Nanna B. Karlsson was recently appointed a Professor at the National Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland (GEUS). She works in the Department of Glaciology and Climate, studying critical processes of the cryosphere that impact the changing environment on Earth. She is also an Affiliated Professor at DTU Space.
Congratulations on your new Professorship! Can you say a few more words about the research you are conducting at GEUS, and how this relates to current climate challenges?
Thank you! My research is about ice—specifically, large chunks of ice like ice sheets—and its role in the climate system. I use my background as a physicist to understand and describe the processes behind the observations. Ultimately, the goal is to make better predictions of future changes in the Polar regions. This is important from a global perspective for predicting sea-level rise and for local communities in the region.
Working in cryospheric science is also exciting from an academic point of view as it includes many different disciplines within physics, from fluid mechanics to the propagation of electromagnetic waves.
Does the promotion unlock any new possibilities that you are now hoping to explore?
I hope so! I hope to get more time to explore the impact of my science and work on bridging the gap between the academic results that I produce and the people who need the results to plan for the future.
What did your career path look like until now? Did you always know you wanted to become a Professor?
I studied physics and geophysics at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen before moving to the UK for my PhD. I then returned to the Niels Bohr Institute for a post-doc before moving to Germany to work at the Alfred Wegener Institute. After almost seven years of non-permanent contracts, I was hired as a Senior Researcher at the GEUS Department of Glaciology and Climate, where I was appointed Professor this August.
I am not sure that I always knew I wanted to be a Professor, but I always wanted a job with a high degree of freedom and I love exploring new ideas.
What was your motivation to pursue a career in geophysics?
In my “Folkeskole,” there wasn’t a lot of money, and (in my memory) most of our textbooks were quite old and worn. In 8th grade, we got new geography books, and the descriptions of weather patterns and how the climate worked captured me. So, I decided I wanted to learn more about the weather and it turned out that that means geophysics. Later, during my undergraduate degree, I became interested in planetary science and ended up writing my Master’s thesis about ice on Mars. And that’s how the interest in ice began.
What are your thoughts on your role as a mentor and advisor for younger scientists?
Supporting and inspiring scientists in their early careers is an important part of being a scientist. I try to not only advise and mentor scientists but also lead by example, for example, by having a reasonable work-life balance. I certainly don’t get the best and most innovative ideas after a 10-hour working day. I think conversations about handling the pressure and expectations in science should take place at all levels.
Do you have any thoughts on potential strategies for helping to advance the careers of underrepresented groups in physics in general?
First and foremost, organisations need a consensus that strategies are required, and this signal should come from the top. Without the support of the “upper levels” in an organisation, it is difficult to enact meaningful change. There is a lot of discussion about the influence of role models, mentorship and phrases like “you can’t be what you can’t see” are often used. There is no easy solution in the end, but I think a shared willingness to make room for everyone is a good first step.
What advice would you give to young people, in particular women and minorities, who would like to pursue a career in science?
Firstly, it is not about your career. It is about your life. What kind of life would you like to have? Think about what motivates and inspires you and seek out those opportunities. There are lots of different careers in science, and some of them will be meaningful to you – you just have to find them.
Secondly, ask questions. Talk to people. What kind of career do they have? How did they get there? Are they happy? Talk not just among your peers but seek out more senior people. They will have a different perspective and will probably be happy to share (here’s a little secret: everyone loves to talk about themselves!).
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