News from the Faculty

Sapere Aude grant for Ingvild Bode

Associate Professor Ingvild Bode receives a much-coveted Sapere Aude grant, awarded to researchers in the international top tier within their field. She will examine how AI affects the interaction between humans and machines in warfare.

University of Southern Denmark Esbjerg is starting a new green education programme

The University of Southern Denmark in Esbjerg is starting a new master’s programme in sustainability. The programme will meet demand from local and regional companies.

A new research center aims to ensure that we learn from past catastrophes

The University of Southern Denmark has established a new center to ensure continuous learning from disasters and help societies, organizations, and individuals become more resilient.

Teachers of the year at SDU BSS, 2023

Jaume Castan Pinos, Malene Damsted and Shriram Venkatraman are 2023’s teachers of the year at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at SDU.

Cybersecurity in the Supply Chain: How Prepared is Your Business?

A new initiative is underway to bolster cybersecurity among Danish manufacturing companies, equipping them to effectively navigate cyber threats and geopolitical challenges. Explore further in this feature article.

Jaume Castan Pinos is SDU’s Lecturer of the Year

Jaume Castan Pinos is passionate about teaching, and he is committed to creating a motivating and inspiring learning environment that awakens students’ curiosity and encourages critical thinking. That is why he is the recipient of this year’s Teaching Prize at SDU.

Two researchers join talent programme

This year, two researchers have been selected for the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences’ Talent Track, which supports early career researchers who have the potential to make remarkable contributions to their field of research.

Meet Mikkel Nøjgaard

Mikkel Nøjgaard studies market valorization and why we value things as we do. His current research interest is in the context of sustainable food and the question of how we can build food production systems that value food not only for its effects on human well-being but also for its impact on the environment. Learn more about Mikkel’s research and visions in this interview.

Meet Jøren Ullits

In his research, Jøren Ullits is driven by questions concerning the intersection between technology and law, and he focuses on how Automated Administrative Decision-Making systems comply with the rule of law. Learn more about Jøren’s research and visions in this interview.

New Head of Department at new business economics department

Christian Elmelund-Præstekær is to head a large, new department with activities at SDU’s campuses in Esbjerg, Kolding and Sønderborg.

A Study Start for Everyone with an Emphasis on a Safe Learning Environment and Good Relations

With a strong emphasis on building good relations in a safe environment, the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences has just completed this year's introduction days for new bachelor's students with very positive results.

Researchers want to safeguard small businesses against cyber threats

The changing threat landscape increases the need for companies to upgrade their cyber security, and a new research project at SDU will help small and medium-sized enterprises with this task.

New expert group to address potential threat from invasive species impacting marine ecosystems

Invasive species - both plants and animals - can pose a serious threat to biodiversity, UN states. As a response, a group of SDU researchers now form an expert group.   

SDU student: ‘At SDU in Sønderborg there is always something new to learn since we have almost every nationality here’

Roman Strehár always knew that he wanted to study abroad. He is studying the BSc of Economics and Business Administration at SDU in Sønderborg, and being an international student offers lots of opportunities to meet people from all over the world and experience different cultures.

European SDU Lectures – the future of Europe in a changing world

In times of crisis, there is reason to gather our thoughts. The University of Southern Denmark and Think Tank EUROPA do precisely this in the lecture series European SDU Lectures, during which leading international researchers and experts visit Copenhagen and give their perspectives on the future of Europe.

SDU BSS welcomes more than 1300 new students

This year, 1375 applicants have been offered a student place on one of SDU’s business and social sciences study programmes. This is an increase of 3 percent compared with last year.

Over 5500 young people want to study at SDU BSS

A total of 5690 young people have applied to one of SDU’s business and social sciences programmes, and 1610 have listed the programmes as their first priority. This is an increase of 20 and 12 percent, respectively, compared with last year and more than the number of applicants in 2021.

SDU BSS strengthens the team

Kristin B. Munksgaard has been appointed Vice-Dean for Strategic Development and will play a key role in realising strategic initiatives at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. She will continue in her position as head of the University of Southern Denmark Business School.

