University of Iceland, Main building, Aula
About the Council committees

The committees are advisory in their respective fields, but do not have executive or decision-making powers, unless it is specifically stipulated in a mission letter issued by the UI Council. 

 Standing committees

The pro-rector for education chairs the committee. The other members are the chairs of the five school teaching committees and a student representative appointed by the Student Council.

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

This entails development in teaching and teaching methods with the goal of providing students with an outstanding education closely linked to the University's research work.

Further information on the Committee and its purpose can be found on the Ugla intranet.

Academic Affairs Committee 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027

The following people work with the committee

The Audit Committee is made up of three members of the University Council, in accordance with the committee's rules of procedure approved by the University Council on 1 October 2020.

The Audit Committee 1 June 2026 to 30 June 2028

  • 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 at Marel, a representative nominated by the University Council
  • Steinunn Valdís Óskarsdóttir, Office Director at the Ministry of Justice, nominated by the Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education

Sigurjón Guðbjörn Geirsson, the internal auditor, works with the committee.

Rules of procedure (in Icelandic)

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

Salaries Consultation Committee 2026-2029

The Equal Rights Committee oversees equality in a broad sense, with a focus on gender equality as required by Article 65 of the Constitution of Iceland.

Each school at UI has a school-level equal rights committee. Their chairs make up the central Equal Rights Committee, along with the chair of the Equal Rights Committee for central administration, a student representative and a chair appointed by the rector. The equality officer sits in on all meetings.

Equal Rights Committee members appointed until 30 June 2029

Also working with the Committee:

The role of the Equal Rights Committee

The Equal Rights Committee advises on equality and diversity-related issues, aiming to combat discrimination on the grounds of gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, gender identity, origin, ethnicity, religion, and any other identities/characteristics. The goal is to promote gender equality in teaching, research and administration, to amplify the voices of minorities and ensure that all people enjoy the same access and opportunities at the University.

Responsibilities of the Equal Rights Committee

  • Regularly re-evaluating UI's Equality Action Plan in collaboration with the rector and the University Council.
  • Ensuring that the Equality Action Plan is followed, in collaboration with the equal officers.
  • Ensuring that all schools, organisations and administrative divisions at the University have an up-to-date equality action plan.
  • Promoting equality related discussions and education within the University.
  • Advising the rector and University Council on equality issues and providing feedback on matters referred to the Committee by the rector or the Council.
  • Ensuring that non-Icelandic speaking students and staff have access to information and opportunities at UI.
  • Working with the Council for Disability Rights.

The Equal Rights Committee meets regularly and the chair keeps the rector informed of their work. The chair also reports annually to the University Council on the status of equality work at the University of Iceland.

The Finance Committee comprises the five school deans at the University of Iceland and is chaired by the rector, as determined by the University Council on 19 May 2016.

The Finance Committee from 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2029

Guðmundur R. Jónsson, director of central administration, and Jenný Bára Jensdóttir, director of Finance Division, work with the committee.

The Planning Committee is appointed from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2028.

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

Committee members

Kristinn Jóhannesson, director of the Division of Operations and Resources, works with the committee, as well as Jón Sigurður Pétursson, project manager at the Division of Operations and Resources, who is 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.

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 various fields of study. The Division of Science and Innovation provides the committee with office services.

Science Committee 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029

Division of Science and Innovation staff working with the Committee

 Other committees

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

(from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029)

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

Appeals to the Complaints Committee for Student Issues can also be sent to Magnús D. Baldursson, mb@hi.is.

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

  • 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 issues affecting disabled people at UI every three years.
  • Raise awareness of disability issues at the University.
  • Monitor developments and disability rights both within and outside the University, in Iceland and abroad, with a view to ensuring that disability rights are integrated into UI operations.

The Council for Disability Rights follows research connected to disabilities within the University and also provides information and reports on accessibility at UI.

The Council works closely with 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 2028, are:

  • Sveinn Guðmundsson, equality officer, chair
  • Hanna Björg Sigurjónsdóttir, professor of disability studies at the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, appointed by the University Teachers and Professors Union
  • Jón Sigurður Pétursson, project manager, appointed by the Division of Operations and Resources
  • Ástríður Margrét Eymundsdóttir, project manager, appointed by the Student Counselling and Career Centre
  • Halldóra Elín Einarsdóttir, appointed by the Student Council
  • Aníta Ósk Arnardóttir, appointed by the Student Council.

Council meetings are held monthly.

Contact the council through rumff@hi.is.

The chair of the Ethics Committee is nominated by the rector and appointed by the University Council. The Association of University Teachers and the Professors' Union each appoint one member.

When a violation of the Code of Ethics is reported, the rector may appoint two additional members, depending on the nature of the case, to investigate the matter along with the chair and union representatives. The chair nominates these two members.

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 who is a UI employee.

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.

Operational Rules for the Ethics Committee, approved at the University Forum on 31 October 2019 and confirmed by the University Council on 5 December 2019.

Committee members 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2029

Hafdís Una Guðnýjardóttir, a lawyer at the Rector's Office, works with the committee. Appeals can be sent by e-mail to hub@hi.is.

