Ole Bækgaard to be the new vice-dean at Natural Sciences

“It’s not been an easy decision. Some may also find it surprising that only a few months ago I extended my employment at the department. I fully understand,” says Ole Bækgaard Nielsen, department head at the Department of Public Health (IFS).

On 1 January 2024, he will start as the vice-dean for career development at Natural Sciences (NAT), also at AU.

The timing demands an explanation

Ole Bækgaard explains that discussions about extension of his employment as the head of department started even before the summer holidays, when he and Dean Anne-Mette Hvas outlined the many important and inspiring tasks for the department in the coming period.

"We had a joint plan and, together with the department's employees, I was ready to realise it. In other words, I honestly and sincerely meant what I said when I accepted the offer of three more years as the head of department in the early autumn. I was looking forward to another period in the position," he says.

When he was invited shortly afterwards to apply for the position of vice-dean at NAT, his first reaction was that he was happy with his job and not looking for a new one.

"On the other hand, I found it really inspiring that NAT so specifically aimed to strengthen career development efforts for both the stock of talent and senior academic staff by dedicating a full associate dean position to the area. The management team at NAT is investing strongly in an area that has been close to my heart ever since I took up my position as the head of department. Therefore, I couldn’t resist applying for the position. Focusing on one of the university's important strategic areas while at the same time having an opportunity to try my hand at management in a different setting and a different environment was simply too attractive," he explains.

It is the choice of a particularly attractive position – not a rejection of the department

"My upcoming job change doesn’t mean that I actively applied to leave the department. Far from it. Even though we’re facing major tasks and challenges, this has by no means spurred me to look for new opportunities. Quite the opposite. I'm sorry about the initiatives I won't have the chance to follow through to completion," says Ole Bækgaard and continues:

"The department is still affected by the merger. Things have changed during my term as the head of department, and with the upcoming research evaluation as a tool, I expect there will be even greater progress for the department's researchers and their research. I’d like to have been part of that."

Ole Bækgaard has only the very best wishes for both the department and the faculty, and he warmly recommends the head of department job. Dean Anne-Mette Hvas is pleased to hear this, and she too has words of praise for Ole Bækgaard and his work for the Department of Public Health and for the faculty.

"Of course I’m very happy on Ole’s behalf, but I must also admit that I’m sorry we have to say goodbye to a talented, ambitious and visionary member of the faculty management team. Ole has been a central member of the management team at Health for the past six years, and we will all miss him both professionally and as a colleague. I wish Ole all the best as the vice-dean and hope that NAT knows how lucky they are," she says.

Grateful for learning and insight

Ole Bækgaard says that both as the head of department and as a member of the faculty management team, he has enjoyed the professionalism and good collegial atmosphere that characterises work in the supporting functions and in the faculty management team.

"In addition to managerial experience, I’ve gained invaluable insight into how a university works strategically. So if anyone is thinking about a future in the senior management team, I can only say 'go for it!’ I've learned an incredible amount over the past six years. It’s been a steep learning curve, and I’ve really enjoyed it – including the opportunity for self-development through management courses and sparring with skilled colleagues," he says.

Another experience that Ole Bækgaard is pleased to take with him from IFS is, in his opinion, unique to the department. It is the more nuanced perspective on nature and health sciences that he has gained through his collaboration with the department's diverse staff groups, who represent core disciplines from all of the university faculties.

"It's been a pleasure to head the department. All the employees are committed, competent, professionally strong and an eternal source of inspirational and relevant knowledge. What’s more, they’re provocative in a developmental way – and challenging and critical in an engaging way. Experiencing all this has been a gift for me, and I’ll miss the collaboration and interaction with everyone I have met during my time at Health. It is therefore with some sorrow that I leave the department. But you can't have everything, and of course I'm also looking forward to my new job," says Ole Bækgaard.

Having an opportunity to work with what you are most passionate about is a luxury

As the vice-dean for career development at NAT, Ole Bækgaard will be working in an area that is close to his heart.

"I'm looking forward to focusing more on career development – especially in relation to our young research talents and their career opportunities. Firstly, by helping to ensure that we can attract the most talented young people to our PhD and postdoc programmes, and secondly by changing the perception that you’re only successful as a PhD student if you subsequently get a job at the university," he says and concludes:

"There are so many other relevant career opportunities outside academia, and we need to strike a blow for these, while at the same time strengthening the competences of junior researchers and the university's collaboration with the business community and public-sector workplaces."

Ole Bækgaard’s last official working day at the Department of Public Health will be on 31 December 2023.

Contact

Head of Department Ole Bækgaard Nielsen
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health
Mobile: (+45) 60 20 26 74
Email: obn@ph.au.dk