University Council Committees

The Academic Affairs Committee has seven members, appointed by the University Council for a three year period. The Pro-Rector of Academic Affairs and Development chairs the committee and other committee members are chairs of the five school's teachings committees and a student representative, appointed by the Student Council.

The purpose of the Academic Affairs Committee is to work towards the goals set by the University's strategy concerning teaching and learning.

This entails development in teaching and teaching methods at the University of Iceland and works towards procuring University students with outstanding education closely linked to the University's research work.

Further  information on the Committee and its purpose can be found on Ugla - intranet (in Icelandic)

Academic Affairs Committee until 30 June 2023:

• Steinunn Gestsdóttir, Pro-Rector of Academic Affairs and Development, chair.
• Rannveig Sverrisdóttir, Assistant Professor at the School of Humanities (during Haraldur Berharðsson's sabbatical)
• Edda R. H. Waage, Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Hróbjartur Árnason, Assistant Professor at the School of Education (during Svava Pétursdóttir's sabbatical)
• Thamar Melanie Heijstra, Professor at the School of Social Sciences
• Þórdís Katrín Þorsteinsdóttir, Professor at the School of Health Sciences
• Júlía Karín Kjartansdóttir, student representative.

The following people work with the committee:

• Kristinn Andersen, Director of the Division of Academic Affairs
• Guðrún Geirsdóttir, Director of Teaching Development at the Centre for Teaching and Learning
• Hólmfríður Árnadóttir, Head of the Centre for Teaching and Learning
• Margrét Ludwig, Head of Department at the Division of Academic Affairs

The Committee has three members, appointed for the period of three years. Two of the members have a seat on the Committee in the capacity of the job at the University of Iceland.

Consultation Committee for Wage Matters 2020-2023:

• Guðmundur R. Jónsson, Professor, chair
• Ragnhildur Ísaksdóttir, Director of the Division of Human Resources
• Jenný Bára Jensdóttir, Head of the Division of Finance

Sigríður Björnsdóttir, Project Manager at the Division of Operations and Resources.

The Equal Rights Committee of UI oversees equality in a broad sense and, as stated by article 65 of the constitution of Iceland, is to have gender equality at the forefront of its work.

Each of the schools within UI has Equal Rights Committees. Their chairpersons make up the central Equal Rights Committee of UI, along with the chairperson of Central Administrations Equal Rights Committee, a student representative and a chairperson appointed by the Rector. The Equality Officer sits in on all meetings.

Equal Rights Committee members appointed until 30 June 2023:

• Brynja Elísabeth Halldórsdóttir, Lecturer, School of Education, chairperson
• Ingólfur V. Gíslason, Professor, School of Social Sciences
• Sævar Ingþórsson, Adjunct Lecturer, School of Health Sciences
• Eyja Margrét Brynjarsdóttir, Professor, School of Humanities
• Jón Ingvar Kjaran, Professor, School of Education
• Esther Ruth Guðmundsdóttir, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Mars M. Proppé, Student Representative

Also, work with the Committee:

Arnar Gíslason, Sveinn Guðmundsson, Equality Officers

For information, please contact the secretary Guðmundur R. Jónsson

The Finance Committee is comprised of deans of the five University schools chaired by the rector per the University Council's decision from 19 May 2016.

The Finance Committee from 1 July 2020 - 30 June 2023:

• Jón Atli Benediktsson Rector, chairman
• Stefán Hrafn Jónsson Professor, Dean of the School of Social Sciences
• Ólöf Garðarsdóttir Professor, Dean of the School of Humanities
• Kolbrún Þorbjörg Pálsdóttir Professor, Dean of the School of Education
• Sigurður M. Garðarsson Professor, Dean of the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Unnur Þorsteinsdóttir, Dean of the School of Health Sciences

Guðmundur R. Jónsson, Director of Central Administration, and Jenný Bára Jensdóttir Head of Finance Division work with the Committee.

The Planning Committee is appointed from 1 July 2020 until 30 June 2023

The committee is assigned the role of preparing a plan for the overall organisation of the University campus with future development in mind.

Committee members:

• Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering; chair
• Steinunn J. Kristjánsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of History and Philosophy
• Stefán Thors, architect, former Director of the National Planning Agency, and former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
• Sindri Freyr Ásgeirsson, Student representative

Kristinn Jóhannesson, Director of the Division of Operations and Resources, will work with the committee, as well as Jón Sigurður Pétursson, Project Manager at the Division of Operations and Resources, who will be the committee's secretary.

