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Denmark´s first professor of Internet Research retires.

On May 23rd 2014, Niels Ole Finnemann, professor of Internet research at the Department of Aesthetics and Communication, will retire, after having played an important role in the development of Internet Research in Denmark for many years.

 Niels Ole Finnemann is a Master of Arts in Nordic Literature (1981) from Aarhus University. In 1988, he received a research scholarship at the, at the time, newly founded Centre for Cultural Research, where he remained until 1991. It was here that the basis for his dissertation `Thought, Language and Machine´ (1994), which marks a breakthrough in the understanding of computers and the digital alphabet, was founded. Shortly after having accepted a position as assistant professor at Media Science in 1997, he was appointed Head of Centre for Cultural Research, a position which he kept until 2000, establishing a productive, cross-sectional research environment, focusing especially on the problems related to digital matters.

With his dissertation as his starting point, Niels Ole Finnemann has played an essential role in the development of Internet Research, not only at Aarhus University, but also on a national basis. Among the results of his efforts to create a strong environment for Internet research have been a huge number of publications and lectures, Danish as well as international ones, and his work has also lead to the creation of an organisational framework for Internet Research – Centre for Internet Research, of which he was Head of Centre from 2000 to 2010. Furthermore, he helped prepare for the establishment of a Danish internet archive, Netarkivet, which was established in 2005.

Niels Ole Finnemann has also played a key role in larger national research projects, such as MODINET and LARM. From 2008 to 2011, he was leading the FKK supported research project `New Interfaces of the Public´. During the resent years, he has participated actively in the debate regarding Digital Humanities, not least through his work in the national Digital Humanities Lab, which was established in 2012.

In 2005, Niels Ole Finnemann was appointed professor of Internet Research, as the first ever in Denmark. Apart from a constantly growing scientific production, and a very broad dissemination of knowledge, he has been occupying seats in various national and international research projects, as well as in several councils, such as two EU-Cost Actions, the editorial group of Netarkivet, and expert panels for the Norwegian Research Council and the 7th EU framework programme.

Throughout his very long academic career, dealing with basic problems, be it the fundamental issues regarding humanist research or the fundamental characteristics of the digital media, has been the common thread of Niels Ole Finnemann´s work.

The retirement lecture of Niels Ole Finnemann will take place on May 23rd, at 13.15, in the main auditorium of Nygaardbygningen (Building 5335, room 016). The lectureis followed by a reception in building 5335, room 229.