New dean at Faculty of Social Sciences: »We need more focus on well-being«

Vibeke Koushede is to take over on 1 May 2024 as Dean of´the Faculty of Social Sciences from Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen. This is according to a University of Copenhagen press release.

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Rector of the University of Copenhagen Henrik C. Wegener is pleased with her appointment, and emphasises the interdisciplinary qualities of the new dean:

»Vibeke is an empathetic, inclusive and visionary leader, and I look forward to having her interdisciplinary approach as part of the university’s senior management team,« Henrik C. Wegener says.

A secure work setting for the upcoming big changes

When the University Post reaches the incoming dean via phone, she says that she will focus even more on well-being and the working environment.

»I think having a safe environment is very important. The entire Faculty of Social Sciences will feel this – both students and staff. If you want to create good, innovative solutions, you need the conditions and space for different skills and resources,« she says.

I intend to reach out to all the councils, boards and associations that I can get hold of, so that I am certain that I have reached each and every part of the faculty.

Incoming dean Vibeke Koushede, Faculty of Social Sciences

This will be particularly important in the near future, according to the new dean. She will be steering the faculty through major changes, including a move from the CSS Campus/Kommunehospitalet building to South Campus in the Amager district:

»We need to prepare for the new administration reform, the upcoming master’s reform. and the relocation to South Campus. My most important task as dean will therefore be to lead the faculty safely through the changes and make sure that as many people as possible are heard and feel well informed. I intend to reach out to all the councils, boards and associations that I can get hold of, so that I am certain that I have reached each and every part of the faculty.

The current dean, Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, announced his retirement in August. It was due to disagreements with the rector, which resulted in »the person who has the lowest rank pack up his things and leave,« as he said in an interview with the University Post.