Research coming to the small screen

Danish universities adapt research to TV

On 11 January 2010, the DR TV station airs the new programme Danskernes Akademi (The Danes' Academy), and it will provide the Danes with insights into research conducted at the Danish universities. It is public service in its true form giving the taxpayers the opportunity to tune into the world of research from the comfort of their own living rooms.

- DR’s new series of programmes makes it possible for everyone to follow the research of the Danish universities. The topics vary greatly – from space travel and architecture to management and psychology – and for that reason, there is something for almost everybody. For example, the CBS researchers have contributed with research on family-owned businesses, public management and research communication, Senior Adviser at CBS Learning Lab Steffen Löfvall says.

Universities to make their own TV

During the autumn of 2009, DR Byen has been inhabited by more than just the usual DR crowd. From October to December, 12 CBS researchers left the lecture halls in favour of being in front of the camera. To begin with, DR is providing the studio and the resources for filming, and the first 15 weeks of the programme are more or less completed. In the long run, the universities are supposed to produce the programmes themselves.

- To succeed financially, the universities have to be in charge of most of the production themselves in the future. Either by using external subcontractors or their own production facilities and media competences. But that is good thing, because it means that we have more influence as regards shape and contents. It is important to look at the project as more than just an opportunity to brand oneself towards the surrounding world – it is also an investment in the organisational development of CBS as we can use the opportunity to explore new means of communications and excel in them, Steffen Löfvall says.

Danskernes Akademi

The programme series is aired on DR2 Monday to Thursday from 14:00-16:00, and it already includes around 100 academic lectures. Later, it will also include interviews, conversations, conferences as well as exercises and demonstrations creating a mix of new knowledge aimed at the knowledge-thirsty Danes. Furthermore, a site will be established at www.dr.dk, where it will be possible to download podcasts and explore the material further