2022 Annual Report

Presidents letter

2022 marked my first full year as President of Reykjavik University (RU). It was a positive and eventful year, especially as it felt refreshingly normal compared to 2020 and much of 2021, with all pandemic-related restrictions in Iceland lifted by the end of February. RU is Iceland’s second-largest university, home to approximately 3,600 students and around 300 permanent staff members. We graduate the majority of Iceland’s technically educated students, rank highest among Icelandic universities on the Times Higher Education list, and are world leading in research impact.

We take pride in our contributions to Icelandic society through education, research, collaboration, and innovation. Our commitment to growth and progress is exemplified by our recent partnership in NeurotechEU, a testament to RU's forward-thinking ambition.

As a student-centered institution, Reykjavik University’s mission is to equip students for the future. We encourage students to engage actively in their learning, reminding them that education is more than acquiring knowledge—it’s about cultivating the skills to analyze facts, seek truth, and reflect critically. In an era of misinformation and scientific denial, fostering critical thinking and a foundation in scientific principles is crucial for the health of democratic discourse.

RU leads in research across its fields and fosters a dynamic research environment that strengthens connections between students and the business community. We are also dedicated to importing knowledge that doesn’t yet exist in Iceland, making our international relationships broader and deeper than most. This blend of local engagement and global perspective has earned us a place among the world’s best young universities (Young Universities Ranking), where RU ranks 53rd among 750 institutions under 50 years old.

We are proud of our faculty’s and students' achievements and are committed to ongoing improvements that prepare graduates for business and industry. The future is uncertain yet filled with exciting opportunities in research, innovation, and education. Reykjavik University will continue to drive progress, remaining a strong pillar for Icelandic society and industry and a source of new ideas, knowledge, solutions, and ventures.

Ragnhildur Helgadóttir
President of Reykjavik University

Highlights

Students

A total of 1043 students graduated from Reykjavik University in 2022: 208 in February, 754 in June and 81 in October. 695 students graduated from undergraduate studies with Bachelor’s degrees or diplomas, 345 from graduate studies and 7 students graduated with a PhD from RU. In addition to university graduates, 47 students graduated from preliminary studies. In the autumn of 2022, RU welcomed 1100 new students and 172 exchange students from around the world.

Overview of graduates in 2022 (number of students)

Permanent employees (total at the end of 2022)

Cooperation with Industry

Reykjavik University (RU) takes pride in its strong connections with industry and society. Each department collaborates with numerous companies and institutions in Iceland and internationally, providing students with valuable opportunities for internships, service learning, research projects, and hands-on coursework. Advisory groups from the industry also contribute to curriculum development, ensuring that these ties are integral to the student experience.

Since 2017, RU has partnered with MIT's Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), offering Icelandic industry access to cutting-edge knowledge and insights. This partnership grew even stronger during the pandemic, and the network continues to expand. In 2022, RU staff visited MIT twice: once in the spring with representatives from industry and business, and again in the fall when RU’s President, School Deans, and Department Chairs visited.

RU has also strengthened its support for innovation through courses, events, and collaborations with entrepreneurs and businesses. In 2022, the university undertook the RU Start-Up Sun project, which mapped the companies founded by RU students and faculty since the university’s establishment in 1998. This project revealed that over 60 companies have emerged from RU, originating from research, student projects, and the popular "Entrepreneurship and Starting New Ventures" course—one of the largest university-level entrepreneurship courses in Iceland.

In March 2022, RU hosted the inaugural Nordic Case Challenge (NCC), a competition founded by RU in collaboration with Copenhagen Business School, Lund University, BI Norwegian Business School, University of Agder, and Tampere University. NCC gives undergraduate students a chance to solve real business cases with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Each year, up to 15 Nordic universities participate. Following the 2022 event at RU, CBS and Lund University hosted in 2023, and Tampere University in Finland will host in March 2024.

Research

The Icelandic Research Fund allocated to RU faculty 499 MISK in total in 2022. RU received 34 grants from the fund in 2022. The total allocation to RU from the Icelandic Research Fund has quadrupled since 2012. The total allocation to RU faculty from Icelandic research funds in 2022 was around 567 MISK, and foreign grant revenues were around 393 MISK. Reykjavik University awarded ISK 108 million to 21 PhD students from the RU Research Fund in 2022. In 2022, the RU Infrastructure Fund awarded grants to RU faculty for the second time, in total 22 MISK to 8 projects.

