AAU NLP Aalborg University · Copenhagen

Research culture

How we work together

We want people to develop their own ideas and research programmes—and to do better work together than they could alone.

We share work in progress and make time for useful feedback. People have room to develop their own questions, with support from colleagues when they need it.

Seven values

Our values

These values guide how we conduct research and work together.

  1. Rigour

    We pursue meaningful questions, use evidence and methods suited to them, interpret results honestly, and change course when the evidence calls for it. Venue is not a substitute for quality.

    Made practical through Research and publication

  2. Clarity

    We make roles, expectations, commitments, authorship, and important decisions explicit, and revisit them when circumstances change.

    Made practical through Decisions, supervision, and shared records

  3. Responsibility

    We develop initiative and scientific judgement, take ownership of our work, seek advice when needed, and raise blockers early. Independence does not mean working alone.

    Made practical through Research, leadership, and workload

  4. Pace

    We maintain sustainable momentum through learning, decisions, and completed research stages. Early exploration needs flexibility; later work needs bounded plans. Pace does not mean meeting every venue deadline.

    Made practical through Research stages and sustainable work

  5. Recognition

    We recognise publications and grants as well as the visible and invisible work that makes research and the group possible. Meaningful contributions should be made visible.

    Made practical through Credit, development, and opportunity

  6. Trust

    We can share unfinished ideas, failed attempts, and disagreement openly. We treat each other with respect and help sustain an inclusive research environment.

    Made practical through Group life, supervision, and concerns

In practice

Everyday research practice

Our Handbook and Start Here guide turn these values into commitments about research and working together.

Quality before deadlines

We submit when the claims and evidence are ready and all authors have reviewed the paper. We aim for sound, completed work rather than perfection or a deadline at any cost.

Clarity before assumption

We agree roles and expectations, including when feedback is needed, and revisit them as the work changes.

Ask early; help where you can

We share unfinished work and raise blockers early. Colleagues can accept, decline or renegotiate feedback requests according to their expertise and workload. Disagreement should be candid and respectful.

Credit follows contribution

We discuss authorship early and revisit it as contributions develop. We also recognise mentoring and the practical work that keeps research possible, such as debugging and maintaining shared resources.

Sustainable pace matters

We protect research time and work within agreed hours. Attendance or instant replies do not measure contribution; progress can also take the form of documented negative results and better methods.

Working together

Supporting each other’s research

Another member’s success creates opportunities for the group. We make space for independent ideas and respectful disagreement, and review these commitments as we learn what helps. Detailed procedures and independent routes for raising concerns are in the internal Handbook.

Opportunities

Join the group

Check Aalborg University's official vacancy portal for advertised positions.

AAU vacancies ↗

Students interested in a thesis or project collaboration may contact the faculty member whose research is the closest fit.

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