Get to Know our New Director: Mikael Fogelström

As of this year, Nordita has a new director. Professor Mikael Fogelström has taken over this role from previous director Professor Niels Obers. With his extensive experience in the field of physics, Professor Fogelström is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Nordita.

Professor Mikael Fogelström, or Micke as he prefers to be called, completed his Ph.D. at Åbo Akademi in 1995, focusing on theoretical and numerical studies of superfluid ³He. He conducted postdoctoral research at Northwestern University and Karlsruhe University of Technology before joining Chalmers University of Technology in 2000. At Chalmers, he worked in the Department of Physics and later at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2) where he later also served as the head of the department. His research areas include mesoscopic and unconventional superconductivity, with recent work on graphene and topological materials.

To better understand Micke’s vision and plans for Nordita, we conducted a brief interview. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

Q: What inspired you to get into a career in theoretical Physics and eventually take on the role as the director of our institute?

As a teenager with a budding interest in mathematics and physics, I was mainly drawn to history and social sciences. However, when I watched a BBC documentary about the Manhattan Project, detailing the collaborative effort to build nuclear weapons and offering a very interesting portrait of Oppenheimer, it steered me towards physics. This documentary resonated with my interests, showing how physics can drive significant contributions to society. While I often joke with my students about my initial interest sparked by a documentary on building atomic bombs, the real essence lies in the profound impact physics can have when harnessed for collective progress. At Nordita, I would like to encourage a culture where personal intellectual growth is enhanced by collaboration and interaction, recognizing that it is together that we can achieve the advancements that make theoretical physics move forward.

Q: How do you plan to foster collaboration and community engagement both within Nordita and with external partners?

I believe in the power of direct interaction and communication. By encouraging more face-to-face discussions among researchers on site, we can strengthen collaboration within Nordita. Additionally, I think it is important to work on enhancing Nordic collaboration. For instance, we are actively engaging with the UNESCO “100 years of Quantum” initiatives across the globe, aiming to contribute, together with other universities, from a Nordic perspective. This collaboration is already taking shape and builds upon groundwork already done by previous director Niels Obers. It's an ongoing effort to deepen partnerships and enhance our collective impact in theoretical physics.

Q: How do you plan to navigate the current financial challenges that Nordita is facing, in order to ensure its financial sustainability?

Nordita has a rich history spanning over 60 years, and like any institute of its age, we must continuously adapt to current circumstances. Addressing our financial challenges requires a strategic approach focused on several key areas. One priority is to find a way to reinstate the fellows program, which has been an important way to attract talented young researchers to Nordita. We are currently exploring new formats of being able to achieve this goal.

Collaboration with senior faculty and the board, as well as with our host universities, will be crucial in this effort. Restoring these programs will not only invigorate Nordita but also foster a dynamic and vibrant academic environment. I am optimistic about our ability to achieve this.

Another initiative we are considering is establishing a joint PhD school, creating a unified curriculum across Nordic universities. The responsibility of maintaining a graduate curriculum of highest standard is currently challenging as the number of students at each university is rather low and the work to deliver courses is in some sense constant and do not scale to strongly with the number of students. Nordita is well suited to be a platform that offers advanced and topical graduate courses in theoretical physics. Discussions on this matter will be a focal point of our upcoming strategy meeting in September.

Looking ahead, I would like to expand Nordita's presence and influence by encouraging other Nordic universities with theoretical physics departments to become directly involved. Strengthening these partnerships will not only facilitate greater collaboration but also provide more opportunities for young researchers across the region.

Q: What impact do you hope to have on the next generation of theoretical physicists through your role as director, and how do you plan to support and mentor young researchers?

As director, my primary focus is to ensure that Nordita is an attractive and supportive environment for young researchers. I aim to create conditions that allow these researchers to thrive, build networks, and develop their careers. Many young researchers spend a few years here before moving on, so it's important that we provide them with a solid foundation.

First, it's crucial that young researchers have a solid ground to stand on, which includes access to necessary resources and support. Second, developing a strong network of collaborators is essential for their professional growth. Lastly, visibility in the scientific community is vital, and we can offer this through our workshops and programs. Networking and collaboration opportunities are particularly important, and I strive to facilitate these aspects at Nordita.

---

A recurring theme throughout the interview is the director’s strong focus on collaboration. Whether it’s fostering connections among researchers, strengthening ties between Nordic countries, or enhancing partnerships with universities, his vision emphasizes working together at all levels. Micke’s optimistic outlook on Nordita's future highlights his belief in the institute's potential to drive significant advancements in theoretical physics. He highlights the importance of creating a supportive and dynamic environment for young researchers, reinstating the fellows program, and increasing Nordita's visibility and influence. Through these efforts, he aims to ensure that Nordita remains and grows further as a vital and influential center for theoretical physics.

What’s your favorite article that you have written, and why?

It's difficult to choose just one favorite article, as each holds special significance for different reasons. But here are a few:

During my late Ph.D. years going into my first postdoc, I had the opportunity to collaborate with new people and test my own ideas, which was incredibly exciting. One of my memorable articles from that time was written in 2000, focusing on superconductors connected through magnetic interfaces. This piece was particularly satisfying because it was a solo effort that marked a milestone in my independent research.

Josephson currents through spin-active interfaces

Another favorite is from 2015, which stands out due to a serendipitous collaboration with a student who initially thought they had found an error in the calculations. This student developed a highly effective code, and we have since published a series of articles clarifying the findings. This experience was both fun and rewarding as it highlighted the importance of mentorship and collaboration.

Spontaneously broken time-reversal symmetry in high-temperature superconductors

Finally, another article from 2015 is also dear to me. It involved using the same coding techniques I developed during my Ph.D., but applied on new, more powerful computers. This demonstrated how foundational skills and tools can evolve and remain relevant over time.

Lifshitz Transition in the Double-Core Vortex in 3 He−B

Writing style: Procrastinate as much as possible and then write it all in a few intensive sessions. Sometimes train journeys have been helpful.