Fredrik Ullén receives the Sandblom Prize 2023
Per Alm (The Royal Physiographic Society of Lund, pictured right) presented the prize to Fredrik Ullén. (Photo: Katarina Bernhardsson)
Philip Sandblom was Professor of Surgery at Lund University and Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1957 until 1968. In addition to his professional career, he had a lifelong interest in the humanities and modern art. In memory of her husband, his wife Grace Lund established a fund to further the development of the medical humanities. One of the purposes of this fund is to award annual prizes to outstanding figures at the intersection of medicine and the humanities.
On October 24, 2023, Fredrik Ullén received the Sandblom Prize from Lund University. After an introduction by Martin Garwicz, Professor of Neurophysiology at Lund University, Ullén gave his lecture “From madness to flow—music, creativity and mental well-being”, which was concluded by a musical performance on the piano.
Philip Sandblom also combined his enthusiasm for medical research and art in his work. He has analyzed the effects of mental illness, addiction, and chronic pain on writers, artists, and musicians. The Sandblom Prize honors his relevant interdisciplinary approach to the medical humanities, which stands for the academic integration of the humanities as well as medical and health sciences.
Fredrik Ullén's research concept is well placed in this environment and enriches it with a focus on the neuropsychology of music. His department at the institute focuses on topics such as the cognitive neuropsychology of musical improvisation, individual differences in musical engagement, and issues of psychological well-being. Before becoming director of the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Ullén taught at the Karolinska Institute at Stockholm University, where Philip Sandblom also studied medicine as an undergraduate and received his PhD.
Save the date!
The final concert of the Ligeti 100 piano series with Fredrik Ullén will take place on December 13. We would be delighted if you would mark the date in your calendar. As the number of seats in our ArtLab is limited, we kindly ask you to register here in advance.
