We celebrate excellence!
To celebrate student engagement and student influence, SöderS has a couple of awards that are presented each year to students, associations, and teachers.
When the nomination period opens for an award, we announce this on our social channels so that all students and union members can have a say in who should receive an award.
On this page we have gathered historical winners and recipients of SöderS awards together with the winning citation.
Golden Griffin
SöderS' educational award for Södertörn University's best teacher.
Local hero of the year
SöderS award to a student who through their involvement has inspired others to work for a vibrant campus.
Association of the Year
SöderS’s award to a association, operation or other student union-affiliated organisation that has made a particularly strong impression on the university’s students.
Previous recipients and winners
John Björkman
Golden Griffin 2025
Senior Lecturer in Education
”Through his great pedagogical ability, with clear structure and creative teaching methods, John has created an open and stimulating learning environment that encourages both creative and critical thinking, which not only contributes to students' opportunities to grow in terms of knowledge but also personally.
John creates this learning environment by treating students with respect, patience and a clear enthusiasm for his subject. With great faith in his students' abilities and professional experiences, he also sees them as resources for his own learning, where curiosity and a constant desire to develop are clearly reflected in his own pedagogy.
For his commitment, his pedagogical skill and his ability to create an inclusive and inspiring learning environment, John is proposed as the recipient of the 2025 Golden Griffin award.”
Love Bohman
Golden Griffin 2024
Senior Lecturer in Sociology
”With his great pedagogical ability, Love inspires, supports and engages wholeheartedly in students' learning. His skill in explaining difficult concepts in a clear and engaging way makes his teaching both educational and fun. Love creates a safe and inclusive environment where students dare to ask questions, while his humour and dedication make the teaching easy to absorb. His enthusiasm for sociology also inspires students to continue to deepen their knowledge of the subject.
For his dedication, pedagogical skill and ability to make students feel both seen and supported, Love Bohman is nominated to receive the 2024 Guldgripen award.”
Christian Sommer
Golden Griffin 2023
Lecturer in environmental science
”We are delighted to announce Christian Sommer as the recipient of the 2023 Golden Griffin – our annual educational award for Södertörn University's best teacher. Christian's exceptional pedagogical skill, deep knowledge of environmental science and passion for teaching have made him one of the university's most popular teachers. His ability to make complex material easy to understand, combined with his enthusiasm, motivates and inspires students to explore and engage more deeply with their studies.
For your good educational achievements, ability to inspire students and your attentive approach where every student becomes an active part in learning, I am proud to present Christian Sommer with the SöderS award for the university college's best teacher. Congratulations, Christian, and thank you for everything you do for our students and our university college!”
Gustav Johansson
Golden Griffin 2023
Lecturer in Business Administration
”Gustav is a teacher who is tough but fair. It feels clear that he is passionate about what he teaches. He does it with such empathy and passion that it genuinely becomes fun to learn. You want to learn and you study that extra hour that is needed.”
Mikael Ström
Golden Griffin 2021
”The Guldgripen 2021 is awarded to a teacher who possesses an extraordinary pedagogical ability, great dedication and a genuine desire for every student to succeed and reach their full potential. The Guldgripen 2021 is awarded to a teacher who has extensive subject knowledge, makes the complicated comprehensible and creates genuine engagement in the police officers of the future. The Guldgripen 2021 is awarded to a teacher who tackles the task with both humour and seriousness and is an exemplar for us students and teachers alike.”
Nina Spinger
Golden Griffin 2020
”This year's Golden Grip is awarded to a teacher who has exemplarily met the challenges of digital teaching, and thereby also managed to find several strengths. SöderS' award for the university's best teacher in 2020 is presented to a person who conducts teaching that is clear and engages the students. New and innovative forms of teaching and pedagogical tricks have been tested and continuously evaluated together with the students.
We are convinced that it is precisely in the dialogue between teachers, with their pedagogical expertise, and students, with their experience, that teaching develops in the best possible way. This year's Golden Griffin is awarded to Nina Springer, who has been a role model in that work.”
Ola Sternäng
Golden Griffin 2019
Nicholas Smith
Golden Griffin 2018
Sara Sjöling
Golden Griffin 2017
Michael Lindholm
Golden Griffin 2015/16
Tucker Carlson
Golden Griffin 2014/15
Göran Grape
Guldgripen 2013
Oscar Pripp
Golden Griffin 2012
Ali Hajighasemi
Golden Griffin 2011
Harriet Sharp
Golden Griffin 2010
Jonas Lindström
Guldgripen 2009
Kerstin Cassel
Golden Griffin 2014/15
Göran Grape
Guldgripen 2008
Agneta Rehal
The Golden Griffin 2007
Staffan Ericson
Golden Griffin 2006
Sara Granath
Golden Griffin 2005
Per Bolin Hort
Guldgripen 2004
Staffan Stockeld
Golden Griffin 2003
Cool Stadin
Guldgripen 2002
Karl-Magnus Johanson
Guldgripen 2001
Nathalie Hinders
Terminens eldsjäl V24
This passionate advocate has been a strong voice for the situation and conditions of postgraduate students on the university board, among other arenas. Together with the PhD student council as a whole, the person has also been an invaluable resource in identifying shortcomings and, alongside the student union, driving development issues that have yielded results.
