The importance of universities and research in Denmark and Europe was clearly outlined at the 2025 Education and Research Policy Summit at DTU. It was the 10th time that this traditional summit had been held, and against a backdrop of “geopolitical turmoil, digital disruption, and capable drones,” DTU President Anders Bjarklev was delighted that so many participants had prioritized spending half a day discussing the importance of research and education for society.
"We need the freedom to think, research, and educate. We need confidence that universities are actually best at what we were put on this earth to do: ask the difficult questions - and try to answer them. We don't need more obstacles - we need space and peace to think big. We are living in a time when technology and geopolitics are not separate disciplines - they are mutually dependent. Where research and education are not just curiosity – but a compelling necessity," said Anders Bjarklev.
The crucial importance of research for Europe was clear when Pernille Langeberg, Head of Department at the Ministry of Defense, painted a picture of the geopolitical situation in which Denmark finds itself.
“We see research and universities as prerequisites for our ability to defend our country in the future. In Ukraine, we have learned that technological development is advancing so rapidly that what we saw in the fight against drones before the summer holidays is not what they are using today. So new developments are constantly needed,” said Pernille Langeberg.
The need for technological development applies not only to defense, but also to areas such as chip production, where we in Europe must be self-sufficient in both a civilian and defense context.
“Research and collaboration with companies are absolutely crucial in this regard,” said Pernille Langeberg.
Innovation is based on free basic research
Drones also featured in the presentation by Majken Schultz, chair of the Carlsberg Foundation, at the summit. The Carlsberg Foundation is one of Denmark's largest commercial foundations, supporting Danish basic research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Majken Schultz used drones as an example of how it is impossible to predict what knowledge and research will be needed in the future. Europe's strength lies in free basic research, which makes it possible to move quickly and solve problems we did not know would arise.
"Applied research depends on basic research. In Denmark, we are proud of our position in the field of quantum physics, but it is worth remembering that this position of strength began at least 50 years ago. So it is incredibly important that basic research is not seen as something nerdy that will never be relevant. It is precisely this fundamental knowledge that enables us to respond quickly to needs that suddenly arise," said Majken Schultz.
Need for a national research strategy
In her speech, Majken Schultz emphasized that there is an urgent need for Denmark to adopt a national research strategy.
“We need to find a better way to secure the future of free basic research. We need a national research strategy in Denmark to build a strong infrastructure that can support Denmark's strengths in research, which is a prerequisite for participating in international knowledge sharing,” said Majken Schultz.
Larger basic grants for universities
At the summit, there was broad support for a national research strategy among the education and research spokespersons, ranging from Christina Olumeko (A) and Sofie Lippert (SF) to Trine Bramsen (S) and Heidi Bank (V) to Stinus Lindgreen (R), Sandra Skalvig (LA), and Lise Bertelsen (C).
Another topic of agreement was that the system whereby research spokespersons must allocate a very large pool of money each year in the form of the research reserve is inappropriate in terms of ensuring more long-term planning at universities. The research reserve contains an annually approved portion of the Danish national budget, in which politicians allocate funds to specific research, development, and innovation initiatives.
Research spokesperson Stinus Lindgreen (R) spoke in favor of increasing the basic funding for universities by reducing the research reserve.
"The research reserve has become too large. When we established it, it was approximately half a billion Danish kroner, and now it is 6.5 billion Danish kroner that we have to sit and distribute; it is simply not the best way to do it. I think it would be far better to distribute many of them through fixed grants, by increasing the basic funding for our universities and increasing the basic funding for our foundations," said Stinus Lindgreen.
He believes that larger basic grants will strengthen the long-term goals of research and provide stability at universities.
The debate at the summit covered a wide range of topics and also touched on the dilemma between protecting freedom of research on the one hand and addressing national needs on the other, for example by strengthening security clearance for international researchers to protect against espionage.
Developments in the use of artificial intelligence were also touched upon when Benedicte Elgaard Jensen, vice-chair of the Polytechnic Association at DTU, gave a picture of the time pressure and expectations that students face. In the busy student life, AI can help reduce stress, but students lack clear rules for the use of AI both in study assignments and in exams.
The final item on the summit agenda was four pointed questions to Minister of Education and Research Christina Egelund (M), who concluded the debate and, among other things, revealed that the government will present a proposal for a national research strategy by the end of 2025.
