At DANDRITE, we believe that a strong, inclusive, and supportive community is key to doing great science. In 2024, we continued to prioritize creating an environment where everyone—whether you're just starting as a student, a PhD or leading a research group—feels connected and valued. It’s all about fostering collaboration, supporting each other, and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. With programs like YoDA and our Newcomer's Club, we’re dedicated to creating an environment where diversity and personal growth take center stage, whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time member of our community.
The Newcomers’ Club was launched in March 2024 as a welcoming initiative designed to support newly arrived staff and students by fostering inclusion, connection, and a sense of belonging. Through monthly lunch meetings, newcomers gain insights into the institute, network beyond their immediate research groups, and engage in discussions on relevant topics. The initiative enhances onboarding, strengthens psychological safety, and helps combat loneliness in academia. Facilitated by the DANDRITE Support Team, the club ensures that every new member feels integrated into the community from the start, promoting collaboration and well-being across the organization.
In March 2024, DANDRITE hosted a unique event highlighting women in science. Under the title: Unveiling challenges to women’s career advancement in clinical and basic neuroscience and how we may overcome them the debate brought together researchers, students, and invited speakers to celebrate and reflect on gender representation in academia. The panel featured Professor Erin Schuman (Max Planck Institute for Brain Research), Professor Marina Romero-Ramos (Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University), and Clinical Professor Ida Vogel (Aarhus University Hospital), with Professor Helle Prætorius (Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University) serving as moderator. Their discussions explored systemic challenges such as maternity leave, career infrastructure, and gender quotas. The discussion highlighted the need for inclusive policies, flexible career structures, and active male participation in solving the imbalance. With strong engagement both in-person and online, the event reinforced DANDRITE’s commitment to fostering a more equitable research environment, inspiring future action within the local and international scientific community.
“To implement change quickly it is okay to have positions specifically for women. One must think about the reversed quota that was implemented in the early 1900s where only men were selected for positions. So, I think we could have a period where we could have exclusively female searches."
- Erin Schuman in the panel discussion
During The Research Festival 2024, participants at the Antikmuseet engaged in an interactive workshop exploring the science of memory. Led by neuroscientist and artist Andrea Moreno, the event combined research presentations, discussions, and a hands-on watercolor session where attendees visualized neural networks and brain structures.The workshop illuminated the complex processes of memory formation and forgetting, making neuroscience accessible through artistic expression. Attendees, ranging from students to retirees, gained new insights into their own cognitive processes while discovering the beauty of brain science. The event fostered curiosity, encouraged interdisciplinary dialogue, and inspired a deeper appreciation for research in everyday life.
“I believe that the brain is beautiful, and art helps us see that; moreover, it is well known that having a hands-on experience is the cornerstone of true understanding. It's in the act of doing, experimenting, and engaging with something first-hand that we truly integrate knowledge and make it our own.”
- Andrea Moreno about the connection between Art and Science
In 2024, DANDRITE co-hosted the inaugural Science & the Flavour of Aarhus event, featuring renowned neuroscientist Professor Richard J. Davidson. The event, moderated by DANDRITE Group Leader Anna Klawonn, explored the intersection of neuroscience and mental well-being. Davidson discussed how practices like meditation and compassion training can enhance brain plasticity and improve mental health, emphasizing that well-being is a skill that can be cultivated.
DANDRITE hosts 4 distinguished lectures every year. In 2024 we welcomed the following:
