Per Stounbjerg underlines that the school he is taking over from Niels Lehmann is in very good health. But he is also aware that a number of challenges lie ahead:

“I’m taking over at a time of great change, as we face the challenges of dealing with the government’s resizing initiative and study progress reform, as well as the demand for two-percent cuts. And then there’s the whole issue of the future of teaching and research in the humanities in the years ahead. How can we define our role in relation to society, culture and the business community? And where should our focus lie during a period when we know it’s going to be difficult to establish new degree programmes,” says Stounbjerg.

Johnny Laursen, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, looks forward to working alongside Stounbjerg: 

“I was delighted that the School of Communication and Culture was able to find such an experienced and respected candidate for the position as Per Stounbjerg. In addition to his strong academic background, Per also has extensive experience of all aspects of life at the faculty. I’m really pleased and reassured that he has taken on the job, and look forward to working with him,” says Laursen, adding that the new acting head of school is facing a big task in leading the process of defining the school’s future research and education profile.

Per Stounbjerg, dr.phil. is an associate professor of Scandinavian literature. His CV includes periods as the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, as Director of Studies and Head of the Department of Scandinavian Studies, and as Deputy Head of the School of Communication and Culture.