Research profile

David Budtz Pedersen (b. 1980) is Professor of Science Communication and Impact Studies at Aalborg University, and Director of FRONTIER Center for Advanced SSH. His research focuses on the management, communication and evaluation of science and technology. He is a regular adviser to the European Commission, the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and a Member of the Norwegian Research Council. He takes a special interest in open, responsible and collaborative research focused on creating positive impact in society.  

David holds PhD, MA and BA degrees in philosophy of science and science policy studies from University of Copenhagen, and visiting scholarships at University of Vienna and New York University. He has received competitive grants from the Danish Council for Independent Research, The Velux Foundation, The Villum Foundation, The European Commission, and Innovation Fund Denmark. David has about 150 entries on his list of publications ranging from research papers, research monographs, edited volumes, policy reports, op-ed columns and essays.

For almost two decades, David has worked as a science policy adviser. In 2019 he became Chair of the EU COST CCA Network on Science Communication, covering more than 40 EU institutions and universities. He acts as Knowledge Broker for the multidiscipinary reearch programme 'Algorithms, Data and Democracy' (ADD). In 2025, he is Chair of the Danish EU Presidency Conference "Re-Thinking Research Assessment and Excellence" supported by the European Commission.