
{"id":181496,"date":"2025-09-22T07:59:55","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T05:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/hvor-meget-kritik-skal-forskere-kunne-taale\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T09:54:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T07:54:42","slug":"researchers-under-fire-where-do-we-draw-the-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/researchers-under-fire-where-do-we-draw-the-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers under fire: Where do we draw the line?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Disagreement is at the heart of research, and criticism is the cornerstone of scientific work. Collegial discussions can refine methods, change theories, and lead to new insights. But researchers who enter into wider, societal, debates often find that the nature of this criticism changes.<\/p>\n<p>When research findings enter into the political arena, the attacks are no longer necessarily about methods and data, but target the researcher\u2019s character, motives, or alleged agendas instead.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Criticism is welcome \u2014 but proper criticism requires that you have actually read the research in question<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Jesper Petersen, associate professor and Islamic studies scholar, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>This is something that Jesper Petersen, associate professor and Islamic studies scholar at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), is acutely aware of.<\/p>\n<p>He <a href=\"https:\/\/brill.com\/view\/journals\/mtsr\/35\/2-3\/article-p241_6.xml?srsltid=AfmBOor4GusnqlzK0TIomHb2dpNC6FTm0p77YzAr6o21NBS5eaMT8XWX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">introduced the concept of <em>non-Muslim Islam<\/em><\/a> in 2022 with a colleague \u2014 a concept that explores how politicians, priests, and pundits outside Muslim communities shape perceptions of Islam.<\/p>\n<p>Jesper Petersen got a grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) in 2024 to continue his work on the topic \u2014 and that\u2019s when the real debate began.<\/p>\n<p>His concept set off a discussion among both researchers and in wider media circles. Jesper Petersen says he has been on the receiving end of criticism from multiple sides \u2014 often in ways that, in his view, have little to do with the research itself:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbCriticism is welcome \u2014 but proper criticism requires that you have actually read the research in question,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<h3>From critique to personal attack<\/h3>\n<p>For Jesper Petersen, the distinction is crucial.<\/p>\n<p>When colleagues raise questions about his concepts or point out weaknesses in his empirical work, he welcomes it.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIf someone can convince me that I\u2019ve made a mistake, I see that as a good thing,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<p>But in the debate about non-Muslim Islam, he has repeatedly been on the receiving end of criticism that, he believes, was aimed not at his research, but at him personally.<\/p>\n<p>Politicians and commentators have described him as being a \u00bbmouthpiece\u00ab, or accused him of trying to silence critics of Islam \u2014 allegations which, according to him, have nothing to do with his actual findings.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWhen researchers are taken to task for things they never said, that\u2019s going too far,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<h3>Academically irresponsible<\/h3>\n<p>There are numerous examples, according to Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<p>Politicians have labelled him as one of the most incompetent researchers, he explains, and then as one of the most insightful ones \u2014 all within a short span of time. His research, he says, has served as the basis for a political hearing one day \u2014 and then been dismissed as worthless the next.<\/p>\n<p>Academic colleagues have also voiced harsh criticism. Religious historian Mikael Rothstein described Jesper Petersen\u2019s project as \u00bbacademically irresponsible\u00ab in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weekendavisen.dk\/opinion\/til-forsvar-for-hoffmann\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an opinion piece in the Danish weekly newspaper Weekendavisen<\/a> \u2014 before he had even read the research article on non-Muslim Islam.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThis affected me deeply, because I respect him professionally,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>To make external representations of Islam a problem \u2014 this is, in itself, a scientific problem<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Mikael Rothstein, associate professor and religious historian, University of Southern Denmark (SDU)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>University Post has seen an email correspondence between Petersen and Rothstein, confirming that the latter had not read the research article before publicly criticising the concept.<\/p>\n<p>Mikael Rothstein responded in writing to University Post\u2019s questions for this article.<\/p>\n<p>In an email, he explains that he was addressing a concept that was already widely debated and \u00bbmore than adequately covered\u00ab in public debate.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbYou don\u2019t need to read a long article to do that. Ideally, of course, it\u2019s always best to be well-informed, which I acknowledged to Jesper Petersen,\u00ab he writes.