Adam Hemdan
Terminus the firebrand H23
With confidence and curiosity, Adam Hemdan has quickly taken on the role of President of Erasmus Student Network Södertörn and is doing so with class and skill. With his radiating ambition and direction, we see great potential for Adam in his future endeavours and commitment.
Sanna Syeda
Terminens eldsjäl V23
It is thanks to your drive and commitment to everyone’s right to and access to higher education, regardless of ability, that föreningen VariianS was launched and established. Together with your fantastic board, föreningen can now begin to foster a sense of community and work towards greater equality within higher education.
We look forward with joy and hope to your continued involvement.
Claudia Lutaj
Terminens eldsjäl V23
Klaudia has shown incredible commitment during her first year as a student at Södertörn University. You have helped breathe new life into a dormant association group, you have organised events and social gatherings for exchange students, and you are a regular participant in both the collaboration forums and the training courses that SöderS organises for its student union representatives and other students.
We look forward with excitement to seeing you, your commitment, and the university develop with someone like you as a guiding light.
Carter Cadim
The term 'eldsjäl' H22
For a commitment out of the ordinary, a big heart for the university's students and a strong sense of justice, Carter Cadim has carried out his assignment as a student representative on the disciplinary board with aplomb.
Carter has contributed a valuable student perspective during the committee's meetings that has left an impression on both the students' union and the higher education institution. Carter is a representative to be reckoned with and has, through their assignment, shown that with openness and knowledge we go far – and with cooperation and dialogue we go further.
Eva Lopes
The term 'eldsjäl' H22
For a dedication beyond the ordinary, a big heart for the university's students and a strong commitment to issues of fairness, Eva Lopes has carried out her assignment as a student representative
The Gender Mainstreaming Working Group (JiHU) with flying colours.
Eva has contributed a valuable student perspective that has directly affected the student union, the university and our students. Through her work and commitment, Eva has highlighted our development needs – and has constantly been part of the solution.
Nathan Solomon
Termina's driving force H20
Philip Heie
Terminens eldsjäl V19
Amed Medhanie
Terminens eldsjäl V19
Charlotte Colliander
The term eldsjäl H18
Oktay C Ikiz
The driving force of the term V18
Isabelle Holmquist
The term eldsjäl H17
Lovisa Lundh
Termin's enthusiast V17
Alexander Sehlberg
Terminator of the fiery spirit H16
Veronica Sjöberg
Terminens eldsjäl V16
SödersRunners
Association of the Year 2025
As a newly established association group, SödersRunners has quickly become a strong and inspiring part of student life. With a small but highly committed board, the association group has offered regular and open running sessions every Wednesday, come rain or shine, and has thus become a clear role model for other societies. Through its inclusive approach, SödersRunners has engaged both new students and exchange students and served as an important social hub. The society promotes students’ health and wellbeing, encourages engagement in student life and contributes to a more vibrant campus. Participation in various activities, such as the group’s joint participation in the Stadium Night Run, also demonstrates a strong commitment to cooperation and community spirit.
With its focus on cohesion, accessibility and student influence, SödersRunners deserves the Association of the Year 2025 award.
Södertörn Solidaritet
Rising Star of the Year 2024
Since its inception, Södertörn Solidaritet has shown how they bring people's commitment together under one roof. With head and heart, they have given Södertörn University a strong humanitarian soul, demonstrated that we can change the present if we want to, and been an important addition to the SöderS organisation at large.
ReKo
Breakthrough Star of the Year 2020
The Rhetoric Consultants’ association
LvL
Breakthrough Star of the Year 2019
Södertörn University's game förening
Fever
Rising Star of the Year 2017
Association for European Studies and European Relations
PSVS
Breakthrough Star of the Year 2016
Friends of the Police Students Stockholm
SMF
Rookie of the Year 2015
Södertörn Media Technology association
Söder Fem
Rookie of the Year 2014
Södertörn Feminist Forum
SOFRE
association of the Year 2024
Through its events, SÖFRE has created a community and enabled students from different programmes to get to know each other and make connections that otherwise would not exist. Furthermore, this year they have once again organised an orientation week with over 300 participants, making it easier for new students to get to know each other, build a sense of community and familiarise themselves with the university, which increases the likelihood that they will have a better student life and complete their studies.
The association creates a strong presence on campus and contributes to the study-social life in Flemingsberg. With projects including their major Insparken [introductory week], new students are given a great start to their studies as well as a good introduction to the campus. SÖFRE contributes to Södörtörn University having a more attractive brand and becoming competitive against other higher education institutions and universities in the Stockholm area, as their many different activities give students a sense of community at the university.
SOFRE
association of the Year 2020
Södertörn United Economists
PerS
association of the Year 2019
Human Resources Studies föreningen, Södertörn
SOFRE
association of the Year 2018
Södertörn United Economists
PerS
association of the Year 2017
Human Resources Studies föreningen, Södertörn
TUG
association of the Year 2016
Tourists Without Borders
ESN Södertörn
association of the Year 2015
Erasmus Student Network Södertörn
TUG
association of the Year 2014
Tourists Without Borders
SMUF
association of the Year 2013
Södertörn Environment and Development Association