Construction must become climate‑friendly and use fewer resources. But it must also be climate‑resilient and prepared for more rainfall, more flooding, and rising groundwater levels.

Amid this transition, Professor Søren Wandahl begins his role as the new head of department at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering.

“We are seeing many more instances of extreme rainfall and rising water levels—challenges the construction industry must be able to handle. The entire sector is undergoing change. Here, we have an important role through education, research, and innovation together with industry,” he says.

Søren Wandahl knows both the tasks and the department extremely well, having 14 years of experience at Aarhus University.

He was one of the first researchers to be hired when the former Engineering College of Aarhus became part of Aarhus University in 2012. Since then, he has conducted his own research, served as research group leader, section head, and chair of the department’s research committee. Most recently, he has been deputy head of department for research and career development and has served as acting head of department since 1 November.

“I am really looking forward to the task of developing the department. I enjoy having the influence and the opportunities that come with shaping research and education together with many skilled and dedicated colleagues,” says Søren Wandahl.

Aarhus University is also the educational institution that trains the most engineers in Denmark in Civil and Architectural Engineering. Around 1,000 students are enrolled at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering.

“That is the biggest impact we can make on society. The knowledge and understanding our graduates bring with them gives us significant influence on the direction the construction industry is taking right now. Training 40 percent of all civil engineers in the country is a huge responsibility,” he says.

Dean Eskild Holm Nielsen is pleased that Søren Wandahl is ready to take on the responsibility of head of department.

“He has served as acting head of department twice, and he has shown that he is very capable of leading the department. He is a talented researcher and educator and handles his leadership responsibilities excellently. He has close collaboration with the construction industry, which aligns well with the university’s strategy for impact and innovation,” he says.

The Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering has just become part of a major research programme in which the Villum Foundation has granted one billion DKK over ten years to develop a more sustainable construction sector—one that is, among other things, more climate‑friendly and climate‑resilient. Søren Wandahl has been involved in the project even before it was approved. It will shape the department during the period in which he steps into the role of head of department.

“There is so much happening right now. I truly feel I have landed in the right place. I look forward to helping steer and coordinate it all,” he says.