New elite centre: To tackle the climate crisis, we need to change the narrative about climate action

Throughout human history, we have placed ourselves at the center of the world, having growth and wealth as ideals, says the director of the new elite centre under SDU Climate Cluster, PACA. It is time for a new narrative.

Sten Rynning to be the new director of the Danish Institute for Advanced Study

SDU’s rector, Jens Ringsmose, has appointed professor of political science Sten Rynning as the new director of the University of Southern Denmark’s interdisciplinary elite research centre, DIAS.

How does ChatGPT deal with moral dilemmas?

ChatGPT fascinates users around the world. But what happens, when you confront the bot with moral dilemmas, and how do users respond to it? We asked Associate Professor Andreas Ostermaier to explain.

SAMF is refining its educational portfolio

There will still be a large range of programmes to choose from at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences in the future, even though we are discontinuing two programmes and refining the range of study tracks and profiles on the business economics programmes.

6 new projects to receive fast track instrument

The fast track instrument from SDU Climate Cluster is given to free research ideas and hypotheses, as well as to establish pilot projects that can later form the basis for larger external research applications.

New education programme will contribute to solving demographic challenges

The demographic development is crucial for how we organise society, and from next year a new master’s programme at SDU will educate demographers who can contribute to tackling the challenges. It will be Denmark’s only education programme in demography.

In search of new narratives of Europe’s borders

Borders shape our view of Europe and can both unite and divide us Europeans. A new EU project led by SDU seeks to explore the narratives we as Europeans construct and carry with us.

Nature can help when extreme weather hits

Floods, heat waves, storms and droughts are becoming more common as temperatures rise, so we need to find new ways to protect our cities and communities. Nature itself offers many solutions, and we must learn to make better use of them, say the researchers behind a new elite center for climate research at SDU.

Life in a violent country can be years shorter and less predictable

How long people live in violent countries is less predictable and life expectancy for young people can be as much as 14 years shorter compared to peaceful countries, according to a new study led by University of Southern Denmark and Oxford University.

9 SDU researchers among the top cited in 2022

The journal ‘DM Akademikerbladet’, in collaboration with Infomedia, has calculated experts’ appearances in the press last year. On 2022's top 50 list, we find nine researchers from SDU.

Collaborations between students and companies generate great value

Every Wednesday, Jonas Poulsen swaps teaching on the Economics and Business Administration programme at SDU for an internship at Nic. Christiansen Gruppen’s Business Intelligence department. For Jonas Poulsen, it is a good opportunity to test the theories from his study in practice, and the company gets access to new knowledge and outside perspectives.

New Advisory Board to contribute to the Faculty’s development

A new Advisory Board has been tasked with providing input to and perspectives on the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences’ future development and strategic initiatives.

Teachers of the year at SAMF

Three lecturers at the Faculty have each received an award for their dedication to and achievements in teaching. Meet them here.

Three researchers join talent programme

Three researchers have just been appointed to the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences’ Talent Track, which supports young researchers in making key contributions to their field of research.

Meet Thorbjørn Sejr Guul

How do we design the delivery of public service in ways that ensure a fair treatment and more equal results for all citizens? In his research, Thorbjørn Sejr Guul, an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Management, enquires into these questions. Learn more about his research and ambitions in this interview.

Meet Seetha Menon

How can we reduce social inequality in health? This is what Seetha Menon, an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, has set out to do in her research. More specifically, she examines the gender differences in healthcare utilization and health behaviour. Learn more about her research and visions in this interview.

Meet Catalin-Gabriel Stanescu

In his research, Catalin-Gabriel Stanescu, an Associate Professor at the Department of Law, is driven by questions concerning financial protection of consumers and how to achieve better regulation of debt collection activities in the EU. Learn more about his research and visions in this interview.

COVID-19 had least impact on life expectancy in Nordic countries

COVID-19 pandemic has led to life expectancy losses in Europe and overseas in the past two years but not in Denmark and its Nordic neighbours.

