Michael Hviid JacobsenMichael Hviid Jacobsen

Professor of SociologyProfessor of Sociology

Director of StudiesDirector of Studies

Aalborg UniversityAalborg University

Cross-disciplinary conference on death and dying in Cross-disciplinary conference on death and dying in Odense in 1997 initiated an initial interest in the topicOdense in 1997 initiated an initial interest in the topic

New cancer plan (Kræftplan III) with more focus on New cancer plan (Kræftplan III) with more focus on palliative carepalliative care

New master’s programme in humanistic palliative careNew master’s programme in humanistic palliative carePAVI (Danish Knowledge Centre for Palliative Care)PAVI (Danish Knowledge Centre for Palliative Care)The expansion of hospices (now 17-18) and The expansion of hospices (now 17-18) and

establishment of palliative teams in health careestablishment of palliative teams in health carePolitical and public interest in new and more Political and public interest in new and more

accommodating legislation regarding burial practicesaccommodating legislation regarding burial practicesDenmark recently listed (for a number of different Denmark recently listed (for a number of different

reasons) at a disappointing number 22 in a survey of reasons) at a disappointing number 22 in a survey of which country it is the best to die inwhich country it is the best to die in

As one of the few places, we have an integrated, As one of the few places, we have an integrated, advanced and research-based master’s program in advanced and research-based master’s program in humanistic palliative care at university levelhumanistic palliative care at university level

We have several interested agencies and organizations We have several interested agencies and organizations (e.g. PAVI, Kræftens Bekæmpelse, Liv&Død, (e.g. PAVI, Kræftens Bekæmpelse, Liv&Død, Helsefonden, etc.) in supporting and funding education Helsefonden, etc.) in supporting and funding education and researchand research

There is increasing political awareness of the importace There is increasing political awareness of the importace of providing qualified support to the dying and of providing qualified support to the dying and bereavedbereaved

There is a dense underwood of aspiring academic talentThere is a dense underwood of aspiring academic talentThroughout the media there is a curiosity about issues Throughout the media there is a curiosity about issues

related to death and dying, which may increase public related to death and dying, which may increase public and political awarenessand political awareness

How to make social scientific studies relevant to How to make social scientific studies relevant to practitioners and vice versapractitioners and vice versa

How to ensure that practitioners – on the basis level as How to ensure that practitioners – on the basis level as well on a more advanced level – can obtain financial well on a more advanced level – can obtain financial support for lifelong support for lifelong learning and continued professional learning and continued professional developmentdevelopment

How to ensure knowledge of and research in death and How to ensure knowledge of and research in death and dying is made publicly and politically potent and visibledying is made publicly and politically potent and visible

How to support attempts at cross-disciplinarity How to support attempts at cross-disciplinarity (integrating academic thanatology and palliative care) (integrating academic thanatology and palliative care) in concrete education programs and research initiativesin concrete education programs and research initiatives

How to make death studies attractive to new How to make death studies attractive to new generatuions of students and scholars (e.g. PhD generatuions of students and scholars (e.g. PhD positions)positions)

How to strengthen funding options in the futureHow to strengthen funding options in the future