Nature, curiosity and new knowledge: Meet the Department of Biology at Naturmødet 2026
When Naturmødet opens in Hirtshals on 28–30 May 2026, Aarhus University will once again play a prominent role at Denmark’s largest gathering for nature, climate and the environment. With no fewer than 32 presentations on the main stages and a lively programme at the university’s joint stand, AU is helping to set the academic agenda – and the Department of Biology is strongly represented.
We therefore hope that many colleagues, partners and students will make their way to Naturmødet and visit AU’s stand for academic discussions, inspiration and shared curiosity.
Biology on the stages at Naturmødet
Researchers from the Department of Biology are contributing to this year’s programme with talks and workshops on topics including biodiversity, the marine environment, microbiology and nature conservation.
On the main stages at Naturmødet, you can experience, among other things:
• Jeppe Aagaard Kristensen: “Nature’s entrepreneurs – how animals shape the earth”
• Stina Kolodzey: “The Ocean’s Big Mamas: The Key to Strong and Stable Fish Stocks”
• Anne Ellebæk and Christian Ditlev Funder Castenschiold: “The Invisible Allies: The Importance of Microbes for Our Health”
• A group of young researchers from Aquatic Biology and the ‘Kend dit Hav’ project, each holding their own workshops on the Roots stage
In addition, researchers from the Department are widely involved in the Nature Meeting programme, including Signe Normann, Purnima Gabhrani, Klaus Koren and Jens-Christian Svenning.
The programme covers topics ranging from climate and biodiversity to the marine environment and the green transition – with a focus on bringing research closer to society and fostering dialogue about the future of nature.
Masters’ students engage with the future job market
Naturmødet is not only an important platform for researchers and professionals – it also offers students an opportunity to build relationships and gain an insight into the job market. That is why around 50 Masters’ students from the Department of Biology will be visiting Naturmødet on Friday 29 May.
Here, they will, among other things, hold networking meetings with organisations, companies and authorities within the fields of nature, the environment and climate. In addition, they will have the opportunity to experience debates, presentations and activities across Naturmødet.
The visit offers the students a unique opportunity for both professional inspiration and to strengthen their networks and knowledge of potential career paths after graduation.
Visit AU’s joint stand
Once again this year, several departments and centres from Aarhus University are joining forces to run a joint stand at Naturmødet. The stand will provide a space for research dissemination, debates, hands-on activities and informal discussions across disciplines. The Department of Biology is participating alongside Geoscience, Agroecology, Animal and Veterinary Science, Environmental Science, Ecoscience and DCE.
At the AU stand, visitors can experience, among other things:
• Chiara Esposito’s presentation: “Let it rain – Denmark has a plan”
• A demonstration of advanced sensors for studying dead zones in the soil and the sea
• Anders Barfod’s conversation with art historian Pernille Leth-Espersen on “Plant mania in 19th-century paintings”
• Information about AU’s green degree programmes
In addition, there will be contributions from Nathalie Rosenberg Bach, Charlotte Gauthier and Sander Vollmerhaus Digre, among others.
AU is at stand no. 50 – and all colleagues are very welcome to drop by for coffee, academic discussions and inspiration. Find a map of Naturmødet here. (https://naturmoedet.dk/Media/639141709706561717/WebKortNM26.pdf).
Research in dialogue with society
Naturmødet is an important platform for bringing research into dialogue with the public, organisations, decision-makers and other professional communities. For the Department of Biology, taking part is an opportunity both to share new knowledge and to engage in discussions about the major challenges facing nature, the climate and biodiversity.
We look forward to three days filled with expertise, engagement and new encounters in Hirtshals.
View the programme for AU’s participation on Naturmødet’s main stages.
View the programme for AU’s stand here.
Read more about Naturmødet and view the full programme here. (https://naturmoedet.dk/)
If you have any questions regarding Naturmødet, please contact Marianne Knudsen (mk@bio.au.dk).