“We have been working towards this since 2019, and we are very proud that a big, international conference will come to Aarhus,” Anne Marit Waade explains. The choice of conference theme “Rethink Impact” was an important factor in Aarhus becoming the host city of ECREA 2022. “We presented the theme ‘Rethink Impact' as a frame to discuss how research and academic education interact with, affect, and mirror our society. Impact is about converting research insights into tangible results for society, politics, and the industry.” 

Anne Marit Waade also explains how this year’s theme is consistent with earlier initiatives in Aarhus along with Aarhus University’s vision for 2020-2025. It builds upon the university’s long-term strategies and cooperation with the industry, city, region, and civil society. It also resonates with Aarhus being the European Capital of Culture in 2017 with the motto ‘Let’s Rethink’ and the associated rethinkIMPACT 2017-project between Aarhus University, Aarhus municipality, and Region Midtjylland. 

With the theme ‘Rethink Impact’ we invite researchers of ECREA to participate in the debate and think of how their research and education can impact society. 

“We want to use the conference to try new ways of making an impact. We also want to expand the understanding of impact as not just being a currency but also about our society, culture, innovation, and short and long-term changes. At the institute, we evaluated the outcome of Aarhus being The European Capital of Culture in 2017. We took inspiration from it in our work with ECREA, where we continue to build on the thoughts of diversity and get different industries to cooperate. We want to use the conference to create long-term value.” says Anne Marit Waade. 

You can read the full interview (in Danish) at https://kommunikationogsprog.dk/nyheder/europas-stoerste-kommunikations-og-mediekonference-kommer-til-aarhus