New vision for DIAS has been approved

A new vision for ’DIAS 3.0’ has been approved by SDU’s executive board, thus marking the first steps towards the next chapter of the excellent research hub.

- The vision is based on a very bold and ambitious original plan for DIAS. But it seemed that many people had different visions for the institute, which made the DIAS start-up process somewhat tumultuous. Under the latest management, DIAS has been stabilised, and on the basis of these foundations and this good energy I have now presented an ambitious vision on DIAS’ behalf that will take some of SDU's elite research and researchers to a new level, Sten Rynning explains.

The director of DIAS announces significant changes in the coming years in order to ensure a closer connection to the rest of the University of Southern Denmark.

- Great changes are about to happen, and we must realise the elitist ambition that an IAS represents and that DIAS must stand by. In addition, it must be much clearer that SDU and DIAS belong together. This applies externally, where we need to illustrate the significant contributions of DIAS researchers more clearly. And it applies internally, where it must be clearer and simpler which doors SDU researchers can go through to collaborate with or get a place at DIAS.

Greater influence for fellows and more visibility and strength externally

The new vision will be realised through four new initiatives:

The DIAS Society of Fellows:

The aim is to encourage fellows to ’govern’ themselves and create a welcoming home for new fellows. The talent pool will be cultivated, e.g. through a series of seminars that focus partly on research and partly on career development with the aim of inviting talented young SDU researchers into their ’community’.

DIAS Engagement:

According to the vision, DIAS must become more well-known within the university sector and also become a more prominent voice in the public debate on topics such as the importance of basic research, the consequences of political decisions in the fields of education and research, and the role knowledge should play in society.

Thinking About Wicked Problems:

DIAS will become a pioneering institution for thinking about complex societal challenges with no obvious solutions, such as obesity in society or war in Europe. We cannot and should not provide simple solutions. Instead, we need to improve our ability to fully consider the complexity.

Unlocking Blue Sky Potential:

DIAS must be SDU’s primary lever for our best researchers to act as mentors for our greatest talents. Most importantly, DIAS’ talent programme should not be about technology and skills. It must be elevated to being about dreams and visions and the human capacity to pursue great goals.

The roadmap for the coming years is ready

- I have a tentative ambition that 4–5 years into the future, these initiatives will be well-running, strong and significant contributions to the new DIAS, Sten Rynning says, painting a picture of each initiative as a train that will be set in motion during the current semester.

- By the summer, all trains should be on the tracks, in the autumn we’ll do a service check on the initiatives and make adjustments if necessary, and from 2025 we’ll pick up steam and really start moving along, he says.

More information about the visions and action plan for DIAS 3.0 will soon be available on SDUnet.