Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies, enabling scholars to pursue knowledge without fear of censorship or political interference. Yet, in today’s polarized world, the lines between freedom of speech and freedom of research are being tested like never before.At the same time, the European research funding landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Universities now find themselves navigating complex terrain: public backlash against controversial findings, internal debates about the limits of expression, and the growing emphasis on impact and innovation from funding bodies like the European Research Council (ERC).As Europe strives to close the ‘innovation gap’ and boost global competitiveness, how do we ensure that academic freedom remains protected and meaningful?This panel debate will examine the evolving relationship between academic freedom and societal responsibility, exploring questions like:[list][*]What distinguishes freedom of research from freedom of speech, and where do they overlap?[*]How can researchers at all career stages navigate a funding environment increasingly focused on deliverables?[*]What should institutions do when research challenges dominant narratives or provokes public controversy?[*]How can academic discourse remain both free and ethically grounded?[/list]Join us for a thought-provoking discussion where DIAS Chairs and SDU’s Honorary Doctors of 2025 will delve into the numerous dimensions of academic freedom.ModeratorsChristine Stabell Benn, Professor at the Department of Clinical Research and DIAS Chair of Health Sciences.Julius Koschnick, Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and DIAS Fellow of Business and Social Sciences.When and whereThursday 30 October 15.00-16.30 - followed by a receptionDIAS Auditorium, SDU Odense Limited seating - registration requiredSign up here by 21 October

The concept of excellence in science has evolved significantly over the past decades. Whereas it has traditionally emphasized individual achievement, disciplinary specialization, and publication metrics, the future may place greater value on collaborative and interdisciplinary work, societal relevance, diversity and inclusion, and overall research integrity. These shifts reflect changing societal values, technological advances, funding structures, and evolving scientific priorities.This D-IAS Wild Wednesday be an interactive question-driven, joint auditorium-wide , open-ended discussion on how “excellence in science” might be redefined if we imagine a scenario where publications, citations, and grants are no longer central measures. Instead, excellence could be assessed through participation in collaborative networks, contributions to societal impact, integrity, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion.Our discussion will be guided by address key themes, including:[list][*]Foundational Questions[*]Measurement & Metrics[*]Collaboration[*]Diversity & Responsibility[*]Global and Evolving Perspectives[*]Futures and Reform[/list]This Wild Wednesday is organised by Carsten Rahbek, DIAS Chair of Science (Department of Biology)Open for all - no registration needed.

Want to know what is going on behind the scenes at IMADA?Come and join us for 2 x 20 min. inspiring talks while you enjoy a free “casual after-work” beer with your fellow student, colleague or teacher.This time Assistant Professor Manuel Penschuck (Topic: An Algorithm Engineering Case Study: Random Shuffling) and Assistant Professor Kevin Aguyar Brixd (Topic: TBD) will each spend 20 minutes each telling you about their current research.

Want to know what is going on behind the scenes at IMADA?Come and join us for 2 x 20 min. inspiring talks while you enjoy a free “casual after-work” beer with your fellow student, colleague or teacher.This time Assistant Professor Manuel Penschuck (Topic: An Algorithm Engineering Case Study: Random Shuffling) and Assistant Professor Kevin Aguyar Brix (Topic: Complexity in Symbolic Dynamics) will each spend 20 minutes each telling you about their current research.

This lecture will explore the evolution and impact of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study over the past thirty years and how it has shaped our understanding of global health patterns, from tracking mortality and disability to revealing shifting trends in diseases, injuries, and risk factors worldwide. We will discuss key insights that have shaped policy and research, highlight the study’s influence on public health priorities, and examine emerging challenges and opportunities for the next generation of global health measurement About the speakerEmmanela Gakidou is Professor and Associate Chair for Academic Programs at the Department of Health Metrics Sciences, and Senior Director of Organizational Development and Training at IHME. As a quantitative methodologist, she has played a key role in the measurement of the health effects of some of the largest risk factors in the Global Burden of Disease Study, including violence against children and women, alcohol, tobacco and obesity, as well as measuring the impact of key prevention and treatment interventions. She is also leading the work on measuring the burden of disease that is attributable to social determinants of health, which will start by illuminating the impact of education on health. She is passionate about expanding the uptake of gold-standard methodologies in global health research and promoting the use of sound evidence to drive effective health policies through investing in the next generation of global health leaders.VenueDIAS Auditorium, Krogene VSDU Campus OdenseOpen for all - no registration neeed

