Lectures at DTU

Københavns Folkeuniversitet off to a good start at DTU

The collaboration between DTU and Københavns Folkeuniversitet kicked off with an opening event with astrophysicist Michael Linden-Vørnle and cultural sociologist Emilia van Hauen, among others. Ahead lies a series of many presentations focusing on natural sciences and technology.

Wednesday 10 September 2025

Christina Tækker

On Saturday, 6 September, DTU and Københavns Folkeuniversitet the doors to their new venture "Københavns Folkeuniversitet in Lyngby" for the first time opened. Among other things, the participants could hear astrophysicist at DTU Space Michael Linden-Vørnle talk about Denmark in space and cultural sociologist Emilia van Hauen portray Generation Z.

In the near future, guests will be flocking in to learn more about current topics and new research findings in an easy-to-understand way. Before the opening event kicked off at DTU Lyngby Campus, a total of approximately 5,000 tickets had been sold. With an average of over 60 participants in the classes, the enrollment outperforms other activities at Københavns Folkeuniversitet.

To meet the high interest, additional classes have been created for some subjects. Other classes have moved to larger rooms, while several researchers have received an invitation to come back for the spring semester to give lectures. Currently, there are a total of 40 classes and 89 lectures—with more on the way.

Carsten Fenger-Grøndahl, Rector of the Københavns Folkeuniversitet, is pleased with the great interest:

“The enrollment numbers paint a clear picture: There is great interest in visiting DTU on a regular weekday evening to seek knowledge and immersion from researchers and be inspired. When I dive deeper into the numbers, I’m pleasantly surprised that many people are looking for the profound professionalism in the lectures that have a narrow focus. I think that’s awesome.“

Applied mathematics and fusion energy

Among the most popular lectures about DTU is architect Johannes Hedal Hansen’s presentation about the architect couple Eva and Nils Koppel and their vision for DTU in Lyngby. Here you can hear about the creation of DTU and the ideas behind the landscape and architecture. DTU Associate Professor Poul Hjorth’s lecture on applied mathematics and PhD Alexander Simon Thrysøe’s lecture on fusion energy have also attracted a large audience.

In the upcoming lectures, DTU’s researchers will play a much larger role. Both in Copenhagen and in Lyngby and together with other researchers from the natural and technical sciences. This is simply because scientific and technical knowledge is increasingly recognized as vital for the general education we all need for our democracy to function, says Carsten Fenger-Grøndahl.

At DTU alone, there will be 100 classes with more than 200 lectures in the 2026 spring season:

“We believed that the interest and audience would be there, but we told ourselves many times to be patient and give people time to discover it over several years. The fact that things are going so well overall with a really big premiere programme at DTU fits well with one of my most firm beliefs: That you should choose projects you believe in and then go all in.”

You can sign up for any class right up until it starts, as long as it’s not sold out. Read more at Københavns Folkeuniversitet at DTU (In Danish)

Voxpop

"A great atmosphere"

Michael Linden-Vørnle, DTU Space:

“It makes perfect sense that from this season onwards, DTU will host a number of lectures from the Københavns Folkeuniversitet It gives the citizens of Lyngby and the surrounding area easy access to gain greater insight into current science challenges, methods, and results.

At the opening event on 6 September, I had the pleasure of giving a lecture on Danish space research, including the many international projects we work on at DTU Space. Both my presentation and the other presentations had a great atmosphere that exuded equal parts interest and enthusiasm. This bodes well for the collaboration between DTU and Københavns Folkeuniversitet.”