Primære forskningsområder

• Sociological theory
• Philosophy of social sciences
• Sociology of science, in particular development and organization of social sciences
• Research politics
• Studies in acacemic freedom and research integrity

CV

Education

• Mag. scient. soc. University of Copenhagen 1972

Current position

• Professor emeritus Department of sociology, University of Copenhagen 2013-

Previous Academic positions

• Professor Department of sociology, University of Copenhagen 2004-2013
• Associate professor Department of sociology, University of Copenhagen 1997-2004
• Associate professor/ docent Copenhagen Business School, 1977-1997
• External lecturer University of Copenhagen, 1976-1992
• Assistant professor, Roskilde University Center 1976
• Post doc Department of sociology, University of Copenhagen 1972-1976
• Research Fellow, European University Institute, Florence 1993

Some other academic duties

• Member of the Danish Social Science Research Council 2005-2011 (vice chairman 2007/2008)
• Member of Nordic Research Councils for Humanities and Social Sciences 2007-2011
• Head of the PhD program Department of sociology, University of Copenhagen 2000-2002
• Member of the Study Board Department of sociology, University of Copenhagen, 1970-72, 2002-2004
• Member of Academic Council University of Copenhagen 1972-1976.
• Member of rector’s working group concerning principles for research communication, University of Copenhagen 2003
• Member of rector’s working group concerning code of conduct, University of Copenhagen 2003-2005
• Member of the Practice Committee, University of Copenhagen 2005-2007
• Editor of Dansk Sociologi 1989-92
• Coordinator, Nordic Sociological Association Workshop on Social Theory
• Member og Steering Committee Danish Sociological Association 1993-98
• Member of eidtorial board, Acta Sociologica 1993-97
• Member og Steering Committee Nordic Sociological Association 1993-97
• Head of Center for Educational Research, Copenhagen Business School 1989-91
• Head of academic council, Center for Educational Research, Copenhagen Business School 1986-92
• PhD-assesment and hiring committees, Universities in Denmark, Norway and Sweeden
• External examinator at several universities in Denmark
• Referee for several Scandinavian journals and academic publishers
• Referee for Research Councils in Denmark, Norway, Finland and Ireland
• Member of the steering committee, Philosophical Forum 1985-2009
• Member of the steering committee, Brandes Selskabet 2025-

Research interests

• Sociological theory
• Philosophy of social sciences
• Sociology of science, in particular development and organization of social sciences
• Research politics
• Studies in acacemic freedom and research integrity

As emeritus, I have continued my studies and publishing activities in social theory, sociological theory, philosophy of social sciences, sociology of science. Editing and updating textbooks for teaching as well as ad hoc lectures in these fields at the University of Copenhagen, department of sociology, at other universities, Folkeuniversitetet, Filosofisk Forum, and in other forums.

Since 2013, I have had a special focus on research politics and studies in academic freedom, science ethics and research integrity. These studies have (2024) resulted in more than 70 publications, including one book, one edited book, approx. 30 contributions to anthologies and journals and approx. 40 articles in professional journals, web media and newspapers in Denmark and Norway.

All years I have been invited to give lectures, presentations and participate in debates at most universities in Denmark as well as in Norway (Oslo and Bergen). In 2021, I was asked to contribute with a presentation to a government-appointed expert committee on academic freedom in Norway.

I have observed increasing public attention to problems with research freedom at Danish universities, which has manifested itself in frequent invitations and inquiries from the media, TV, radio, newspapers and journals as well as academic associaltions, also from abroad, e.g. Times Higher Education Supplement, University World News and Khrono (Norway) for information, comments, debate contributions and assessments. This has concerned both individual cases and conditions and trends regarding academic freedom in general. In this context, I have also been asked for advice from journalists, university leaders and individual researchers.

As professor emeritus, I have had the honor of receiving three awards:

UAEM Medicines for People Award (2017)

Gyldendals Formidlingspris (2018)

UBVA-prisen (2022)