Kurt Nielsen retires as vice-dean at Aarhus University

Kurt Nielsen is educated biologist from the University of Copenhagen and as a professional diver in the Navy – a combination of educations that he has used in his jobs at the former Aarhus County and Storstrøm County in the period 1983-96.

For 25 years, he has worked with management, research and science-based policy advice within the areas of environment, nature, climate, food and agriculture - first as Head of Research and Deputy Director of the Danish Environmental Research Institutes and then as vice-dean at Aarhus University from 2011.

"Kurt has dedicated most of his working life to translating knowledge from research into consultancy to authorities, companies and organisations. He has been responsible for our faculty´s science-based policy advice and for the construction and implementation of a certified quality management system. I would like to use this occasion to say thank you to Kurt for his great efforts for Technical Sciences and Aarhus University, as a very valued colleague," says Eskild Holm Nielsen, dean at Technical Sciences.

In addition to the great efforts for science-based policy advice at Technical Sciences, Kurt Nielsen has also contributed to a number of national and international forums and is, among other things, chairman of the Danish Universities' committee for research-based public sector consultancy, chairman of the Forum for Arctic Research and chairman of Greenland Ecosystem Monitoring.

He also contributes to a number of external boards as Food and Bio Cluster, Denmark A/S, Kattegatcentret, Climatorium and Naturkraft. In addition, at management level, he collaborates with a wide range of private and public companies.

"It has been a very exciting years to provide science-based policy advice to the The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment,The Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and the Government of Greenland. Typically, there are large societal or private interests at stake, which is why conflicts can often arise. But I see it as crucial that the universities contribute with the latest research knowledge through advice to solve society's challenges – even if the results are not necessarily seen as politically opportune. My wish is to create better economic conditions and greater recognition for the research environments responsible for providing research and advice to the authorities. These research environments are also central to the green transition of society," says Kurt Nielsen.

According to Kurt Nielsen, he is now looking forward to having much more time for family, friends and hobbies.

"In the future, I will continue to participate in some board work, but it will be great to have more time for my personal interests", says Kurt Nielsen.

Technical Sciences hopes to find Kurt Nielsen's successor by February 2023. A reception for Kurt Nielsen will be held on September 26^th at 14-15.30 o’clock in Fysisk Canteen.

Registration for the reception can be done here >>