Top researcher joins SDU

Gregory Clark, a world-leading economic historian, will be moving to SDU from the University of California, Davis next year, thanks to a grant of DKK 10 million from the Danish National Research Foundation.

Grant will make your clicks more transparent

You’re constantly using apps and websites on your smartphone, tablet, PC or other digital devices. These applications collect information about you and your behavior, but we know too little about how this data is used, shared, and sold. Fabrizio Montesi and Claes de Vreese, both from the Digital Democracy Centre, have just received a 3 million DKK grant from the VILLUM FOUNDATION to make your clicks more transparent and accessible.

Peter Møllgaard continues to chair the Climate Council

SDU’s Dean of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, Peter Møllgaard, has been reappointed for a four-year term as chairman of the Climate Council, which advises the government on climate issues.

SDU expert briefs the UN Security Council

The use of military drone technologies by terrorist groups is a threat to the world community. That was the main message in the speech that Associate Professor James Rogers has just given to the UN Security Council, where he was invited to share his knowledge about the terrorist use of drones.

New members appointed to SAMF Think Tank

A new team has been set up for the faculty’s think tank, which serves as an internal strategic partner for the faculty management in relation to faculty-wide research initiatives.

New professional master’s programme strengthens the interaction between technology and management

SDU is ready with a new professional master's programme focusing on management of technology. The programme provides competences to explore and exploit the many business opportunities arising from emerging technologies such as drones, robots and 3D printing.

Law degree programme to be created at SDU in Esbjerg

From the autumn of 2023, SDU will offer a law degree programme in Esbjerg. This is clear after RUVU (the advisory committee for the evaluation of the offering of higher education programmes) has approved SDU’s application for the education. This was announced by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a visit to SDU in Esbjerg on Thursday morning.

Meet Olivier Schmitt

Olivier Schmitt is a Professor WSR at the Center for War Studies at SDU. In his research he is interested in security policy, military cooperation, arms control, and the changing character of warfare. He also looks at the role of ideas and norms in world politics with a focus on e.g., strategic narratives and propaganda. He has previously worked with Russian security issues and is currently putting his knowledge forward in relation to the war in Ukraine.

Obituary for Professor James W. Vaupel

On Sunday 27 March 2022, Jim Vaupel died following an unexpected and brief illness. Thus, our university and Denmark, indeed the whole world, lost a leading demographer and researcher on ageing.

PhD School with international outlook

The research environments and the PhD school of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences are enjoying great success with their international collaborations. The success attracts competent PhD students to SDU and boosts research excellence

Prestigious EU Grant for SDU Researcher

Annette Baudisch receives a highly competitive ERC Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council to explore and find new patterns in fertility data.

New Dean at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences

With Peter Møllgaard’s appointment as the new Dean of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, SDU has gained an experienced strategic leader with international experience.

The welfare state is more of a piggy bank than Robin Hood

Welfare states are often criticized for not being good enough at reducing inequality. But in practice they mainly do something else – namely distributing society’s resources across generations – as opposed to socio-economic status. This is shown by a new analysis of the European welfare states, and SDU Professor Pieter Vanhuysse therefore calls for less criticism of the welfare state.

2021 Lecturer of the Year: ‘It makes a difference that the students work actively with what they need to learn’

Marian van Bakel takes pride in creating and developing a great learning environment, and she meets her students with great enthusiasm and attention. That is why she is the recipient of this year’s Teaching Prize at SDU.

SDU gains a visionary new Rector

Jens Ringsmose, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at SDU, has been appointed as the new Rector of the University of Southern Denmark from 1 November 2021.

COVID-19 has led to great life expectancy losses

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered life expectancy losses in most of the world - not seen since World War II. Denmark and Norway on the contrary experienced increase in life expectancy during the pandemic.

Three researchers are heading for new goals

Three researchers with extraordinary potential have been selected for the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences’ Talent Track, which supports young researchers in pursuing innovative ideas. Meet the researchers here.

