The prestigious Swedish Academy, the body responsible for selecting the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, is undergoing a significant leadership change. Its permanent secretary, Mats Malm, has announced he will be stepping down from his role after a seven-year term.
A Planned Transition for the Nobel Academy
The Academy confirmed the news on a recent Saturday, stating that Mats Malm will hand over his responsibilities. The institution has appointed Academy member Ingrid Carlberg, a respected author and journalist, as the new permanent secretary. Her term is set to begin on June 1, 2026.
Academy spokeswoman Louise Hedberg explained the decision, noting that Malm, after his seven-year service, wished to pass the baton. Malm himself reflected on his time, stating in an official release, "It has been a privilege to work for the Academy as Permanent Secretary. Seven years is a reasonable term of office, and as part of my assignment, I have therefore prepared a handover of the role."
Steering Through Crisis and Reform
Mats Malm assumed the crucial position in June 2019, a period when the 238-year-old Academy was engulfed in a deep crisis. The institution, founded in 1786, was reeling from a major scandal that exposed internal scheming, conflicts of interest, harassment, and a damaging culture of silence among its 18 lifetime members.
The turmoil began in November 2017 over disagreements on handling the Academy's close ties to Frenchman Jean-Claude Arnault, who was later convicted of rape. Arnault was married to then-Academy member Katarina Frostenson, who resigned amidst the global #MeToo movement. The scandal was so severe that the Academy was forced to postpone the 2018 Nobel Literature Prize—marking the first such delay in 70 years.
The fallout led to the departure of seven members, including the then-permanent secretary Sara Danius. While members are appointed for life and cannot formally resign, they can cease participation in the Academy's work.
A Legacy of Revamping the Nobel Prize
Malm's tenure is noted for guiding the Swedish Academy through its recovery phase. Under his leadership, the institution was revitalized with new members and updated statutes. A key focus of his agenda was a vow to broaden the scope of the Nobel Literature Prize, aiming for greater geographical and linguistic diversity in its laureates.
Ingrid Carlberg, the incoming permanent secretary, acknowledged the significance of her new role. "I am extremely honoured by the great trust that the Academy has shown in me. Being its Permanent Secretary is a responsibility that I take on with joy and a large slice of humility," she said in her statement.
This planned transition signals a new chapter for the venerable institution as it continues to uphold its global mandate of celebrating literary excellence.
