AAU hosts three conferences during the Danish EU Presidency
Nyhed
Lagt online: 15.07.2025
This autumn, AAU is leading three conferences in connection with the Danish EU Presidency. With the conferences, the university is helping to focus on a number of highly topical EU agendas in areas such as research, innovation and space. Several other activities are also on the programme.
By Lea Laursen Pasgaard, AAU Communication and Public Affairs and Anne Drivsholm Sand, AAU EU Office. Illustration: Julie Nete Nielsen
Denmark has just taken over the EU Presidency where several of the Danish universities are hosting a number of major conferences that focus on highly topical EU agendas in areas such as research, innovation and space. AAU is hosting three of these conferences, all of which will take place in the autumn of 2025.
Rector Per Michael Johansen is pleased that the university is involved, with all its diversity of knowledge.
"The hosting is a special opportunity for AAU to make its mark on important European agendas, contribute to and influence these, and at the same time highlight our strengths – our mission-oriented approach, experience working closely with the wider world and our strong foundation in research-based innovation," says the rector.
The three conferences deal with the contribution of space research to a greener and safer world, the future of research evaluation and career development, and the contribution of social sciences and humanities research to solving society's grand challenges.
20-21 October 2025, Aalborg
The conference will address opportunities and challenges for European space policy and European space programmes. There will also be discussions on how the space field plays a role in European resilience, competitiveness and sustainability, and what development in the space sector means for Europe and Denmark.
1-2 December 2025, Copenhagen
The conference focuses on the link between human values and society’s grand challenges. It helps to create more visibility on what is required to create research and innovation environments and programmes in Europe that promote 'Human-Centric Research and Innovation' as an essential parameter for how we can differentiate ourselves and create better competitiveness in Europe.
3-4 December 2025, Copenhagen
The need to reform research evaluation is urgent. The traditional systems of merit, which are based on publications and citations, fail to recognize the full spectrum of scientific contributions – including teaching, dissemination and participation in society. The conference provides an international forum for discussions on research quality, impact and next steps for reforming assessment and funding. It is an agenda that is in the spotlight. Among other things, as a result of the work done under the auspices of CoARA (Coalition on Reforming Research Assessment) where AAU is a signatory.
Other activities
AAU is participating and is involved in planning several other activities linked to the Danish EU Presidency.
In addition to the three conferences, AAU is also co-organizer of the International Mission Conference on 24 November which is a pre-event for ASCEND: Fostering the European Culture of Innovation 25-26 November.
The conference is organized in collaboration with Innovation Fund Denmark and taking place at AAU in Copenhagen. The theme is: Reimagining Public Policy: Does Mission-Oriented Innovation Hold the Key for Europe?
On 29 September, the Department of Politics and Society will host an EU career workshop for students interested in exploring career and internship opportunities within the EU institutions.
Current and former EU professionals, including AAU alumni, present the many different roles available in and around the EU. The event is relevant to students from diverse academic backgrounds, including public administration, law, economics, communication and science.
The workshop is designed to help students better understand the pathways to EU careers and prepare for future opportunities in international institutions.
27 September 2025 – Create, Aalborg
In collaboration with the North Jutland People's Movement (v. Søren Dosenrode), this seminar invites politicians, experts, and citizens to engage in dialogue on some of the most pressing issues facing Europe today.
The event will open with remarks from Søren Dosenrode, representing the European Movement and Aalborg University. Following this, Asser Mortensen (Social Democrats) and Jakob Dyrman (Venstre) will present the day’s programme and introduce the citizen participation format.
29 September at Campus in Aalborg
Aalborg University, in collaboration with the European Movement, invites you to a timely and engaging event focused on Denmark’s EU Presidency. At the midpoint of the term, we take a closer look at the government’s priorities, its political visions, and Denmark’s role in Europe.
The event will open with Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre, and comedian Jakob Thrane will provide a humorous framing of the day’s debate.
A panel discussion will follow, featuring representatives from youth political organizations and European Youth, moderated by Bente Sorgenfrey from the European Movement.
Read more about the event and sign up
October 2025 – Campus Aalborg
In connection with Denmark’s EU Presidency, Aalborg University is hosting an open seminar focused on European labour markets and the impact of the green transition on the internal market and the free movement of labour.
The event brings together 15 members of the European Parliament’s Left Group, who, together with researchers and participants, will shed light on both the opportunities and challenges within the current political landscape.
Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs