DIAS event with Eske Willerslev: The Power of Curiosity - Rethinking Collaboration and Communication in Research

What happens to research when we let curiosity lead? And what happens when we dare to ask bigger, more ambitious questions?

Join world-renowned evolutionary geneticist Eske Willerslev and DIAS for an exclusive session on how interdisciplinary research can move beyond narrow specialisations to address broader societal questions.

The event begins with a keynote presentation by Eske Willerslev, who will share insights from his own research journey and academic environment. Drawing on examples from his distinguished career, Willerslev will explore the dynamics of interdisciplinary collaboration, reflecting on how even the most compelling research can become siloed or technical - and how we might instead embrace a broader, more open-ended approach:  

What happens when we let curiosity lead? And what happens when we dare to ask bigger, more ambitious questions?

Following the keynote, we will open the floor for a structured and interactive discussion. This segment will feature reflections from researchers affiliated with the Danish Institute for Advanced Study, including both senior and early-career scholars. They will share their experiences with interdisciplinary work: where it thrives, where it struggles, and how it is communicated within and beyond the academic world. Together, we will reflect on questions such as:

• Why do we do what we do?
• Who are we speaking to - and who could we be speaking to?
•  How do we build interdisciplinary initiatives that are both ambitious and resilient?
• What shifts when we move from hypothesis-testing to problem-orientation?

We will also consider the many paths research can take - whether published or not - and how to value the quieter work that shapes ideas, sparks questions, and influences others over time.

Whether you are deeply engaged in interdisciplinary projects or simply curious about new ways of thinking and collaborating, this event is an invitation to reflect, connect, and reimagine the future of academic inquiry.

About Eske Willerslev
Eske Willerslev is a Danish evolutionary geneticist known for pioneering work in ancient DNA, molecular anthropology, and environmental genomics. He holds professorships at both the University of Copenhagen and the University of Cambridge, where he serves as the Prince Philip Professor of Ecology and Evolution. Willerslev is renowned for sequencing the first ancient human genome and for developing the field of environmental DNA. His research has reshaped our understanding of human history and ecosystems, earning him numerous international awards and honors. Beyond academia, he is also a skilled communicator, regularly engaging the public through books, films, and lectures.

Eske Willerslev was appoined DIAS Chair of Science in early 2025. 

When and where:
10 September 2025
10.15 - 12.15
DIAS Auditorium, SDU
Fioniavej 34, 5230 Odense M

Please note that this event requires formal registration.
SIGN UP HERE

Organised by the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS).