News from SDU
Follow and stay updated on everything from research results and business collaboration to student life and exciting initiatives at the university.
Latest news
New innovation project aims to give the food industry a better understanding of plant-based ingredients
Interest in plant-based foods continues to grow. Yet plant-derived ingredients are not always easy to understand, and expertise from university researchers can be a valuable resource for the food industry.
What is postpartum depression?
Around one in ten new parents develops postpartum depression. But what exactly is postpartum depression, how is it different from the ‘baby blues’, and when should you seek help? We asked Professor Trine Munk-Olsen, whose research focuses on maternal mental health.
Where can jaguars still roam?
The largest study of its kind reveals where jaguars remain connected and where populations are becoming isolated.
Seaweed and algae in the kitchen: yes please or no thanks?
Seaweed and algae are increasingly and enthusiastically being promoted as foods of the future. But what do they actually bring to the table? Biologist and seaweed researcher Jamileh Javidpour takes us into the world of seaweed.
Professor Nikos Ntoumanis elected International Fellow of prestigious US academy
Professor Nikos Ntoumanis from SDU has been elected an International Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology in the US. The appointment recognises his research and international leadership in the fields of motivation, sport and physical activity.
Signe B. Clemmensen receives research award
Signe B. Clemmensen from the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography Research Unit (EBB) at the Department of Public Health has received the Schroll Junior Research Prize for Excellence 2026.
four-researchers-from-the-faculty-of-engineering-receive-dkk-9-7-million-for-bold-experiments
Four researchers from the Faculty of Engineering have received a combined total of almost DKK 9.7 million from Villum Experiment for projects exploring shape-changing materials, automated software repair, new catalysts and quantum-inspired computer hardware.
New ground station gives SDU direct access to space
A Danish research collaboration has established a ground station that will support both climate research and the search for exoplanets.
Researchers develop technology to help medicines reach the right place in the body
One of the biggest challenges in pharmaceutical research is making sure that the active ingredients in a medicine reach the part of the body where they are needed. However, the body has a natural network of proteins designed to keep many substances out. A team is now working on a new technology that could help overcome this challenge.
Major grant for new nature restoration centre
Denmark is undertaking an ambitious effort to restore nature. A new research centre has now been awarded DKK 50 million to investigate what works, what does not, and how ecosystems can best be brought back to life.
How do we restore nature effectively? New centre seeks answers
Denmark is undertaking an ambitious effort to restore nature. A new research centre has now been awarded DKK 50 million to investigate what works, what does not, and how ecosystems can best be brought back to life.
SDU Associate Professor receives the 2026 Teaching Award
Associate Professor Bjarne Schmidt from the University of Southern Denmark has been awarded the 2026 Teaching Award for his dedicated and practical teaching in physics and mathematics.
Using data science to help us see the human story
Interviews with computer scientists are usually about data, code and algorithms. This one, with professor in data science Stefan Jänicke, is about using data science to strengthen empathy and understanding between people.
New analysis points to low overdiagnosis in breast cancer screening
Overdiagnosis in breast cancer screening is less of a problem than previously thought, according to a new study from the University of Southern Denmark, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Copenhagen and the American Cancer Society.
SDU entrepreneur aims to make clothes from spider silk
Drawing inspiration from nature’s own solutions, Irina Iachina is working to develop a sustainable alternative to elastane. As a researcher and entrepreneur, she aims to translate research into spider silk into new materials that can reduce the textile industry’s carbon footprint.
How can you protect your child’s eyesight?
More screen time and less time outdoors may have a negative impact on children’s eyesight. But what can you actually do as a parent? Ophthalmologist and researcher Marianne Juul-Dam explains what to look out for and what research tells us about myopia in children.
New study shows that psychedelic drugs affect the brain differently
LSD, psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs are often considered as one group. But a new study shows that each drug affects the brain differently. The findings could have implications for the development of future treatments for mental health disorders.
SDU Vejle officially opened
Following several years of preparation, SDU Vejle has officially opened. The new international IT campus aims to train more IT specialists and build strong research environments in close collaboration with businesses in the region.
SDU establishes a new Business School
From 1 September, SDU will bring together its business and economics academic communities under the SDU Business School. The new faculty is intended to enhance the quality of research and teaching, strengthen collaboration with the business community, and bolster the university’s international standing.
