Press Release

Gunilla Widén appointed new Rector of Åbo Akademi University

The Board of Åbo Akademi University has today, 27 January 2026, appointed Professor Gunilla Widén as the new Rector of Åbo Akademi. Widén has served as Acting Rector since April 2025. The new rectoral term will run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2031.

– The choice was between two highly qualified candidates. In light of the ongoing transformation efforts at Åbo Akademi University, we deem Gunilla Widén to be the most suitable individual to continue carrying out the duties of Rector of ÅAU and to lead the continued implementation of the university’s strategy, says Dag Wallgren, Chair of Åbo Akademi University’s Board.

Gunilla Widén, born in 1967 in Turku, has been Professor of Information Studies at Åbo Akademi University since 2008 and has served as Acting Rector since April 2025. She has a solid research background with a PhD from Åbo Akademi University and over 120 scientific publications. Her research is strongly connected to societal information environments, information literacy, and knowledge management, and she has been active in international collaborations. Her interests include topics such as information culture within organizations, young people’s information behavior, and the information practices of refugees.

Widén has extensive experience in academic leadership. In addition to her current role as Acting Rector, she has served as Pro‑Rector for Education (since 2022), Vice‑Dean, and Head of Subject at Åbo Akademi University. She has been a docent at Tampere University since 2007, a member of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters since 2015, and a member of the Scientific Council of the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland since 2022.