Alborg Universitet

Aalborg University (AAU) offers education and research within the fields of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, technical and health sciences. The university currently consolidates and further develops its profile as a dynamic and innovative research and educational institution oriented towards the surrounding world. AAU is internationally renowned as a leading educational institution within problem based learning (PBL). Through problem based learning AAU wishes to secure flexible interaction between theory and practice. One of the principles of the PBL model is that students work on a problem oriented basis and complete projects of an advanced academic standard. This approach is characterized by combining a central engagement in local, regional, and national issues with an active commitment to international collaboration. The University awards Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in various fields within the different programmes, institutes and centres. AAU is a network university, collaborating with regional and national educational institutions in Denmark as well as the creation of consortia and collaboration networks with other national and international universities, plus industry partners. The main vision of AAU is to offer an open and attractive environment for internationally oriented research and education. The university is internationally recognized for establishing world-class interdisciplinary research environments. At present, the university has approximately 20,000 students divided on three campuses in Aalborg, Copenhagen and Esbjerg. Of those, 3,200 are from countries other than Denmark. AAU focuses on strong national and international world class research groups representing the academic areas of the university.

 In addition, AAU secures a high quality level within research and within the research based programmes by, for instance, providing special support to the most promising researcher talents. The University functions as a knowledge-generating and culture-bearing institution that contributes to technological, economic, social, and cultural innovation in our surrounding society through entrepreneurship, and the communication and exchange of knowledge.

In the food area AAU offers a Master’s degree in Integrated Food Studies (IFS) – a 2-year MSc study program with three integrated pillars on public health nutrition, policy and innovation, and gastronomy and design. AAU has a long record of doing food systems action research and evaluation, and is internationally recognized for its research in using a whole school approaches for the development of school meal programs that address both the availability and the learning dimension of food at school. AAU has a track record of research in hands on food activities (HOFA’s), School fruit Schemes (SFS), School meal Programs (SMP’s), Local Food Source & Learn (LOMA), school gardening, taste education and farm2school links.

Project Leader of Learn4Health is Anna Marie Fisker, Architect MAA, PhD, Assistant Professor at Department of Civil Engineering at Aalborg University, Director of Centre for Food Science, Experience and Design. Besides working with architecture, interior and design, Anna Marie’s work also include food design, architectural theory and history, and she has been curator on several projects at the International Architectural Biennale in Venice.