Hrólfur Jónsson, Managing Director of the University of Iceland Science Park, will attend committee meetings as well as Magnús Diðrik Baldursson, Managing Director of the Rector's Office, an observer on behalf of the Rector.

News: University Council Planning Committee begins work (in Icelandic)

The role of the University Council Quality Committee is to ensure the quality of teaching and learning, research as well as governance at the University of Iceland. This involves supporting the formal University quality assurance system and enhancing quality culture within the University. A formal statement of duties defines the Quality Committee's responsibilities. The Committee works closely with other parties involved in central quality assurance management within the University, such as the Academic Affairs Committee, the Science Committee, central administration, school administration, and those service units under its auspices.

The Quality Committee consists of eight members appointed for a three year period. Six of these are permanent members representing their role of duty. The chair is appointed by the rector from the group of academic staff and students nominate one representative among graduate students.

• Jón Ólafsson, Professor at the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies, Chair
• Eva Laufey Eggertsdóttir, student representative

Permanent members:

• Róbert H. Haraldsson, Director, Division of Academic Affairs
• Halldór Jónsson, Director, Division of Science and Innovation
• Guðmundur H. Kjærnested, Director, Division of Information Techonology
• Friðrika Harðardóttir, Director, International Division
• Áslaug Helgadóttir,  Director of Quality Management
• Guðlaug Þóra Kristjánsdóttir, Office Director, Graduate School

First appointed 3 October 1985.

The purpose of the Science Committee is to strengthen research activities at the University of Iceland and encourage discussion on the nature and function of research in the various fields of study. The Division of Science and Innovation provides the Committee with office services.

Science Committee 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

• Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, Pro-Rector of Science, Professor, School of Health Sciences, Chair
• School of Social Sciences: Þorgerður Einarsdóttir, Professor, (deputy member is Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir, Professor)
• School of Education: Berglind Gísladóttir, Professor, (deputy member is Ólafur Páll Jónsson, Professor).
• School of Health Sciences: Eiríkur Steingrímsson, Professor, (deputy member is Guðrún Kristjánsdóttir, Professor).
• School of Engineering and Natural Sciences: Snædís Huld Björnsdóttir, Professor.
• School of Humanities: Valur Ingimundarson, Professor, (deputy member is Ragnheiður Kristjánsdóttir, Professor).
• Student representative: Valgerður Pálmadóttir, Post-doc.

Office of Division of Science and Innovation staff working with the Committee:

• Halldór Jónsson, Director
• María Gestsdóttir, Project Manager, The Graduate School
• Brynja Dís Guðmundsdóttir, Project Manager
• Sverrir Guðmundsson, Project Manager

The University Council's Audit committee is comprised of three members of the University council as per the Audit committee's rules of procedure approved by the University Council on 1 October 2020.

The Audit Committee 1 October to 30 June 2024:

• Ólafur Pétur Pálsson, Professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, representative of the University community
• Arnar Þór Másson, Consultant and Chair of the Board of Directors of Marel hf, a representative nominated by the University Council
• Katrín Atladóttir, engineer and product manager at Dohop, representative of the Minister of Education, Science and Culture

Sigurjón Guðbjörn Geirsson, Internal auditor works with the committee.

Rules of procedure (in Icelandic)

The Complaints Committee for Student Issues operates in accordance with paragraph 3, Article 7 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009.

The Committee's role is to address, and provide the University Council with its opinion on, student complaints and appeals in accordance with Article 50 of the Regulation. In accordance with the nomination of the Rector, the University Council appoints three representatives to this Committee for a three-year term. The chair of the committee must be a lawyer.

The Complaints Committee for Student Issues
(until the end of January 2023)

• Víðir Smári Petersen, Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the School of Social Sciences Faculty of Law
• Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir, Professor at the School of Humanities Faculty of Languages and Cultures
• Sóley S. Bender, Professor at the School of Health Sciences Faculty of Nursing

Magnús Jökull Sigurjónsson, Data Protection Officer, works with the Committee.

Appeals to the Complaints Committee for Student Issues shall be submitted in writing. The postal address for the Committee is:

University of Iceland
Complaints Committee for Student Issues
Office of the Rector, Main Building
Sæmundargata 2
102 Reykjavík

Procedures for student complains and appeals are discussed in Article 50 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. The main aspects of the process are also described in the  Course Catalogue.

