - Evaluation System for Public Higher Education Institutions (Chair) 2023 - Director of the Graduate School, UI 2019 - Landspitali Scientific Council, appointed by the CEO 2019-2023 and 2023-2027 2018 - 2022 - Vice-chair of the University Council, UI 2015 - 2022 - Rector’s permanent representative in Selection Committees, UI Family: Spouse: Olafur Heimir Gudmundsson and children: Elias Rafn (b. 2000), Gunnar Heimir (b. 2002) and Bjorgvin Ingi (b. 2004). Ingibjörg's website

Q: Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir

Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Promotion, Sports and Leisure Studies and dean of the UI School of Education CV: Dean, School of Education (SoE) since 2018 2017 Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Iceland, 2013 Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Iceland 2004-2008 Department Leader, Tónabær Leisure Center, Reykjavik City 2002-2004 Leader of Laugarsel, Leisure-time centre for 6-9 year-old children Administrative and leadership experience: I have extensive leadership experience within the University as I have led one of the university´s five schools for almost seven years. I have been on the financial board of the University since 2018, lead the board of the Educational Research Institute and chair the board of the Education Innovation Hub. I initiated and chaired the committee on evaluation of prior learning in teacher education 2021 to 2023 and was member of the board of the Continuing Education at HI 2022 to 2024. I was program chair for leisure and youth studies 2013-15, and at the same time, I chaired the committee on masters programs at SoE. I was the chair for the undergraduate program in educational studies 2010 to 2012; the chairperson for the Icelandic Educational Research Association 2017 to 2022 and the leader of the Doctoral Student Association at SoE 2010 to 2012. Family: I became a young parent and had two daughters when I started my university education in 1992. Later, my husband, Róbert H. Haraldsson, and I had three children. We have five grown children, and recently, our first grandchild joined the family. Kolbrún's website Socila Media: Kolbrún's candidate on Facebook Kolbrún on Instagram Kolbrún on Facebook Kolbrún on LinkedIn

Q: Magnús Karl Magnússon

Magnús Karl Magnússon, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the UI School of Health Sciences CV: I have been a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Iceland for sixteen years where I have been engaged in both teaching and research. My academic journey includes comprehensive training and experience in basic medical sciences, through all levels of education and training as well as during my professional career. I have been awarded numerous grants from the Research Fund of the Science and Innovation Council (formerly the Science and Technology Council, VTR), including a large-scale Strategic Program in Genetics that received funding along with project and Center of Excellence grants. 8 PhD students have graduated under my guidance. Administrative and leadership experience: I have held numerous leadership roles. From 2013 to 2016, I served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.The Faculty of Medicine is among the largest faculties at the University, encompassing over 100 academic staff members, multiple study programs across all academic levels, as well as extensive research activities. As Dean, I had leadership role, icluding staff recruitment, integration of university and clinical responsibilities for a significant portion of the faculty’s academic staff, and addressing complex personnel matters. Furthermore, I chaired the boards of two interdisciplinary programs within the university: Speech-Language Pathology program and Centre of Public Health Sciences. Family: Widower, two grownup children Magnús Karl's website Social media: Magnús Karl on Facebook Magnús Karl on Substack

Q: Oluwafemi E Idowu

Oluwafemi E Idowu, Professor of Healthcare Leadership and Strategy and Chief Academic Officer / Provost at Oxford Business College, UK CV: I consider myself a dynamic and responsive academic, leader, and researcher with almost 35 years of academic and professional roles. I have leadership and change management skills that have been developed through my current and previous management roles. I have experience in developing strategies and have used this experience to shape the culture and improve performance to meet the university's strategic plan. I have embedded these objectives into staff appraisals with an emphasis on teamwork and shared responsibility. My management, academic and research interests concentrate on issues of organisation, performance, leadership, and healthcare ethics. My current research examines organisational culture theory and the determinants of workplace performance. In particular, I am interested in the implications and applications of these determinants in organisational behaviour and performance. Administrative and leadership experience: I am passionate about pedagogy with an outstanding track record in teaching and management. I thrive in the invigoration of effective learning tools and the inception of new models for learning and assessment. I have a wide range of teaching and teaching-related experiences across the key areas of leadership, philosophy of medicine and research methodologies. I have significant public sector professional experience, managing and developing a range of diverse and complex healthcare services, education, and staff development. I am dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, applied research in organisational behaviour, the development of future thought leaders and to demonstrate impact on management practice. Family: Married with four children. Social Media: Oluwafemi on Twitter

