Frantic feminism in Sweden leads to
tragic consequences for the country. In many fields only
subjective judgement can be made about whether or not a woman fiercely promoted
to the top-position is able to comply with her duties. However, in science the objective
estimation can be done.
So, let’s look at the next
example of a successful Swedish lady-professor: the current Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
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A few excerpts from her CV (cited without edits):
Academic degrees
Professor (adj), SLU (1996-2002)
Associate professor (docent): SLU
(1995)
PhD: Stockholm University
Prizes and awards
Honorary doctor at Faculty of
Forestry, University of British
Columbia , Canada
Honorary doctor at Faculty of
Science, University of Copenhagen ,
Denmark
! The Royal Gold Medal from the
King of Sweden
Carl XVI Gustaf for Outstanding Achievements in Agricultural Sciences
! The Golden Twig, The Swedish
Forestry Association
Memberships
Royal Society of Science
Royal Society of Arts and
Sciences
Publications
In total about 100 publications,
about one third are articles published in refeered journals in plant
physiology, forestry and environment related high quality journals. The others
are scientific book chapters,(including 5 as editor) proceedings from
conferences, reports and information articles and reports.
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Now let’s do a search in databases for the scientific achievements of this lady-professor:
 |
| AGRIS database: 39 documents (click on the picture to enlarge) |
 |
| ProQuest database: 22 documents |
 |
| SCOPUS database: 22 documents, h-index citation 5 |
 |
| ScienceDirect database: 9 documents |
 |
| WEB OF SCIENCE database: 8 documents, h-index citation 5 |
 |
| LIBRIS database: 7 documents |
 |
| PubMed database: 2 documents, h-index citation 5 |
Search summary:
Agris database: 39
documents found
ProQuest database: 22
documents found (only 17 of them –
in peer reviewed)
Scopus database: 18
publications found, citation index – 5
ScienceDirect database: 9
publications found
Web of Science database: 8 publications found, citation index – 5
Libris database: 7
publications found
PubMed database (the most respectable in bioscience): 2 publications found
Now can anybody explain how a person with such poor
scientific results can be awarded with “the Royal Gold Medal from the King of
Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf for Outstanding Achievements in Agricultural Sciences”?
How can she represent Swedish science in the numerous national and
international advisory committees?
I decided not to puzzle over these questions, but ask
directly. So I wrote one by one to the universities, organisations and agencies
that granted this lady-professor with awards or honourable positions. The sample of the letter is below:
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Dean
Faculty of Forestry
I shall appreciate if you would kindly provide information which my
host university refused to share.
According curriculum vitae of Prof. S-F, currently appointed as a
vice-chancellor of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, she was awarded
with the title “honorary doctor” at Faculty of Forestry, University of British
Columbia
The fact is that after Prof. S-F ignored my reports about misconducts I
wondered about the reason of the rejection and made a small investigation. The
results of my survey are enclosed.
Currently I am filled with suspicions that Prof. S-F’s grossly
overstated the number of publications in her CV. She claimed to have “in total
about 100 publications, about one third are articles published in refereed
journals in plant physiology, forestry and environment related high quality
journals.” However, a search gives only 18 publications and shockingly low h
index of 5 points! To my humble point of view such level of scientific
achievements corresponds maximum to the third year postdoc, but not to the
honourable professor. My request for the additional information sent to the
SLU, was ignored and this fact only reinforced my suspicions. I refuse to
believe that the reason why Prof. S-F protected professors, who falsified
research results, was because she might be guilty in similar misconduct.
Thus, I would be very grateful if you could dispel my suspicions and
present me some evidences which would confirm that Prof. S-F earned the
honorary title.
Thank you in advance!
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Replies from addressees will
be published as comments to this post. My humble investigation got reaction
even from the lady-professor herself.
However, I address this post to
the Swedish citizens who love their country.
Does not it bother you that
mediocrities enter Swedish scientific elite?
Does not it resent you that they
make Sweden
look ridiculous on the international level?
Do you not care that “professors”
who lack both theoretical knowledge and practical experience decide on spending
public money?
