The Lundbeck Foundation annually honors a researcher who has made a special effort to promote diversity and inclusion in the world of research. This year, the award goes to Professor Lene Niemann Nejsum, who also receives a personal honorary grant of DKK 100,000.

According to the foundation, Lene Niemann Nejsum leads a research group at the Department of Clinical Medicine with a strong focus on both professional and personal diversity. The group consists of 13 people with different backgrounds, nationalities, and personalities – including employees hired in flexible job positions, who work reduced hours and sometimes with special accomodations.

“The flexible job scheme makes it possible to create space for people with, for example, neurodivergence and various types of reduced functional impairments, who might otherwise struggle to gain a foothold in the labor market. What matters is that the individual possesses expertise that is in demand in the group and is willing to contribute to the community,” says Lene Niemann Nejsum.

She previously held a postdoctoral position at Stanford University, where she experienced a dynamic and inclusive research culture. She has brought that experience back to Aarhus, where she has talked with both the job center and the faculty management team about promoting diversity in the research environment.

Read more about Lene Niemann Nejsum’s approach to flexible jobs in the article When flexible jobs create value for everyone.

Contact

Professor Lene Niemann Nejsum
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine
Phone: +45 21 16 31 21
Email: nejsum@clin.au.dk

This article is based on press material from the Lundbeck Foundation.