Hvad er dit forskningsfelt kort beskrevet?

I study Einstein’s theory of gravity (General Relativity), with a particular emphasis on black holes: how matter behaves around them, how they interact.

Hvad er de forskningsmæssige udfordringer?

There are big challenges, that have been with us for decades, and which probably are the biggest open issues in science: Einstein’s description of the gravitational interaction fails in black hole interiors, at so-called singularities. One challenge is to resolve the singularities and find a better theory. This may also help in understanding the birth of our own universe. The other is to find clever ways to show, from observational data, that the black holes we see are those described by General Relativity.

Hvorfor er netop dette forskningsområde interessant?

In 2005, our ability to study numerically the content of General Relativity was revolutionized. In 2015, and after a quest that lasted a century, we finally detected gravitational waves for the first time. Data is coming in, and will pour on us in the coming decades, with the multi-billion euro, Europeans instruments LISA and Einstein Telescope. These will change the landscape and will gives us long-awaited data to see the entire gravitational universe from the moment it was born, to test our theories and to make progress in closing the tremendous gaps that we have in understanding black holes and singularities.

Hvad forventer du af dit medlemskab af Videnskabernes Selskab?

I expect more engagement with the Danish society and fellow colleagues, discussions regading pressing issues in society and clear guidelines or advice that the socxiety can take from the Royal Society of Arts and Science. I expect that I can also raise awareness regarding my own field of research, and outreach to society awareness of the science. Arts and Science are different ways of understanding the world, so I also look forward for joint initiatives.

Fortæl lidt om mennesket bag forskeren.

I am a reserved person who looks extrovert. I enjoy reading and dining out, and laughing. I enjoy challenging myself to do new things or things in a different way. I like whistling.