Even for to a foreigner it is painful that generous public
funding of Swedish science does not cause reciprocal response of gratitude from
the scientific society.
March 19, 2014 23:30
P.S. Few minutes ago another shocking fact fell into my hands!
Thanks to one true scientist from theUniversity
of British Columbia
Here it is:
March 19, 2014 23:30
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Thanks to one true scientist from the
Here it is:
The Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences
Curiouser and
curiouser!
P.P.S. Further correction
came from the University
of British Columbia
The wording was the following: “a leading forestry scientist and professor
who has held prominent positions and advisory roles at universities, public
agencies, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions in Sweden
Such wording makes me wonder whether the University of British
Columbia
ReplyDeleteFrom: Thorne, Sally
Date: Sat, Mar 8, 2014 at 3:25 PM
Subject: Response to your request for information
To: Elena Kalle
Cc: "Courtney, Eilis" , "Innes, John"
Dear Ms. Kalle,
I am writing to follow up on your March 6, 2014 inquiry to the University of British Columbia’s Dean of Forestry. I would like to clarify that honorary degrees are granted by the university, and not by a particular Faculty. The nomination process is publicly available at http://senate.ubc.ca/vancouver/honorary. We invite nominations of individuals from all walks of life representing a variety of outstanding contributions to the arts, science, public life and service. Anyone may make a nomination, and the decision as to which individuals will be invited to receive this honour each year is made by our university’s Senate, on recommendation by its Tributes Committee.
The list of individuals who will be conferred with honorary doctorates at our upcoming ceremonies is available at
http://news.ubc.ca/2014/02/25/arts-and-research-philanthropists-human-rights-activist-among-2014-honorary-degree-recipients/
I trust this answers your question.
Sally Thorne, RN, PhD, FAAN, FCAHS
Associate Dean, Applied Science
Chair, Senate Tributes Committee
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From: Elena Kalle
Date: Sat, Mar 8, 2014 at 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: Response to your request for information
To: "Thorne, Sally"
Cc: "Courtney, Eilis" , "Innes, John"
Dear Prof. Thorne,
Thank you for your reply. However, I am afraid it was not exactly the information I was inquired. You kindly explained me the details of the nomination process and I highly appreciate your time and efforts. However, I was interested in why particular person has been nominated with the honorary degree by the University of British Colombia.
According to the statements of the UBC Senate “the award of an honorary degree is recognition by the University of British Columbia of distinguished achievement or of outstanding service. The criteria for the award of an honorary degree are excellence, eminence and accomplishment.” So, I would appreciate it if the UBC Senate could provide a copy of the decision on honorary degree nomination for the Prof. Sennerby-Forsse, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. I have severe doubts that her achievements can be considered as outstanding and would be thankful if you help me to dispel such heavy suspicions.
Please, notify me whether I am expected to make inquiry in a more formal way.
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Elena Kalle
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From: Thorne, Sally
Date: Sun, Mar 9, 2014 at 2:01 AM
Subject: RE: Response to your request for information
To: Elena Kalle
Cc: "Courtney, Eilis" , "Innes, John"
Dear Ms. Kalle,
The University of British Columbia does not make public its nomination materials or the basis for its decision.
The only information available to you about this case is that which is in the public domain.
Sally Thorne
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From: Elena Kalle
Date: Sun, Mar 9, 2014 at 3:31 AM
Subject: Re: Response to your request for information
To: "Thorne, Sally"
Cc: "Courtney, Eilis" , "Innes, John"
Dear Prof. Thorne,
Would you mind if I make our correspondence public?
Thank you in advance,
Best regards,
Elena
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end of story
Reply from the Advisory Board of the County Administrative Board of Uppsala:
ReplyDeleteDate: Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 12:03 PM
Subject: SV: request for information_Advisory Board
Dear Ms Kalle
The advisory board is appointed by the government. Attached to this letter is their last decision regarding Uppsala’s advisory board.
Best regards
Länsstyrelsen Uppsala län | County Administrative Board
Reply from the Advisory Board of the Swedish National Veterinary Institute:
ReplyDeleteDate: Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Subject: VB: Question about SVA, Dnr 2014/242
Best Elena Kalle,
The Advisory Board of the Swedish National Veterinary Institute had been selected by the Swedish Government, Ministry for Rural Affairs. See attached copy.