Vitamin K and D supplementation may slow the progression of coronary artery calcification
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital have found that vitamin K2 and D3 supplementation slow the progression of coronary artery calcification in patients who already have severe atherosclerosis.
Anne Binderkrantz to become new Pro-rector at SDU
Professor of Political Science Anne Skorkjær Binderkrantz is to become the new Pro-rector at the University of Southern Denmark. She joins from Aarhus University and has extensive experience in research, educational leadership and strategic university management.
New Biomedical Engineering Centre aims to bring engineers and clinicians closer together
Professor Stephen Mellon moved with his family from Oxford to Odense late last year to help establish the new Biomedical Engineering Centre at the University of Southern Denmark.
SDU joins new national partnership on children and nature
The University of Southern Denmark is joining forces with 15 other organisations, research and educational institutions and foundations in a strengthened Centre for Children and Nature. Among other things, SDU will contribute research and knowledge on active living among children and young people and on learning and teaching in primary and lower secondary school.
Anton Pottegård wins the Research Communication Award
The annual award, presented to a researcher who has distinguished themselves through outstanding communication within their field of research, goes to SDU – specifically, Professor Anton Pottegård from the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Thyroid cancer treatment increasingly tailored to the individual patient
In a review article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, a researcher from the University of Southern Denmark and Odense University Hospital takes stock of recent developments in thyroid cancer management
New insights into autism and the brain
By combining three different brain scans, researchers have gained new insight into the biological mechanisms associated with autism. The findings suggest that the dopamine system may play an important role in autism.
AI agents are here: How do we control them, and should we fear them?
Heard the stories about AI agents breaking free, deleting entire databases, or doing other unwanted things they were never prompted to do? What should we make of them? AI agent expert Melih Kandemir shares his perspective.
New maritime research centre opens at SDU
The University of Southern Denmark conducts extensive research within the maritime field. A new centre, supported by the Danish Maritime Fund, will bring researchers together and strengthen collaboration across the university's faculties.
4,279 applicants have been offered a student place at SDU
Following a high level of interest in SDU’s bachelor's degree programmes, this year’s figures for student places show that SDU remains a popular choice among applicants. Despite stricter admission requirements, the university is offering almost as many student places as last year.
SDU’s most-read research news: Health, AI, schools and fertility top the list
From celiac disease, colorectal cancer and the medicine of the future to artificial intelligence, school reform and declining fertility: These are the SDU research stories that attracted the most readers.
Increase in applications for SDU’s degree programmes
Once again this year, there are positive trends in applications for bachelor’s degree programmes at the University of Southern Denmark, with an increase in the number of applications to five out of six faculties. In addition, there is considerable interest in the programmes at SDU Vejle and SDU Business School.
New University Director at the University of Southern Denmark
Following a recommendation from Rector Jens Ringsmose, the SDU Board of Governors has decided to appoint Simon Krogh as the new University Director. He joins from a position as Group Director at the Employment and Social Services Department of Odense Municipality and will take up the position on 1 September 2026.
Society is our laboratory
Head of department Lars Tønder gives his take on why social science is important for understanding the world around us. His point is simple: knowledge needs to go out and live. This is especially important in a time characterised by war, climate change, technological upheaval and growing uncertainty about the future of democracy.
Danes' support for AI in their interactions with the public sector depends on how often they use AI - and to a lesser extent on their age
A new report from the Digital Democracy Centre takes the temperature of Danes' attitudes towards artificial intelligence in the public sector. The overall result is that Danes' support is highly dependent on the type of case and also the type of AI-based tool in question.
New research centre strengthens the interplay between law, artificial intelligence and robotics
The Department of Law at the University of Southern Denmark is establishing CLAIR – Center for Law, AI and Robotics. The Centre will contribute with new knowledge that can be applied in education, legislation and practice at the intersection of law and technology.
People in prison experience health inequalities
Research from the University of Southern Denmark shows that people in prison face challenges in accessing health care. Both legal frameworks and security considerations can limit equality in practice.
Experience SUND at the Festival of Research 2026
On Saturday 18 April, you can experience the Festival of Research at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense – where researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences are ready with a programme full of knowledge, debate and activities for both children and adults.
What can we learn from demographic concerns of the past?
