It is a familiar face and an experienced leader with in-depth knowledge of the university sector who will take the helm of the Arts Administration Centre from 1 January 2026.

For nearly five years, Ulla has served as Head of Secretariat/Chief Adviser in the Dean’s Secretariat at Arts and was previously Head of the International Office at Aarhus University from 2009 to 2015. In the intervening years, she was Head of Secretariat at Aalborg University, with responsibility for the Rector’s Office and AAU Communication, and also worked in the educational field for the engineering consultancy firm NIRAS and at the Danish Agency for IT and Learning under the Ministry of Education.

“I’ve been fortunate in recent weeks, during the decision-making process on the new organisational structure at Arts and the subsequent analysis phase, to have had the opportunity to discuss cross-faculty administrative functions and tasks with almost all staff in the Arts Administration Centre and the Dean’s Secretariat. I’ve met dedicated and highly skilled colleagues and leaders, and I’m very much looking forward to working closely with them. I’m passionate about Arts and looking forward to the new responsibilities and to continuing my collaboration with the faculty leadership team and the management group in the administration centre. Leading the analysis phase has been excellent preparation for my new role as Head of Administration,” says Ulla Gjørling.

Creating the best framework for the Arts Administration Centre
Arts has undergone significant changes in recent years, and together with the division managers, Ulla Gjørling will work to create the best framework for a robust and financially sustainable administration that is equipped to meet new challenges and support the strategic priorities continuously set by the faculty leadership team.

Dean Maja Horst looks forward to putting the new organisational structure into practice and to continuing the collaboration with the new Head of Administration:

“Ulla Gjørling has tremendous drive, strong professional skills and a deep understanding of the university sector. From day one, she will make a positive contribution to ensuring that the administration effectively supports our mission at Arts to educate talented students and deliver high-quality research. Universities are currently undergoing many changes, and I feel very confident having an experienced Head of Administration in post who knows Arts so well,” says Maja Horst.

As Head of Administration, Ulla Gjørling will report to the faculty’s Dean and to University Director Kristian Thorn:

I’ve known Ulla for many years through collaboration in the educational field, among other areas. She has an outstanding ability to maintain a clear overview and to make things happen through inclusive processes. Ulla is a skilled leader and the ideal person to combine solid administrative experience with high-level strategic advice. I’m very much looking forward to working with Ulla on the Arts Administration Centre and as part of the overall administration’s leadership team,” concludes Kristian Thorn.
 

Ulla Gjørling – on a personal note

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love spending time with my dog and enjoy long walks. In December, we’ll be joined by dog number two, whom I’m very much looking forward to welcoming into the family. We prefer to spend weekends and holidays at our summer house near Boeslum Strand. It’s a wooden house from 1970 on a large natural plot, so there’s always something to do, and the surroundings are perfect for walking the dog. I also love knitting and have done so for many years. Realising there’s a limit to how many sweaters my family can use, I’ve spent the past 20 years knitting for various charity projects – most recently in support of people in Ukraine.

Since 2001, I’ve been part of a women’s club where we take turns organising a programme for our monthly meetings. This results in quirky, funny and sometimes very challenging experiences – the kind that can push your boundaries. I think it’s great fun, and I never imagined I’d be completely unfazed by abseiling or that sound yoga would get my blood racing!

What makes you happy?

I’m blessed with a cheerful disposition, so fortunately there are many things that make me happy. At the moment, my daughter-in-law’s growing baby bump brings me particular joy.

What makes you less happy?

The conflicts the world is experiencing right now, and the consequences they have for how we view one another. It saddens me to see trust eroding and mistrust and despondency taking hold of so many people.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I’m not sure how guilty it is, but I’m absolutely mad about British crime dramas!

Who would you like to share a good dinner with?

The perfect dinner would be Jens’s homemade pizza on the grill, the guests would be our children and grandchildren, and the venue would be the summer house. It can admittedly get a little noisy, but the company is unbeatable.