This means that AAU will engage in and contribute to solving some of the significant challenges facing our society – together with others. We take on the role of generator of mission-driven research and innovation. We do this by initiating and creating binding and research-based collaboration with the public, private and voluntary actors who can create the changes.

We are thus ready to take even greater societal responsibility based on our experiences with research at the highest level, education and strong collaborations with the outside world. Significant local and global challenges cannot be solved by individuals. This requires partnerships across sectors, where we join forces to change the conditions that constitute a barrier to change and sustainable solutions – changes and solutions that can be felt and create value for citizens and businesses in society.

• Mission "A Sustainable Danish Energy System"
• Mission "Improved Wellbeing Among Children And Youth"

Traditional innovation typically focuses on one solution, one project, one relatively simple problem and is guided by one process. Mission-driven innovation differs by taking a systemic approach to a key societal issue and taking more options into account when finding solutions. This means that mission-driven innovation and research have a strong focus on close partnerships, e.g. with municipalities, regions, private businesses and special interest organisations, and aim to ensure that they all contribute to the organisation's overall goals. Furthermore, the mission-driven innovation is also an interaction of goal management, co-creation and involvement.

Our time is characterised by complex and critical challenges that know no regional, national and global divisions. It requires active collaboration, problem-based learning and partnerships to create knowledge for the world and act on that knowledge. For AAU, being a mission-oriented university means that we are driven by a meaningful purpose that goes beyond our own organisation and contributes to the sustainable development of the world. Based on strong research, we will, through partnerships with the outside world, realise missions in areas where we have insight from strong disciplinary research. We will play an active role in finding solutions for current and future societal challenges and making a difference to the world around us.

AAU is thus a mission-driven university, partly because universities in the future will and should be measured by their ability to deliver concrete and measurable effects in society. And partly because the mission approach, with close and binding partners, is the only way we can deal with complex and systemic challenges in society.

A solid and strong partnership consists of actors who can create knowledge, actions and changes that contribute to the success of the mission. The actors come from educational and research institutions, public businesses and authorities, private businesses, associations, NGOs and others who have knowledge and influence in the field.

A mission needs citizens, public and private businesses, associations, etc. to be involved, ask questions and get concrete suggestions on how they can contribute and act to solve the common challenge.

If you as a citizen or employee of an institution or business wish to contribute to the missions, please write to Head of Department and Mission Officer in the Mission Secretariat, Niels Bech Lukassen, at nielsbl@adm.aau.dk.

• AAU Mission Secretariat 
• Mission-driven innovation – based on the DARPA model
• Mazzucato Journal articles
• Mazzucato, M. (2022). Mission Economy. A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism. Allen Lane Penguin Books.

News about the missions

• The missions are now underway
• Missions approved by the Board of Directors

See how to contact the people behind AAU's missions on our contact page.