Professor Eva Åkesson was Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University from 2012 to 2020. During her time as Vice-Chancellor, Åkesson promoted collegiality and the importance of working together to make Uppsala University a leading university. "For the students, it was very reassuring to have a Vice-Chancellor who really listened to what we had to say, even when we and the Vice-Chancellor came to different conclusions. Eva Åkesson's respect and openness to student influence is something that Uppsala Student Union is eternally grateful for. It has enabled a good development for the university that is characterized by a student perspective.

Due to the fact that Eva Åkesson's position as Rector at Uppsala University ended on 2020-12-31, Uppsala Student Union created an award from 2020-12-16 as follows:

• The award is called the Uppsala Student Union Award for Student Influence in honor of Eva Åkesson.
• All students and staff within Uppsala Student Union's area of activity at Uppsala University can nominate for the award.
• The award is granted by the Board of Uppsala Student Union.
• The decision to award the prize is made by the Board of Uppsala Student Union.
• The award is given to a student who has held a position as a student representative at Uppsala University and is deemed to have made a particularly good contribution during their term of office.
• Along with the award, the recipient will also receive:
  - Uppsala Student Union's silver medal of merit.
  - Diploma
  - 2000 SEK.
• The award is presented in May each year by the Board of Uppsala Student Union.