Danish Johnny Mogensen’s new role as Director at NordForsk first became known last autumn.
Read this article in Norwegian in Arbeidsliv i Norden
1 February was his first day in the post, and a few weeks later, he welcomed the Nordic Labour Journal for a chat.
“It has been a few fantastic weeks. For me, it’s been extremely exciting. I have met many experienced and competent colleagues who clearly are here because they believe Nordic research can help solve important social challenges,” he says.
He is happy in the Nordic working environment. The head office is in Oslo, where NordForsk shares space with Nordic Innovation and Nordic Energy Research.
A central player in Nordic research
NordForsk was founded in 2005 by the Nordic Council of Ministers to strengthen Nordic research. Today, it is the largest research-funding institution under the Council of Ministers.
NordForsk funds and facilitates Nordic research cooperation and research infrastructure together with national funding bodies. The aim is to make the Nordic region a leading research region.
“Research-based knowledge is needed to address many societal challenges. Being able to help shape this effort is very meaningful.
“It’s important to me – and to my colleagues at NordForsk – that what we help deliver actually does make a difference.”
International experience
Mogensen was previously Denmark’s Research and Innovation Attaché in Boston. He has also held several positions in the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science.
In addition, Mogensen has been seconded to Brussels as Minister Councillor at Denmark’s Representation to the EU and as a national expert at the European Commission.
He has also been on the boards of the predecessor to Nordic Innovation, NordForsk and Nordplus.
The Nordic brand
“Nordic research cooperation gives us a unique strength. I will work to make sure NordForsk still contributes to research of the highest quality, relevant to the whole of the Nordic region.
“We must also keep developing our cooperation to include joint investment in research that strengthens our research environments and gives the Nordic region a clear voice on the international stage.”
He has seen a lot of international interest in the Nordic region.
“We notice that here at NordForsk. There is considerable interest in cooperation. I also saw this when I was in the USA. They talk a lot about Scandinavia and the Nordic region. The Nordic brand is very strong.
“That is precisely why there is so much interest from international partners who want to work with us. We have to take advantage of this and find the right collaboration partners.”
The international attention makes this a particularly exciting job right now, he believes.
A clear role
So, what is NordForsk’s role?
“NordForsk is on solid ground. The organisation is in a good place. There is no need for a revolution. My impression so far is that there is great respect for the expertise within NordForsk.
“The staff are collaborative and focus on finding solutions and preparing the ground for Nordic research collaboration. We will build on that,” he says.
“At the same time, we can be clearer about the importance of Nordic research, both in terms of results and communication. We must become better at telling the good stories. It is important to get the good research results out to a wider audience.”
He believes good communication can also help strengthen the interest in research and science. This is important when people are increasingly questioning what is true and not.
“When significant resources go into research, there is a commitment attached. We must make sure research results are made known and discussed. We are, for instance, present at the Nordic democracy festivals. These are important arenas for us.”
Research for a sustainable region
The Nordics’ vision is to become the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. Cooperation in the Nordic Council of Ministers will help realise this ambition.
NordForsk, too, has this as an overarching goal.
“The great thing about research is that it is relevant across nearly all areas of public policy. We can facilitate research that supports the full breadth of the Nordic cooperation.”
