By Caspar Birk, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Lizette Kabré

Aalborg University will have an experienced university leader at the head of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (SSH) when Jacob Graff Nielsen takes over as dean on 1 October 2026.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jacob Graff Nielsen to Aalborg University. A unanimous appointment committee pointed to him on the basis of his many years of experience as dean, his strong relational skills and his ability to create results with ownership and anchoring. He is a unifying figure and an ambitious leader who will be a strong complement to the university's other management," says Rector Per Michael Johansen.

Jacob Graff Nielsen has been employed at the University of Copenhagen for almost 30 years, where he has been a member of the management for more than 20 years and has been dean of the Faculty of Law since 2014. He sees the new position at AAU as both an exciting opportunity and a great responsibility.

"First and foremost, I am excited about the task and approach it with great humility. SSH has strong academic environments, and I want to build on the solid foundation that has already been created. One of my most important focus areas will be to strengthen cohesion at the faculty with respect for the different disciplines," says Jacob Graff Nielsen, who is 55 years old.

At the same time, Jacob Graff Nielsen points to strong relationships with the outside world and across the university, as well as an attractive study and working environment, as key priorities in the coming years.

"Aalborg University is known for its close interaction with the surrounding society, and that appeals to me very much. We must continue to develop strong relationships both internally and externally. At the same time, the faculty must be an attractive place to study and work, so that we can attract and retain talented students and staff. This is crucial if we are to continue to deliver research and education at the highest level and fulfil the regional responsibility that the university has," says Jacob Graff Nielsen.

He is married to Svitlana Nielsen, has two daughters aged 29 and 24, as well as a bonus son aged 20 and two grandchildren. And then he kind of returns "home".

"I grew up on the island of Mors and have had family in Aalborg for many years, whom I have often visited. I look forward to also being able to enjoy the North Jutland nature, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful things Denmark has to offer," says Jacob Graff Nielsen.