Mats Melin awarded Stockholm University’s Large Gold Medal

Stockholm University’s large gold medal was instituted in 1990 and is awarded to those who have significantly and over a long period of time worked to promote the university, its research or its teaching.

Justification for the decision:

Mats Melin has had a long and distinguished legal career, serving, among other roles, as Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman, Justice of the Supreme Administrative Court, and President of the Supreme Administrative Court. In May 2020, he assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Stockholm University, an assignment he undertook with great commitment and genuine interest.

His initial period as Chair was marked by the pandemic, which meant that board meetings had to be held digitally. At the same time, he also served as Chair of the Swedish Corona Commission.

Mats Melin was a responsive, wise, and forward-thinking Chair who actively contributed to safeguarding the importance of academic freedom. Through his leadership, he helped foster an open and respectful climate for discussion within the University Board. He provided important support to the University during a period of greater external pressure than it had faced for a long time, including both domestic political and geopolitical challenges.

Mats Melin led the work of the recruitment committee for a new President with great care and professionalism.

His term as Chair concluded in 2024. The following year, he was appointed Honorary Doctor of Laws at Stockholm University. He has continued to participate in the public debate on the autonomy of universities and courts.

Read more about the university´s medals