By Line Nyrup Odgaard, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Majken Davids

"Erik is deeply committed to his teaching. He consistently creates a learning environment that fosters engagement, critical reflection, and academic excellence."

This is one of several impressive statements from the students for why Professor Erik Lund was named Teacher of the Year at the Faculty of Engineering and Science at AAU, an award he has received for the third time.

Erik teaches in the Department of Materials and Production in Aalborg where the students emphasize that his passion for the subject is clear; he conveys his enthusiasm in every lecture and supervision meeting and comes across as an inspiring teacher to learn from.

Teaching that makes a difference

Erik Lund is honoured and touched by the award.

"I take great pride in providing good instruction and training skilled engineers, so this award means a lot to me," he says.

For Erik, good teaching is about motivating and instilling commitment in the students and lifting them to a higher academic level.

"Some of the instruction may seem like abstract theory, so I try to organize my lectures with appropriate use of practical examples that illustrate the material’s relevance for engineering. When the physical setting for the teaching allows, I try to use a mix of many different tools like slides, blackboard teaching, video, video lessons, group assignments, etc."

Erik is motivated by the joy of seeing the students develop.

"As an experienced teacher, the motivation is primarily the joy of teaching where you feel you’re making a difference; where you can see that the students are engaged and where you inspire them to be curious and delve more deeply," concludes Erik Lund.

Erik Lund is now a candidate for the title of Teacher of the Year at AAU, to be announced at AAU's annual celebration on 17 April 2026.