Five years have passed since the establishment of Danish Data Science Academy (DDSA). During that time, DDSA has supported the development of hundreds of data science talents while helping to build a thriving ecosystem of data science specialists across Denmark.
This has been achieved through the efforts of a large group of dedicated volunteers from the private and public sectors, and not least from academia.
But how do we ensure that Denmark continues to cultivate and nurture a strong academic foundation of data science talent with capability also to supporting virtually every other scientific discipline?
We asked Kåre Lehmann Nielsen, Chair of the DDSA Fellowship Evaluation Committee and Professor of Chemistry and Bioscience at Aalborg University. He has been involved with DDSA since its inception and has helped support numerous data science talents through DDSA fellowships and grants.
According to Kåre Lehmann Nielsen, data science has expanded dramatically in recent years, moving beyond its roots in mathematics and computer science into a growing number of disciplines – and this trend is only expected to accelerate.
“Data science emerged from statistics and mathematics. However, many of the most important statistical methods were originally developed to address challenges in other scientific domains. Similarly, five years ago, data science was concentrated in a relatively small number of disciplines, such as healthcare and large language models. Those were the areas from which DDSA received most of its applications in the early years,” he explains.
Data Science Has Expanded Across Almost Every Discipline
However, that pattern soon changed.
“From the very beginning, DDSA’s rationale was that data science should spread into other disciplines. Today, we see it being applied across a much broader range of disciplines, and that development will continue. Access to computing power has also increased dramatically. We now also receive applications from areas such as biology, energy technology, meteorology, urban planning, and transport. There was a clear need to approach data differently than through traditional statistics alone. We have succeeded in broadening the use of data science and supporting many disciplines across Denmark. DDSA has also strengthened the ecosystem by supporting forums and networks that facilitate knowledge sharing and capability building,” he says.
At the same time, Denmark’s growing reputation in data science began attracting talent from abroad.
“We offered fellowships that were visible internationally, and we hoped they would attract talented researchers to Denmark. They did, and Denmark has benefited greatly from this influx of international talent. We have also helped retain many talented individuals within Denmark. However, competition is intense, and we must continue to offer attractive opportunities and career paths in data science,” says the professor.
Another important factor has been DDSA’s willingness to trust young researchers with responsibility.
“We discovered that there is tremendous value in giving talented individuals real responsibility alongside a fellowship. Many have embraced that opportunity and achieved remarkable things. It has been inspiring to witness. In this way, we have helped build a new talent base in Denmark. Empowering young people has also encouraged them to contribute voluntarily to DDSA, for example by organising meetings and events for the Danish data science community.”
An Explosion of Interest in Data Science
When asked what is needed to sustain the positive development of data science – which increasingly creates value across the private sector, public sector, and academia – Nielsen points to both opportunities and challenges.
“We will continue to develop talent, and the pipeline is becoming stronger. The quality of applications is extraordinarily high. Young researchers are becoming increasingly skilled, and we are seeing truly outstanding applications. However, there are several areas where Denmark still needs to improve.”
A strong ecosystem, talented researchers, and funding opportunities are not enough on their own.
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Interest in data science is growing explosively across industry, government, and academia. I am concerned about infrastructure resources, particularly access to Danish computing capacity. I am also concerned about whether universities and private companies have long-term strategies for creating the right positions for data science talent. Otherwise, there is a risk that many talented individuals will remain on temporary contracts – and then they may quickly leave Denmark.”
Mentorship Plays a Crucial Role
Nielsen also highlights the importance of DDSA’s Mentoring Programme.
“Mentorship is important and should be strengthened further. It should continue to evolve so that mentees are better prepared for their careers in Denmark and gain stronger connections to private companies. Recruitment can be difficult for employers if they do not know where the talent is. A mentoring programme with broad participation from the private sector can help bridge that gap.”
He also stresses the importance of diversity.
“Data science analysis has become so complex that we need many different perspectives to understand and analyse large datasets objectively. A diverse talent pool helps ensure that.”
Stronger Collaboration Between Universities and Foundations
Looking ahead, Kåre Lehmann Nielsen believes that closer collaboration between universities and foundations will be essential for strengthening Denmark’s academic data science capabilities.
“Many foundations already work closely with universities. That relationship is unique in Denmark. Nevertheless, more can be done to ensure that data science capacity becomes firmly embedded within academic environments. This is a strategic task that requires collaboration. Universities must recognise the need to create more academic positions for data science experts, because these positions generate lasting value for departments and institutions.”
He also emphasises the need for interdisciplinary education.
“We need to train data scientists with specialist knowledge in disciplines such as chemistry, climate science, and many other disciplines. We have made significant progress in developing educational programmes, but the next step is establishing permanent data science expertise within academic departments. We do not expect data science to disappear. Twenty years from now, there will still be new frontier challenges and innovations that need to be developed.”
For Kåre Lehmann Nielsen, the conclusion is clear:
“Denmark has built a strong foundation for data science over the past five years. The challenge now is to ensure that the talent pipeline, infrastructure, mentorship, and academic career opportunities continue to evolve so that the country can maintain its position at the forefront of data science for decades to come.”