Gry Bartroff Gaihede is the new editor-in-chief of the University Post

On 1 March, Gry Bartroff Gaihede officially took over as editor-in-chief of the University Post or Uniavisen at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). She has already effectively held the position for nearly a year and a half however. During this time she has led the University Post through an uncertain period of administration reform, resulting in budget cuts and the looming threat of the medium’s de facto closure as an independent outlet.

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These challenges led the Editorial Board to postpone the hiring of a new editor-in-chief. But a unanimous selection committee has now made its decision, and is relieved to finally be able to look ahead:

»It has been a tough time for the University Post, but Gry has led the newsroom through it with determination and optimism,« says Professor of Mathematics Søren Eilers, who chairs the Editorial Board, which serves as the medium’s governing body.

»Now, with Gry at the helm, we look forward to shifting our focus away from mere survival and towards further developing the University Post’s already strong journalistic position,« he says.

Among the qualities that the committee emphasized were Gry Bartroff Gaihede’s deep understanding of the medium and its readership, as well as her extensive network of sources across the university.

Research and education should be subject to critical, affectionate, and uncensored debate

Gry Bartroff Gaihede

»She knows the medium better than anyone, and her dedication to it is boundless. She is well-liked by her colleagues and has connections in every corner of the university. On top of that, she brings several outstanding ideas with her that we look forward to seeing brought to fruition,« says Søren Eilers.

For her part, the 53-year-old Gry Bartroff Gaihede says:

»When I was appointed as acting editor-in-chief, my mandate was to ensure the medium’s operations while its development was put on hold. This meant bracketing many plans and ideas, waiting for the moment when we would have a clearer picture of the University Post’s status and finances.«

The framework for the medium’s future is now coming into focus, and the new editor-in-chief wants to bring it closer to its readers through more live events and a comprehensive reader survey to help define its direction.

While the University Post still faces budget cuts, it will survive. And this is crucial at a time when internal debates at the university are more heated than ever, says the editor-in-chief.

»UCPH is one of the last Danish universities to offer its community an open and independent platform for democratic dialogue. Research and education should be subject to critical, affectionate, and uncensored debate. And that is precisely what happens on the University Post,« she says and refers to the ideals of German university founder and educator Wilhelm von Humboldt.

Gry Bartroff Gaihede studied Danish and Comparative Literature at the University of Copenhagen and was hired as a communications officer in 2000 at what was then called Universitetsavisen. On Friday, 2 May, she will celebrate her 25th anniversary, which will be marked with a reception at Studenterhuset at 14:00.