Best supervisor of the year 2020
Maria Ek Styvén, professor of Industrial Marketing, has been named the best supervisor of the year 2020 for PhD students from Teknologkåren at Luleå University of Technology.
The motivation for the award reads: " With great calm and patience, Maria gives her PhD students guidance where needed and allows them to develop in their independence. Her flexible leadership style allows her to calm her PhD students' nerves but also to push them to push their ideas forward. Maria is sensitive and attaches great importance to the well-being of her doctoral students, she takes the time to encourage when motivation or self-confidence is failing and encourages rest when needed.
With great professionalism and commitment, Maria not only shares her skills and her own experiences, but also ensures that her PhD students can own their own research and be in the spotlight. In the interaction with her doctoral students, she is present, accessible, and a great support in both administrative and research-related issues.
In addition to her skilled supervision, Maria has acted exceptionally during the Covid-19 pandemic when many doctoral students struggled with difficult work situations. When contact with colleagues and supervisors was limited, she took a much-appreciated initiative for extended, virtual, contact with her doctoral students.
Maria Ek Styvén is a supervisor who cares about the well-being and health of her doctoral students, and she supports her PhD students in all aspects of their education."