Update April 2026
Dear Fellows,
Spring is here, and so is the beginning of a new host of tracks and events with The Society of Fellows. In our last newsletter, we welcomed the 4th UCPH Forward Cohort into the Society of Fellows, updated you all on the approval of the statutes and shared with you the videos from the Research Leadership Conference. Below is a short update of recent events. As always, do reach out and jump on tracks and other activities that are of special interest to you!
Track Academic Freedom (Track leader: Céline Galvagnion)
The kick-off meeting of the track “Academic Freedom” was held on March 26th and two activities were discussed:
- an online campaign centered on the theme “Mistrust/Trust” is currently in preparation (activity leaders: Lourdes Cantarero Arevalo (UCPH Forward Cohort I) and Nicole Rita Elisabeth Posth (UCPH Forward Cohort IV))
- a panel event focused on the challenges facing academic freedom and potential ways to address them (activity leaders: Céline Galvagnion and Nina Grønlykke Mollerup (UCPH Forward Cohort IV))
If you want to be involved in the preparation of the above two activities, please contact the respective leaders.
Adam B. Evans and Anke Karabanov (UCPH Forward Cohort IV) hosted a workshop on Academic Freedom at the annual research day of the Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports on April 15th. Participants were asked to give feedback on the three friction points: “distrust in science”, “overreliance on external funding”, and “institution autonomy”. Feedback from the participants will be discussed at the next faculty board meeting
Céline Galvagnion and Lourdes Cantarero Arevalo are organising a joint ILF/IF participating event on Academic Freedom “What is academic freedom and why does it matter?” on August 28th (confirmed speakers: Kirsten Bush Nielsen, Helle Porsdam, Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen, Thomas Brudholm). More information on the format and programme to come.
If you want to be included in the AF mailing list to be kept informed of and involved in the AF activities, please contact Céline.
Track Research Leadership (Track leader: Niels Valdemar)
Through the initiative of Niels Valdemar, the Society of Fellows Research Leadership Track is being restarted. The kick-off meeting will be held on May 20th from 14:00 to 16:00. A calendar invitation will be sent to everyone with the location of the meeting.
Meeting with KU HR
The current and former co-presidents were invited to a meeting with leaders from the HR Strategy section. The purpose of the section is to work with HR strategy development and implementation, monitor development trends, contribute strategic advice and analysis to Senior Management as well as provide support for the HR management and group unit.
Representatives from the unit participated in the SoF conference on research leadership in 2025, and they reached out to ask for a meeting to discuss insights from the conference; leadership development activities; and explore possible future collaboration with SoF e.g. in terms of getting our input and feedback on strategies, participating in brief interviews on academic dilemmas and practices, and other ways of contributing as a “sounding board”. Of course, all in alignment with SoF statues and mission. They will get back to us in due course and we will then invite all of you to contribute.
Happy to support Falling Walls Lab once again
We are happy to announce that The Society of Fellows will once again be supporting the Falling Walls Lab initiative. Last year was a great success. More details on the event will follow soon. For those unaware, the Falling Walls Lab is, in brief, a global pitch competition that brings together an interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals, providing a stage for their breakthrough ideas in 3-minute pitches.
Blue Book
The latest version of bluebook now live on Absalon, and shortly on our website. We have added a link on your profile to your KU research profile, in addition to all the new entries! Thank you for your participation.
Summertime Social Event – June 1st
You are all invited to the SoF summer social event that will take place on June 1st from 16:00 at Munkekælderen Frue Plads 4, Port A, kælderen (access via the gate to the left of the main entrance) 1168 København K. A calendar invitation will be sent shortly.
We look forward to a productive period ahead for the Society of Fellows and its ongoing contribution for the benefit of the whole of the University of Copenhagen.
All the best,
Maria, Tim & Céline
https://about.ku.dk/organisation/councils-boards-committees/society-of-fellows/