Impact through Research
The 7 Research Fields
At the heart of CEBE are seven research fields that draw on the deep expertise of our four Danish partner universities across multiple civil engineering disciplines.
Together, these fields span every stage in the life cycle of the built environment: from design and construction through operation, life extension and ultimately demolition. These research fields will guide actions for change in engineering practices and, in turn, shape how we live, work and interact now and in the future.
You can explore each field by expanding the tabs – and dive deeper in our CEBE Research Roadmap.
1. Assessing and measuring sustainability
How can we accurately measure the climate and environmental impact of the entire built environment – both what we build new and what already exists?
This research field develops new methods for assessing emissions, environmental effects and resource use across buildings and infrastructure throughout their full life cycle. The goal is to create precise, dynamic models that support decision making for all types of interventions in the built environment and help the sector meet absolute sustainability targets. Whether through building new, renovating and transforming what already stands.
Contact
Lead: Harpa Birgisdottir, Professor, Aalborg University
Mail: hbi@build.aau.dk
Tel.: +45 51 90 48 45
Co-lead: Michael Zwicky Hauschild, Professor, The Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Mail: mzha@dtu.dk
Co-lead: Morten Birkved, Professor, The University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Mail: mprb@igt.sdu.dk
2. Design for regeneration, circularity and longevity
How do we design buildings that has a regenerative environmental impact?
This research area co-creates new methods for design and construction of building with a regenerative environmental impact while ensuring safe, healthy and comfortable indoor environments in changing climates. The aim is to explore how to design and construct robust and long-lasting buildings with components and systems that can be recirculated repeatedly.
Contact
Lead: Steffen Petersen, Professor, Aarhus University
Mail: stp@cae.au.dk
Tel.: +45 41 89 33 47
Co-lead: Christian Koch, Professor, The University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Mail: ckoc@iti.sdu.dk
Tel.: +45 65 50 48 15
3. Low carbon and robust construction materials
How can we reduce the construction sector’s massive use of materials?
Researchers in this field work to develop and test new low-carbon building materials. From reused products and products made with recycled resources to regenerative materials with a far smaller CO₂ footprint, while still meeting the required strength and durability standards.
Contact
Lead: Lisbeth M. Ottosen, Professor, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Mail: limo@dtu.dk
Tlf.: +45 51 50 00 40
Co-lead: Dario Parigi, Associate Professor, Aalborg University
Mail: dpa@build.aau.dk
Tlf.: +45 28 34 05 82
4. Digitalisation and automation
How can digitalisation and automation reduce the environmental impact of construction while increasing performance?
This research field advances construction robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and computational modelling as tools to intelligently acquire and manage data, build with lower embodied carbon, and reduce resource extraction throughout the construction lifecycle. The goal is to accelerate low-carbon and circular construction by turning data, carbon metrics, and material intelligence into actionable design and construction decisions.
Contact
Lead: Roberto Naboni, Associate Professor, The University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Mail: ron@iti.sdu.dk
Tel.: +45 65 50 75 21
Co-lead: Jan Karlshøj, Associate Professor, The Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Mail: jkar@dtu.dk
Tel.: +45 40 20 46 08
5. Climate resilient and adaptive infrastructure
How do we prepare our infrastructure for more storms, cloudbursts and flooding?
This research area develops methods and technologies that make roads, bridges, ports and coastal protection more resilient, including nature-based solutions, upgrades to existing structures, advanced monitoring and improved emergency response strategies.
Contact
Lead: Erik Damgaard Christensen, Professor, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Mail: edch@dtu.dk
Tel.: +45 40 21 91 84
Co-lead: Jes Vollertsen, Professor, Aalborg University
Mail: jesvollertsen@build.aau.dk
Tel.: +45 28 95 91 95
Co-lead: Lars Vabbersgaard Andersen, Professor, Aarhus University
Mail: lva@cae.au.dk
Tel.: +45 31 12 17 81
6. Sufficiency, well-being and energy efficiency
How can we create buildings that support health and well-being while using fewer resources?