The Rector of the University of Iceland appoints six people to the Council for Disability Rights every three years, in keeping with Article 12 of the Regulation on disability services for study at the University of Iceland, no. 481/2010.

The Equality Officer of UI is the chairperson of the council.

Other members are appointed from the Student Counselling and Careers Centre, the Construction Division of UI, and the University Teachers and Professors Union, who must be specialised in the field of disability studies.

There is also a student representative appointed by the Student Union, who must fit the definition of special needs persons as stated in paragraph 1, Article 1 of the aforementioned regulation.

The Council is bound by laws regarding gender equality (law no. 10/2008, Article 15), which means that both genders must make up at least 40% of the Council.

Each school within UI shall appoint a staff member who is its liaison with the Council. The same applies to the Division of Human Resources and each student organisation.

The role of the Council for Disability Rights is to:

• Oversee issues concerning people with disabilities within UI as well as students with special needs, under the mandate from the Rector and University Council.
• Regularly review the policies of the University concerning people with disabilities.
• Prepare and follow the Equal Rights Policy concerning people with disabilities.
• Promote cooperation between those connected to disability issues, including the Student Counselling and Careers Centre, the Equal Rights Committee, the Division of Operations and Technical Services, along with various departments and schools at the University.
• Review and advise (as stated in Articles 14 and 15 of the Regulation on disability services) when requested by members of the University.
• Advise on the designing and planning of new buildings for the UI and make suggestions about improvements as needed. Also to make sure that access on campus is in compliance with policies regarding disability rights.
• Collect and publish a report on the situation of disabled people at the UI every three years.
• Initiate discussions and education about issues relating to disabilities within the University.
• Monitor developments and the situation of disability rights both within and outside the University, in Iceland and abroad, looking to ensure that disability rights are integrated into UI operations.

The Council for Disability Rights follows research connected to disabilities within the University and also educates and releases information and reports on universal access within the UI.

The Council works in close connection with the Student Counsellors and the Division of Operations and Technical Services. The Council can seek advice from people both within and outside the University as needed.

The current Council for Disability Rights members, appointed until 30 June 2019, are:

• Sveinn Guðmundsson, Equality Officer, chairperson
• Snæfríður Þóra Egilson, professor of Disability Studies, appointed by the University Teachers and Professors Union. (for Hanna Björg Sigurjónsdóttir, Professor, during autumn semester of 2020, spring and autumn semester 2021) 
• Ingólfur Aðalbjörnsson, Head of the Construction Division, appointed by the Division of Operations and Technical Services
• Þrúður Kristjánsdóttir, Social worker, appointed by the Student Counselling and Careers Centre
• Margrét Lilja Arnheiðardóttir, appointed by the Student Council.
• Þór Þórhallsson, appointed by the Student Council.

Council meetings are held monthly.

Contact the council through rumff@hi.is.

The Chair of the Ethics Committee is appointed by the University Council according to the Rector's nomination. The Association of University Teachers, as well as Professors' Union each, appoint one Committee Member.
When a complaint of a violation of the Code of Ethics is received, the Rector may appoint two additional members, depending on the nature of the case, to deal with the complaint, along with the Chair and the representatives of the teachers' associations. On behalf of the University Council, the Rector appoints these two members after receiving nominations from the Committee's Chair.
The Chair and representatives of the teachers' associations are appointed for a period of three years; however, the appointment of other members is limited to the relevant case. The Rector appoints a secretary to the Committee from the University staff.

The University of Iceland Code of Ethics, approved at the University Forum on 31 October 2019 and confirmed by the University Council on 5 December 2019.

Committee members 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025:

• Þorgeir Örlygsson, former judge of the Supreme Court and Professor, in accordance with the nomination of the Rector, Chair
• Amalía Björnsdóttir, Professor, appointed by the Professors' Union
• Ármann Höskuldsson, research professor, appointed by the Association of University Teachers.

Magnús Jökull Sigurjónsson, lawyer at the Rector's Office at the University of Iceland works with the committee.