Executive Education and Continuous Learning

The Open University at Reykjavik University is a non-academic department dedicated to providing high-quality professional development opportunities. Each year, it offers approximately 100 courses designed to help executives, specialists, and managers from various industries enhance their skills and improve workplace performance.

In 2022, around 5,800 participants engaged in Executive Education and Continuous Learning programs at RU. This figure includes participants from corporate partnerships. Notably, the Open University provided digital courses on behalf of the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities for elected officials and delivered tailored training to prominent organizations such as Blue Lagoon.

In the fall of 2022, the Open University welcomed a new director, Dr. Ingunn S. Unnsteinsdóttir Kristensen. Dr. Kristensen is tasked with spearheading the University's innovation and development initiatives, reinforcing its role as a key player at the intersection of industry, academia, and science. A distinguished academic, she defended her doctoral dissertation at RU's Department of Psychology in 2022 and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from the University of Iceland.
Skema, an initiative run by the Open University, focuses on equipping children with essential skills in programming and information technology, promoting equal opportunities regardless of gender, class, or other factors. Additionally, Skema trains elementary school teachers to integrate programming into their curricula. In 2022, Skema organized over 100 courses and events, reaching students across the country.

Student Counselling Services

The aim of the Student Counselling is to ensure that all students at Reykjavik University can engage effectively in their academic and social environment, and to support well-being and mental health. The service is free and confidential for students at the University, and for all students considering further education. Guiding, supporting and informing students, from their first contact with the university up to alumni level

• Position values are five. Three study and career counsellors and two psychologists.
• Services are free of charge
• We use: https://go.karaconnect.com/p/ru students can book their appointments and choose between on-site or online services

Number of student counselling services interviews

• Year 2022 -> 2245 interviews

Seminars are held each school year. Various aspects of studying are covered, for example, time management, goal setting, mind-set, reading techniques, taking notes, and sitting exams. Seminars on controlling anxiety or stress are held regularly. In these seminars, students receive instruction on how to recognise the symptoms of exam anxiety or stress, and on how to react to mental and physical symptoms to lessen the impact of anxiety on their study performance. The Student Counselling organizes a mental health awareness week each year. We also offer counselling and support for students with neuropsychological problems such as; ADD, ADHD, and autism spectrum.

Education- and support material is available online: https://www.ru.is/namid/nemandinn/namsradgjof#fraedsluefni

Student Counselling helps students to manage their careers and assists with CVs and job interviews. Seminars are held for each department, for students applying for internship.

The Student Counselling also offers services for students with special needs or learning disabilities and is responsible for the special resource system: https://sa.ru.is/

The Director of the Student Counselling Services is Gréta Matthíasdóttir.

International Affairs

The International Office is responsible for student and staff exchange within the frame of Erasmus+ (KA131 and KA171), Nordplus, and other bilateral agreements.

It develops international partnerships and provides pre-arrival and support services to all international students at RU. The office is the first contact for international admissions and verifies applications and documents to be processed by RU departments.

During 2022, 96 students went on exchange/internship programs to study at partner universities, while 272 international exchange students came to study at RU. 40 teachers and staff members received Erasmus+ grants for guest lecturing and visits to universities abroad. The office was involved in organizing visits and welcoming 53 international guests from both partner and non-partner universities.

According to the Erasmus Without Paper project, the IO has been digitalizing the administration workflow, which aims to unite all universities holding the Erasmus Charter within a public infrastructure that facilitates a digital administrative workflow. The office will be fully digitalized by the end of the year 2022. There are three staff members at the International Office.

Environment and Sustainability

Reykjavik University aims to educate future leaders who emphasize social responsibility, equality, innovation and development to increase sustainability with good ethics as a guiding principle. The university also participates in reducing the impact of its activities on the environment and contributes to reducing the effects of climate change. RU has signed the UN declaration on climate issues and in 2022 published a PRIME report in relation the Principles for Responsible Management Education, that is an initiative of The United Nations Global Compact. As a step in education on sustainability for all students at RU, changes were made in 2022 to the largest undergraduate course at RU, the Entrepreneurship and Starting New Ventures. In this approx. 500 student interdisciplinary course students are introduced to the UN SDGs, are given examples of successful social and sustainable entrepreneurships and innovations through mentor meetings and testimonials and explain in their business plans and final reports how their ventures align with the goals.