Sustainable construction is not only about reducing CO₂ emissions, but it also concerns how buildings influence people’s comfort, health and everyday lives. This field brings together principles of “sufficiency” with research on energy use, indoor climate and comfort to ensure that we can live, thrive and work safely with a smaller resource footprint.
Contact
Lead: Kirsten Gram-Hanssen, Professor, Aalborg University
Mail: kgh@build.aau.dk
Tel.: +45 23 60 56 53
Co-lead: Jørn Toftum, Professor, The Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Mail: jtof@dtu.dk
Tel.: +45 93 51 15 43
Co-lead: Michael Dahl Knudsen, Associate Professor, Aarhus University
Mail: mdk@cae.au.dk
Co-lead: Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen, PhD, The University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Mail: bnj@mmmi.sdu.dk
7. Extending the life of the built environment
How can we make better use of the buildings we already have?
New construction carries a high climate cost, so extending the life of existing structures is essential. This field develops methods to assess building condition, predict lifespan, identify suitable changes of use and support more sustainable renovation practices.
Contact
Lead: Christos Georgakis, Professor, Aarhus University
Mail: cg@cae.au.dk
Tel.: +45 51 15 74 78
Co-lead: Henrik B. Jørgensen, Associate Professor, The University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Mail: hebj@iti.sdu.dk
Tel.: +45 65 50 75 20
Co-lead: Linh Cao Hoang, Professor, The Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Mail: linho@dtu.dk
Tel.: +45 93 51 03 89
Download the CEBE Research Roadmap
Crafted with the ambition to explore what lies ahead for CEBE, the Research Roadmap sets out a strategic framework for the research programme. It outlines the vision, objectives and overall direction, and identifies the core challenges and seven research fields that structure the work.
The roadmap also explains our sector-based approach and how collaboration across disciplines is enabled. It defines what research needs to be carried out, in what sequence and over what timeframe to achieve the programme’s goals.
Driving research excellence
CEBE will address the challenges through the bold and ambitious investment in research capacity with a focus on excellence in research, encompassing research-based knowledge and education, talent development, research infrastructure, industry engagement and international collaboration.
CEBE will deliver new knowledge, breakthrough technologies and long-term socio-economic impact through targeted education, industry partnerships, and strategic projects.
“Our primary focus is on developing methods and solutions that radically transform construction, its resource use and impact on the planet”
Per Heiselberg, Professor and programme Director in CEBE
Researchers in CEBE
CEBE brings together some of Denmark’s most recognised research talents and leading experts within the built environment. Our programme is built on strong collaboration across universities and a diverse network of researchers. You can view all affiliated researchers by expanding the tabs.
Aalborg University
- Asbjørn Haaning Nielsen, Associate professor, Research Field 5
- Attila Roth, PhD, Research Field 3
- Birgitte Andersen, Associate professor, Research Field 3
- Camilla Marlene Ernst Andersen, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 3
- Changlang Wu, PostDoc, Research Field 3
- Dario Parigi, Co-lead Head of Division and Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- Elif Ecem Bas, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 3
- Endrit Hoxha, Associate Professor, Research Field 1
- Evangelia Loukou, PhD, Research Field 3
- Harpa Birgisdottir, Lead, Professor and Head of Division, Research Field 1
- Janni Mosekær Nielsen, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 5
- Jannie Sønderkær Nielsen, Deputy Head of Department for Education, Head of Studies of Civil Engineering and Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- Jes Vollertsen, Co-lead, Deputy Head of Department for Research and Professor, Research Field 5
- Kirsten Gram-Hanssen, Lead, PhD and Professor, Research Field 6
- Laura Storm Sanchez, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 5