Appeals to the Committee shall be sent in writing to:

University of Iceland
Ethics Committee
Main Building
Sæmundargata 2
102 Reykjavík

• Evaluation committee for new academic positions (permanent members)

2023 - 2026

Education sciences:

Chair: Freyja Hreinsdóttir, professor in School of Education
Ingvar Sigurgeirsson, professor emeritus in School of Education

Engineering and natural sciences:

Chair: Kesara Margrét Jónsson, professor emerita
Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson, professor in Univerity of Hólar

Health sciences:

Chair: Ásta Thoroddsen, professor emerita
Pálmi V. Jónsson, professor emeritus

Humanities:

Chair: Arnfríður Guðmundsdóttir, professor
Páll Björnsson, professor in University of Akureyri

Social sciences:

Chair: Þorgerður J. Einarsdóttir, professor
Jón Torfi Jónasson, professor emeritus

• Evaluation committee for promotion (permanent members)

2021 - 2024

Education sciences:

Chair: Amalía Björnsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Education and Pedagogy
Jón Ingvar Kjaran, professor, Faculty of Education and Diversity
Rúnar Sigþórsson, professor emeritus, University of Akureyri

Engineering and natural sciences:

Chair: Kristinn Andersen, professor, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science
Rannveig Ólafsdóttir, professor, Life and Environmental Sciences
Ása Lovísa Aradóttir, professor, Agricultural University of Iceland

Health sciences:

Chair: Bryndís Eva Birgisdóttir, professor, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
Hákon Hrafn Sigurðsson, professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Helga Margrét Ögmundsdóttir, professor emerita, Faculty of Medicine

Humanities:

Chair: Aðalheiður Guðmundsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies
Rúnar Már Þorsteinsson, professor, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Anna Agnarsdóttir, professor emerita, Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology

Social sciences:

Chair: Sigurveig H. Sigurðardóttir, professor, Faculty of Social Work
Sveinn Agnarsson, professor, Faculty of Business Administration
Grétar Þór Eyþórsson, professor, University of Akureyri

The University of Iceland Health and Safety Committee

Committee members 15 October 2023 - 30 september 2026

• Benjamín Ragnar Sveinbjörnsson, Associate Professor, Faculty of Physical Sciences, chair
• Bernharð Antoniussen, Education Manager, School of Humanities
• Íris Hrönn Guðjónsdóttir, Infrastructure Manager, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Jónína Helga Ólafsdóttir, Team manager, Division of Human Resources
• Sigríður Björk Gunnarsdóttir, Managing Director, School of Social Sciences
• Svavar Jósefsson, Managing Director, School of Education
• Sveinn Hákon Harðarson, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology
• Bergmann Óli Aðalsteinsson, Student representative

Snorri Páll Davíðsson, Project Manager at the Division of Operations and Resources carries out work for the Committee.

After office hours (4 p.m. on weekdays and during weekends) it is possible to reach a Facilities Supervisor in Reykjavík by phone: +354 834 6512.

To contact Securitas directly please dial 533 5533

In the event of danger please call 112 the National Emergency Numer

The Honorary Doctorates Committee was established 3 December 2009.
The Committee, which is appointed for a three-year period, consists of one representative from each of the University's schools as well as one University Council representative, who chairs the Committee.
The current Committee is appointed until the end of 2021:

• Einar Stefánsson, Professor at the School of Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Chair
• Björg Thorarensen, Professor, nominated by the School of Social Sciences - deputy member: Helgi Gunnlaugsson, Professor
• Elín Soffía Ólafsdóttir, Professor, nominated by the School of Health Sciences - deputy member: Jörgen Leonhard Pind, Professor
• Oddný G. Sverrisdóttir, Senior Lecturer, nominated by the School of Humanities - deputy member: Sigurður Brynjólfsson, Professor
• Ingólfur Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Professor, nominated by the School of Education - deputy member: Már Jónsson, Professor
• Árný Erla Sveinbjörnsdóttir, Research Scientist, nominated by the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences - deputy member: Ólöf Garðarsdóttir, Professor

Criteria for awarding honorary doctorates (currently in Icelandic only), approved by the University Council on 1 October 2009.

The Intellectual Property Committee was established in accordance with a decision taken by the University Council and the Executive Board of the National University Hospital. The committee was appointed in 2003.

The role of the Intellectual Property Committee is to implement those working procedures set by the University of Iceland and the National University Hospital regarding the practical application of staff's inventions and research results with reference to national laws 72/2004 on employees inventions. The committee is intended to encourage staff and students to practically apply research results, for example by obtaining patents, founding enterprises or making licence agreements.

