Health establishes three new interdisciplinary research networks
In 2026, Health will expand with three new interdisciplinary research networks aimed at strengthening research and collaboration in artificial intelligence in health, health technology, and women’s health.
These three new research networks will complement the faculty’s six existing networks, fostering stronger, more visible, and more coherent research environments across disciplines.
The networks will be named the HealthAI Network, HealthTech Network, and Women’s Health Network. All three will open for registration once their steering committees are established in early 2026.
Dean Anne-Mette Hvas sees the establishment of the three new networks as an important next step for the faculty:
“By launching these new networks, we are enhancing our interdisciplinary capabilities in rapidly evolving research areas where collaboration is crucial. We are building stronger communities that both improve the quality of our research and expand our ability to engage in national and international partnerships,” she says, adding:
“It is an investment in the future of health science, and I am very pleased that we can build on a model that has already proven effective. This time, the initiative for the networks comes from staff within the faculty, which makes me especially glad.”
Health’s research networks
Health hosts nine interdisciplinary research networks that collaborate on research and education.
The networks focus on topics of societal relevance and are open to external collaboration with leading international research environments and industry partners.
They regularly host professional events with an international profile, focusing on academic development, knowledge sharing, and networking.
The three new networks launching in 2026 are:
- HealthAI Network
- HealthTech Network
- Women’s Health Network
The existing networks are:
- The Cardiovascular Network
- The Food and Nutrition Network
- The Inflammation Network
- NeuroCampus Aarhus
- The Personalised Medicine Network
- The Translational Cancer Network
All researchers are welcome to join the networks. You can read more about their work, upcoming events, and how to join on Health’s website.
AI as a driving force in health research
The HealthAI Network brings together researchers, environments, and projects working with artificial intelligence and health data. The goal is to mobilise the faculty’s competencies and resources, making it easier for researchers to find relevant partners, share knowledge, and develop new ideas.
In this rapidly advancing field, the network will strengthen Health’s national and international position. The new shared platform for knowledge and coordination will help maintain high research quality and foster new collaborations for grant applications.
Vice-Dean for Education, Lise Wogensen Bach, has been appointed as the faculty management representative for the network.
Health and Tech join forces on health technology
The HealthTech Network is being established in partnership between the faculties of Health and Technical Sciences (Tech) and will serve as a meeting point between health sciences, engineering, and technical disciplines. The network aims to identify health challenges where technology can offer solutions and to accelerate the development of new medical technologies.
Its purpose is to strengthen collaboration between clinicians, researchers, engineers, and potential industry partners, promote innovation, and highlight Aarhus University’s technological strengths.
The faculty leadership at Health is represented in this network by Head of Department Siri Beier Jensen from the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health. At Tech, Head of Department Mikael Bergholz Knudsen from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering represents the faculty leadership.
New focus on women’s health
Women’s health is a research area characterised by knowledge gaps and methodological biases. At the same time, it features prominently on both the political and research agendas – particularly following the decision to establish a national centre for women’s health research.
Dean Anne-Mette Hvas shares that she received a proposal signed by more than 50 colleagues urging Health to establish a network focused on women’s health – a testament to strong interest and engagement among research environments.
“I am deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by staff, and I applaud the initiative. I’m very pleased that the faculty can support the establishment of this new network and thereby contribute to our ambition to be a leader in key areas of women’s health,” she says.
The new Women’s Health Network aims to increase visibility of existing research at Health and strengthen the field by bringing together and supporting environments working on women’s biology, diseases, living conditions, and health across the lifespan – from the unborn child to elderly women.
The network will also serve as a platform for developing new projects and methods, making a significant contribution to addressing current knowledge gaps that affect diagnostics, treatment, and quality of life.
Head of Department Michael Baggesen Klitgaard from the Department of Public Health has been appointed as the faculty management representative for the network.
More opportunities for collaboration and professional development
With the addition of these three new networks, Health will soon have a total of nine interdisciplinary research networks, all following the faculty’s model for interdisciplinary collaboration.
The networks regularly organise high-level academic activities with international scope and are open to all interested researchers. Registration for the new networks will open as soon as the steering groups are in place in 2026 and will be announced via the departments’ newsletters.
Contact
Dean Anne-Mette Hvas
Aarhus University, Health
Phone: +45 87 15 20 07
Email: dean.health@au.dk