On 18 November, we go to the ballot box. Whether we vote red, blue or green, the local elections are a reminder that local politics is a shared endeavour. But what happens when the votes are counted and how does the political landscape shape our shared future?Join us on 21 November at Odense Adelige Jomfrukloster as we zoom in on Denmark's political development in the wake of the municipal elections. The Danish Institute for Advanced Study and Word Festival invite you to an afternoon in the spirit of democracy - two of Denmark's sharpest social debaters will set the tone:Lisbeth KnudsenDirector of Strategy at Altinget and Mandag Morgen, former editor-in-chief and one of the most influential profiles in the Danish media and democracy debate.Ulrik KjærProfessor of Political Science at the University of Southern Denmark and one of Denmark's leading experts on local democracy and political structures.The event will feature short presentations from Knudsen and Kjær, after which we will open up for a joint debate with the audience.Sten Rynning, Director of DIAS and professor at the University of Southern Denmark, will lead the conversation.This event is free to attend, but has limited seating - registration is required.SIGN UP HEREWhen and whereFriday 21 November at 14.00-16.00Karen Brahe Auditorium in Odense Adelige JomfruklosterAlbani Torv 6, 5000 Odense CPlease note: This event is in Danish.Odense Adelige Jomfrukloster is located approx. 50 metres from the light rail stop at Albani Torv.The Karen Brahe Auditorium is located in the red half-timbered house at the address.

A climate change double feature with Henrik Seiding and Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen Climate Change and Dilemmas by Henrik SeidingClimate change is no longer a distant challenge – it is reshaping the very way we plan, design, and live in our cities. Urban development is at the frontline, facing a series of complex dilemmas: How do we balance densification with the need for green, climate-adaptive spaces? How can cities move fast enough to address urgent risks while still ensuring democratic legitimacy and citizen engagement? And how do we reconcile ambitions for economic growth with the necessity of building long-term resilience?Henrik explores these tensions, drawing on examples from Aarhus and abroad, where technical solutions, nature-based strategies, and questions of climate justice collide. Cities like Aarhus, Copenhagen and Rotterdam illustrate both the possibilities and the trade-offs in climate-conscious urban planning.The key message: there are no simple answers. Navigating these dilemmas requires political courage, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a willingness to rethink how we define livability in a climate-challenged future. Henrik Seiding is Executive Director of the Department of Technical Services and Environment in Aarhus MunicipalityClimate Transformation and Dilemmas by Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen Over the past 35 years, climate science has advanced from a specialized research field to a central topic in public and political discourse. This lecture addresses not only the state of climate change but also the persistent challenges in communicating its science to society. While climate science is grounded in empirical evidence and reproducible results, public discussions often frame it as a matter of opinion, creating a tension between fact-based knowledge and perception.Drawing on my experience engaging with the media and broader audiences since the early 1990s, I will explore how careful, informed listeners differ from instances where communication is complicated by preconceptions, journalistic dogmas, or ideological framing—exemplified by controversies surrounding figures such as Bjørn Lomborg.The lecture will highlight key dilemmas: balancing accuracy with accessibility, countering misinformation without alienating audiences, and navigating the expectation of debate when scientific consensus is clear. I will also reflect on the role of scientists as public informers, the ethical responsibilities in presenting complex uncertainties, and the societal demand for immediate solutions in contrast to the slow, evolving nature of climate science. Through examples from my career, the talk will offer insights into how climate scientists can engage effectively with the public while maintaining integrity, emphasizing that communicating climate change is not about persuading with opinion but translating evidence into understanding and action. Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen is Professor of Climate Physics at the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen.When and where26 November, 11.15-12.15 DIAS Auditorium, SDU OdenseThis event is open for all - no registration needed.

The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Southern Denmark hereby announces Lasse Nielsen's doctoral oral defence (dr.phil.).  The defence will take place on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 10.00 a.m. at Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M in room O100.

This lecture will provide some historical perspective on the rise of protectionism in today’s world, drawing on evidence from the mercantilist period of the early modern period, as well as the 19th and 20th centuries.