The new professor in ethology and animal welfare at the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University has wide-ranging experience. The choice for the professorship fell on Lene Munksgaard, who has been attached to the department since 1984. In addition to her research activities, she is also a section leader at the department and has since 2010 been chairman of the Animal Welfare Council under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.

- I am pleased to have the professorship, which is a recognition of the strength of this research area in the department. The research provides an important contribution to the assessment of animal welfare, which is an area of significant public concern, says Lene Munksgaard.

She hopes that the appointment can help strengthen the research by attracting more external funds – particularly from the EU.

The head of the Department of Animal Science, Klaus Lønne Ingvartsen, is thrilled with the appointment of Lene Munksgaard as the new professor.

- Lene is a really good candidate, with a solid research career and relevant teaching experience. Another important factor is that she has extensive management experience, says Klaus Lønne Ingvartsen in his explanation for the choice falling on Lene Munksgaard for the new professorship.

The appointment of Lene Munksgaard, brings the number of professors in the department to three. But this number will rise in the coming years.

- In our strategy we have set a target of eight or nine professorships by the end of 2016. And we would like to have nine so that our very highly qualified employees can be recognised, says Klaus Lønne Ingvartsen, who will soon be able to welcome yet another professor at the department as the deadline for applications for another professorship has just passed.

Photo: Lene Munksgaard from the Department of Animal Science took up her professorship in Ethology and animal welfare on 1 March.

CV for Lene Munksgaard
Employment history
2009 – Section leader for Behaviour and Stress Biology at Department of Animal Science
1996-2009 – Senior scientist at Department of Animal Science
1992-1995 – Research assistant, Department of Animal Science
1989-1992 – PhD student at Department of Animal Science

1984-1989- Research assistant, Department of Animal Science
1982-1984 – Agricultural advisor in Herning

Education
1982 – Cand. Agro from The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
1995 – PhD from The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University

Further information: Professor Lene Munksgaard, Department of Animal Science, e-mail: lene.munksgaard@agrsci.dk, telephone: +45 8715 7953, mobile: +45 2476 5079