<\/p>\n<p>He stands by his critique and maintains that the concept of non-Muslim Islam is problematic and academically irresponsible.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIt is the task \u2014 and duty \u2014 of research to offer a perspective on the religions that differs from how the religions view themselves. A biologist says something different about frogs or orcas than the animals know themselves. To make external representations of Islam a problem \u2014 this is, in itself, a scientific problem,\u00ab Rothstein writes.<\/p>\n<p>Asked where he thinks the line should be drawn when criticising researchers, he replies:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbAs long as the criticism is sound and focussed on the academic substance, then there are no limits. But personal attacks, dirty strategies, shady alliances, power games, and other types of academic rot like this \u2014 these are still all too common \u2014 should be avoided. If research has political, economic, or ethical implications, then this should naturally be debated, just like in any other context,\u00ab Rothstein writes.<\/p>\n<h3>Professional disagreement<\/h3>\n<p>Jesper Petersen has not found all of the criticism unwelcome.<\/p>\n<p>He specifically highlights the debate with fellow Islamic studies scholar Thomas Hoffmann, professor at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen, as an example of a respectful academic disagreement.<\/p>\n<p>In the original research article presenting the concept of non-Muslim Islam, Petersen and his colleague pointed to Thomas Hoffmann as an example of a non-Muslim who interprets Islam.<\/p>\n<p>Hoffmann has explained in several opinion pieces why he disagrees with the definitions and framing of the concept of non-Muslim Islam.<\/p>\n<p>But unlike others, he had read the article and based his critique upon it before reaching for his keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWhen a colleague has familiarised himself with our work and concludes that he disagrees, we have that discussion. That doesn\u2019t mean we now agree, but it\u2019s through discussions like this that research evolves,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<p>In preparing this article, the University Post reached out to Thomas Hoffmann to get his views on Jesper Petersen\u2019s research and their subsequent debate. Hoffmann, however, declined to participate.<\/p>\n<h3>Perceived as controversial<\/h3>\n<p>Although Jesper Petersen\u2019s research has been labelled controversial by some, he believes this is a mischaracterisation:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIn Denmark, some people consider my research is controversial \u2014 but it really shouldn\u2019t be,\u00ab he says, explaining that his project is essentially about describing how Islam is interpreted and used \u2014 by both Muslims and non-Muslims \u2014 rather than declaring what the \u00bbtrue\u00ab Islam is.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbBut I think many people find it controversial because they\u2019re used to being the ones who are allowed to define Islam in public. They\u2019re used to being non-Muslims telling others what Islam is. And here I come along and say: That is one interpretation of Islam, but a Muslim\u2019s interpretation is another. We need to distinguish between interpretations of Islam \u2014 also between those of Muslims and non-Muslims,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>I genuinely hope that the informed and academic criticism never stops<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Jesper Petersen, associate professor and Islamic studies scholar, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>He emphasises that researchers must be open to criticism also.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbA researcher should always be prepared to defend their work and explain their findings,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<p>What matters to him, however, is that the criticism remains academic. When he is attributed to positions that he has never expressed, because critics haven\u2019t read his work, or when accusations directly contradict his actual research, he feels it crosses a boundary:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWhen researchers are held accountable for things they haven\u2019t said, that\u2019s crossing a line. When narratives are spread that I am a mouthpiece, even though my research argues the exact opposite \u2014 that\u2019s over the line. Or when it\u2019s claimed that my position is that Islamic studies shouldn\u2019t be critical, or that I hide results that Muslims wouldn\u2019t like.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p><em>So you also take a critical view of Islam in your research?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00bbYes, absolutely. I\u2019m pretty sure that not everyone in the Muslim communities is happy with my research,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen, pointing to his studies of social control among imams as an example.<\/p>\n<h3>Staying focussed<\/h3>\n<p>A year after the debate peaked, Jesper Petersen is now working with several academic colleagues <a href=\"https:\/\/teol.ku.dk\/english\/news\/2025\/new-book-explores-the-concept-of-non-muslim-islam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on a new edited volume<\/a> that collects research and debate on the concept of non-Muslim Islam \u2014 and the work of the research group continues.