Q: Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Political Science at the UI School of Social Sciences CV: 2020 -: Professor, Faculty of Political Science 2008-2018: Associate professor, Faculty of Political Science 2008-2018: Adjunct professor, Faculty of Political Science Teaching and research in international affairs, with an emphasis on Iceland’s foreign and security policy, broadly defined. 2006-2008 Director, Institute of International Affairs 2003-2006 Project/division manager, Centre for Gender Equality Represents the university community on the University Council from 2022. Member of the Teaching Academy. Co-editor in chief at the Scandinavian Political Studies 2023-2025. Serves on boards and committees in- and outside of UI. PhD 2018, University College Cork MA 1998, University of Southern California BA 1995, Lewis & Clark College. Graduate diplomas in social science research methods and university teaching, UI 2011 and 2012. Administrative and leadership experience: University Council 2022- On the board of UI’s Real Estate Company since 2023 Director, Institute of International Affairs (IIA) 2006-2008, growing it significantly through grants obtained President of Icelandic Red Cross 2022-, VP 2020-2022, board member, 2018-2020 Led development of IRC policy 2020-2030, responsible for its overall work Chair, Gender Equality Council 2019-2021 Courses on third-sector management. Member of Global Community for Women’s Leadership which provides training for women leaders in higher education On the board of IIA since 2015, vice-chair since 20217 On UI Teaching and Learning Committee 2015-201 On the board of the UI Research Fund 2020-2022 Silja Bára's website Social Media: Silja Bára on Facebook Silja Bára on Instagram Silja Bára on BlueSky

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Election days for the Rectorial Election at the University of Iceland will be on 18 and 19 March 2025. Voting will start at 9 am on the first day and finish at 5 pm on the second day.

If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a second round will be held between the two candidates who received the most votes. The second round, if necessary, will be held one week after results of the first election have been published.

Electoral register

Students and staff can check whether they appear on the electoral register by clicking here.

If your name does not appear on the electoral register and you believe that it should, or if you believe you are on the wrong electoral register or your vote has not been given the correct weight, you can appeal the issue to kjorstjorn@hi.is. The deadline for appeals is 11:59 pm on 11 March.

Eight applicants were deemed to have met these requirements, one has withdrawn his application.

Björn Þorsteinsson, Professor of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology at the School of Humanities, University of Iceland

CV:

2016 –: Professor of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology, University of Iceland (UI)
2015–2016: Assistant professor of philosophy, Faculty of History and Philosophy at UI
2012–2014 and 2007–2009: Research fellow, Institute of Philosophy, UI
2009–2012: Postdoctoral researcher, Institute of Philosophy
2004–14: Part-time lecturer, School of Humanities and School of Health Sciences at UI, Iceland University of the Arts and Continuing Education at UI
2008–2010: Co-editor of Ritið, journal of the Institute of the Humanities at UI
2005–2015: Co-editor of book series Lærdómsrit Hins íslenzka bókmenntafélags
1997-1999: editor at Mál og menning publishers.

Administrative and leadership experience:

2023–: one of five PIs of project Freedom to Make Sense, recipient of Centre of Excellence grant from Icelandic Centre for Research
2016–2020: chair, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of History and Philosophy, UI
2018–2020: chair, Humanities Teaching Committee, UoI; representative, UoI’s Central Teaching Committee
2017–: chair, Brynjólfur Bjarnason Philosophy Fund;
2016–2017: chair, Publishing Fund, Iceland University of the Arts
2016–2017: representative, UI’s Scientific Committee
2016–18: chair, School of Humanities Evaluative Committee, UI’s Research Fund; representative on Research Fund’s central committee
2014–2016: chair, Institute of Philosophy, UI; representative, board of Institute of Humanities.

Family: Married to Sigrún Alba Sigurðardóttur, writer, cultural theorist and curator, three daughters

Björn's website

Social media:

Ganna Pogrebna, Professor, Executive Director at AI and Cyber Futures Institute, Charles Sturt University; Lead for Behavioural Data Science, The Alan Turing Institute; Honourary Professor of Behavioural Business Analytics and Data Science

CV:

Award-winning academic leader, top-published interdisciplinary scholar, executive, and strategic advisor with over 20 years of experience. Recognised as a Tech Women 100 Winner UK (2019), Women in AI 2024 Winner (Asia-Pacific, Risk and Cybersecurity), and a finalist in the AI Awards Australia (AI Female Leader of the Year 2024).

Proven expertise in managing high-impact projects (AUD 30 million in research funding over the past decade) and fostering global partnerships.

Delivered strategic projects for the public and private sectors, including Google, Telstra, HSBC, and the Office of National Intelligence Australia. A thought leader in AI, cybersecurity, and behavioural data science.

Administrative and leadership experience:

Ganna has a strong track record in strategic leadership, research management, and institutional development. As Executive Director at the AI and Cyber Futures Institute (AICF), she established a high-impact research and education centre, driving interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, and policy engagement.

