Interview with Louise Sandberg Sørensen

Louise Sandberg Sørensen is newly appointed Professor in the Geodesy and Earth Observation division at DTU Space, National Space Institute.

Congratulations on your promotion! What does it mean to you to be appointed professor and what possibilities does this promotion open for you?

Thank you. I think that being appointed professor is a recognition of my contribution to my field of research. That makes me proud because it shows me that my peers and the community acknowledge my contributions and expertise. It is an opportunity to influence and shape the future of my discipline through teaching, mentoring, and research and on a personal level, it represents the achievement of an important goal for me.

I also think that being appointed professor can open up new possibilities for pursuing larger and more impactful projects, which can help to advance our research. Also, it allows me to take on more leadership roles within the academic community.

What was your motivation to pursue a career in physics, and how did you choose the field you are now specializing in?

When I was a kid I had a big interest in astronomy, so that is actually why I started studying physics. In one of the first semesters at the university I had to choose two introductory courses on different fields of physics. So, I chose astronomy of course, and then geophysics because it was recommended to me. Actually, I didn’t really know that it was a field of research at that point, but during that introductory course, I quickly realized that I wanted to study geophysics instead.  When I later was introduced to satellite geodesy, it really fascinated me, and I chose to specialize in that.

Where did you study and which positions have you held before your current one?

I studied physics and geophysics at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen. When I graduated, I was offered a position as a research assistant at the National Space Center, where I got the chance to work with airborne and satellite data from the Arctic. This sparked an interest that led me to apply for a PhD scholarship on exactly this topic, which was funded. The PhD was a collaboration between the National Space Center and the University of Copenhagen, where I was enrolled.

During my PhD, the National Space Center was merged with DTU, and after I got my PhD, I got a research position at DTU Space, where I still work today. Since I started there, I have been a researcher, a senior researcher and research group leader before my current position as professor.    

Please tell us about your research and why it is important.

My research is mainly focused on using satellite Earth Observation data to document and understand the rapid changes that the ice sheets and glaciers are experiencing due to climate change. I use a wide range of different datasets – also from airborne and drone platforms to derive and validate these essential climate indicators of the ice. This can for example be changes in ice thickness, extent or mass. This work is crucial because it improves our understanding of the ice sheets response to climate change, and it provides robust data sets for policy makers and for other scientist such as climate modelers to use.

As a senior scientist and now professor, you mentor junior scientists and students. What are your thoughts on the importance of being a mentor and advisor and what is your own approach?

I think that it is one of the most important parts of my job. Being a mentor means helping students and junior scientists navigate some of the challenges that come with a career in academia; from research and publishing to balancing professional and personal life. I do my best to remember what my own questions and insecurities were as a student and in my early career, and then I speak openly about these topics.

Who have been your own role models or mentors, and how have they inspired and supported you?

Hmm, this is a difficult question. I am not sure that I can point to some specific persons as role models within my field. There are definitely people that I really admire for their achievements, but most are not role models as such because their career choices do not align with my own priorities for securing a good life work balance.

I have had many mentors and allies who have supported me in different ways. I have so many wonderful and talented colleagues who make it fun to come to work every day, and who are continuously inspiring and supporting me.

Two people that I would like to mention are my two PhD supervisors late professor Carl Christian Tscherning and professor René Forsberg for encouraging and supporting me in my early career. They both saw a potential in me that I was a little late to discover myself, and they always believed in my abilities.

What advice would you give to young people, in particular women and minorities, who would like to pursue a career in science?

My advice would be to be confident in your abilities. The path in science can be challenging at times, and it’s important to believe in your potential to contribute meaningfully to the field. Diversity in thought and experience leads to innovation, so do not feel like you have to fit into some traditional norm of what a scientist “should be”.

In general, what can in your opinion be done to advance the careers of underrepresented groups in physics?

I think that one of the biggest challenges we have currently is the lack of role models. It is very difficult to be what you cannot see. This is something that takes time to change, but with a focus on DE&I in especially the hiring and promotion processes at the universities, I believe that we can actually create a change.