The ceremony was held in the grand hall of the Main University Building where the Vice-Chancellor Erik Renström welcomed the new professors to Lund University and reminded them of the great responsibility that title entails. The student representative, Teo Houmann, continued along the same lines as he reminisced about the professors of his childhood which were magicians, heroes and visionaries.

Looking at contributing to better living conditions through his research, Markus Grillitsch studies how global forces such as technological change, regulations and crises affect regional development. He has investigated the innovative capacity of entrepreneurs and companies, as well as the systemic factors that influence this capacity at regional and national level, and how innovation policy can contribute to a green and digital transition.

In the transition process for regional development and improved living conditions, Markus Grillitsch emphasises the importance of social innovation and collaboration between actors. He has led projects on regional development in vulnerable areas and worked on issues of sustainability, green transition and the circular economy.

The picture painted by the student representative of professors being magicians, heroes and visionaries might be closer to reality than we first might think, as Teo Houmann pointed out that working as a professor takes courage, integrity and commitment.