Dear all,

I hope you’re also enjoying the fact that the days are getting longer, and that the sun is beginning to feel warmer and warmer.

On 1 April, we welcomed Søren Michael Sindbæk as the new vice-dean for research here at the faculty. As many of you know, Søren has a strong background in both research and research management. Together with the dean’s office and the faculty leadership team, he will work actively to create the best possible conditions for research at Arts. You’ll be hearing much more about this during Søren’s visits to the schools and departments. He won’t be able to visit everyone in the first few months, but I know he’s looking forward to learning more about all the exciting things happening across the faculty.

The international political situation is weighing heavily at the moment, and what once felt far away is now having major consequences here in Denmark as well. If you have any concerns about travelling to the United States or collaborating with partners there, I encourage you to speak with your local management. I’ve also been made aware of a questionnaire currently circulating from the US administration, in which international researchers are being asked about local research practices. If it does land in your inbox, I would urge you not to respond.

In contrast, I’m pleased that so many of you have taken the time to respond to the WPA. Thank you for that. The WPA provides us with an important indication of well-being across the organisation and helps us identify areas that can – and should – be improved. Arts should be a meaningful and supportive workplace for everyone. We will continue our joint efforts to improve well-being through FAMU and FSU, and I know that the heads of school are focusing on the same issues in LAMU and LSU. It’s important that you all share your input with management and/or your health and safety representatives, so that the WPA results can be properly interpreted.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the strong commitment and effort you’ve put into developing the future framework, as it takes form through our campus plans and the Master’s reform.

A number of user groups are currently helping to shape Arts’ future presence in the University City through discussions on topics such as staff working environment, classrooms and auditoriums, study spaces, theatre, rooms with special acoustic requirements, library, and facilities for technical and administrative staff. In Emdrup, we’ve made slightly more progress, and a decision will soon be made on who will carry out the renovation. Work at Katrinebjerg is now following a new schedule, and as far as I’m aware, it’s progressing as planned.

With regard to the Master’s reform, I know that many of you have found the academic compromises – which the faculty leadership team has had to insist on – particularly difficult. As I’ve said before, I believe we’ve ended up in a significantly better place than where we started. I recognise that it’s difficult to say goodbye to the existing educational landscape, but I’m looking forward to working together to make the new framework a success, so that we can continue to educate talented, capable students and help set them on the right path in life.

We still need to finalise the remaining discussions on the degree programme structure. The working group is currently processing the many valuable comments and inputs, and work is being done with a clear focus on reaching a conclusion.

The next major step will be Aarhus University’s final proposal to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, which will be submitted at the end of May 2025 and set out the overall future educational landscape.

Before that, we can look forward to a well-deserved Easter break. I hope you all get the chance to relax and recharge with family and friends.

Thank you for your commitment and hard work.

Happy Easter!

Best wishes,

Maja