Sofie Carsten Nielsen
Sofie Carsten Nielsen (born 24 May 1975) is a former Minister for Research, Innovation and Higher Education of Denmark from 2014 to 2015. She has been a Member of the Folketing since 2011.
Sofie Carsten Nielsen | |
---|---|
Minister for Higher Education and Science | |
In office 3 February 2014 – 28 June 2015 | |
Preceded by | Morten Østergaard |
Succeeded by | Esben Lunde Larsen |
Member of the Folketing for Greater Copenhagen | |
Assumed office 15 September 2011 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Hørsholm, Denmark | 24 May 1975
Political party | Social Liberal |
Early life and education
Sofie Carsten Nielsen was born on 24 May 1975 in Hørsholm, Denmark. Nielsen graduated with a politics master's degree from the College of Europe in 2001 and a followup Master of Science at the University of Copenhagen in 2002.[1]
Career
In an interview with Naturejobs, Nielsen mentioned that she originally did not plan to become involved in politics.[2] She started her career at the European Parliament as a consultant from 2002 to 2004 before becoming a deputy minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality until 2009.[1]
After a brief position at the Danish Society of Engineers, Nielsen was elected to the Folketing for the Greater Copenhagen riding at the 2011 Danish general election. During her term, Nielsen was a spokesperson for several topics including gender equality and the European Union.[3] She was chair of the Danish Social Liberal Party from 2012 to 2014 and the Minister for Higher Education and Science from 2014 to 2015.[1]
In 2014, as Minister for Higher Education and Science, Nielsen declared that 4,000 student admissions to low turnover programs would be cut.[4] Universities Denmark later negotiated a deal with her to have the number of cuts lowered and implemented starting in 2018.[5] On 28 June 2015 Nielsen was replaced by Esben Lunde Larsen for the position of Minister for Higher Education and Science.[6]
Personal life
Nielsen is married with two children.[1]
References
- Biography on the website of the Danish Parliament (Folketinget). Retrieved on 10 October 2017.
- Gould, Julie. "Spotlight on Women in Science with Sofie Carsten Nielsen". Nature. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- "Sofie Carsten Nielsen appointed Minister for Higher Education and Science". Ministry of Higher Education and Science. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- Myklebust, Jan Petter (3 October 2014). "Minister cuts 4,000 study places with low job prospects". University World News. No. 337. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- Myklebust, Jan Petter (7 November 2014). "Minister compromises on slashing the student intake". University World News. No. 342. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- "New Minister for Higher Education and Science". Ministry of Higher Education and Science. Retrieved 10 October 2017.