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for employees at the Department of Biology
News from the department
Cannibalism
02.03.2026
Are These Killer Whales Cannibals? They Probably Don’t Think so Themselves
Two discoveries of torn-off killer whale fins bearing clear tooth marks from conspecifics point toward cannibalism – but according to SDU’s whale researcher, the explanation isn’t quite that simple.
Carbon Cycle
09.02.2026
Deep-sea Microbes Get Unexpected Energy Boost
New discovery overturns long held assumptions that the deep ocean is a “nutrient desert”, reshapes our understanding of the ocean’s carbon cycle
Evolution
22.01.2026
Bird retinas work without oxygen – solving an old biological puzzle
Neural tissue normally dies quickly without oxygen. Yet bird retinas − among the most energy-demanding tissues in the animal kingdom – function permanently without it. This allowed birds their razor sharp vision and ability to migrate at high altitudes.
Deep Sea Research
16.12.2025
Identical micro-animals live in two isolated deep-sea environments. How is that possible?
It sounds almost impossible. And yet, the same nematodes live in two extremely isolated deep-sea trenches located 17,000 km apart.
Press release
16.12.2025
How can the environmental health of the Baltic Sea be improved?
Interreg project RECOVER develops a digital management system for the Baltic Sea
Grants
10.12.2025
Approx. DKK 25 million awarded to Science researchers from the Carlsberg Foundation
Eight researchers from the Faculty of Science have received funding for their research projects
BIOLOGY
24.11.2025
Humpback Whales Are Making a Comeback – Here’s One Reason Why
Humpback whales are less picky eaters than other baleen whales. If cod runs out in an area, they may switch to krill. This flexibility might be a key reason for their evolutionary success, according to whale scientists in a recent study.
Research Prize
11.11.2025
It is Our Duty to Protect the Life Forms That Cannot Defend Themselves
Elvis Genbo Xu is an environmental toxicologist on a mission: to make the world a less toxic place. Now he is awarded with the Grundfos Prize for his research.
Climate changes
08.10.2025
Heatwaves at Sea May Force the Ocean to Release More CO2
We already know that marine heatwaves can harm the ocean’s animals and reefs. Now, a new study reveals that marine heatwaves may also weaken the oceans’ ability to store carbon
Evolution
02.10.2025
Why Women Live Longer Than Men – and Why They Will Continue to Do So
Researchers have studied the lifespans of 1,176 animal species. Among mammals, females usually live the longest – including humans – and scientists believe this pattern will continue.
News from the faculty
A word from the dean
19.03.2026
Strong Support for SDU Vejle: Morning Meeting Shows Significant Interest
The Rector’s morning meeting in Vejle brought together local businesses and SDU leaders for an inspiring update on the development of Campus Vejle
Admission
19.03.2026
Growing interest in science - and strong debut for new programmes in Vejle
A word from the dean
27.02.2026
The faculty has a new strategy
Under the title 'Natural Science for Societal Needs' the faculty aims to create value for and with society
A word from the dean
06.02.2026
AI Challenges Learning – and the Way We Teach
A theme meeting in ATV highlighted the need for friction, core disciplinary knowledge, and closer collaboration to ensure genuine learning in an AI‑driven era.
A word from the dean
16.01.2026
Community and unity in a time of change
We face a year of new challenges and opportunities – which makes dialogue, trust, and collaboration more important than ever.
A word from the dean
11.12.2025
Research assessment and the definition of excellence
It was both inspiring and thought-provoking to see how work is being done to develop new methods for assessing research, say dean Marianne Holmer after recent conference.
A word from the dean
21.11.2025
More basic funding and more innovation
SDU will receive more basic funding beginning next year. While half will help strengthen our operations the other half has to drive more innovation
A word from the dean
30.10.2025
Minister visits SDU eScience Centre
Monday, minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage visited SDU eScience Centre and got to see our impressive HPC
Study administration
09.10.2025
Focusing on a safe transition
A new frame work for the study administration will strengthen collaboration across faculties as well as secure and maintain the close collaboration between administrative workers and the faculty's educators.
Funding
09.10.2025
New project fee and securing external funds
From 1 January 2026, the project fee will be raised from 10 % to 20 % for external research projects.
News from SDU
New Dean
17.03.2026
Jakob Grauslund is to become the new Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has appointed Jakob Grauslund as the new Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. He will be joining us from his role as Head of the Department of Regional Health Research at SDU and will take up the post of Dean on 1 June 2026. Jakob Grauslund takes over from Professor Ole Skøtt, who is retiring after 18 years as dean.
Artificial intelligence
16.03.2026
AI-powered robot to strengthen diagnostics in the uterine cavity
EndoMedBot will relieve the clinic and make assessments more consistent with a thin camera and an AI-based lexicon of changes.
General Election 2026
16.03.2026
Election debate at SDU Kolding on Friday
SDU will host an election debate on 20 March from 11.30-13.00 at Campus Kolding. Everyone is welcome to the event, which requires registration.
2025 intake
16.03.2026
SDU makes progress in this year's quota 2 application
The figures for this year's applications to higher education programmes via quota 2 have now been published. The University of Southern Denmark has seen an increase in the number of applications for the fourth year in a row.
SDU IT
16.03.2026
Clean up your digital waste – make a difference for SDU and the climate
Today marks the beginning of the big digital cleanup week at SDU, and we hope you will join us! Did you know that so-called "Dark Data" – data left unused – is estimated to produce more CO₂ globally than the entire aviation industry?
EPICUR
11.03.2026
Do you want to offer an EPICUR course in autumn 2026?
Do you want to offer teaching across universities and borders and provide students with an international learning framework in your course?
SDU HR
06.03.2026
System change for SDU employees' flexitime registration
Flexitime registration for employees at the University of Southern Denmark will soon have to take place in a new system, as the current system will shut down in 2026.
Study administration
05.03.2026
New survey – how lecturers experience study administration
A new survey points to a positive experience of the administrative support for teaching and programme administration at SDU. At the same time, it provides valuable knowledge about where there may be a need to adjust workflows and interfaces in further follow-up.
Master’s Degree Reform
27.02.2026
New 1-year MSc in Global Supply Chain Management
A focused new MSc programme that makes risk management a core discipline.
EPICUR
27.02.2026
EPICUR Lifelong Learning and Employability Module – coming soon!
Are you an educator who is curious and looking for inspiration about how to incorporate teaching and learning about lifelong learning and employability in your courses, without being an expert in this area? Then we have just what you are looking for.