A room full of knowledge
Curiosity, interest and inspiration were tickled when researchers from AGRO’s six scientific sections gave short talks about selected projects at the annual senior-VIP meeting. There was also a sense of pride in the exciting and important research that AGRO carries out.
There were many pearls of wisdom in the meeting room in Foulum 4 November 2015, which was the first day of AGRO’s annual senior-VIP meeting. There were a whopping 17 presentations from AGRO’s six scientific sections. The talks gave an idea of how great the extent of the research in AGRO is and to how high a degree it actually lives up to the concept of agroecology.
From the tiniest fungal spores to systemic considerations of whole agroecosystems, from deep down in the earth to the air surrounding us, from sandy soil to clay soil to peat soil, and from social concepts such as integrity and trust to cool cash in the form of economic evaluations of years of life; research projects were described that with countless different approaches to agroecology support our mission to contribute to sustainable production and growth through outstanding research, consultancy and education in agroecosystems.
Intense attention was given to the scientific presentations:
The concept of the meeting was that there were two rounds of presentations. They were each followed by café discussions during which it was possible to ask questions, put a perspective on the research and have a dialogue with each other.
Listening and talking during the café discussions:
Curiosity and interest in each other’s research areas were piqued at the meeting. This gave rise to many questions about the various projects, inspiration for possibilities to collaborate, and a sincere interest in and admiration of each other’s work. The participants even expressed pride in what the department offers in the way of interesting research and talented researchers.
Even though it was a long and intense course of events, there was general satisfaction with the concept. It is the only forum in which senior-VIPs in AGRO have the chance to gain an overview and delve more deeply into what their colleagues in the other corridors and buildings are working on.
The scientific presentations from the senior-VIP meeting can be viewed here (mix of Danish and English slides).
The first day of the senior-VIP meeting ended with a talk given by Bjarne Thomsen from the Danish Agrifish Agency. He summed up the thoughts from the fourth SCAR Foresight Exercise. The report can be read here. Three scenarios for a sustainable bioeconomy can be seen here.
The second day of the senior-VIP meeting were spent discussing various aspects of AGRO’s strategy and flagships. The results of these discussions will be covered in a later issue of AGRO Biweekly.
Andendagen af seniorVIP-mødet gik med at drøfte forskellige aspekter af AGRO’s strategi og flagskibe. Resultaterne af disse drøftelser bliver bragt i et senere nummer af AGRO Biweekly.