New Head of Department at IFRO: “Professionalism and community go hand in hand”

IFRO gains a new head with strong knowledge of both the department and the university. Per Svejstrup has been a familiar face at IFRO for many years, most recently as Acting Head of Department since 1 January this year, and previously as long-standing Deputy Head of Department for Teaching. He brings extensive academic experience and a deep understanding of the department's strengths and challenges to the role.​

The Dean of the Faculty of SCIENCE, Bo Jellesmark Thorsen tells us why Per Svejstrup was the right person for the job:​​​​​​

- ​I am very pleased to welcome Per Svejstrup as IFRO's new Head of Department. IFRO is a key department in Denmark and at the University of Copenhagen, both in terms of research and education, and particularly in relation to the university's ambition to benefit soci​​ety at large, especially in the context of sustainable development. Per is deeply rooted in IFRO's values and culture, and he is therefore exceptionally well-positioned to lead IFRO forward in collaboration with its researchers, staff, and students.

What motivated you to apply for the position?

- I'm truly honored and admittedly a bit humbled to have the opportunity to join the ranks of IFRO's distinguished leaders. I take on the role with great enthusiasm and with the confidence that I can help further develop the exceptionally strong foundation IFRO is built on. IFRO is where I feel professionally at home, and where my heart lies. I know that good leadership isn't about being the best at everything yourself, but about building the right team and recognizing who the key resource people are.

What will be your main focus as Head of Department?

- My core values are honesty, clarity, and integrity, values that I believe should guide IFRO's development. I want to establish clear frameworks and expectations so we can maintain a shared foundation of values, something I see as a particularly important leadership task in an organization with many independent decision-makers. IFRO should be 'a good place to be, a good place to learn,' as my son's school motto says. And the order matters, if you don't thrive, you can't perform.

What are your long-term hopes for IFRO?

- I'm especially looking forward to working together to protect and further develop the values and spirit that make IFRO unique. IFRO is a place where professionalism and community go hand in hand - where diversity is respected and seen as a strength. I will work to ensure that IFRO makes even greater use of its academic diversity, for example, by combining methodological competencies and actively using our differences to strengthen our role in addressing major societal challenges.