A farewell to the CEO
“It was not my idea that I should apply for the job as director of the foundation. I did not see it coming,” said Søren-Peter Olesen.
“When the position as CEO of the DNRF was posted, I was the secretary general of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences. Several people said that this director position was perfect for me, and it was the natural next step to the secretary-general’s job.”
And even though Olesen might have had a blind spot, he could see a point in applying for the position.
Value match
“When I was in the biotech world in my early career, I succeeded in leading big international research and development projects. Since then, I have always enjoyed working with organizations and realizing ideas by setting up the right teams. It gives me great pleasure to be part of creating an organization where you can progress toward a common goal,” Olesen explained.
Furthermore, he identifies with the foundation’s values, which are based on knowledge of what it takes to conduct good basic research with long-term grants, flexibility, and a recognition that researchers have the greatest insight.
“What characterizes the DNRF is that we want to be close to the researchers. We get a unique insight into the world of research in Denmark because we get to visit the institutions. We want to understand what it’s like to be a researcher right now, within all disciplines. We get involved, but we don’t interfere. In other words, we are on the same page as the researchers, and I believe this is how it should be when supporting research. That suits me extremely well.”
Assembling a secretariat with great ambitions
Anyone who has met Olesen will probably agree that he is a true Renaissance man, possessing vast, diverse knowledge and an insatiable zest for life and the world that surrounds him.
This also defines his leadership style, which is based on freedom with responsibility.
“I have a lot of trust in my fellow human beings, and I believe that if you are allowed to decide as much as you possibly can, you will be motivated, take responsibility, and grow with the tasks. People have very different talents, and the tasks must be adapted to each person.”
Based on these considerations, Olesen believes that he has assembled a robust team with a high level of ambition in the secretariat on Holbergsgade. In his opinion, the DNRF is
a highly professional foundation that is conscious of its great responsibility of administering public money.
A changing world
Søren-Peter Olesen has helped fund more than 40 new basic research centers since he joined the DNRF in 2015, and he has launched several new projects and initiatives in the secretariat:
“The concept is the same as when the foundation was established in 1991, but we are self-reflective and are constantly aware of whether we can do better. In its essence, research does not change, but the framework for conducting it is changing rapidly. We are working hard to adapt to this changing world and make adjustments to our instrument so we can hold the central role the foundation takes in Danish research. In recent years, the tight budgets at the universities have been a challenge – not only for the universities but also for the foundations. Internally, a lot has also happened at the DNRF in the form of major upgrades of, for example, data, law, communication, and thematic publications, where many of the topics related to the changing reality are addressed in collaboration with the researchers.”
Olesen also mentioned the Pioneer Centers (What is a Pioneer Center – Danish National Research Foundation) as an initiative he believes the DNRF can be proud of.
“In addition to establishing four world-class centers, we have created a forum for trust between one public and four large Danish private foundations that finance research. I believe that’s unique, and we are very satisfied with the success of the pioneer center initiative.”
After all, it’s probably not entirely coincidental
There is a clear view of the sky and an almost unobstructed view of Christiansborg from the CEO’s office, Olesen will be leaving at the end of the year. Before commenting on what the future might hold, he gazed out the window, paused for a brief moment, and then replied:
“It is the choices you have made that characterize you. I am now so far forward in the carriage that I can look back and ask: what have I accomplished He added that it is probably not entirely random which opportunities you seize along the way.
“I recently gave a lecture about careers that was built on a quote from the American poet Walt Whitman: “I contain multitudes.” The quote means that you might have more options than you think in the first place, that you build up generic knowledge, certainty, and insight into much more than what you focus on in your career. This could mean that you choose a different path in the future.”
In saying this, Olesen conveyed a strong sense that he likely wouldn’t change much and that the core of his career lies in a deep passion for the world of research.
“I trust in researchers. I find them incredibly committed and open-minded about their research and ambitions when we talk about educating the next generation. Furthermore, they are very committed to influencing society, in the short and the long term.”
Even though Olesen has held many different positions, he is well aware that the transition to something that is almost retirement will be one of the biggest changes in his career. He is looking forward to having more time for his family, but life will not stand still for him.
“Now it’s primarily payback time for the family, but you shouldn’t leave behind what has been your life overnight; so I have several exciting tasks in various academic organizations in store for the future.”
The Danish National Research Foundation would like to thank Søren-Peter Olesen for a fantastic collaboration, and we wish him all the best.
