DTU has appointed Professor Anne Ladegaard Skov, head of the Danish Polymer Centre (DPC), as the new Head of Department of DTU Chemical Engineering, effective 1 January 2026.
"Anne Ladegaard Skov combines deep expertise with an ability to translate research into concrete solutions. With Anne at the helm, DTU Chemical Engineering will have a well-liked and persistent leader who can further develop the department's strong academic foundation in both education and research. Combined with her entrepreneurial approach, she can take innovation to new heights," says DTU Rector Anders Bjarklev.
Anne Ladegaard Skov has been employed at DTU Chemical Engineering since 2001. In 2015, she was appointed head of the Danish Polymer Centre and in 2018 she was appointed professor. Anne is internationally recognized for her many years of visionary research into silicone-based elastomers, for which she also received the Grundfos Prize in 2022.
Innovation as a driving force
Anne Ladegaard Skov brings solid experience in entrepreneurship to her new role as head of department. She is behind several patents and has translated research from the laboratory into socially relevant businesses – most recently with the startup Glysious, which stems from her research into advanced silicone-based materials and the development of artificial muscles. That was also the theme of Anne Ladegaard Skov’s inaugural lecture at
DTU’s Commemoration Day 2025. Innovation that addresses pressing societal challenges is part of DTU’s DNA, she says.
"One of our greatest strengths at DTU Chemical Engineering is that many of our research projects arise in close collaboration with companies. This gives us a good sense of what is happening and what interests the industry has. It means that we contribute with current research and socially relevant solutions within both biotechnology and the green transition."
Anne Ladegaard Skov also senses a growing curiosity about entrepreneurship among students—a development she would like to support:
"In the past, they mainly sought employment with large industrial companies, where they were more or less guaranteed good jobs. I would like to get more of our students and younger researchers interested in pursuing entrepreneurship."
