By Lea Laursen Pasgaard, AAU Communication. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication

The Minister for Higher Education and Science, Christina Egelund (M), has just named the nine people who will make up the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy over the next three years – including two researchers from Aalborg University (AAU).

Frede Blaabjerg, professor in power electronics in the Department of Energy, has been reappointed chair of the council that will also include Tine Jess. She is a professor in the Department of Clinical Medicine and Director of the Centre of Excellence – the Centre for Molecular Prediction of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, PREDICT.

Along with the other members, they will be tasked with providing independent and impartial advice on research and innovation policy to the Minister for Higher Education and Science, the Danish Parliament and the other ministers. It is a task they are both looking forward to.

- I’m very happy and of course honoured to be allowed to chair the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy for three more years. The last three have been very exciting with a very insightful council, and the new term will be just as exciting. There is a lot to do at a time when evidence-based knowledge and innovation are increasingly important for societal development, but are also under pressure, he says.   

Professor Tine Jess adds:

- It’s an honour – both personally and professionally – to be selected to assist the minister and the Danish Parliament with impartial advice on research and innovation policy. The world needs science and innovation more than ever to secure the future of the generations to come, she says.

The Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy consists of a chair and eight members appointed by the Minister for Higher Education and Science. The term of office is three years, with the possibility of an additional reappointment of three years.

Learn more about the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy on the Ministry of Higher Education and Science website