Carina Halvord

Carina Halvord is a museum and science centre leader who has spent more than a decade at Universeum in Gothenburg, Sweden, helping shape the organisation’s development and leadership culture.

During her tenure, she has championed a decentralised management approach that gives teams greater autonomy, encourages ownership, and supports collaboration across the organisation.

Her leadership approach is rooted in trust, with an emphasis on creating the conditions for people to contribute ideas, take responsibility and innovate while working towards a shared strategic direction.

This has supported Universeum’s development as an organisation balancing public engagement and impact with a strong focus on financial sustainability.

With around 70% of Universeum’s income generated through self-funding, Halvord’s role has involved navigating the practical and commercial demands of running a visitor-focused science centre alongside its educational and public mission.

Beyond Universeum, Halvord actively contributes to the international science centre and museum community. She is known for bringing people together, sharing knowledge and encouraging collaboration across the sector, and has built a network of international colleagues through her work.

Her experience offers insight into how leadership, organisational culture and financial resilience can support the development of contemporary science centres and museums.

Halvord announced plans to step down in 2026, remaining CEO until a new CEO is in place and then assisting the business with a number of development projects.