It was a grand celebration on Friday 9 May at the Society for the Dissemination of Natural Science (SNU). While Adjunct Professor at DTU Space, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen was awarded the H.C. Ørsted Silver Medal, Consultant at DTU Compute, Professor, Dr. Scient. and former president of SNU Dorte Olesen received the H.C. Ørsted Bronze Medal.
Dorte Olesen has a remarkable academic background with degrees from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Southern Denmark, and research stays in the USA and France. She was the first female dean at the University of Copenhagen and a professor of mathematics at Roskilde University.
As the managing director of UNI-C, she played a central role in bringing the internet to Denmark and led the European association of research and education networks, TERENA. Since 2011, she has been affiliated with DTU Compute, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, at the Technical University of Denmark.
Under Dorte Olesen's leadership, SNU has undergone significant changes and introduced new concepts for lectures and dissemination. She has also worked to highlight good teaching and dissemination within science and technology through the awarding of H.C. Ørsted medals.
Remarkable dissemination of science
H.C. Ørsted is often called the father of electromagnetism. In 1820, he discovered that an electric current could affect a magnetic needle, a groundbreaking discovery that laid the foundation for electromagnetism.
The Society for the Dissemination of Natural Science (SNU) was founded in 1824 by H.C. Ørsted, who was inspired by similar societies and associations for the dissemination of science during his travels around Europe.
"H.C. Ørsted himself made an impressive effort as a researcher, communicator, teacher, and organiser. I am sure that I can thank you not only on behalf of the board but also on behalf of our many members and, not least, on behalf of H.C. Ørsted," said Anja C. Andersen, president of the Society for the Dissemination of Natural Science and professor at the Niels Bohr Institute.
The medals to Andreas Mogensen and Dorte Olesen were awarded at the University of Copenhagen.
