About IFRO

The Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) is a broad social science department in the Faculty of Science (SCIENCE). 

Research, education, research-based public-sector services and broader dissemination are IFRO's main tasks, particularly within the fields of environment, natural resources, global development, food and agriculture as well as consumption, bioethics and governance.

Management

The head of the department is Professor Bo Jellesmark Thorsen.

Read more about the management of IFRO.

Organisation

The department consists of a management group, 4 research sections, and an administrative support unit. 

Research sections


Strategic mission

The raison d’être and mission for our department is to undertake independent and excellent research within our disciplines, addressing our thematic fields. On this basis, we undertake excellent research‐based teaching, research‐based consultancy and disseminate research‐based knowledge to society.

As a broad social science department on the above thematic fields, we explicitly pursue options for excellence in interdisciplinary research to address research questions of pertinence and high complexity around the world.

History

IFRO originates from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University and related research institutes. The department has its origins in the traditions and methodology developed in the Danish agriculture, forestry and food production sectors, in which the close consultative relationships developed between the private sector, public authorities and research institutions contributed significantly to positive outcomes.

  • The history shapes the unique profile of IFRO today, with its focus on questions of importance for pertinent challenges within our thematic fields. These thematic fields include the use and protection of the environment and natural resources, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food, consumer behaviour, and development.

  • The history shapes the successful study programmes at IFRO, some older than 150 years, and their close interaction with the surrounding society shapes the more than 100 year old tradition of providing research‐based consultancy to governments and society within our fields.