Five outstanding researchers to be honoured with EliteForsk prizes

They are being honoured for their outstanding research results, which are crucial to solving great societal challenges facing Denmark and the world at large.

The breadth of their research topics include the world’s oldest breadcrumbs that move history, how birth weight influences our lives, the body’s immune system that can kill cancer cells, metre-long equations and mathematical formulas that can prevent computer programme errors, and trees and plants that talk to each other.

This year’s five EliteForsk prize recipients have all achieved impressive research results, which can have great significance for the future in each of their own ways.

The five researchers will receive DKK 1.2 million in recognition of their great achievements in Danish research. DKK 200,000 of this is a personal award, while DKK 1 million is for their research activities. The prizes will be presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Mary and the Minister for Higher Education and Science Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen at an event at the Copenhagen Opera House.

- We pay tribute to some of the sharpest researchers who are helping to make a difference in Denmark. The five researchers have each had an idea, been able to pursue it, and have brought that idea to life with outstanding research. These are very different research projects and results, which in each their own way, sow the seeds for solving some of the great societal challenges facing Denmark and the rest of the world. This is important. And should of course be celebrated and recognised, says Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

The recipients of the EliteForsk prizes 2020 are:

• Professor Sine Reker Hadrup, Dept. of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark
• Professor Mads Meier Jæger, Dept. of Sociology, University of Copenhagen
• Professor Anders Møller, Dept. of Computer Science, Aarhus University
• Associate Professor Tobias Richter, Dept. of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen
• Professor Riikka Rinnan, Dept. of Biology, University of Copenhagen

During the same ceremony, 20 PhD students will receive an EliteForsk travel scholarship worth DKK 200,000.  The scholarships will assist the students in travelling around the world to apply themselves in some of the best international research environments.

- It is important to travel and acquire global inspiration. And I hope that these young PhD students with the EliteForsk travel scholarships, can go out there  into the world and absorb new knowledge for the benefit of all of us, says Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

For further information, please contact:

Press Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Rasmus Baad +45 7231 8073