Many employees at Reykjavik University have signed a transport agreement, and RU continues encouraging students and employees to use environmentally friendly transport. RU has a gold certificate in “Bicycle Certification of Workplaces” in Iceland Vottuð Fyrirtæki – hjolavottun.is. This indicates ambitious steps taken to have good facilities and incentives to foster a good bicycle culture among employees and customers.

At RU, processes are being re-evaluated to reduce printing significantly and increase efficiency. Examples include digital signature processes, digital contract forms, online teaching and exams, online project and thesis submissions, digital approval processes, digital registration forms, digital graduation diploma supplements, digital brochures, etc. The communications team at RU has stopped printing 90% of the brochures the university produces, resulting in savings amounting to 50,000 EUR.

Employees

There were 294 permanent employees working at Reykjavik University at the end of 2022. RU has 106 faculty members in the posts of assistant professor (39), associate professor (32) and professor (35).

Rankings

In the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released in 2021, Reykjavik University (RU) placed in the 301st-350th range, making it Iceland’s highest-ranked university. These rankings are based on metrics including teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. Notably, RU achieved an impressive global ranking of 7th in scientific citations, reflecting the frequency with which other scientists reference the work of RU researchers in peer-reviewed publications. Among universities with fewer than 5,000 students, RU secured the 12th position.

Student Housing

RU University Student Housing provides a total of 252 student apartments across two residential areas at Nauthólsvegur 83-85, each featuring a private entrance. Preliminary designs for a new apartment building at Nauthólsvegur 87 have been approved, with final construction plans set for approval in 2023. The overall plan is to develop 400 student apartments within the residential area spanning Nauthólsvegur 83-89.

Events

In 2022, Reykjavik University hosted over 100 diverse official events, ranging from conferences and study presentations to lectures, research showcases, and defenses of both master's and doctoral theses. The calendar featured annual highlights like University Day, International Day, Career Days, Equality Days, and Mental Health Week. Additionally, specialized gatherings addressed contemporary topics, with RU experts and external speakers delving into current issues.

Among these events, the highly attended University Day on February 26 drew approximately 1,500 attendees, mostly young people, eager to explore the offerings of Reykjavik University.

Several public-engaging events left a lasting impact. To name just a few, the business administration department's symposium on the repercussions of economic sanctions on energy and financial markets amid the war in Ukraine. The law department hosted panel discussions exploring the intersection of climate change and maritime law, while the Department of Sports Science delivered a compelling lecture on the treatment and management of concussions. The international office celebrated cultural diversity during International Days, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of RU students' backgrounds.

Awards

• Paolo Gargiulo, a professor at the Department of Engineering, received the RU 2022 Research Award.
• Joanna Rós Matyszczyk and Ragnheiður Ríkarðsdóttir received the RU 2022 Service Awards.
• Sigurður Ingi Erlingsson, professor and director of undergraduate studies at the Department of Engineering, received the RU 2022 Teaching Award.

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Governance

The President of Reykjavik University serves as the official representative of the institution, overseeing daily operations and being accountable to the Board of Directors. The President is responsible for ensuring the quality of RU’s operations and implementing internal assessments. While the President appoints School Deans, Executive Directors, and other personnel who report directly to them, they consult with the Board regarding the selection and primary responsibilities of these key positions.

The Executive Council at Reykjavik University, chaired by the President, includes School Deans, Department Chairs, Executive Directors, chairs of the Curriculum and Research Councils, and other key personnel designated by the President. This committee approves university policies and strategic documents, and it reviews the annual operating plan, operating results, and both internal and external assessment outcomes.
School Deans are appointed by the President, in consultation with the Board, following an evaluation committee’s recommendations. Together with the President, School Deans lead the strategic planning for the University and oversee its implementation. They also represent RU to external stakeholders and act as substitutes for the President when needed.

Department Chairs, appointed by School Deans based on an evaluation committee’s report, are responsible for the academic leadership and strategic planning within their respective departments. They are accountable for the operational and financial performance of their departments to the School Dean.

The Executive Directors, appointed by the President, oversee the organization and operation of RU’s support services. The President defines the roles and responsibilities of support services to meet the University’s needs, adapting these as necessary over time.

Department Chairs are hired by School Deans, following an evaluation committee report.

