Alumni portraits

Alumni portrait

Anders Winnerskjold

Even though his schedule is “truly insane” as a new father and mayor, Anders Winnerskjold is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference for the city he loves. He values his AU degree in political science, but the best thing about his student days was meeting his future wife.

Q&A with an alumnus

Yildiz Akdogan

Politician and consultant Yildiz Akdogan was the only woman in her political science year group with a different ethnic background. It was never an issue, which gave her a great sense of security during her time as a student. Her university days shaped her character and future, especially when she realised that grades were not the be all and end all.

Alumni portrait

Lene Tanggaard

As a student, Lene Tanggaard was criticised for writing like a professor. She became a professor at the age of 34 – the youngest female professor in Denmark at the time. Meet the prolific rector of Design School Kolding, who is an expert in creativity – and who has a few research-based tips on how we can all become more creative.

Q&A with an alumnus

Svend Thorhauge

From MSc in political science to pastor. Svend Thorhauge, who began his academic career by studying political science, is making a career change. After many years in politics, culture and education, he returned to Aarhus University a few years ago to take the newly established supplementary programme in theology.

Alumni portrait

Glenn Bech

From lager, benefits and tabloids in the Danish “Trump lands” to Fairtrade coffee, sour dough and academic debate at Aarhus University. Author and psychologist Glenn Bech broke his cycle of disadvantage when he studied at university following a working-class upbringing in Horsens, but he wishes he’d spent less time trying to fit in.

PhD portrait

Jakob Gaardbo Nielsen

A career path at LEGO was hardly the direction PhD in comparative literature Jakob Gaardbo Nielsen had imagined himself. But a lonely writing process during the COVID-19 pandemic threw cold water on the spark that drove his research, and he took the private sector plunge. Today, he decides how LEGO products speak to you.

Alumni portrait

Lone Frank

As a teenager, Lone Frank was a lone wolf – but at Aarhus University, she felt like she belonged. Today one of Denmark’s leading science communicators, she started out on a research career path before switching to journalism. Meet the science journalist, who saw the transition from high school to the university as a liberation.

Q&A with an alumnus

Anne Sophia Hermansen

Cultural commentator Anne Sophia Hermansen’s time as a comparative literature student was far from easy. But she’s proud to be a humanist and believes that humanities graduates are in demand on the private job market. Read about what she remembers most from her studies at AU, and what her best advice for new graduates are.

Alumni portrait

Renée Toft Simonsen

Renée Toft Simonsen didn’t take the usual path through her studies. Life took her to Aarhus University, where she balanced her psychology studies with her responsibilities as a young mother. After saying no to a PhD, the former super model discovered how she really wanted to live her life.

Distinguished alumnus 2024

Jens Peter Christensen

Jens Peter Christensen studied three different subjects before he applied for law. He was rejected at first, but the son of a stoker and World Championship rower from Jutland nevertheless went on to become president of the Supreme Court. Meet the distinguished alumnus 2024, who went from the engine room to the court room – one stroke at a time.

Q&A with an alumnus

Nicolai Wammen

Minister of Finance Nicolai Wammen's student days marked the beginning of a lifelong love for Aarhus University. He remembers his time as a student as academically and socially inspiring, and as giving him a character and network he could take further into his career.

Alumni portrait

Jeanette Varberg

An inspirational bus journey and a zest for learning. Curator Jeanette Varberg’s time at Aarhus University formed the basis of her compelling stories about the past, which captivate readers of all ages.

Q&A with an alumnus

Marie Koldkjær Højlund

Sound artist and AU graduate Marie Koldkær Højlund is glad that her MA programme lasted two years. She believes that rushing through life – and our educations – might not be the solution to the world’s crises. Her university days taught her to ponder - something she constantly has to remind herself should be part of life.

PhD portrait

Maj Sofie Rasmussen

During her PhD project at Aarhus University, Maj Sofie Rasmussen explored how to re-ignite the spark of academic engagement in children in the classroom. Today, she has abandoned her dream of a research career and found her own academic spark in Børns Vilkår, where she can bring her research skills into practice.

Q&A with an alumnus

Brian Nygaard

When studying at Aarhus University, journalist and cycling expert Brian Nygaard believed his degree in philosophy could only lead to a career in research or teaching. But, after graduating, he became head of press for a cycling team. Read ‘five questions’ with the philosophy alumnus and cycling enthusiast.

Distinguished alumnus 2021

Bent Hansen

He describes himself as a rather atypical student. But Aarhus University changed his life. Meet Bent Hansen, Aarhus University’s 2021 distinguished alumnus: a graduate who has played a decisive role in the Danish healthcare system and has fostered close collaboration between AU and Aarhus University Hospital.

Alumni portrait

Guilherme Maciel

During his PhD at Aarhus University, Guilherme Maciel from Brazil discovered that he could excel at more than pure academia, and that he in fact wanted to do something different. That he wanted to use his knowledge in business and industry. That it was here he wanted to create value.

Alumni portraits

Distinguished alumni

Since 2008, in connection with its annual celebration, Aarhus University has awarded an alumni prize to a graduate of Aarhus University whose impressive achievements have drawn positive attention to the university. Meet the award holders here.

Q&A with an alumnus

Kristian Riis

Kristian Riis is more than just a guitarist in the rock band Nephew. For many years, he was also the brain behind a creative community in Los Angeles, and he is currently building a business with the King of Bhutan. But how did he get here, and how does he remember his time at Aarhus University?

Distinguished alumna 2023

Lone Frank

Science journalist and author Lone Frank, has an obvious advantage when writing about research, because she knows research in and out: she has a PhD in neurobiology. In fact the driving force for the 2023 distinguished alumna is the same as for a researcher; namely to explain how the world works.

Q&A with an alumnus

Torben Vang

He has a degree in geology, but today he’s the only person at Aarhus University with ‘skipper’ as a job title. Meet Torben Vang, whose day job is to ensure that AU’s Aurora research vessel is fit to sail.

PhD portrait

Maj Schøler Fausing

After graduating with a degree in psychology from Aarhus University, Maj Schøler Fausing went straight for a career in the private sector. To improve her competitiveness, she did a PhD. Today, she uses her research to cultivate job satisfaction and create results as head of strategy at Plantorama.

Distinguished alumna 2022

Vibeke Brix Christensen

She has provided care in the field in the midst of the world’s most horrific catastrophes. As a doctor and scientist, she has worked on the front lines of civil wars, natural disasters and epidemics and has witnessed enormous human suffering. Meet this year's distinguished alumna, who has always had a drive to do something.

Alumni portrait

Svend Brinkmann

What does it mean to be human? Since his student days at Aarhus University, Svend Brinkmann has explored this question, in both academic and popular contexts. Meet the psychology professor who said no to Vild med Dans, even though he was tempted. And who finds it difficult to say whether he can imagine returning to AU.

Q&A with an alumnus

Christiane Vejlø

Master of Arts Christiane Vejlø has advised businesses, industries, institutions and the Danish government about digital trends and digital responsibility for 17 years. Read about what she remembers most from her studies at AU, and how her favourite teacher still influences her work – and what she values when she is recruiting.

Alumni portrait

Crown Prince Frederik

On the occasion of his 25th anniversary as a graduate in political science from Aarhus University, The Crown Prince himself, his former fellow students and current associates have provided stories about the Crown Prince's relationship with Aarhus University

Revised 13.03.2025

Nina Heiberg Lyhne