Linda Laikre awarded honorary doctorate at the University of Gothenburg
Linda Laikre, Professor of Population Genetics at the Department of Zoology, was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Gothenburg on 23 October.
The honorary doctorate recognises Linda Laikre’s research on genetic diversity and her work to bring this knowledge into biodiversity management and policy. Her research has been important for the management of species such as wolves, moose, salmonids, herring and pike.
As early as the late 1980s, she showed that wolves are sensitive to inbreeding, contrary to the prevailing view at the time. Her research group has since revealed, among other things, a previously unknown genetic structure in Baltic herring. Together with researchers at the University of Gothenburg and Swedish authorities, she has developed monitoring of genetic diversity, and she has contributed to the inclusion of genetic diversity in the UN Global Biodiversity Framework.
The day before the conferment ceremony, Linda Laikre gave her honorary doctor lecture at the faculty: “Making the Invisible Visible: Genetic Diversity from Population Genetics to Biodiversity Policy and Management”.
“It feels truly gratifying and an honour – and at the same time completely unexpected,” says Linda Laikre.
Read more: Population geneticist Linda Laikre appointed honorary doctor (gu.se)
Last updated: 2026-10-26
Source: Communications Office