Jakob Grue Simonsen

Jakob Grue Simonsen is set to become Prorector at the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) starting January 2025. Previously, he served as Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen. His leadership style emphasizes inclusion, dialogue, and motivation to foster collaboration and well-being within academic environments.

Education:

• M.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Copenhagen (2001)
• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Copenhagen (2005)
• Doctorate in Computer Science, University of Copenhagen (2012)
• MBA from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland (2008)

Research & Interests: Simonsen’s career spans theoretical computer science, information retrieval, algorithms, and human-computer interaction. His industry experience programming database applications for an American company informed his leadership approach, blending business and academic insights to prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration and employee motivation.

Future Focus: As Prorector, he aims to enhance ITU’s research and educational frameworks while promoting a world-class, inclusive environment prioritizing well-being and cross-disciplinary collaboration.