The Coming of Age of the Danish Research Manager

Research management is a relatively new academic discipline. This paper takes stock of the developments leading to increased focus on the management of research seen from primarily a Danish perspective. It also discusses conditions for research management in a Danish context. Particular emphasis is placed on management in Danish universities as universities are the institution in which all researchers have been trained and socialised and furthermore home to many of the norms and standards traditionally associated with the scientific community. In conclusion an attempt is made to develop an approach to research management. It is argued that this approach should not exclusively be built on the basis of existing, general (business) management theories. An independent approach must be developed which takes into account the diversity of the scientific community, of the research work and of the management process itself.