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbFrom the start, we decided to keep our eyes on the ball. To focus on the research and make the project a success,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<p>The group is now working on several new studies \u2014 analysing media portrayals of Islam over the course of three decades, political speeches in the Danish parliament, and legislation \u2014 to explore how perceptions of Islam are created and used in society.<\/p>\n<p>For Jesper Petersen, the key lesson from the debate is that criticism is an essential part of research \u2014 but only meaningful when it\u2019s based on what he has actually written.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbI can vouch for my results\u00ab he says:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbBut not by things that have I never said. My problem is not that people criticise \u2014 they\u2019re more than welcome to. My issue is that they criticise without reading. And I\u00a0genuinely hope that the informed and academic criticism never stops,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was first written in Danish and published on 19 September 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.<\/em><br \/>\n<!-- end of module 1 --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Criticism is the driver of scientific progress. But what happens when debates in the media are distorted, and researchers are held accountable for views that they have never expressed? Scholar of Islamic studies Jesper Petersen says that he\u2019s seen it all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":181447,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-181496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science","expression-feature_article"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Researchers under fire: Where do we draw the line? \u2014 University Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/researchers-under-fire-where-do-we-draw-the-line\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Researchers under fire: Where do we draw the line? \u2014 University Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Criticism is the driver of scientific progress. 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07:55:24","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2560,"height":1707,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-480x320.jpg","medium-width":480,"medium-height":320,"medium_large":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-1280x853.jpg","large-width":1280,"large-height":853,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-1536x1024.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-2048x1365.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"featured-soft":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-290x193.jpg","featured-soft-width":290,"featured-soft-height":193,"featured-hard":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-290x180.jpg","featured-hard-width":290,"featured-hard-height":180,"narrow":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-700x467.jpg","narrow-width":700,"narrow-height":467,"extended":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-990x660.jpg","extended-width":990,"extended-height":660}},"style":"extended","text_placement":"metadata-below","image_link_url":"","image_link_title":"","caption_prefix":"","enable_alternative_caption":true,"alternative_caption":"\u00bbA researcher should always be open to criticism of their work, and explain their results,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen. But he believes criticism from those who have not read his research is not credible."},{"acf_fc_layout":"Standfirst","subject":"Viewpoints","text":"This is a story about what will follow","use_post_excerpt":true},{"acf_fc_layout":"Byline","is_author":true,"contributors":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<p>Disagreement is at the heart of research, and criticism is the cornerstone of scientific work. Collegial discussions can refine methods, change theories, and lead to new insights. But researchers who enter into wider, societal, debates often find that the nature of this criticism changes.<\/p>\n<p>When research findings enter into the political arena, the attacks are no longer necessarily about methods and data, but target the researcher\u2019s character, motives, or alleged agendas instead.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Criticism is welcome \u2014 but proper criticism requires that you have actually read the research in question<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Jesper Petersen, associate professor and Islamic studies scholar, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>This is something that Jesper Petersen, associate professor and Islamic studies scholar at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), is acutely aware of.<\/p>\n<p>He <a href=\"https:\/\/brill.com\/view\/journals\/mtsr\/35\/2-3\/article-p241_6.xml?srsltid=AfmBOor4GusnqlzK0TIomHb2dpNC6FTm0p77YzAr6o21NBS5eaMT8XWX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">introduced the concept of <em>non-Muslim Islam<\/em><\/a> in 2022 with a colleague \u2014 a concept that explores how politicians, priests, and pundits outside Muslim communities shape perceptions of Islam.<\/p>\n<p>Jesper Petersen got a grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) in 2024 to continue his work on the topic \u2014 and that\u2019s when the real debate began.<\/p>\n<p>His concept set off a discussion among both researchers and in wider media circles. Jesper Petersen says he has been on the receiving end of criticism from multiple sides \u2014 often in ways that, in his view, have little to do with the research itself:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbCriticism is welcome \u2014 but proper criticism requires that you have actually read the research in question,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<h3>From critique to personal attack<\/h3>\n<p>For Jesper Petersen, the distinction is crucial.