Department Chairs are responsible for academic management and shall initiate strategic planning for their Department. Department Chairs carry an operational and financial responsibility for their Department towards the School Dean.

The Executive Directors of RU are appointed by the President. Executive Directors are responsible for the organisation and operations of RU's support services and serve in defined roles according to a decision by the President. The President defines the roles and tasks of support services in accordance with the needs of the University at any given time.

Organisation Chart of Reykjavík University

Board of Directors

Reykjavik University's Board of Directors is made up of five full members and one alternate member, each elected at RU's annual general meeting. The Board of Directors is responsible for planning, administration, finance, determining tuition fees, and general operations. The President of RU attends meetings of the Board of Directors.

• Hjörleifur Pálsson, Chairman of the RU Board of Directors until July 2022
• Guðbjörg Edda Eggertsdóttir, Chairman of the RU Board of Directors from July 2022
• Halldór Benjamín Þorbergsson, SA – Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise
• Sigurður Hannesson, SI – The Federation of Icelandic Industries
• Svanhildur Hólm, Icelandic Chamber of Commerce
• Tanya Zharov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Alvotech

University Council

The University Council of Reykjavík University operates as a forum for discussions regarding academic policy, teaching and research, and collaboration with industry. The Council has ten members representing industry, academia and government.

The President of RU arranges and attends the meetings of the Council. Deans of RU Schools, Chairs of academic Departments and the President of the Student Union also attend.

• Guðbjörg Edda Eggertsdóttir, Chairman of RU University Council
• Ari Fenger, Chairman of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce and CEO 1912
• Árni Sigurjónsson, Chairman of SI – The Federation of Icelandic Industries and Marel’s chief lawyer
• Borghildur Erlingsdóttir, CEO of Icelandic Intellectual Property Office
• Brynja Baldursdóttir, CEO of CreditInfo
• Eyjólfur Árni Rafnsson, Chairman of SA – Confederation of Icelandic Enterprises
• Hjálmar Gíslason, founder and CEO of GRID
• Katrín Olga Jóhannesdóttir, Kría Consulting
• Stefanía Guðrún Halldórsdóttir, Eyrir Venture Management
• Valgerður Hrund Skúladóttir, CEO of Sensa

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Schools of Reykjavik University

The School of Social Sciences 

Reykjavik University’s School of Social Sciences provides students with a solid foundation in methodology, as well as hands-on learning that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities they face after graduation.

The School offers study programs in law, business administration, economics, psychology, and sport science, in four departments. Courses are at BSc, MSc and PhD level. Most MSc programs are taught in English.

Researchers at the School of Social Sciences have a strong track record in research and, in some fields, they have considerable global impact. The main areas of research within the School include business, finance, eco- nomics, management, innovation and entrepreneurship, health psychology, development psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive and neuropsychology, domestic and international law, performance analysis and evaluation of sports and psychological and sociological factors in sport.

Researchers and educators at the School of Social Sciences cooperate with researchers at many international and domestic universities, including, of course, the RU School of Technology, as evidenced by e.g. Sleep Research.

Researchers at the School are often engaged in public discussion and policymaking in Icelandic society and frequently make their expertise available to the media and the public, in accordance with the strategy of the University.

Dr. Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir is Dean of the School of Social Sciences.

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The School of Technology

The School of Technology covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, from foundational fields like theoretical computer science and physics to cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, mechatronics, applied engineering, and web programming.

Central to the School’s approach is a commitment to project-based learning, which emphasizes hands-on experience and practical application of theoretical concepts to solve real-world problems. This learning style not only deepens students' understanding but also enhances their ability to think critically and creatively—skills essential for technological innovation. The School’s dedication to excellence in research is a driving force, advancing knowledge in its fields and providing high-quality training for students at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral studies.

The School offers a variety of study programs in computer science and engineering, organized into three departments. Students can pursue degrees at the BSc and MSc levels, complemented by a research-focused PhD program that cultivates the next generation of experts and researchers. Graduate programs and a significant portion of undergraduate courses are taught in English, fostering an inclusive environment for both local and international students.

Research at the School of Technology is increasingly conducted within interdisciplinary centers that align with a broad array of societal and industrial goals. These centers focus on areas such as biomechanics, applied neuroscience, tissue engineering, structural and earthquake engineering, rheology, microwave engineering, optimization, language technology, electrical power engineering, turbulence, sustainability, nanotechnology, risk and decision analysis, project management, sleep research, artificial intelligence, virtual environments, software engineering, databases, voice and natural language processing, human-computer interaction, financial technologies, and theoretical computer science. By combining expertise from different fields, these centers promote a holistic approach to tackling complex problems, driving innovation, and advancing scientific knowledge.

