Honorary Doctor Recognized for Sustainable Collaboration in the Water Sector
In recognition of her strong commitment to research and sustainable development, Petra Viklund, Head of Water Department at Lumire (Luleå Water Utility & Environmental Resource), has been appointed Honorary Doctor of Technology at Luleå University of Technology. She is acknowledged for her long-standing and close collaboration with the university and research and for advancing Luleå as a model city for cooperation between academia and practice.
As Head of Water at Lumire, Petra Viklund has played a key role in building and deepening collaboration with Luleå University of Technology. With her genuine interest in research and her drive to put knowledge into practice, she has contributed to advancements in the water sector. Through the research clusters Stormwater&Sewers and DRIZZLE – Centre for Stormwater Management, she works actively with innovation and skills development.
“This award came as a wonderful surprise and is, of course, a great honor. I see it as proof of the strong partnership we have built over time. The key for us has been applied water research, where we dare to test new ideas in our local environments. Our goal is for Luleå to be a circular role model, both nationally and internationally, and this recognition gives us an extra boost forward,” says Petra Viklund.
Research and Collaboration in Practice
Petra Viklund has played a decisive role in making Luleå University of Technology a hub for research and innovation in urban water engineering. Through close collaboration between research and practical operations, she has helped ensure that new solutions are tested directly in field. She emphasizes the importance of courage and innovation, even in a traditionally conservative sector.
“It’s about daring to test new methods in our own cities. We don’t just work with theory – we focus on solutions that actually work in practice,” according to Petra Viklund.
En cirkulär förebild
Under sin hedersföreläsning talade Petra Viklund om hur Luleå har vuxit fram, från stadens första vattenledningar i början av 1900-talet till dagens moderna och klimatneutrala VA-system. Hon visade hur modiga beslut och långsiktighet har gjort Luleå till en förebild inom hållbar vattenhantering, och hur framtidens samhällen måste byggas med helhetssyn på resurser, klimat och människor.
– Jag är oerhört stolt över att få vara en del av den utveckling som pågår här i Luleå, tillsammans med Luleå tekniska universitet och andra partners. Vi har verkligen något unikt här – det är en spännande tid, och jag ser fram emot att fortsätta bidra till att bygga en hållbar framtid för oss alla, säger Viklund.
A Circular Role Model
In her honorary lecture, Petra Viklund spoke about how Luleå has evolved – from the city’s first water pipelines in the early 1900s to today’s modern and climate-neutral water and wastewater systems. She highlighted how bold decisions and long-term thinking have made Luleå a model for sustainable water management, and how future societies must be built with an integrated view of resources, climate, and people.
“I’m incredibly proud to be part of the ongoing development here in Luleå, together with Luleå University of Technology and other partners. We truly have something unique here – it’s an exciting time, and I look forward to continuing to contribute build a sustainable future for all of us,” states Petra Viklund.
Watch Petra's honorary doctor lecture
(given in Swedish)
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