Annette Aagaard Thuesen

Annette Aagaard Thuesen is Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, and a core member of the Danish Centre for Rural Research. Since 2023 she also serves as President of the European Society for Rural Sociology.

Education

• PhD in Social Science, University of Southern Denmark (defended May 2010)
• MA in Social Science and French

Research Interests

Thuesen’s research integrates EU agricultural and rural development policy, village governance, social innovation and digital exclusion. She empirically examines the LEADER programme, local action groups (LAGs), municipal planning for villages, and the role of civil-society organisations. Theoretically, her work mobilises social capital, democratic network governance, meta-governance, participatory democracy and co-creation.

Research Trends

Her recent publications (2022–2025) cluster around three themes: (1) evaluation and added value of LEADER/LAG partnerships; (2) spatial justice and strategic village planning; and (3) digital exclusion in rural health and welfare services. Studies combine qualitative case studies, policy evaluation and theoretical development, mostly set in Denmark but framed within wider EU rural policy contexts.

Scientific Awards & Leadership

• President, European Society for Rural Sociology (2023–present)

Projects & Funding

• Principal Investigator, “Mellem by og land: Synergier skaber fremtidens bymidter” (2025–2026)
• Principal Investigator, “Fælles om Sundhed på Landet” (2025–2026)
• Participant, EU Horizon Europe “REACT: Rural eHealth Facilitators” (2022–2025)
• Participant, “Men on the Margins of Society” (2025–2027)
• Participant, EU “Famenet” (2022–2027)

Teaching & Supervision

She has long taught sociology in Esbjerg and from autumn 2024 adds European Studies in Sønderborg. Courses include Data Treatment, Public Administration, Political Sociology and Advanced Evaluation Methods.