Spotlight on municipal researcher Ulrik Kjær
In the run-up to the municipal and regional elections, Professor Ulrik Kjær’s phone has been ringing off the hook and his calendar has been packed with interviews. We sat down with him to talk about what it’s like to be constantly in the media spotlight.
How does it feel to be so present in the media during an election?
- There are two things to it.
- First off, it’s nice to have the opportunity to communicate research that might not attract much attention on a daily basis. Whilst it’s not the geekiest thing I get to talk about, it’s based on the research I’ve been doing for a number of years. I also find that I’m getting better at disseminating my knowledge, and that it can be a way to set a new research agenda, because you know what people are interested in learning about. We have research-based teaching, and in the same way, we can have dissemination-based research – that is, doing research on some of the things we are asked about in the media.
- Secondly, it’s exciting to work with people other than my fellow researchers – namely Danish journalists with a different expertise and a different pace. Talking to people who are different from you is often just as rewarding. For example, it gives me insight into what local journalists think about local politics and what the issues are.
- At the end of the day, one of the most meaningful things for me is to help journalists qualify their stories, so that the outcome is significantly better.
What does your everyday life look like behind the scenes during a campaign period?
- Absolutely mental! When it’s not election season, I get 5-10 calls from journalists a week, and during an election, it’s nonstop. And then you might ask, ‘how do you manage to keep it all together?’ This is my eighth election, so I’ve gained some experience with what to do and what to be careful about. It’s important not to pack your calendar with too many other things in those last three or four weeks. I even started to turn down commitments during this campaign period a year ago.
- I also make an agreement with DR or TV2 to be a resident expert for them, which makes things a bit easier, both logistically and in terms of workflows.
Is there anything special you do during elections?
- I try to do something new with every election. This time’s been a first for me: I’ve been a columnist writing for Altinget. I usually get interviewed, but here I got to write my own little piece of journalism/research, and it’s been exciting to convey a difficult argument in 1000 words.
- During the municipal elections in 2021, I was featured on the current affairs programme ‘Kampen om kæderne’ (‘The Battle for the Ceremonial Chains’) on TV 2 News, and in 2017 I toured 10 upper secondary schools and gave presentations, to name a few other examples. My point is, I won’t just replicate what I’ve done before but come up with something completely different for the next election.
Once the election is over, what does your job look like?
- I have a couple of scientific articles I would like to write based on the election. We’ve also written books based on surveys etc. on several occasions. We will also be publishing our knowledge this time around, but through other channels and not in the form of a book.
- But now I also have to return to my ‘regular’ job. I’ve got teaching to do and I need to update the syllabi for the spring courses. I’m also working on a project for the Democracy and Power in Denmark study on democratic innovation in municipalities – that is, all areas not related to elections. I’m also involved in welcoming the new municipal politicians and helping them get off to a good start across the municipalities.
Do you have any advice for researchers when it comes to being experts in the media?
- Expect a long, hard slog. We are all experts in a somewhat narrow field, and often you are asked about something where you don’t have new results or current research ready. I’ve gotten used to it, which is why I focus more on doing good research and accept that media appearances are more about your field of research than your own research.
- My advice would be to focus on developing your field of research and then be ready to step into the broader conversation, engaging with different stakeholders – not just the media, but also organisations and citizens, so you can contribute in a nuanced and open way, no matter who you meet.
Meet the researcher
Ulrik Kjær is Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Management. His research interests include municipal elections, political leadership, and local democracy.