Norwegian university rector joins Aarhus University’s board
Ragnhild Hennum, rector of the University of Oslo, is the new external member of the AU board. She will replace Swedish Astrid Söderbergh Widding on 1 July.
On 1 July, a new external member with strong academic and leadership credentials will be joining Aarhus University's board.
Ragnhild Hennum, holds a dr. philos degree and is a professor of public law at the University of Oslo, where she was elected rector in 2025. Before that, she was dean of the university’s law faculty; she has also served as pro-rector and acting pro-rector.
“Aarhus University is similar to the University of Oslo in a lot of ways. We collaborate in a lot of areas and both belong to two European university alliances (Circle U. and The Guild, ed.), so I’m very interested in Aarhus University and its activities. I hope and believe that my wide-ranging experience as an academic and in university leadership will be of benefit to the university,” says Ragnhild Hennum, whose CV also includes a stint as acting director of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights.
Ragnhild Hennum, 58, will replace Astrid Söderbergh Widding as external board member when her term expires. Widding is chair of the Nobel Foundation and former rector of Stockholm University. A member of Aarhus University’s board since 2018, she has served for eight years, the maximum permitted under the University Act.
“We are losing a highly respected and capable member of the board, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Astrid Söderbergh Widding for her contribution over the past eight years. At the same time, to our great fortune, Aarhus University has succeeded in replacing her with another prominent Nordic voice who can contribute a wealth of experience and an international perspective. “The board is looking forward to working with Ragnhild Hennum,” says Birgitte Nauntofte, chair of the board.
Ragnhild Hennum will participate in her first official Aarhus University board meeting at the annual seminar, which will take place in early October.
The appointment committee has also decided to reappoint Trine Holm Thomsen and Jonas Dahl for an additional four-year term, while Lars Rohde has been reappointed for a two-year term. Lars Rohde has already served on the the board for just under six years is thus only eligible to serve for an additional two years.