Research in Innovation and Design Engineering
SDU Innovation and Design Engineering (IDE) focuses on research and education in innovation, product development and design. The section takes a holistic approach, combining technology, design, market understanding and societal perspectives to develop sustainable solutions. IDE is part of the Department of Technology and Innovation.
News from Department of Technology and Innovation
08.06.2026
From outbreaks of diseases to major geopolitical changes. Why SDU is educating specialists for a world in constant crisis
Supply chain disruptions, wars and energy shocks have exposed just how vulnerable global supply chains can be. At SDU in Sønderborg, students learn how to use data, simulations and artificial intelligence to help companies anticipate and manage the next major disruption.
PhD Defense
03.06.2026
PhD Defense by Rui Pedro Gonçalves
Tuesday 16 June 2026: PhD Defense by Rui Pedro Gonçalves "Manufacturing Strategy, Systems Design and Digitalization: How to scale and improve competitiveness within the Emerging Electrolyser Industry in Europe?"
PhD Defense
22.05.2026
PhD Defense by Nadieh Meinen: "Probabilistic Modelling Choices in Risk- and Reliability-Based Structural Assessments"
Tuesday 2nd June 2026, SDU Campus Odense U91, 10:00 – 13:00 - Followed by a reception in Room Ellehammer, at TEK
PhD Defense
15.05.2026
PhD Defense by Maria Pizzorni "Planning for urban resilience. A multi-risk approach for floods and droughts"
Tuesday 26 May 2026
Construction
20.04.2026
SDU researchers exhibit at Milan Design Week
Milan Design Week, held from 20 to 26 April, is usually a platform for architects and designers to showcase their latest work. This year, however, a team of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at University of Southern Denmark is also taking part.
PhD defense at ITI
10.02.2026
FROM SIMULATION TO DIGITAL TWIN: A PROGRESSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
On February 23, 2026, Mohsin Raza from SDU Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation will defend his Ph.D. thesis "FROM SIMULATION TO DIGITAL TWIN: A PROGRESSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT". The defense starts at 10:00 AM and takes place in M301, Campus Sønderborg.
PhD defense at ITI
22.01.2026
Exogeneity-Aware Demand Forecasting in Omnichannel Retail A Supportive Approach for Sales and Operations Planning
On 29 January 2026 Thore Uwe Aye from SDU Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation will defend his PhD Thesis "Exogeneity-Aware Demand Forecasting in Omnichannel Retail: A Supportive Approach for Sales and Operations Planning ". The defense starts at 11.00 and takes place in U109, Campus Sønderborg.
01.12.2025
School students' massive waste hunt nominated for UN prize
The 'Change4Circularity' project and Astra's Mass Experiment have just been selected as one of the world's best digital solutions by the World Summit Awards. The nomination recognises a unique Danish model where thousands of children and young people don't just learn about the green transition – they actively create the data foundation for it.
PhD defense at ITI
14.11.2025
Dynamics of Social Sustainability Governance in Agri-Food Supply Chains
On 2nd December 2025 Wanja Öhler from SDU Global Sustainable Production will defend the PhD Thesis: "Dynamics of Social Sustainability Governance in Agri-Food Supply Chains" The defense takes place in room U143 at Campus Odense from 13.00 to 16.00. Please contact Charlotte Bruun cbp@iti.sdu.dk if you would like to participate.
21.10.2025
New SDU master’s programme off to a flying start
The new Master’s in Supply Chain Digitalisation at SDU Sønderborg has launched far better than expected. At the same time, the centre behind the programme has attracted high-profile researchers from abroad, strengthening research, teaching, and collaboration with industry.
PhD defense at ITI
10.10.2025
Employee Participation in Direct Supplier Development: Exploring Voice Barriers in a Global South Context
On 29 October 2025 Min Zar Ni Lin Sultana from SDU Global Sustainable Production will defend the PhD Thesis: "Employee Participation in Direct Supplier Development: Exploring Voice Barriers in a Global South Context" The defense takes place online. Please contact Charlotte Bruun cbp@iti.sdu.dk if you would like to participate.
Construction
07.10.2025
SDU is part of historic research initiative on the green transition in construction
Villum Fonden has awarded its largest grant to date: one billion DKK for a new research programme at the University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark, and Aalborg University, aimed at promoting sustainable solutions in the built environment.
PhD defense at ITI
11.08.2025
DYNAMICS OF SAFETY PRACTICES. The role of social compliance audits in improving OSH in the garments industries
On 25 August 2025 Sarmin Sultana from SDU Global Sustainable Production will defend her PhD Thesis: "DYNAMICS OF SAFETY PRACTICES. The role of social compliance audits in improving OSH in the garments industries". The defense takes place online. Please contact Charlotte Bruun cbp@iti.sdu.dk if you would like to participate.
Climate change
30.06.2025
Cities are a key in the climate fight
Researchers from SDU have, together with colleagues from UN-Habitat, written a guide on how countries around the world can incorporate cities into their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Cities represent an untapped potential in the fight against climate change, they say.
Climate adaptation
02.06.2025
New report: Here are the climate challenges in the Region of Southern Denmark
Researchers from SDU, AAU and RUC have analysed the climate action plans in all Southern Danish municipalities, and the report reveals both promising and less promising developments.
Working environment
22.05.2025
New research shows how the working environment can be improved for those who pick your tomatoes
Researchers from SDU Global Sustainable Production have investigated in several studies how to prevent poor working conditions in the food sector. On Tuesday 20 May, they presented their findings at a workshop for the entire Danish industry.
Climate adaptation
19.05.2025
Schoolyards to be used as climate shelters
Schoolyards can be more than just playgrounds for kids. Now, researchers are experimenting with re-designing schoolyards to function as climate shelters during extreme weather conditions.
Defence technology
11.04.2025
SDU students invent new mine-clearing technology for Ukraine
Two engineering students from the University of Southern Denmark have developed a series of affordable and accessible devices for mine clearance in Ukraine. This achievement has secured them a place in the finals of the European Defence Challenge in Brussels, which will be decided on 9 May.
PhD defense at ITI
07.04.2025
Re-design for disassembly as opportunities to prepare for a circular economy
On Tuesday 22 April, Sofie Bach Hybel from SDU Innovation and Design Engineering defends her PhD thesis "Re-design for disassembly as opportunities to prepare for a circular economy". The defense starts at 11.00, and takes place in the meeting room Ellehammer in building 42, Campus Odense. The PhD project is partly financed by the Project Design for Disassembly as part of the TRACE.dk portfolio (innomission 4). Lykke Margot Ricard is principal supervisor and Henrik Gordon Petersen is co-supervisor.
PhD defense at ITI
27.01.2025
Reconfigurable Wood Architecture. A cyber-physical approach to circular design and construction
On February 7, Anja Kunić from SDU CREATE defends her PhD thesis "Reconfigurable Wood Architecture. A cyber-physical approach to circular design and construction". The defense starts at 14.00, and takes place in the meeting room Ellehammer in building 42, Campus Odense.