Researchers from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) behind popular scientific event: “Research should also be communicated outside academia”

From the power of aversion to sexism and tax havens – accompanied by beer and jazz. These are some of the components of the concept “That’s interesting!”, initiated by two researchers from CBS who for nearly a year now, have communicated science in an inviting manner outside the university auditoriums.

03/28/2022

Jannick og Thomas

CBS WIRE, Anne Thora Lykkegaard

Researchers play a big part in our society. They come up with solutions to many of the challenges that affect our lives – now and in the future. And yet, to many, research may seem both hard to understand and irrelevant. Only, it does not have to be like that, which the concept “That’s interesting” is a great example of. Here, junior researchers present their knowledge in a manner that appeals to a broader audience. The setting is informal, and in the break, audiences will be able to buy beers and listen to jazz music.

Behind the concept are the two researchers from CBS, Jannick Friis Christensen and Thomas Burø, who are both postdocs. at the Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy.

In collaboration with DIT:KBH they have created an event, which will take place on the last Wednesday of every month in a small music venue in Kødbyen (The Meatpacking District), where two junior researchers are convened across different research areas and disciplines. Each will have thirty minutes to present their research, followed by fifteen minutes Q&A with audience participation.

Pay-off for all involved

Each year in Denmark, the state, private companies and foundations invest billions of kroner in research, because research contributes to growth, wealth and welfare.

With the concept “That’s interesting”, the two initiators hope to be able to give something back by making the latest knowledge from the world of research something both the business industry and society at large can actively use.

The audience will be invited into the engine room, where they will gain insight into how we know what we know; how arts and social sciences work on generating knowledge. Hopefully, it will help inspire the audience to look at the world through slightly different lenses when they leave,

Jannick Friis Christensen explains.

However, audience members are not the only beneficiaries. The initiative is also hugely important for the researchers who will be able to present their findings and insights on stage, as Thomas Burø elaborates:

It is important that we, as researchers, experience the surrounding society. That we meet the citizens to whom our research might prove life-changing. That we get a sense of their values and meet their needs. And not least that we manage to ignite their interest in and curiosity towards research.

Learn about the power of abhorrence and travel to the fourth time?

The next “That’s interesting!” event will take place on Wednesday, March 30th, when Ph.D. candidate Bontu Lucie Guschke will talk about how harassment and discrimination are reproduced across Danish universities. That same evening, Ignacio J. Duran, who is currently a visiting Ph.D. candidate from Esade Business School, will talk about his research on how trans people navigate the labour market based on previous experiences of discrimination.

The initiative is also a part of The Danish Science Festival, which will take place at the end of April. The event on April 27th, will take the audiences on a journey to the fourth time, and you can also learn how philosophical reflection and consideration can free you from the power of abhorrence.


 

The page was last edited by: Sekretariat for Ledelse og Kommunikation // 07/11/2023