New Head of Department for the mathematicians

In his own words, Mogens Steffensen will be taking over a well-run department with very high academic standards. This also provides a basis for the Department’s research-based knowledge to benefit both society and private stakeholders to an even greater extent. The big goal for the new Head of Department is therefore that even more of the Department’s researchers will disseminate their knowledge to the world outside the Department. For Mogens Steffensen, everyone gains when research meets reality.

“Society has a number of expectations that we as a research institution help create changes. I also believe that it leads to both well-being and job satisfaction when researchers can see that they can make a difference in society. That you experience that you make a difference for other people than yourself – regardless of whether you are a PhD student or a professor,” says Mogens Steffensen and adds that he is aware that not all researchers see themselves in quite such an outgoing role. And that is completely okay:

“For me, it’s important that we, as a department, make sure that we have colleagues who have the desire and commitment to open up to society and involve our close cooperation partners in their work. But it’s also important that we respect other colleagues who don’t see themselves in that role, but who create value for the Department in other ways. Part of my vision and task is therefore to embrace all the Department’s areas of expertise and researchers. I see us as a unit. We all contribute to the Department, and no one can do without the others,” says Mogens Steffensen.

Committed researcher and manager

Mogens Steffensen has a Master’s degree in actuarial mathematics from the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. This is also where he took a PhD in actuarial mathematics and continued his academic career, initially as Assistant Professor and Associate Professor and, from 2008, as Professor with special responsibilities (MSO) in life insurance mathematics. In 2012, he was appointed Professor of Life Insurance Mathematics, and he has also been Head of Section for Insurance and Economics at the Department since 2009.

In addition to his academic career, Mogens Steffensen has been active in the development of the Department’s degree programmes and has used his knowledge in active collaboration with the outside world, including in research projects with private stakeholders and as a board member and chairman of the Audit Committee in PFA Pension.

Katrine Krogh Andersen, Dean of the Faculty of Science, is looking forward to the future collaboration with Mogens Steffensen.

“Mogens Steffensen is a leading capacity in his field and is also deeply engaged in collaboration with the outside world. As Professor and Head of Section, Mogens is an experienced leader who is held in high esteem in the Department and who has an eye for ensuring the best possible framework for research and education, while also reaching out to the outside world to collaborate and share knowledge. It’s a really useful combination for the Department and for the University of Copenhagen, and I’m therefore looking forward to having Mogens Steffensen on board the SCIENCE management,” says Katrine Krogh Andersen.

Mogens Steffensen replaces Michael Sørensen, who has headed the Department of Mathematical Sciences for seven years. He will now be returning to a position as Professor in the Department.