“The board looks forward to working with the new director. Johnny Mogensen has the leadership experience and the expertise in research and research policy needed to consolidate and develop NordForsk’s position as a key player in research collaboration and funding in the Nordic Region,” says Annika Sølvará, acting chair of the NordForsk board.

Johnny Mogensen

Mogensen has held several positions in the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science since 2002 and has also been posted to Brussels as an adviser to Denmark’s EU delegation and as a national expert to the European Commission. He possesses in-depth knowledge of the research and innovation ecosystem in Denmark, the Nordic Region and Europe, states NordForsk.

“I am very much looking forward to taking up the post of NordForsk director. Co-operation on research is a unique Nordic strong point, and I will strive to ensure that NordForsk continues to contribute to research that is of the highest quality and is relevant to the whole of the Nordic Region. It is also important that co-operation continues to evolve, that we make joint investments in research that make Nordic research environments stronger and give the region a strong voice at international level,” says Mogensen.

Mogensen comes from a position as Denmark’s research and innovation attaché in Boston. He is starting his new position on 1 February 2026.

Mogensen takes over from Arne Flåøyen, who has been the director since January 2018.