At the anniversary party held to celebrate Aarhus University’s 80th birthday on Friday 12 September, Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen presented two awards: an award for university pedagogics, and a research communication award. These awards were presented to two of Aarhus University’s well-known researchers in appreciation of their excellent work in the fields of teaching and research communication respectively.

Award winner Torben K. Jensen

Centre Manager Torben K. Jensen, associate professor and PhD, was presented with Aarhus University’s university pedagogics award (DKK 75,000) in appreciation of his efforts to provide excellent and innovative teaching at Aarhus University.

Torben K. Jensen has been the Manager of the Centre for Learning and Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences since the centre opened in 2003. His innovative, excellent work has been absolutely vital in increasing awareness of teaching forms and teaching quality.

At the Faculty of Social Sciences Torben K. Jensen has been the driving force behind the establishment of courses for student instructors, courses for PhD scholars, and courses for experienced teachers. His latest innovation is a brand-new course in supervision for associate professors and professors, something which will undoubtedly help to improve the supervision provided by the faculty at both Master and PhD level.

His efforts mean that Aarhus University as a whole is now much better equipped than ever before to deal with challenges related to teaching and pedagogics. Among other things, he has played a major role in creating the University Pedagogics Development Unit at Aarhus University. He has been chairman of this unit since 2004. At national level he has taught a range of courses for directors of studies and heads of department.

Award winner Jens Vellev

Associate professor Jens Vellev, MA was presented with the Aarhus University Anniversary Fund’s Research Communication Award (DKK 75,000) in appreciation of his excellent and innovative communication of knowledge from the university to society as a whole.

Jens Vellev, an associate professor at the Institute of Anthropology, Archaeology and Linguistics, took the initiative for two of the biggest Danish communication projects in recent years: the Year of the Middle Ages in 1999, and the Year of the Renaissance in 2006. A wide range of events were held all over Denmark on both occasions, and there were a series of publications to which a great number of researchers from several faculties at Aarhus University contributed.

Jens Vellev is constantly seeking to make history visible, and to bring history to life in new ways which will appeal to the general public. In 1990 he launched a project called “Salt”, which attracted great attention. Among other things, this project involved reconstructing the salt production facilities on the Danish island of Læsø. The sea salt which is now produced here is high in minerals, and is sold as an exclusive speciality product.

Most recently Jens Vellev has hit the headlines with his plans to reconstruct Tycho Brahe’s Uranienborg on the island of Hven. And he has also been granted permission by the Municipality of Aarhus to rebuild Hans Skaaning’s paper mill. The plan is to build a working museum in Marselisborg Forest on the spot regarded as the cradle of industry in Aarhus.

Jens Vellev is a researcher and communicator with a long and varied career behind him; and he is always driven by the desire, wish and ability to communicate with the general public.

Press photo of Torben K. Jensen

Press photo of Jens Vellev