Best regards
Registrar
The National Veterinary Instutie
Letter from lady-professor:
ReplyDeleteFrom: Lisa Sennerby Forsse
Date: Thu, Mar 13, 2014 at 12:09 PM
Subject: My publications
To: "Elena Kalle
Cc: Lennart Jonsson
Ms Elena Kalle,
It has come to my attention that you have an interest in my cv and in particular in my publications (see below). In your attempts to miss credit me I think it is better if you have the full picture of my publication list, as enclosed. For your information my other merits are listed on the SLU homepage under “Rectors cv”.
Regards,
Lisa Sennerby Forsse
Rektor/Vice-Chancellor
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
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for reply see the next comment
From: Elena Kalle
ReplyDeleteDate: Sat, Mar 15, 2014 at 7:16 PM
Subject: on Prof. Sennerby-Forsse's scientific achievements and other merits
To: Lisa.Sennerby.Forsse@slu.se
Ms Sennerby-Forsse,
I am glad to receive a list of your publications. Though, now I understand why it has been properly hidden. Although your list of publication is wordy, it can impress only people outside academia. The survey through the main scientific databases showed that maximum 39 of your papers can be found there. If scientific publication is not in any of the databases, it means that there are no such document (at least it does not exist for the scientific society). The result of survey is attached. A short summary is provided below:
Agris: 39
ProQuest: 22 (only 17 of them – in peer reviewed)
Scopus: 18, citation index 5
ScienceDirect: 9
Web of Science: 8, citation index 5
Libris: 7
PubMed: 2
Even the Agris database, which designated especially for agriculture-related papers, contains only 39 of your publications in total, including non-peer reviewed. Among all these databases PubMed is the only one that really counts for biologists. Only 2 of your articles are registered there. Moreover, one of these article is cited only once and another – never at all. This is the true results of your achievements as a scientist. And of course, the citation index of 5 is nothing more but a shame for a professor.
All your other merits are derived of your supposed scientific achievements. The honoured positions which you were granted assumed that you have a high level of competence in your field. Since your scientific achievements were severely exaggerated your other “merits” ought to be considered obtained by the deceive.
One can think that you were granted all these honourable positions due to the extraordinary managerial talent. However, there are serious doubts that you accomplished outstanding results as a general manager of the entrusted on you university. According to the official figures, only in 2012 SLU received 3059 millions Swedish krones. Unlike the Uppsala University, SLU is the nest of applied science and must transform knowledge into technologies (meaning patents). However, the only patent called “Apparatus for feeding longitudinal heterogenous goods” (PI, Hans O. Sall) has been submitted by SLU in 1980. Although SLU has the whole department devoted to promote patenting, no patents have been submitted for the last 34 years. Taking into account more then generous financial supply the only reason of such dreadful failure can be exclusively a poor management.
It is thanks to your administration social parasites succeeded at SLU. Instead of true scientists persons with twisted mentality are promoted to the leading positions at our university. Once I asked “professors” in my home department why during the decades of studying particular forest disease they made more then humble attempts to develop practical methods to control the pathogen. The answer I got was:” Until the disease is in the forest, we continue to get money.”
You also condone the lawlessness in our university. PhD students and junior researchers are in the worse situation. Attached to this letter there is a file with photocopies of students’ letters*. Most of the victims, whose lives and academic careers were broken, did not even dare to complain. Although experience shows that students who dare to defend their rights are severely persecuted and subjected to repressions. These hostile environments are created at our university under your auspices.
So the questions are: who are you, Ms. Sennerby-Forsse? And why were you granted with awards and entrusted with honourable positions despite the lack of scientific achievements and managerial talent?
Elena Kalle
* Earlier I have got letters from SLU students who share with me their sad stories. Guys!Please, do not worry.Your names will never be disclosed to nobody. I deleted names of departments or any other tokens you might be recognized by. I know what SLU can do with discontent students and will never endanger my colleagues.