Karin Habermehl-Cwirzen appointed Professor of Natural Sciences
Karin Habermehl-Cwirzen has been appointed Professor of Natural Sciences at the University of the Faroe Islands
Karin, who is 56 years old and originally from Sweden and Germany, has worked at the University of the Faroe Islands for the past three years. She joined the University as an Associate Professor in August 2023, and serves currently as Head of Research at the Faculty of Science and Technology and programme leader for Civil Engineering.
Karin graduated with a Dipl.-Ing. in Materials Science from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, in 1999. In 2006, she obtained a Doctor of Science in Technology (D.Sc. Tech.) in Physics from Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University). She has more than 20 years of experience from leading European universities and has systematically developed an independent research profile with a particular focus on sustainability and recycled construction materials.
“I am delighted that the University of the Faroe Islands now has a female professor in engineering. Karin has been a highly active researcher at the University over the past three years, and she has successfully secured substantial external funding for her research activities,” says Martin Tvede Zachariasen, Rector.
Extensive research experience
Karin Habermehl-Cwirzen is an active researcher and has published 48 scientific articles in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. Some of these publications are highly innovative and have contributed to advancing her field of research.
Karin has served as an external evaluator in connection with appointments and academic promotions at international universities. She has also organised and actively participated in international scientific conferences. In addition, she has undertaken five research stays at universities across four different continents. This demonstrates that she is an active and highly regarded member of the international research community.
Her international collaborations and research activities have established a broad network across universities and research institutions in Europe and beyond. Since joining the University of the Faroe Islands, she has played a central role in establishing and developing research and laboratory infrastructure for materials research in the Faroe Islands.
Assessment for professorship
Karin Habermehl-Cwirzen has now been assessed as qualified for a professorship in accordance with the University of the Faroe Islands’ regulations governing professorial positions.
When academic staff at the University of the Faroe Islands are considered for promotion to professor, their application is submitted to an external assessment committee. The committee assesses the applicant on the basis of scientific publications, teaching and supervision, research dissemination, administrative experience, and plans for future research.
Three independent professors from universities abroad have assessed her qualifications, and their conclusion is unequivocal: with her outstanding research, teaching and leadership experience, Karin Habermehl-Cwirzen is highly qualified for a professorship in Natural Sciences.
The assessment committee consisted of:
• Claus Leth Bak, Professor at Aalborg University (Chair)
• Lisbeth Ottsen, Professor at the Technical University of Denmark
• Erik Schlangen, Professor at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
Following her appointment as Professor of Natural Sciences at the University of the Faroe Islands, Karin will, in keeping with tradition, give a public inaugural lecture. Further information about the date and time of the lecture will be announced on www.setur.fo.
We at the University of the Faroe Islands warmly congratulate Karin Habermehl-Cwirzen on her professorship!
See Karin’s research profile HERE.
You can also read an interview with Karin in the article “The Faroe Islands – The Future of Eco-Friendly Construction?” HERE.