Meet Mette Søgaard Nielsen

The importance of networking for entrepreneurs is what Mette Søgaard Nielsen, an Associate Professor at the Department of Entrepreneurship and Relationship Management, is studying. Her goal is to explore new ways of understanding how social support and encouragement take place and influence entrepreneurs at a time when many exchanges have moved online. Learn more about Mette's research and ambitions in this Q&A.

Meet Kim Andersen

How does people's consumption of news affect their political beliefs and commitment? And what are the consequences when some people do not consume news? This is what Kim Andersen, an Associate Professor at the Centre for Journalism, aims to investigate further, as part of the SAMF Talent Track. Learn more about his research and visions in this Q&A.

How do new technologies challenge democracy?

Tech giants have enormous power – not only over public discourse, but also over free research. Recently, researchers from New York University were excluded from Facebook when they were in the process of uncovering ad targeting issues on the platform. Professor Claes de Vreese points out that two sets of clear ground rules are missing.

New Head of the PhD School at the Faculty

Domen Bajde becomes Head of the PhD School at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences.

How will music festivals manage another summer without audience?

The big music festivals are cancelled again this summer because of the Covid19-crisis. Will the popular festivals manage the crisis and what does the future look like for them?

Space may become the new Wild West

No state can lay claim to space. But adventurous billionaires and other private parties dreaming of space are currently challenging the treaties which have, until now, regulated obligations and rights in space. Researcher at SDU is helping to sort out the legal mess in space.

Women in research: Mette Søgaard Nielsen

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, please meet some of our women researchers from SDU and learn their perspectives on being a woman in research.

SAMF receives four Marie Curie grants

This year, four of the very prestigious EU Marie Curie Fellowships go to young research talents, who move their research to recognised research environments at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at SDU.

SDU is establishing a Business School

A new Business School at SDU seeks to build a bridge between the university’s business economics programmes and the business community and society in general. The Business School will open its doors in September this year.

The battle for phosphorus is intensifying

Phosphorus is a very simple element that forms the foundation of all life on Earth. However, phosphorus is also a limited resource. Phosphorus is therefore also part of a game of geopolitics between superpowers that is intensifying these days.

Experts are humans, too: Frederik Waage

In this interview series, we meet four researchers. They are COVID-19 experts and widely used in the media. But they’re perfectly ordinary people, too.

Drone market gains from new innovation concept

When trying to market their innovative solutions, small start-ups often find it difficult to break down the door to potential customers. That is why Professor Mette Præst Knudsen has developed a concept at SDU that will help small and large businesses collaborate on innovative drone solutions.

Meet Volha Lazuka

How do health interventions during the childhood translate into better health and earnings in adulthood? Is it due to direct effects of interventions themselves or the interplay of several interventions at different ages, or completely other mechanisms? This is what Volha Lazuka, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Business and Economics, aims to investigate further, as one of the emerging career scholars participating in the SAMF Talent Track. Read a Q&A with Volha Lazuka.

Meet Kerstin Bree Carlson

How do we ensure that an - often implicit - bias does not affect law and legal justice? Kerstin Bree Carlson, an Associate Professor at the Department of Law and one of the emerging career scholars in the SAMF Talent Track, suggests that countries that apply transitional justice methods will have less biased court processes. To test this hypothesis, she will compare terror trials from Colombia, Ireland, France, and Denmark. Read a Q&A with Kerstin Bree Carlson.

Meet Julia Bronnmann

The oceans are essential for human life, and for Julia Bronnmann, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sociology, Environmental and Business Economics, the goal is to study how the ocean and aquaculture production can contribute to food security, sustainability, and human wealth both in developed and developing countries. By joining the SAMF Talent Track, she will explore her ideas further. Read a Q&A with Julia Bronnmann.

Talent Track to promote elite research: Meet the first participants

The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences is launching a new initiative to support young ambitious researchers who have the potential to make significant contributions to their field of research.

