Biology's New Head of Department: Biology is More Important Than Ever

On June 1st, a profile with great faith in biology will take the seat as head of the Department of Biology. Jesper Givskov Sørensen hopes to see biology play an even greater role in society in the future.

"Biology must be more important than ever in connection with the green transition. We need to explore the potential to contribute in every way we can – including interdisciplinary research and within nature management. We must excel in basic research but also provide solutions to society," says the upcoming head of the Department of Biology, Jesper Givskov Sørensen.

Birgit Schiøtt, dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, looks forward to Jesper taking on his new role. He has already shown that he has a talent for leadership:

"Jesper has a good ability to see what a leader can be for an organization. He focuses on developing himself as a leader and is aware of both his strengths and weaknesses. I have the impression that curiosity about shaping and working with Biology as an organization is something that characterizes Jesper as a leader."

One of the things that has particularly impressed Birgit Schiøtt is that Jesper has shown he can make decisions where not everyone agrees, in a good way:

"Jesper receives a lot of praise from those he currently leads. I particularly note that this also applies to those who have experienced that Jesper did not accommodate their ideas or wishes. That is a sign of leadership talent, I think."

Jesper Givskov Sørensen will start as head of the department on June 1, 2025. There was a strong field of applicants for the position, with several qualified candidates.

Changing Frameworks Provide New Opportunities

Jesper Givskov Sørensen is a trained biologist from AU and has spent almost all his active working years at the Department of Biology. He also spent nearly five years with colleagues at what is now the Department of Ecoscience at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, and therefore has knowledge of working with public sector consultancy. That experience is a big plus:

"There is a need for us to work together across faculties – and preferably even more in the future. Therefore, I see it as a great strength that Jesper knows both the organization and many skilled colleagues at Tech," says Birgit Schiøtt.

On the less cheerful side, there is a task to adapt the department to political reforms, particularly sector resizing.

"There is a task to ensure that we maintain the high quality of education, even though the number of students will be reduced over the years. At the same time, Biology, Geoscience, and other partners must develop a new master's program of 75 ECTS points," says the dean.

Jesper Givskov Sørensen takes over the leadership of a strong department, but there are clear challenges ahead. He is fully prepared to handle them, and when changes occur, they will also bring new opportunities:

"We must navigate the department through the challenges ahead. Politicians have decided that we should educate fewer biologists in the future, so the balance between teaching and externally funded research will shift. We must continue with everything we are good at, but we have the expertise to let the interdisciplinary and mission-oriented aspects take up a bit more space, so we need to contribute there," he says with strong confidence in the future.

Although the future will bring changes, the department's employees should not expect the new leader to come in and turn everything upside down.

"To be competitive, that is, to deliver research at a really high level, we cannot change topics every semester. There is plenty of really good research, and many colleagues are doing incredibly well. That should continue to be the case, but I would like us to contribute even more actively to society and the business community around us."

A bit about Jesper Givskov Sørensen:

Jesper has two grown children and lives in Skanderborg with his wife. He feels comfortable outside the city, likes to be physically active, and enjoys 'hunting' for birds and insects. In his free time, he enjoys kayaking, where he has to concentrate on maintaining balance, giving his brain a break from all the thoughts that fill his everyday life: "The lake is like therapy."

Jesper's CV in brief:

• 1992: Began studying biology at Aarhus University
• 2003: Earned a Ph.D. in biology from AU
• 2003 – 2009: Postdoc at the Department of Biology
• 2009 – 2013: Senior researcher at the current Department of Ecoscience at the Faculty of Technical Sciences
• 2013: Associate professor at the Department of Biology
• 2020: Professor at the Department of Biology
• 2021: Section Head: Section for Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution, Department of Biology

This text is translated by Copilot.