<\/p>\n<p>When colleagues raise questions about his concepts or point out weaknesses in his empirical work, he welcomes it.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIf someone can convince me that I\u2019ve made a mistake, I see that as a good thing,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<p>But in the debate about non-Muslim Islam, he has repeatedly been on the receiving end of criticism that, he believes, was aimed not at his research, but at him personally.<\/p>\n<p>Politicians and commentators have described him as being a \u00bbmouthpiece\u00ab, or accused him of trying to silence critics of Islam \u2014 allegations which, according to him, have nothing to do with his actual findings.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWhen researchers are taken to task for things they never said, that\u2019s going too far,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<h3>Academically irresponsible<\/h3>\n<p>There are numerous examples, according to Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<p>Politicians have labelled him as one of the most incompetent researchers, he explains, and then as one of the most insightful ones \u2014 all within a short span of time. His research, he says, has served as the basis for a political hearing one day \u2014 and then been dismissed as worthless the next.<\/p>\n<p>Academic colleagues have also voiced harsh criticism. Religious historian Mikael Rothstein described Jesper Petersen\u2019s project as \u00bbacademically irresponsible\u00ab in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weekendavisen.dk\/opinion\/til-forsvar-for-hoffmann\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an opinion piece in the Danish weekly newspaper Weekendavisen<\/a> \u2014 before he had even read the research article on non-Muslim Islam.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThis affected me deeply, because I respect him professionally,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>To make external representations of Islam a problem \u2014 this is, in itself, a scientific problem<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Mikael Rothstein, associate professor and religious historian, University of Southern Denmark (SDU)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>University Post has seen an email correspondence between Petersen and Rothstein, confirming that the latter had not read the research article before publicly criticising the concept.<\/p>\n<p>Mikael Rothstein responded in writing to University Post\u2019s questions for this article.<\/p>\n<p>In an email, he explains that he was addressing a concept that was already widely debated and \u00bbmore than adequately covered\u00ab in public debate.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbYou don\u2019t need to read a long article to do that. Ideally, of course, it\u2019s always best to be well-informed, which I acknowledged to Jesper Petersen,\u00ab he writes.<\/p>\n<p>He stands by his critique and maintains that the concept of non-Muslim Islam is problematic and academically irresponsible.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIt is the task \u2014 and duty \u2014 of research to offer a perspective on the religions that differs from how the religions view themselves. A biologist says something different about frogs or orcas than the animals know themselves. To make external representations of Islam a problem \u2014 this is, in itself, a scientific problem,\u00ab Rothstein writes.<\/p>\n<p>Asked where he thinks the line should be drawn when criticising researchers, he replies:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbAs long as the criticism is sound and focussed on the academic substance, then there are no limits. But personal attacks, dirty strategies, shady alliances, power games, and other types of academic rot like this \u2014 these are still all too common \u2014 should be avoided. If research has political, economic, or ethical implications, then this should naturally be debated, just like in any other context,\u00ab Rothstein writes.<\/p>\n<h3>Professional disagreement<\/h3>\n<p>Jesper Petersen has not found all of the criticism unwelcome.<\/p>\n<p>He specifically highlights the debate with fellow Islamic studies scholar Thomas Hoffmann, professor at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Copenhagen, as an example of a respectful academic disagreement.<\/p>\n<p>In the original research article presenting the concept of non-Muslim Islam, Petersen and his colleague pointed to Thomas Hoffmann as an example of a non-Muslim who interprets Islam.<\/p>\n<p>Hoffmann has explained in several opinion pieces why he disagrees with the definitions and framing of the concept of non-Muslim Islam.<\/p>\n<p>But unlike others, he had read the article and based his critique upon it before reaching for his keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWhen a colleague has familiarised himself with our work and concludes that he disagrees, we have that discussion. That doesn\u2019t mean we now agree, but it\u2019s through discussions like this that research evolves,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<p>In preparing this article, the University Post reached out to Thomas Hoffmann to get his views on Jesper Petersen\u2019s research and their subsequent debate. Hoffmann, however, declined to participate.