Denmark as a Science Nation: Turning Knowledge into Innovation

Denmark stands at a pivotal moment in shaping its research and innovation (R&I) landscape. As Europe continues to grapple with the challenge of translating world-class science into tangible societal and economic impact, Denmark’s new “Agreement on Research and Innovation 2026–2029” sets out a forward-looking vision for supporting key research areas and select critical technologies.

This event, co-hosted by Innovation Fund Denmark and Elsevier, brought together leading voices from academia, industry, and policy to explore how Denmark can contribute to Europe’s transition “from a continent of innovators to a continent of innovation,” as urged by the Draghi Report. It was a timely discussion following the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a period marked by active engagement in shaping Europe’s research and innovation agenda.

The event aimed to showcase Denmark’s strengths, opportunities and its evolving innovation ecosystem, drawing on the new Elsevier’s report 'Denmark as a Science Nation', which provided data-driven evidence to frame the dialogue. It fostered discussion on how to better measure and incentivize societal and economic impact across academia and industry, and explored the structural reforms and cultural shifts needed to align incentives and scale innovation. Particular attention was given to Denmark’s strategic emphasis on critical technologies and long-term funding model, with the aim of surfacing concrete recommendations and best practices to inform the long-term direction of the Danish R&I ecosystem and its impact on European innovation.

Read the press release here.

Read the report

Video from the event

Federica Rosetta on Denmark as a science nation

Rainer Kattel on Denmark as a science nation

Agenda

13.00 - 13.30
Welcome coffee

13.30- 13.40
Opening remarks

Cecilie Brøkner, CEO in Innovation Fund Denmark
Federica Rosetta, VP Academic Relations EMEA, Elsevier

13.40 - 14.00
Presentation of the findings of the Denmark as a Science Nation report

Federica Rosetta, VP Academic Relations EMEA, Elsevier

14.00 - 14.20
From Science Nation to Innovation Nation: Building Capabilities to Turn Knowledge into Impact             

Rainer Kattel, Professor of Innovation and Public Governance; Deputy Director, Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), University College London (UCL)

14:20-14:40 
We can no longer innovate and just see where that takes us

Katherine Richardson, Professor in Biological Oceanography, Chairperson of ESIR, Expert group on the economic and societal impact of research and innovation.

14:40-15:10 
Bridging Science and Innovation: Keynote Conversation

Moderator - Simon Pickard, Network Director, Science|Business
Rainer Kattel - Professor of Innovation and Public Governance; Deputy Director, Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), University College London (UCL)
Katherine Richardson, Professor of Biological Oceanography; Leader of the Research Centre on Ocean, Climate and Society; and Chair of the Expert Group on the Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation.

15.10 - 15.35
Coffee break

15.35 - 16.50
Roundtable - Aligning for Impact: Rethinking Innovation Policy and Practice

Moderator – Simon Pickard, Network Director, Science|Business

Sofie Carsten Nielsen, Director, European Biosolutions Coalition (EBC)
M’hamed el Aisati, VP Analytics and Data Services, Elsevier
Anita Krohn, CEO DSD AS Group, EIC Board
Peter Møllgaard, Rector, Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
Irina Borodina, Professor DTU Biosustain, R&D Director of Pheromones at FMC Corporation, co-founder of BioPhero

16.50 - 17.00
Closing remarks

17.00 - 18.00
Networking and drinks