Iben Mundbjerg Gjødsbøl, Visiting Scholar at University of California, Spring 2020

Iben Mundbjerg Gjødsbøl is Assistant Professor at Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen. In the beginning of January 2020, she travelled to Santa Cruz, California, with her husband and three kids to be a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Here is what she got out of her stay:

Enriched Reasearch

My research concerns the social, ethical, and organizational aspects of precision medicine which aims to bring knowledge about individual genetic variation – ideally the whole genome – into clinical application. As such precision medicine sparks not only new possibilities but also new ethical and organizational challenges for medical research, health care, and society at large.

The main academic purpose of my stay was to become affiliated with and engage in the Science and Justice Research Center at UCSC, an interdisciplinary center leading the world in its commitment to addressing the ethical and societal implications of science and technology. Another academic purpose of my exchange was to connect with the Genomics Institute at UCSC, a research institute that continues to be of huge significance to the biomedical development of genomics.

During my stay, I was able to expand my international network and cultivate my existing connections. I was invited speaker at both UCSC and University of California, San Francisco and had the opportunity to present my research on precision medicine in Denmark and put my knowledge and insights into dialogue with colleagues in a US context.

Through meetings and public talks, I was fortunate to discuss and think with the fabulous scholars who personally inspire and motivate me. As a whole, my stay at UCSC greatly enriched my research and provided me with new colleagues and ideas about how to conduct social studies of science.

(Article continues under picture)

Fulbright Grants

Fulbright Denmark annually awards grants to excellent Danish scholars seeking academic challenges in the U.S.

Learn More

"I was fortunate to discuss and think with the fabulous scholars who personally inspire and motivate me"

- Iben Mundbjerg Gjødsbøl, Fulbright Visiting Scholar, Spring 2020

Unfortunately, we had to leave Santa Cruz before planned due to COVID-19. It was a huge disappointment as I felt I had so much left to do and experience. Yet at the same time, I could see how much misery the pandemic created and would continue to create, so I was also grateful to be able to return to our home in Denmark. And although our stay in the US was shortened, I got the chance to meet so many interesting and inspiring people and take part in invigorating academic discussions – connections and discussions I will do my utmost to uphold and expand.

(Articles continues under picture)

"Travelling as a Fulbrighter was a very enriching experience"

- Iben Mundbjerg Gjødsbøl, Fulbright Visiting Scholar, Spring 2020

Travelling as a Fulbrighter was a very enriching experience for me, and everywhere I was met with openness, curiosity, and respect. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to be part of this program, and I believe and hope that being a Fulbrighter is a significant step towards a sustainable future career in academia.