As Lead for Behavioural Data Science at The Alan Turing Institute, she managed cross-disciplinary initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and behavioural science. She held leadership roles at the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham, fostering industry partnerships, managing large-scale projects, and strengthening research impact.

Ganna has also led global research collaborations, advised policymakers, and developed executive education programs.

Family: Married, has a son.

Ganna's website

Social media:

Ganna on LinkedIn

Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition at the UI School of Health Sciences and Pro-rector for science

CV:

2023 - Pro-rector for Research (and Society from 2025), University of Iceland
2024 - Dean of the School of Health Sciences, temporary role from March 1st to June 30th
2010 - Professor, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland
2013 - 2023 - Unit for Nutrition Research, Head of Department
2013 – 2023 - Head of Department of Clinical Nutrition at Landspitali University Hospital
2006 - 2010 - Associate Professor, University of Iceland

Administrative and leadership experience:
Extensive experience in management within the University of Iceland (UI) and a leading role in national and international research. Human resources as well as professional and financial responsibility at the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Landspitali University Hospital.

2023 - Science Committee (Chair), UI
2023 - Promotion and Tenure Committee (Chair), UI
2023 - Evaluation System for Public Higher Education Institutions (Chair)
2023 - Director of the Graduate School, UI
2019 - Landspitali Scientific Council, appointed by the CEO 2019-2023 and 2023-2027
2018 - 2022 - Vice-chair of the University Council, UI
2015 - 2022 - Rector’s permanent representative in Selection Committees, UI

Family: Spouse: Olafur Heimir Gudmundsson and children: Elias Rafn (b. 2000), Gunnar Heimir (b. 2002) and Bjorgvin Ingi (b. 2004).

Ingibjörg's website

Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Promotion, Sports and Leisure Studies and dean of the UI School of Education

CV:

Dean, School of Education (SoE) since 2018
2017 Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Iceland,
2013 Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Iceland
2004-2008 Department Leader, Tónabær Leisure Center, Reykjavik City
2002-2004 Leader of Laugarsel, Leisure-time centre for 6-9 year-old children

Administrative and leadership experience:

I have extensive leadership experience within the University as I have led one of the university´s five schools for almost seven years. I have been on the financial board of the University since 2018, lead the board of the Educational Research Institute and chair the board of the Education Innovation Hub. I initiated and chaired the committee on evaluation of prior learning in teacher education 2021 to 2023 and was member of the board of the Continuing Education at HI 2022 to 2024. I was program chair for leisure and youth studies 2013-15, and at the same time, I chaired the committee on masters programs at SoE. I was the chair for the undergraduate program in educational studies 2010 to 2012; the chairperson for the Icelandic Educational Research Association 2017 to 2022 and the leader of the Doctoral Student Association at SoE 2010 to 2012.

Family: I became a young parent and had two daughters when I started my university education in 1992. Later, my husband, Róbert H. Haraldsson, and I had three children. We have five grown children, and recently, our first grandchild joined the family.

Kolbrún's website

Socila Media:

Magnús Karl Magnússon, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the UI School of Health Sciences

CV:

I have been a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Iceland for sixteen years where I have been engaged in both teaching and research. My academic journey includes comprehensive training and experience in basic medical sciences, through all levels of education and training as well as during my professional career. I have been awarded numerous grants from the Research Fund of the Science and Innovation Council (formerly the Science and Technology Council, VTR), including a large-scale Strategic Program in Genetics that received funding along with project and Center of Excellence grants. 8 PhD students have graduated under my guidance.

Administrative and leadership experience:

I have held numerous leadership roles. From 2013 to 2016, I served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.The Faculty of Medicine is among the largest faculties at the University, encompassing over 100 academic staff members, multiple study programs across all academic levels, as well as extensive research activities. As Dean, I had leadership role, icluding staff recruitment, integration of university and clinical responsibilities for a significant portion of the faculty’s academic staff, and addressing complex personnel matters. Furthermore, I chaired the boards of two interdisciplinary programs within the university: Speech-Language Pathology program and Centre of Public Health Sciences.

Family: Widower, two grownup children

Magnús Karl's website

Social media:

Oluwafemi E Idowu, Professor of Healthcare Leadership and Strategy and Chief Academic Officer / Provost at Oxford Business College, UK

CV:

I consider myself a dynamic and responsive academic, leader, and researcher with almost 35 years of academic and professional roles. I have leadership and change management skills that have been developed through my current and previous management roles.

I have experience in developing strategies and have used this experience to shape the culture and improve performance to meet the university's strategic plan. I have embedded these objectives into staff appraisals with an emphasis on teamwork and shared responsibility.