- Line Kryger Aagaard, PhD, Post.Doc and Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 6
- Maria Balouktsi, Associate Professor, Research Field 1
- Markus Schaffer, PhD and Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 6
- Pablo G. Morato, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 3
- Rasmus Nøddegaard Hansen, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 1
- Ruut Peuhkuri, Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- Sarah Krogh Iversen, PostDoc, Research Field 5
- Søren Thorndal, Head of Division and Associate Professor, Research Field 5
- Thomas Lykke Andersen, Associate Professor, Research Field 5
- Toke Haunstrup Bach Christensen, Senior Researcher, Research Field 6
Aarhus University
- Andrea Franza, Associate Professor, Research Field 5
- Arka Prabhata Reksowardojo, Ph.D and Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 7
- Christos Georgakis, Lead, Professor and Head of Section, Research Field 7
- Denis Istrati, Assistant Professor, Research Field 5
- Felipe Prada, Assistant Professor, Research Field 5
- Giuseppe Abbiati, PhD, Research Field 7
- Julie Carøe Kristoffersen, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 5
- Kenny Kataoka Sørensen, Professor (Docent), Research Field 5
- Lars Vabbersgaard Andersen, Co-lead and Professor, Research Field 5
- Marco Martino Rosso, Assistant Professor, Research Field 7
- Massimo Fiorentini, Associate Professor, Research Field 6
- Mathias Vedel Thing, PhD, Research Field 7
- Matilde Bruun Sørensen, PhD, Research Field 7
- Michael Dahl Knudsen, Co-lead PhD, Research Field 6
- Pil Brix Purup, Assistant Professor, Research Field 2
- Steffen Petersen, Lead, M.Sc., PhD, Research Field 2
- Tao Yang, PostDoc, Research Field 6
- Thomas Kabel, PhD and Assistant Professor, Research Field 5
University of Southern Denmark
- Benjamin Eichler Stasugaard, PhD, Research Field 6
- Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen, Co-lead, PhD and Head of Centre, Research Field 6
- Christian Koch, Co-lead and Professor, Research Field 2
- Christian Schlette, Section leader and Professor, Research Field 4
- Eyjólfur Ingi Logason, PhD, Research Field 7
- Hampus Fink Gärdström, PhD, Research Field 6
- Henrik Brøner Jørgensen, Co-lead and Associate Professor, Research Field 7
- Henrik Schwarz, PhD, Research Field 6
- Lu Cong, PhD, Research Field 6
- Morten Birkved, Co-lead, Head of Unit and Professor, Research Field 1
- Nadieh Elisabeth Mainen, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 7
- Roberto Naboni, Lead and Associate Professor, Research Field 4
- Rune Winther Fabrin Olsen, PhD, Research Field 1
- Simon Soele Madsen, PhD, Research Field 4
- Tom Bourjala, PhD, Research Field 4
Technical University of Denmark
- Alexander Michel, Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- Anders Bjørn, Associate Professor, Research Field 1
- Bo Friis Nielsen, Professor and Head of section, Research Field 3
- Chriatian Langhoff Thuesen, Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- David R. Fuhrman, Professor, Research Field 5
- Eldbjørg Blikra Vea, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Research Field 1
- Elif Mercan PhD, Research Field 3
- Emil Vang Olsen, PhD, Research Field 6
- Erik Damgaard Christensen, Lead, Professor and Head of section, Research Field 5
- Gunvor Kirkelund, Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- Jan Karlshøj, Co-lead and Associate Professor, Research Field 4
- Jon Spangenberg, Professor and Head of section, Research Field 3
- Jørn Toftum, Co-lead and Professor, Research Field 6
- Linh Cao Hoang, Co-lead and Professor, Research Field 7
- Lisbeth M. Ottosen, Lead, Professor and head of section, Research Field 3
- Michael Zwicky Hauschild, Co-lead and Professor, Research Field 1
- Mie Them Tybjerg, Project Coordinator, Research Field 3
- Mikolaj Owsianiak, Associate Professor, Research Field 1
- Peter Steen Mikkelsen, Professor, Research Field 5
- Roland Löwe, Associate Professor, Research Field 5
- Sissel Fog Kahr, PhD, Research Field 3
- Stefan Carstensen, Associate Professor, Research Field 5
- Wolfgang Kunther, Associate Professor, Research Field 3
- Thor Dyrbjerg Vestergaard Christiansen, PhD, Research Field 4
- J. Andreas Bærentzen, PhD and Professor, Research Field 4
A Villum Foundation Research Programme 2026 – 2035