<\/p>\n<h3>Perceived as controversial<\/h3>\n<p>Although Jesper Petersen\u2019s research has been labelled controversial by some, he believes this is a mischaracterisation:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbIn Denmark, some people consider my research is controversial \u2014 but it really shouldn\u2019t be,\u00ab he says, explaining that his project is essentially about describing how Islam is interpreted and used \u2014 by both Muslims and non-Muslims \u2014 rather than declaring what the \u00bbtrue\u00ab Islam is.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbBut I think many people find it controversial because they\u2019re used to being the ones who are allowed to define Islam in public. They\u2019re used to being non-Muslims telling others what Islam is. And here I come along and say: That is one interpretation of Islam, but a Muslim\u2019s interpretation is another. We need to distinguish between interpretations of Islam \u2014 also between those of Muslims and non-Muslims,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>I genuinely hope that the informed and academic criticism never stops<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Jesper Petersen, associate professor and Islamic studies scholar, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>He emphasises that researchers must be open to criticism also.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbA researcher should always be prepared to defend their work and explain their findings,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen.<\/p>\n<p>What matters to him, however, is that the criticism remains academic. When he is attributed to positions that he has never expressed, because critics haven\u2019t read his work, or when accusations directly contradict his actual research, he feels it crosses a boundary:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWhen researchers are held accountable for things they haven\u2019t said, that\u2019s crossing a line. When narratives are spread that I am a mouthpiece, even though my research argues the exact opposite \u2014 that\u2019s over the line. Or when it\u2019s claimed that my position is that Islamic studies shouldn\u2019t be critical, or that I hide results that Muslims wouldn\u2019t like.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p><em>So you also take a critical view of Islam in your research?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00bbYes, absolutely. I\u2019m pretty sure that not everyone in the Muslim communities is happy with my research,\u00ab says Jesper Petersen, pointing to his studies of social control among imams as an example.<\/p>\n<h3>Staying focussed<\/h3>\n<p>A year after the debate peaked, Jesper Petersen is now working with several academic colleagues <a href=\"https:\/\/teol.ku.dk\/english\/news\/2025\/new-book-explores-the-concept-of-non-muslim-islam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on a new edited volume<\/a> that collects research and debate on the concept of non-Muslim Islam \u2014 and the work of the research group continues.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbFrom the start, we decided to keep our eyes on the ball. To focus on the research and make the project a success,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<p>The group is now working on several new studies \u2014 analysing media portrayals of Islam over the course of three decades, political speeches in the Danish parliament, and legislation \u2014 to explore how perceptions of Islam are created and used in society.<\/p>\n<p>For Jesper Petersen, the key lesson from the debate is that criticism is an essential part of research \u2014 but only meaningful when it\u2019s based on what he has actually written.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbI can vouch for my results\u00ab he says:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbBut not by things that have I never said. My problem is not that people criticise \u2014 they\u2019re more than welcome to. My issue is that they criticise without reading. And I\u00a0genuinely hope that the informed and academic criticism never stops,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was first written in Danish and published on 19 September 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"ArticleEnd"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Newsletter","lang_select":"en","identifier":"Newsletter","headline":"Get an email with upcoming events and top University of Copenhagen stories","button_text":"Sign up here","class":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"OtherStories","headline":"","hand_picked_posts":false,"references":false,"category":false,"theme":false,"number_of_posts":"4","style":"default"}]},"taxonomyData":{"category":[{"term_id":46,"name":"Science","slug":"science","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":46,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":831,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[],"post_format":[],"expression":[{"term_id":18,"name":"Feature Article","slug":"feature_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":1200,"filter":"raw"}],"translation_priority":[{"term_id":5468,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5468,"taxonomy":"translation_priority","description":"","parent":0,"count":672,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jesper1-1280x853.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=181496"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":181561,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181496\/revisions\/181561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/181447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=181496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=181496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}