The DCA and DCE centre units to merge into a new joint centre unit

No employees will be relocated or made redundant as a result of the decision to merge the DCA and DCE centre units into a new joint unit. This has been confirmed following the Dean’s Office’s approval of an organisational merger of the two units, which serve, among other things, as entry and exit points for the faculty’s research-based advisory services within nature, environment, climate, food, energy, and agriculture.

“We want to bring the staff in the centre units together in the same organisation. They already work closely together today. With a shared leadership, we can ensure even more holistic advisory services for ministries and other authorities,” says Ole Hertel, Tech’s Vice-Dean for public sector consultancy and business collaboration.

Maria Sommer Holtze, who has until now served as Director of DCE, will assume the role of Director of the merged centre unit with immediate effect. Anne-Luise Olesen, who has served as interim Director of DCA, will take on the role of interim Deputy Director until the deputy director position is filled. A new joint secretariat will also be established, headed by Line L. Dvinge.

“With the merger, ministries and other partners will have a single point of entry to our science-based advice, and they can expect greater robustness in task delivery. At the same time, the merger is an important step towards strengthening cross-disciplinary advisory services. This is something that is increasingly in demand, for example in connection with the green tripartite agreement and in addressing other major and complex challenges we face,” says Ole Hertel, adding:

“I am aware that the decision to merge the two centre units may feel overwhelming for some of our colleagues. That is why we are taking the time needed for the process and to ensure that staff can find both each other and new ways of working together. Fortunately, I see a strong willingness to collaborate across the two units, which reinforces my confidence in that this will turn out very, very well.”

A new name, logo, and strategy for the merged centre unit are expected to be ready by 1 January 2027. Until then, all publications will continue to be issued under the familiar names DCA and DCE.

A joint webinar for all Tech employees will be held on 13 March at 10:30, where there will be an opportunity to ask questions about the organisational changes. The webinar is conducted in Danish.

Fact sheet: Merger of the DCA and DCE centre units into a new combined centre unit 

• The Dean’s Office at the Faculty of Technical Sciences has decided to merge the two centre units, DCA and DCE, into a new combined centre unit.
• The merger concerns organisational structure only. The three locations in Viborg, Roskilde, and Aarhus will remain unchanged.
• The leadership of the combined centre unit takes effect immediately:
  • The current DCE Director, Maria Sommer Holtze, becomes Director of the combined centre unit. Maria will continue to be based in Roskilde.
  • A position as Deputy Director in Viborg will be advertised, reporting directly to the Director. The current interim DCA Director, Anne-Luise Olesen, will now serve as interim Deputy Director until a permanent appointment is made.
• The Dean’s Office has based the decision on an organisational analysis carried out over the past five months.
• The merger does not entail savings or staff reductions.
  • No employees will be relocated or dismissed as a result of the decision.
  • All employees will retain their salary and seniority.
  • For most employees, day-to-day tasks will remain largely unchanged.