25 years with the world’s most important foodstuff
Johannes Ravn Jørgensen, who has had a 25-year jubilee, is proud to be part of a research area that contributes to feeding the world’s population.
Having a 25-year anniversary can give rise to looking back on the years that have passed and reflecting on what one has contributed. This is also the case for 52-year-old associate professor Johannes Ravn Jørgensen from CROP in Flakkebjerg, who has been employed as a public servant for a quarter of a century as of 1 October 2015.
Even though Johannes in all modesty makes it clear that he would rather have let the event pass by quietly, he has had thoughts about what he and his colleagues have achieved on behalf of society in the past 25 years.
- As agricultural scientists we can stand proud because we contribute knowledge that can help ensure that the world’s expanding population can be fed in a sustainable manner. We are a cog in a greater knowledge culture, he says.
Grains are the common thread
Through all the years the common research thread for Johannes has been a crop with enormous global importance: grain. Johannes has carried out research in grain quality and grain usage for various purposes, including bread, malt, feed and seed.
He earned his Master and PhD degrees from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhgen, where he continued to work for three years before coming to the Danish Institute of Plant and Soil Science in Roskilde. A series of restructuring events changed his workplace into what is now AU Flakkebjerg, Aarhus Universitet – but the many changes have not bothered Johannes even though the numerous changes have been driven by political haggling instead of academic reasons.
- There have been many changes. At the latest tally I have had nine different bosses in the period during which I have been a public servant. I think that is noteworthy. This is an institution in constant movement, both with regard to geography and organisation. It is an exciting workplace with possibilities for self-development and interesting and stimulating colleagues. That is very enriching, he says.
He is also pleased to be a part of the Department of Agroecology.
- AGRO is an exciting department to work in. It has a sensible construction and despite the challenges of having several locations we share a common understanding of our mutual goals and target groups – including with regard to AU – that is quite clarified. I appreciate that, says Johannes.
Efforts on behalf of colleagues
Besides taking care of his research, Johannes has also been a union representative for several years. This has given both good and less good experiences.
- I have stood on the sidelines in some of the redundancy rounds and that has not always been fun. The redundancies have had personal costs for the people involved and there has been a loss of good colleagues. However, overall it is a privilege to be a union representative and have a seat in the local liaison committee (LSU). I am curious and interested in the decision-making process, he says and continues:
- Being a union representative strengthens cooperation between the management and staff. There is not a conflict of interest but an interaction that must be constructive. The management needs to be challenged and we need to match our expectations.