The committee evaluates inventions and ideas with the assistance of an appropriate specialist, takes a position on the involvement of the institutions in the practical application of intellectual property, and makes agreements with staff as appropriate.

The members of the Intellectual Property Committee of the University of Iceland and National University Hospital are:

• Kristinn Andersen, Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chair of the Committee
• Sigríður Ólafsdóttir PhD, Director Regulatory Surveillance at Alvotech
• Torfi Magnússon, Doctor at the National University Hospital

The following people work with the committee:

• Halldór Jónsson, Head of the Division of Science and Innovation at the University of Iceland
• Ólöf Vigdís Ragnarsdóttir, Innovation Manager  and Intellectual Property Lawyer at the Division of Science and Innovation, tel: +354 525 5214

Disclosure of invention form for employees of the University of Iceland and the National University Hospital.

Intellectual Property Committee website

In accordance with the University of Iceland Language Policy, a standing Language Committee shall operate within the University, under the auspices of the rector and made up of representatives from all schools, central administration and students. This committee advises administrators and other University staff on issues concerning the Icelandic language, submits proposals regarding implementation of the Language Policy and oversees its execution, as well as being responsible for publicising the policy and any necessary revision.

University of Iceland Language Policy

Committee members 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2026:

• Haraldur Bernharðsson, senior lecturer at the School of Humanities, chair
• Ingólfur V. Gíslason, professor at the School of School of Social Sciences
• Þóra Másdóttir, professor at the School of Health Sciences
• Kolbrún Friðriksdóttir, lecturer at the School of Humanities
• Heimir Freyr Viðarsson, lecturer at the School of Education
• Hafsteinn Einarsson, senior lecturer at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Guðrún Lárusdóttir, project manager at the Division of Human Resources, representative of central administration
• Piergiorgio Consagra, student representative

Further information on the Professional Council on responding to gender-related and sexual harassment and other sexual violence

The University of Iceland Promotion and Tenure Committee evaluates applications for promotion and tenure. More information in Ugla: https://ugla.hi.is/kerfi/view/page.php?sid=5509

• Regulation on promotion of academic staff at the University of Iceland, no. 1300/2020:
• Regulation on academic tenure at the University of Iceland, no. 1301/2020.

Members:

Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, professor and Pro-Rector of Research, chair

Steinunn Hrafnsdóttir, professor, School of Social Science

Sólveig Jakobsdóttir, professor, School of Education

Herdís Sveinsdóttir, professor, School of Health Sciences

Svavar Hrafn Svavarsson, professor, School of Humanities

Sigurður Erlingsson, professor, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Alternate members:

Gunnar Helgi Kristinsson, professor, School of Social Science

Jóhanna Einarsdóttir, professor emerita, School of Education

Ásta Thoroddsen, professor emerita, School of Health Sciences

Oddný Sverrisdóttir, professor School of Humanities

Anna Soffía Hauksdóttir, professor, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Appointed for three years to June 30th 2026.

The Research Ethics Committee for Public Higher Education Institutions provides teaching staff, students, research staff, and other staff members with references concerning research plans.

Seven representatives sit on the Committee, which is appointed for a three-year term. The Committee comprises three representatives from University of Iceland, one member from the University of Iceland Centre for Ethics, two from other universities in Iceland and the Chair of the Committee, who is appointed by the Rector of University of Iceland.

Code of Research Ethics for Public Higher Education Institutions

The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity

The Participation of Children in Scientific Research - General Guidance

Applications

Deadline for applications is at least one week before meetings.

Meetings: Autumn 2024:

• September 4th.
• November 5th.

Application form

Presentation on research ethics
by Professor Ólafur Páll Jónsson

The committee works towards sustainability in a broader sense, in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the University of Iceland's strategy that is valid at the time.

Members of the Committee:

• Lára Jóhannsdóttir, Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, chair
• Auður Pálsdóttir, Senior Lecturer at the School of Education
• Hlynur Helgason,  Senior Lecturer at the School of Humanities
• Jukka Taneli Heinonen, Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Ólafur Ögmundarson, Lecturer at the School of Health Sciences
• Sólrún Sigurðardóttir, Project Manager at the Division of Operations and Resources
• Dagmar Óladóttir, student representative