After 51 years, it is time to bid farewell to the paper-based employee magazine Universen. Internal communication is now going fully digital, starting with the employee portal and internal newsletters.
“There are several reasons behind our decision to shut down the paper-based magazine,” says Pernilla Björk, Director of Communications at Uppsala University. “Among other things, it is part of the University Administration’s digitalisation, internationalisation and sustainable development work.”
By deciding not to print and distribute a paper-based magazine, we reduce paper consumption, transports and working time.
“We are also creating financial space to invest more money in translation. We need to improve the bilingualism of our internal communication.”
Discontinuation of the paper-based magazine ultimately comes down to a lack of money to cover all of the needs that exist.
“We discussed this previously, but it is now time to implement it since we need to redefine priorities in our operations,” says Pernilla Björk.
Our latest readworthiness surveys show that Universen had a high level of readworthiness compared to similar products. There are many who wanted – and perhaps still want – the paper-based magazine, but digitalisation is now taking over. There is a need to speed up the internal flow of information. At the same time, internal communication must be strengthened and developed towards a higher degree of personalisation of news and information starting with the employee portal – development work that has already begun and that is awaiting a new web platform.
Anders Berndt, Editor of Universen – How does it feel now that the last issue of the magazine has been put to bed?
“Naturally, it's bittersweet. I only served as editor for one year, so I barely had time to get my feet wet before it was shut down. At the same time, there is quite a lot of editorial work that is not outwardly visible and did not result in a greater number of articles, so in this way it will be fun to be able to focus more on the content. When a colleague gave their condolences about Universen shutting down, I became a little nostalgic and starting wondering whether this is the right decision.”
What was the best part about your role as editor of Universen?
“The positive feedback. The people who get in touch with us to let us know that they have read the content of the magazine and utilised it in different ways. It gives you a boost of energy.”
Universen has helped foster a sense of “we” and internal pride. How can we now best convey such qualities?
“We can foster pride and a sense of ‘we’ through our digital channels as well. We are already doing this and intend to develop it even further. Naturally, this will be a process, where we need to learn what ways work best. Feedback from within the organisation will be crucial in this.”
Among other things, you will now serve as editor for a University-wide newsletter – what do you look forward to most about this role?
“The honour of being able to continue meeting people throughout the University and learning more about what they work with, their situation, and what they need. As editor and writer, I get to peek behind the curtains, so to speak, and visit all parts of the organisation. This is incredibly fun and energising. Naturally, I also get to be part of developing the internal communication at Uppsala University. It is an incredibly complex and decentralised organisation, where internal communication can really be of benefit.”