Research 

Reykjavik University (RU) has a clear and progressive research strategy and stands first among equals in Iceland when it comes to research in its academic fields. Overall, research activity is continually rising. The number of RU-affiliated publications in peer-reviewed outlets in 2022 is 480 or 3.7 publications per faculty, and the total allocation to the University from the Icelandic Research Fund has quadrupled since 2012 (see table below).

In 2022, approximately 59% of RU-affiliated publications in peer-reviewed outlets were in scholarly journals, 34% at conferences /conference proceedings, and 6% in books and book chapters. The number of articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals has been increasing gradually, and the proportion of articles published in high-quality journals has also increased markedly. In 2022, 92% of journal publications were in high-quality journals. The percentage is 98% in the Department of Business Administration, 98% in the Department of Psychology and 93% in the Department of Engineering. Around 99% of RU-affiliated publications published in 2022 are in English.

External financing of research at RU has been strengthened significantly with increasing efforts to obtain research support from domestic and international sources. Allocation to RU from Icelandic research funds in 2022 was around ISK 567 million, and foreign grant revenues were around ISK 393 million.

Annually, Reykjavik University publishes a report on its academic strength. The report is mainly on RU-affiliated publications in peer-reviewed outlets and on research grants from national and international competitive research funds. There are two appendixes; the first is on publications in peer-reviewed outlets, and the second one is a list of grants RU has received from national competitive funds from 2012 to 2022.

Active research groups, centers, labs and institutes at RU 2022

Department of Business Administration

• SIF
• RUCRIE
• SIF

Department of Computer Science

• Centre for Research on Engineering Software Systems (CRESS)
• Centre for Analysis and Design of Intelligent Agents (CADIA)
• Icelandic Centre of Excellence in Theoretical Computer Science (ICE-TCS)
• RU Centre of Financial Technology (FINTECH)
• The Icelandic Centre for Language Technology (ICLT)
• Language and Voice Lab (LVL)

Department of Engineering

• Engineering Optimization & Modeling Center (EOMC)
• RU Neurolab
• Icelandic Center for Neurophysiology
• Structural Engineering and Composites Laboratory (SEL)
• The Nanophysics Group
• Center of Risk and Decision Analysis (CORDA)
• Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBNE)
• Sustainability Institute and Forum (SIF)
• Reykjavik University Sleep Institute (RUSI)
• The Language and Voice Laboratory

Department of Law

• RU Institute of International and European Law (IIEL)
• Institute of Procedural Law
• Centre for Law on Climate Change and Sustainability (CLoCCS)

Department of Sport Science

• Physical Activity, Physical Education, Health, and Sport (PAPESH) Research Centre

Department of Psychology

• Icelandic Centre for Trauma Research (ICE-TRE)
• RU Centre for Research Training in Clinical Psychology

Department of Applied Engineering

• Structural Engineering and Composites Laboratory (SEL)
• Icelandic Building Research Institute (IBRI)

For further information about RU´s research centres

Research Council 2022

The Research Council of Reykjavik University has the role of implementing the University's research policy and establishing and maintaining a strong research culture within the University.

Members:

• Dr Marta Kristín Lárusdóttir, chair, Department of Computer Science
• Dr Jónas Þór Snæbjörnsson, Department of Engineering
• Dr Inga Dóra Sigfúsdóttir, Department of Psychology
• Dr Ewa L. Carlson, Department of Business Administration (to August)
• Dr Aldís Guðný Sigurðardóttir, Department of Business Administration (from September)
• Dr Margrét Vala Kristjánsdóttir, Department of Law (to June)
• Dr Guðmundur Sigurðsson, Department of Law (from July)
• Dr Jose Miguel Saavedra Garcia, Department of Sport Science
• Dr Erna Sif Arnardóttir, Department of Computer Science
• Baldur Þorgilsson, Department of Applied Engineering (to August)
• Dr Ólafur Wallevik, Department of Applied Engineering (from September)
• Hlín Kristbergsdóttir, Student representative (to May)
• Sigrún Þóra Sveinsdóttir, Student representative (from June)