Researchers from the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences receive DKK 9.1 million from the Carlsberg Foundation

Six researchers at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at SDU receive a share of this year’s Carlsberg grants. The researchers will thus have the opportunity to pursue new research ideas and also to finish ongoing research.

Artists create economic growth

Every year, big cities like New York and Los Angeles attract thousands of artists who dream of making a name for themselves as musicians, writers or actors. A new research project at SDU shows that the rich cultural life helps to create economic growth in the largest cities in the US.

Hybrid entrepreneurs stand a lesser chance of success

If you try to start your own business at the same time as applying for a job, you are far less likely to succeed in your business. This is the result of a new study from SDU

Students flocking to SAMF

This year, 1,441 students have accepted a study place on one of SDU's Bachelor programmes in social sciences, a 10% increase from last year.

Clusters to address societal challenges

With the establishment of four clusters, the faculty will contribute to solving significant societal challenges and take research to new heights.

New type of innovation has emerged during COVID-19

Whisky and gin from Nyborg Distillery becomes hand sanitizer, Grundfos makes 100,000 visors and fibre materials are used for face masks instead of nappies. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have studied the redirection of resources in Danish companies to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) during the corona crisis, and they have discovered an entirely new type of innovation.

SDU Professor receives much-coveted EU grant

A new research project will shed light on inequalities in lifespans and the consequences that this may have on pension systems. Professor James Vaupel will lead the project, which is supported by the European Research Council (ERC).

Researchers are calling for better data on inequality

For us to be able to reduce inequality in and between the countries of the world, we need better data on inequality. There is no international system for measuring inequality’, is the message from Professor Paul Sharp and more than 50 other economists.

The impact of managers

An experimental study from the University of Southern Denmark shows how managers can act opportunistically and try to manipulate their subordinates. Watch a video about the study.

New Director of leading research environment at SDU

Jes Søgaard will take charge of the interdisciplinary research centre CPop, which addresses major societal challenges within demography and ageing.

SDU aims to strengthen social institutions abroad

Through a new strategic venture, SDU aims to help build and strengthen stable and legitimate institutions in countries facing challenges in these matters.

New Head of Department at Sociology, Environmental and Business Economics

Torben Munk Damgaard will soon be taking charge of the Department of Sociology, Environmental and Business Economics at SDU.

European grant for political scientist

A new project at SDU will research on the norm for use of autonomous weapons and the impact this has on the international safety order. Political scientist Ingvild Bode will be responsible for the project, which will be supported by the European Research Council (ERC).

Drones are moving into the battlefield

The use of drones has changed the character of war, where modern warfare has once again become bloodier and more unpredictable.

New Vice Deans for the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences

Professor Sten Rynning will be the Vice Dean for Research, while Head of Department Jan Guldager Jørgensen will take up the position of Vice Dean for Education for the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences.

Danish economy boosted by German migrants

Researchers reinterpret Danish economic history, which goes further back than the transformation of Danish agriculture in the 1880s. The conclusion is that German speaking estate owners laid the basis for the cooperative movement in the late 18th century.

New Dean for the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences

With Jens Ringmose as new Dean at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, SDU gets a leader who is passionate about university leadership.

SDU Dean becomes new Vice-Chancellor at CBS

Nikolaj Malchow-Møller has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of CBS. He has been Dean of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at SDU since 2014.

Students and businesses came together

About 300 students from the business and social sciences programmes and 20 local businesses met at University of Southern Denmark to talk about project-oriented studies, student jobs and master’s thesis collaboration.

Grants given for international research stays

Independent Research Fund Denmark has just awarded five grants for international research stays. Two of the grant recipients are researchers from the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU).

Reinventing higher education: hyper flexible education

Over the coming years, SDU will experiment with new teaching methods. Vice-Chancellor Henrik Dam explains why and how SDU will develop the way the university organize education.

Food waste: Which initiatives work?