The welfare system will come under pressure as the proportion of young people decreases and the proportion of older people increases. Professor Paul Sharp puts today’s challenges into a historical perspective ahead of the SDU event ‘Fewer young people, more older people: On the brink of the abyss?’ on 12 March 2026.
SDU and partners receive millions in grant money to develop new concept of Bildung
With a grant of almost DKK 21 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to the University of Southern Denmark and a wide range of partners, a major new research project focuses on investigating the understandings of Bildung in Danish, history and social studies in primary and secondary education and developing a new, interdisciplinary concept of Bildung.
kunstigt-edderkoppespind-kan-afloese-elastan
Researchers at SDU will soon print a small piece of high-tech, plastic-free future. They are aiming to replace elastane with artificial spider silk. This could mean saying goodbye to microplastics from our sportswear and underwear.
Award-winning Atwood demonstrates the ethical and political potential of literature
Author Margaret Atwood receives the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award for her narratively superior and socially critical writing. We asked Associate Professor of Literature Emily Hogg why Atwood is such a recognised voice in literature.
How do you get more young people to choose vocational education?
Politicians have dreamed of solving this challenge for years, but the proportion of Danish young people in vocational education is decreasing – and is now well below the EU average. In a new research project on 7,500 European young people, SDU researchers and European partners will investigate why the young people choose or refuse vocational education. The project receives DKK 21 million from EU.
Chemical Analyses Find Hidden Elements from Renaissance Astronomer Tycho Brahe’s Alchemy Laboratory
Tycho Brahe was most famous for his contributions to astronomy. However, he also had a well-equipped alchemical laboratory where he produced secret medicines for Europe’s elite.
Ambitious research project addresses significant climate issue within the shipping industry
The formation of ships queuing outside ports is a widespread problem, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions. With a total budget of 7,5 million euros, a new European research project, spearheaded by the University of Southern Denmark, is set to find a solution.
From Denmark to Ghana: Mathias creates sustainable water supply
Mathias Thuborg Madsen works at the Danish Embassy in Ghana, where he is leading a Danish-Ghanaian collaboration to improve the country’s water sector. He studied Market and Management Anthropology at SDU and has always been curious about people and the world.
ocean alkalinity enhancement
The CO2 levels in the atmosphere continue to rise as we strive to reduce our emissions. Now, an international team of researchers proposes a radical solution: pour crushed stone into the sea and it will empower the water to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Grants of DKK 43 million to make the Danish/German border region more climate resilient
The EU's Interreg program has granted support for two projects led by SDU Climate Cluster, aiming to strengthen collaborative climate efforts in the region.
How to keep your New Year’s resolutions
Goals and motivation are among the most important factors for achieving what you set out to do.
New life emerges as the ice melts in the Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth and is headed towards being ice free in the summer. However, this provides opportunities for new ecosystems to develop, biologist Karl Attard argues.
Less mold, more food
Foods like fruit, vegetables and dairy products often get attacked by mold or fungus and therefore must be discarded. If we can extend the shelf life just a few days, we can save a lot of food from being thrown out. SDU researchers are trying to contribute to that.
Floors in Greek luxury villa were laid with recycled glass
Several decorative mosaic floors have been excavated in a luxury villa located in present-day Turkey, once overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. New chemical analyzes reveal that recycled glass was used in laying the mosaic floors.
Bacteria to wear protection
Bacteria can contribute to a more sustainable production of chemicals, so providing a good working environment for them is a good investment. Now SDU- researchers present a nano protection suit, developed for bacteria, in Nature Communications.
Sebastian H. Mernild set to head SDU’s climate efforts
The internationally renowned Professor of Climate Change is set to head SDU’s largest-ever strategic initiative in climate change, sustainability and green transition.
Finally, the eelgrass is coming back
Scientists’ effort to bring the eelgrass back to Danish waters has proven very successful: After 2 years, there are now 70 times more eelgrass shoots in Horsens Fjord in Denmark.
Can theatre help climate change?
Students have been involved in improvised theatre to become aware of how to live more sustainably. Behind the project are researchers from SDU and they are impressed with the young people's dedication.
Can theatre help climate change?
Students have been involved in improvised theatre to become aware of how to live more sustainably. Behind the project are researchers from SDU and they are impressed with the young people's dedication.
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Last Updated 10.08.2026