SUND to engage with the public at The People's Meeting 2026

For the first time, the Faculty of Health Sciences is joining The People's Meeting with a shared tent alongside the Faculty of Science. This forms part of a strategic focus on bringing research closer to society and strengthening collaboration with citizens, patients, organisations, businesses and decision-makers.

Today, The People's Meeting is one of Denmark’s largest democratic gatherings, attracting thousands of participants and hosting several thousand debates, events and discussions every year. For SUND, it provides an opportunity both to share research and to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs that matter beyond the university.

– We do not conduct research in a vacuum. Our research should make a difference to people and society, which is why it is important for us to be present where conversations about the future of healthcare are taking place, says Jakob Grauslund, the new Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

SUND’s participation is closely aligned with the faculty’s research strategy, Health for all – for individuals and society, in which interdisciplinary research, collaboration with citizens and a stronger focus on innovation are key priorities.

New partnerships across disciplines and sectors

SUND aims in particular to use The People's Meeting as an opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and sectors.

Many of the major health challenges we face require closer collaboration between different fields of expertise. That is why it makes perfect sense for us to participate together with NAT. The People's Meeting gives us an opportunity to engage with both existing and new partners in a way that differs from our day-to-day interactions, says Jakob Grauslund.

The research strategy highlights interdisciplinary and translational research as important pathways for developing solutions to concrete societal challenges and for shortening the distance between research and practical application.

Research should make a difference

For Anne Kathrine Overgaard, Head of Research Support at SUND, participation is also about strengthening the societal impact of research.

– The People's Meeting is an arena where research meets both policy and practice. It gives us an opportunity to engage with municipalities, organisations, businesses, patients and decision-makers about how research-based knowledge can be applied and implemented in society, she says.

She also points out that participation aligns closely with SUND’s ambition to be a strong partner for both citizens and the healthcare sector.

– We want to reach out and engage in dialogue with the people our research ultimately concerns. That includes citizens, patients, relatives and healthcare professionals alike. The People's Meeting provides a unique setting for these kinds of encounters and conversations.

SUND’s research strategy includes the ambition of becoming “the preferred research partner for and with citizens, patients and relatives in Denmark”.

Innovation and research closer to society

The People's Meeting will also be used to highlight innovation and explore how research can be translated into practical solutions for the healthcare sector and society more broadly.

– We want to contribute to society together with society. That is why it is important for us to be present in forums where people with different perspectives come together to address shared challenges and develop shared solutions, says Jakob Grauslund.