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News
for employees at the Department of Biology
News from the department
Marine ecology
15.06.2026
Tracking life on the seabed after the trawl ban
Over the next 12 years, Danish researchers will monitor how marine ecosystems respond to a halt in trawling. The hope is that developments will be as positive as those observed in Sweden.
Marine ecology
09.06.2026
Warmer seas are undermining Denmark’s environmental efforts
Forty years ago, Denmark introduced a series of plans designed to restore marine ecosystems. Today, however, the situation is worse than ever. What went wrong? According to new research, rising temperatures may have changed everything.
Marine Biology
08.06.2026
How it can be done: Better conditions for seagrass ecosystems in Europe
An alliance of scientists from 17 countries offers joint recommendations and calls on Europe’s decision-makers to protect and restore one of the continent’s most important types of ecosystems.
Population Biology
21.05.2026
Social mammals live longer – but there is a price
Living together may be key to a longer life. A new study, based on the largest dataset of its kind, shows that mammals, from sheep to humans, living in pairs or groups tend to live longer than solitary mammal species.
Invasive species
20.05.2026
Freshwater jellyfish could threaten Danish lakes
Most jellyfish live in saltwater—but a tiny, almost invisible species inhabits freshwater. It has now spread to six continents and has also reached Denmark. The concern is that this invasive species may threaten life in our lakes.
Grant
16.04.2026
Turning Waste into Green Energy: DKK 50 Million for Microbe Research
How can we generate more green energy from our organic waste? With almost DKK 50 million in funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a new research project will search for microbiological solutions.
Marine Biology
09.04.2026
Unexpected Predator: Jellyfish Shown to Hunt Polychaete worms
During warm summer nights when the full moon rises, some species of polychaetes swim up from the seafloor to spawn. It’s a perilous journey, because hungry jellyfish are waiting in the water column. This has now been documented for the first time.
Microbiology
24.03.2026
Hidden microbial network could drive methane production in the seafloor
New discovery: Previously unknown microorganisms use naturally occurring conductive particles to produce methane in coastal sediments. This overlooked mechanism may help explain new ways how greenhouse gases form beneath the seafloor.
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
News from the faculty
A word from the dean
10.06.2026
On the way to Folkemødet on Bornholm
NAT puts research, education and innovation on the agenda
Growth
10.06.2026
NAT drives strong growth in external research funding
NAT has in recent years established itself as a key driver of SDU’s overall growth in external research funding. New figures show strong and stable growth in external funds from 2020 to 2025.
New head of department for FKF
01.06.2026
New head of department to unite FKF around clear priorities and stronger academic environments
Professor Jacob Kongsted has been appointed as the new Head of the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy following a period as acting Head of Department. With in-depth knowledge of FKF’s strengths and challenges, he views it as a central task to create direction and cohesion within a department characterised by an exceptional breadth of disciplines.
A word from the dean
21.05.2026
New inclusion survey to strengthen the sense of community at NAT
The inclusion survey will help follow up on ongoing initiatives and support the development of an even more inclusive, safe, and collaborative work environment.
A word from the dean
01.05.2026
From inspiring collaboration to a great loss
Shortly after returning from the executive board's visit to the inspiring University of Freiburg, the executive board lost its mainstay.
A word from the dean
10.04.2026
DFIR point toward a more flexible and research-focused PhD education
Proposals for extended duration, strengthened research time, and fewer fixed requirements can create better conditions for immersion, academic experimentation, and more resilient PhD trajectories
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
The latest counts of this year's quota 2 applications show a generally positive interest in the programmes at the Faculty of Science.
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.
News from SDU
Ranking
19.06.2026
SDU climbs the prestigious QS rankings once again
The University of Southern Denmark has achieved its best-ever position in the QS World University Rankings. This year, SDU climbed 20 places to number 283, thereby strengthening its overall position in an increasingly competitive academic landscape.
SDU - LSP
18.06.2026
New centre for giant robots at Lindø set to push the boundaries of industrial production
On 18 June, the Centre for Large Structure Production (LSP) will open under The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute at SDU. The construction has been made possible by a donation of 90 million Danish kroner from the A.P. Møller Foundation. At the centre, researchers, students and companies will develop robot technology for the production of very large structures for, for example, ships and wind turbines.
SDU
17.06.2026
SDU is investing in selected cutting-edge areas
SDU’s Board of Directors has decided to allocate DKK 100 million over the next four years to a strategic initiative focusing on cutting-edge research in quantum technology and autonomous systems.
Odense Letbane
03.06.2026
Do not use the tram tracks as an access route between New OUH and SDU
Due to the current disruption to Odense Letbane services, trams are currently not operating between IKEA and Hjallese St.
60th anniversary
03.06.2026
New quotes to be engraved at the SDU pillar
On the occasion of SDU's 60th anniversary, staff and students are invited to suggest quotes to be engraved in the staircase at the column in front of SDU's main entrance.
Friday Café
01.06.2026
Last Friday Café before the summer holidays: Friday 12 June
The next café will take place on Friday 12 June at 14:30-18 in the restaurant at SDU Odense. Please note! The café opens half an hour earlier than originally announced.
OK26
29.05.2026
New rules on a child's third sick day enter into force
As part of the 2026 collective agreement negotiations, new rules have been agreed regarding leave in connection with a child’s illness.
EPICUR
28.05.2026
Tell your students about EPICUR – autumn courses available in June
As a lecturer, you can help your students broaden their academic and international horizons through EPICUR. Through the alliance, SDU students have access to a wide range of international courses and activities – teaching is either online, as blended learning (a combination of online and physical attendance) or with physical presence.
Internationalisation project
28.05.2026
The internationalisation project is coming to an end – but the work continues
In the internationalisation project, colleagues across the organisation have identified challenges and pinpointed specific areas for improvement in the effort to attract talented international students. The project is now coming to an end, and the work will continue with a focus on attracting more good applicants, increasing completion rates and building even stronger links to the labour market.
60th anniversary
27.05.2026
The building in the middle of the field which has become a significant factor of the city
After a decades-long relationship, the city of Odense and its university have finally found happiness, and today the University of Southern Denmark plays a crucial role in the narrative of and the attraction to the capital of Funen.