My management, academic and research interests concentrate on issues of organisation, performance, leadership, and healthcare ethics. My current research examines organisational culture theory and the determinants of workplace performance. In particular, I am interested in the implications and applications of these determinants in organisational behaviour and performance.

Administrative and leadership experience:

I am passionate about pedagogy with an outstanding track record in teaching and management. I thrive in the invigoration of effective learning tools and the inception of new models for learning and assessment. I have a wide range of teaching and teaching-related experiences across the key areas of leadership, philosophy of medicine and research methodologies.

I have significant public sector professional experience, managing and developing a range of diverse and complex healthcare services, education, and staff development. I am dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality, applied research in organisational behaviour, the development of future thought leaders and to demonstrate impact on management practice.

Family: Married with four children.

Social Media:

Oluwafemi on Twitter

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Political Science at the UI School of Social Sciences

CV:

2020 -: Professor, Faculty of Political Science
2008-2018: Associate professor, Faculty of Political Science
2008-2018: Adjunct professor, Faculty of Political Science

Teaching and research in international affairs, with an emphasis on Iceland’s foreign and security policy, broadly defined.

2006-2008 Director, Institute of International Affairs
2003-2006 Project/division manager, Centre for Gender Equality

Represents the university community on the University Council from 2022. Member of the Teaching Academy. Co-editor in chief at the Scandinavian Political Studies 2023-2025. Serves on boards and committees in- and outside of UI.

PhD 2018, University College Cork
MA 1998, University of Southern California
BA 1995, Lewis & Clark College.
Graduate diplomas in social science research methods and university teaching, UI 2011 and 2012.

Administrative and leadership experience:

University Council 2022-
On the board of UI’s Real Estate Company since 2023
Director, Institute of International Affairs (IIA) 2006-2008, growing it significantly through grants obtained
President of Icelandic Red Cross 2022-, VP 2020-2022, board member, 2018-2020
Led development of IRC policy 2020-2030, responsible for its overall work
Chair, Gender Equality Council 2019-2021
Courses on third-sector management. Member of Global Community for Women’s Leadership which provides training for women leaders in higher education
On the board of IIA since 2015, vice-chair since 20217
On UI Teaching and Learning Committee 2015-201
On the board of the UI Research Fund 2020-2022

Silja Bára's website

Social Media:

Information about the Rectorial Election

The election for rector shall be held no later than seven weeks after the application deadline. The date of the election will be clearly and widely publicised within the University. Voting will take place online over two days, starting at 9 am on the first day and finishing at 5 pm the next day. Counting of votes shall begin immediately after polling ends.

The applicant who receives the majority of votes is considered to be nominated to the position of rector. If no candidate receives a sufficient number of votes, a second election shall be held, one week later, between the two candidates who received the most votes.

Following the election, the University Council will nominate a candidate, whom the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation will then appoint to the office of rector for a five-year term. The new rector of the University of Iceland will take office on 1 July 2025 and serve until 30 June 2030.

The right to vote

Both students and employees at UI have the right to vote in the election for rector, as follows:

Employees

Everyone appointed or hired to a position at UI or its institutes with a valid contract of employment has the right to vote.

Those working at 0.75 FTE or higher have a full vote,
Those working at 0.37-0.75 FTE have a half vote.
Those working at lower than 0.37 FTE do not have a vote.
Academic staff at UI’s partner institutes, working on the basis of special laws, shall have a half vote. The institutes in question are:
- the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies,
- the Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur
- the National and University Library.

Students

All students enrolled at the University of Iceland at the start of the election shall have the right to vote.

The employee vote is weighted at 70% and the student vote at 30%.

Students and staff can check whether they appear on the electoral register by clicking here.

Election committee

The University Council has appointed an election committee for the upcoming election. The election committee, on behalf of the University Council:

oversees creation of electoral registers,
sets the election date,
manages implementation of the election,
rules on appeals concerning the election,
arranges absentee voting and handles other aspects of the election.

Members of the election committee are:

Víðir Smári Petersen, professor at the Faculty of Law and chair;
Aðalheiður Jóhannsdóttir, professor at the Faculty of Law;
Ebba Þóra Hvannberg, professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science;
Gréta Dögg Þórisdóttir, student at the Faculty of Law; Jens Ingi Andrésson, student at the Faculty of Law,
Sverrir Guðmundsson, project manager at the Division of Science and Innovation.

Rules on the Rectoral Elections

For further information about the election, please see Article 6 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland.

Also in the Rules of procedure on the planning, implementation and organisation of elections for the position of rector of the University of Iceland and creation of electronic electoral registers.