Efforts work best when multiple actors join forces to reduce food waste, points out SDU researcher Johanna Gollnhofer, who for one week took it upon herself to go dumpster diving.

Reinventing higher education at SDU

SDU will experiment with new teaching methods such as nano-education modules and digital courses. It will be the journalism programmes that will develop and test the new prototype for tomorrow’s university education.

New grants from Independent Research Fund Denmark

Five researchers at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences share in the grants that Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) has just distributed.

Jeanette Lemmergaard remains Head of Department

The Head of SDU's Department of Marketing & Management has been employed.

Researchers test people’s reactions to drones

The altitude of the flight is a deciding factor in whether drones are a disturbance and a cause for concern when they fly over people's houses and gardens.

New grants for researchers at BSS-SDU

Five researchers at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences have received support to initiate new research projects.

Researchers will help companies perform better

A new project will shed light on the human aspects of companies’ Sales and Operations Planning. This holds great potential for businesses.

Energy companies will get help for their businesses

The University of Southern Denmark’s new centre – The Energy Management Centre – will cooperate closely with companies in the energy sector to solve a number of challenges.

New law on health data requires new research

The conditions for researchers' access to health records and use of health data will change when Denmark must comply with the EU’s data protection regulation in May 2018. Therefore, the Lundbeck Foundation funds a new research project that will bring clarity to the future rules. Kent Kristensen from the Department of Law is head of the research group.

Researcher gets Marie Curie grant

Postdoc Danita Catherine Burke from the University of Southern Denmark receives a 'Marie Curie Individual Fellowship' of DKK 1.4 million. The money will be used to study why some interest groups are granted observer status in the intergovernmental Arctic Council, while others are less welcome.

DKK 2.6 million to explore the origins of creativity

Professor Karol Jan Borowiecki receives financial support from The Danish Council for Independent Research for his research project on how human interaction works as a catalyst for creative expression.

Drones: People worry about their privacy

New study shows that people are sceptical of drones intruding into their private sphere.

Grants for research stays at leading, international universities

Two researchers from The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences receive grants from The Danish Council for Independent Research for research stays abroad.

Too few businesses focus on new technology

New research shows that Danish companies fail to utilise new technologies and digital solutions and therefore fall behind in the international competition.

Researchers find solutions in collaboration with companies

The University of Southern Denmark has awarded DKK 12.9 million to interdisciplinary research projects to bring knowledge into play in public and private companies. The projects fall under the University's focus on selected research areas.

Researchers receive millions from The Danish Council for Independent Research

The Danish Council for Independent Research funds research projects to help launch ground-breaking research with implications for society and businesses. Five researchers from The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at The University of Southern Denmark are awarded a share of the grants.

New project to ensure better integration of the energy market

The Danish energy market faces major changes and demands for improved integration between electricity supply, natural gas and district heating. A new project will explore the integrated energy system of the future from a market perspective.

SAMF researcher to lead new Danida initiative

A new research project will pave the way for more sustainability and safe and healthy working conditions in the leather industry of Bangladesh. The project, which is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark’s development cooperation Danida (the Danish International Development Agency), will be led by Associate Professor Dewan Ahsan.

Forbrugerne kan ikke bære bæredygtigheden alene

Kompleksiteten er for overvældende, når den enkelte forbruger skal afgøre hvilket produkt, der er mest klimavenligt. Udviklingen frem mod det bæredygtige forbrug drives lige nu af forbrugerne, men for at komme i mål med det, skal det understøttes af industrien, skriver forfatterne i denne kronik.

Farvel og goddag til epidemiloven

Er det stadig skak, vi spiller?

Om jurister og samfundsdebatten i en retsstat: Hvor er det, at juristers viden om, hvorvidt noget er lovligt, ulovligt eller måske bare risikabelt, medfører værdi for andre end advokater eller sagsbehandlere i kommunen? Læs kronikken af Kristina Siig, professor MSO ved Juridisk Institut.

Three Marie Curie Fellowships

The EU funding gives the faculty opportunity of attracting three strong research profiles.