Open Research Day is an annual event organised by the Faculty of Health Sciences (SDU) and the Region of Southern Denmark. The aim is to promote knowledge sharing, professional dialogue and collaboration among researchers, leaders and staff across university and hospital settings. The event offers insights into the latest health research and national and international trends. The programme includes group presentations of research projects, a PhD Cup and opportunities to establish or strengthen professional networks. Open Research Day serves as a strategic platform for experience exchange, collaborative initiatives and the development of the research environment in the Region of Southern Denmark and 麻豆社区.
Recruitment takes place on an ongoing basis and is planned according to current needs. Interviews are held following individual assessment, and the IRS Secretariat has overall responsibility for organising and coordinating the process. The Secretariat also ensures that relevant stakeholders are involved to support a transparent and well-qualified recruitment process.
IRS holds regular dialogue meetings at each affiliated hospital, involving hospital management, the coordinating research leader, and the head of department. The purpose of these meetings is to strengthen collaboration on key strategic areas such as recruitment and employment, organisational development, research activities, education, and funding. The frequency of the meetings is tailored to the needs of each hospital and typically ranges from once to six times a year.
The "Institutforum" is held twice a year for all IRS employees with the aim of strengthening networks, knowledge sharing and professional development. Each forum has a thematic focus, decided by the IRS management team. Both internal and external speakers are invited to ensure relevance and perspective.
As part of the forum, awards are presented for PhD of the Year, Principal Supervisor of the Year, and Researcher of the Year to recognise and highlight exceptional contributions. The forum takes place 麻豆社区 in Odense and traditionally ends with a communal meal.
The Department Council consists of the head of department, vice head of department, the coordinating research leaders, key administrative staff, and one or two PhD students, as outlined in the IRS leadership charter.
The council meets six times a year: two meetings are held in connection with the Department Forum, one during the annual study trip, and the remaining three take place online.
The purpose of the meetings is to support strategic knowledge sharing and coordination across IRS. Typical agenda items include experience-sharing from individual hospitals, updates from the IRS Secretariat and the head of department, as well as discussion of other current and strategic topics.
Twice a year, IRS and the Department of Clinical Research invite early-career researchers to a career event focused on future opportunities within academia. The event targets final-year PhD students and postdocs who wish to continue in research. Participants gain insight into the requirements, expectations and competencies associated with different academic roles, along with practical advice on professional and career development. Through dialogue with experienced researchers and university leaders, the event offers a forum for knowledge sharing, inspiration and networking to support strategic career planning and ensure a smooth transition from PhD training to an academic career path.
SDU offers targeted courses for researchers to enhance professional competencies, leadership skills and research productivity. The courses cover both methodological and strategic topics such as leadership, finance, project management, research methodology and scientific communication. The aim is to support continuous professional development, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and ensure that research activities contribute effectively to the strategic goals of SDU and its affiliated hospitals. Participation also strengthens researchers’ professional networks, facilitates exchange of experience, and helps maintain high quality and innovation across the organisation’s research activities.
The coordinating research leaders carry out annual staff development reviews (MUS) with research leaders at their respective hospitals. The head of department holds annual leadership development reviews (LUS) with each coordinating research leader. Where relevant, the head of department may also take part in group development reviews (GRUS) involving several research leaders. The purpose of MUS, LUS and GRUS is to support a structured and forward-looking dialogue on performance, wellbeing, collaboration and professional development—ensuring that leadership and research activities promote both individual potential and IRS’s strategic objectives.
One to two times a year, clinical departments across Denmark meet with the aim of strengthening academic collaboration and networking across institutions. The meeting brings together leaders and key staff from participating departments to share knowledge and exchange experiences on research and education within the health sciences. The purpose is to support the departments in achieving their long-term goals and to promote quality, innovation and efficiency.
IRS hosts an annual New Year seminar for all research leaders and the management team, focused on developing, discussing, evaluating and setting the overall strategic direction of the organisation.
The seminar supports decision-making across units and leadership levels, ensures alignment between short-term initiatives and long-term goals, and promotes a shared understanding of priorities, resources and development needs. It also serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, idea development and clarification of strategic challenges, all aimed at enabling the institute to achieve its goals efficiently and sustainably.
Three to six months before the end of employment, status interviews are held with researchers at associate professor and professor level. These interviews aim to evaluate achievements, discuss future perspectives, and ensure alignment with both the hospital’s and IRS’s strategic goals. Participants typically include hospital management, the coordinating research leader (CRL), the head of department, the head of division, and the research leader.
Once a year, the Department Council takes part in a study trip to one of the hospitals affiliated with IRS. The aim is to gain first-hand insight into local research environments, organisational structures, and ongoing projects. The trip provides a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, experience exchange, and dialogue—enabling research leaders to share best practices, identify synergies, and inspire new collaborative initiatives. It also helps strengthen relationships across the system, foster closer cooperation between hospitals, and support the implementation of IRS’s strategic objectives.
Inaugural seminars are held on an ongoing basis in connection with the appointment of new professors or honorary professors. These seminars aim to mark the appointment, introduce the scientific themes and networks associated with the new professor, strengthen relationships and support their integration into the research environment. Each seminar also includes a high-level guest lecture of international relevance. Seminars are typically held at the respective hospitals with participation from partners and representatives from hospital and SDU leadership.