Appeals to the committee can also be sent in writing to:

University of Iceland
Ethics Committee
Main Building
Sæmundargata 2
102 Reykjavík

Evaluation committee for new academic positions - permanent members

(An additional faculty-appointed representative is added in each case)
Term of appointment: 2026-2029

Education sciences

Chair: Ingvar Sigurgeirsson, professor emeritus at the School of Education
Guðrún Valgerður Stefánsdóttir, professor emeríta at the School of Education

Engineering and natural sciences

Chair: Áslaug Geirsdóttir, professor emerita at the Faculty of Earth Sciences
Hlynur Óskarsson, professor at the Agricultural University of Iceland

Health sciences

Chair: Kristín Briem, professor at the Faculty of Medicine
Pálmi V. Jónsson, professor emeritus at the Faculty of Medicine

Humanities

Cahir: Ásdís Rósa Magnúsdóttir, prófessor í frönsku við Mála- og menningardeild
Páll Björnsson, professor við Háskólann á Akureyri

Social Sciences

Chair: Þorgerður J. Einarsdóttir, professor emerita at the Faculty of Political Science
Jón Torfi Jónasson, professor emeritus at the School of Education

Further information on the appointment process

Evaluation committee for academic promotion

(An additional faculty-appointed representative is added in each case)
Term of appointment: 2024-2027

Education sciences

  • Chair: Amalía Björnsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Education and Pedagogy
  • Kristín Björnsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Subject Teacher Education
  • Rúnar Sigþórsson, professor emeritus, University of Akureyri


Engineering and natural sciences

  • Chair: Guðmundur Freyr Úlfarsson, professor, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Rannveig Ólafsdóttir, professor, Life and Environmental Sciences
  • Ása Lovísa Aradóttir, professor, Agricultural University of Iceland


Health sciences

  • Chair: Helga Gottfreðsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
  • Hákon Hrafn Sigurðsson, professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Helga Margrét Ögmundsdóttir, professor emerita, Faculty of Medicine


Humanities

  • Chair: Ármann Jakobsson, professor, Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies
  • Geir Sigurðsson, professor, Faculty of Languages and Cultures
  • TBA, Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies


Social sciences

  • Chair: Sveinn Agnarsson, professor, Faculty of Business Administration
  • Kristín Loftsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics
  • Grétar Þór Eyþórsson, professor, University of Akureyri

Further information on academic promotion.

The University of Iceland Health and Safety Committee manages health and safety at the University in accordance with the Act on Working Environment, Health and Safety in Workplaces, no. 46/1980. The Health and Safety Committee's duties include educating students and staff, implementing preventative measures, and proposing rules of procedure where necessary. The committee works with students and staff to make the University safer.

Committee members 15 October 2023 - 1 February 2027

Snorri Páll Davíðsson, project manager at the Division of Operations and Resources, works for the committee.

Outside office hours (weekends and after 4 pm on weekdays), you can 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 number

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 2027:

  • Már Jónsson, professor, nominated by the School of Humanies, chair
  • Helgi Gunnlaugsson, professor, nominated by the School of Social Sciences - deputy member: Aðalheiður Jónsdóttir, professor
  • Elín Soffía Ólafsdóttir, professor, nominated by the School of Health Sciences - deputy member: Sigurður J. Grétarsson, professor
  • Oddný Sverrisdóttir, professor emerita at the Faculty of Languages and Culture, nominated by the School of Humanities
  • Anna Kristín Sigurðardóttir, professor at the Faculty of education and diversity, nominated by the School of Education
  • Sigurður Brynjólfsson, professor at the Fauclty of Mechanical Engineering, biomechanics and bioengineering nominated by the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Criteria for awarding honorary doctorates (currently in Icelandic only) were 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 Landspítali University Hospital. The committee was appointed in 2003.

The role of the Intellectual Property Committee is to implement the procedures set by the University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital regarding commercialisation of employee inventions and research results, with reference to Act no. 72/2004 on employees' inventions. The committee is intended to encourage staff and students to find commercial applications for research results, for example by obtaining patents, establishing start-ups or making licence agreements.

The committee evaluates inventions and ideas with the help of an appropriate specialist, decides whether the institutions will pursue technology transfer, and makes agreements with staff as appropriate.

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

The following people work with the committee:

Disclosure of invention form for employees of the University of Iceland and Landspítali 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 2026 – 30 June 2029:

The University Council appoints a Professional Council for responding to gender-based and sexual harassment and other sexual violence, in accordance with Article 3 of the rules of procedure linked below (approved 1 March 2018). Appointments are valid for three years, from July 1 2026 to 30 June 2029.

Members of the council are:

  • Þóra S. Einarsdóttir, psychologist at DMG, chair.
    • Email: thora@dmg.is
    • Tel.: +354 770 7252
  • Finnborg Salome Steinþórsdóttir, post-doctoral researcher in gender studies, Faculty of Political Science
  • Henry Alexander Henrysson, ethicist

The following people work with the committee:

Rules of procedure on the response to gender-based and sexual harassment and other sexual violence at the University of Iceland

The University of Iceland Promotion and Tenure Committee evaluates applications for promotion and tenure. More information in Ugla.

Members

Alternate members

Appointed for three years to 30 June 2029.

The University of Iceland Science Ethics Committee provides teaching staff, students, research staff, and other University of Iceland staff members with references for proposed research projects.

Seven representatives sit on the committee, which is appointed for a three-year term. The committee comprises one representative from each school, one member from the University of Iceland Centre for Ethics and a chair, who is appointed by the rector.

Committee Members 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2029

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

Research Ethics

Applications

The deadline for applications is at least one week before meetings.

Meetings scheduled for 2026:

  • June 2026
  • To be announced

Application form

The committee works towards sustainability in a broader sense, in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the current UI strategy.

Members of the Committee
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