BIPED continues its series of WOMEN in STEM with a new interview! Meet Johanne Bräuner Nygaard Hansen, Project Manager at City of Aarhus.
Please share a short biography
I hold a master’s degree in information technology (IT) with a specialization in Learning and Organizational Change. Additionally, I have completed several project management courses and trainings. I work in a department called ITK [Innovation, Technology, and Creativity] Tech Lab in the city of Aarhus. Our mission is to advance the city's innovation, development, and application of solutions based on emerging technologies. My primary focus is on managing EU projects within the field of ‘tech of tomorrow’.
Please provide a short overview of your job and its relation to STEM. What is your current job? What is the field about?
I am a key member of a small team called Futures Lab in ITK Tech Lab, which focuses on driving innovation and development within the fields of technology through EU funding and project management. My role involves primary project management, where I lead selected projects and activities, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. I act as the main project manager for the BIPED project but also support other individual projects as needed.
In addition to project management, my responsibilities include collaboration and networking. I proactively handle inquiries about potential project collaborations and establish strong relationships with stakeholders. I also focus on innovation and exploration, meaning keeping an eye out for new opportunities, areas of interest, and collaborations. Furthermore, I am responsible for communication and stakeholder relations, establishing and maintaining good relations with both internal and external stakeholders.
By leading projects, securing funding, and building strong networks within emerging technologies, I aim to drive progress and create impactful solutions in the field of STEM. I also bring a strong background in human-centered design and UX, ensuring that our projects are not only technologically advanced but also user-friendly and tailored to meet the needs of our end-users and stakeholders. This is STEM skill that I always like to highlight and prioritize. Emphasizing usability makes complex technologies easier to understand and use, especially important in STEM fields where users may lack technical expertise. And it drives innovation by identifying unique problems and opportunities that might not be apparent through a purely technical lens.
Who or what inspired you to follow this career path / start this job?
My inspiration to follow this career path came from a combination of my passion for innovation, creativity, and leadership. And early on, I was fascinated by how technology could solve real-world problems (big as well as small problems) and improve people's lives – including the importance of involving humans in the early stage of any process.
This interest was further fuelled by an educating within usability and graphic design which demonstrated the power of innovation and human-centered design in creating meaningful solutions. I discovered that my passion for especially visual design played a crucial role in developing and understanding digital designs and technologies. I realized I had a flair for visualizing and designing the necessary steps towards designing a product – e.g. an interaction design, and that project management and design thinking could seamlessly complement each other.
What does your typical working day look like?
A typical working day for me is quite dynamic and engaging. Here's a glimpse into my daily routine:
I start my day by reviewing my schedule and prioritizing tasks. This includes checking emails, responding to urgent inquiries, and setting goals for the day.
I spend a significant portion of my day managing ongoing projects. This involves coordinating with team members, tracking progress, and ensuring that projects are on schedule. I also hold regular meetings with the BIPED team and other project teams to discuss updates and address any challenges.
Throughout the day, I engage with stakeholders, both internal and external. This includes handling inquiries about potential collaborations, attending networking events, and building relationships that can support our projects. I am often out of the office for meetings or workshops with different stakeholders in and around the city of Aarhus.
Given my background in human-centered design and UX, I often work on visualizing and designing user-friendly solutions.
I also handle administrative responsibilities such as financial management and time registration.
I regularly collaborate with my team (Futures Lab), discussing project developments, sharing insights, and supporting each other in achieving our goals.
Before wrapping up, I update my to-do list, and plan for the next day.
Overall, my days are a blend of strategic planning, hands-on project management, creative design work, and collaborative efforts.
Please give an overview of your study path and how you got into this career. If you could start all over again, how you would change the career path? Has there been an educational experience (formal/informal/traineeship/...) that helped you? Did your colleagues follow similar study and career paths?
I hold a master’s degree in information technology (IT) with a specialization in Learning and Organizational Change from Aalborg University. My master's thesis explored online learning environments and developing a community of practice for digital transformation.
In recent years, I have concentrated on management, particularly project management. I have experience with a wide range of projects, including robots, digital learning spaces, digital transformations, interaction design, and prototype development. I spent a few years as a digital learning consultant at Aalborg University before my career took an exciting turn, leading me to ITK Tech Lab in Aarhus. Now, as a project manager, I focus entirely on managing technology projects with a strong emphasis on sustainability and a people-centered approach, which I find very meaningful.
I wouldn't want to start my career journey over again. Instead, I believe in making changes along the way, which is what I've done to shape my career. I see many people with diverse approaches to their careers, and that's what attracts me. You can easily transition to a new career even if your educational background doesn't perfectly align on paper. Many other factors come into play.
What are the professional & personal key skills needed to do your job?
The skills needed to do my job can vary quite a bit. But it includes a great deal of generalist skills in Information Technology (IT), her I can bring versatility, problem-solving skills, and adaptability to my work. I leverage these strengths to enhance understanding and communication in the projects I work with, often serving as the bridge between people, technologies, and digital visions. Critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving are integral to my work DNA, thanks to my background from a PBL university.
A key skill for me is project management to guide a project towards its objectives, encompassing the management of people, tasks, and finances.
On a personal level, I need a high degree of adaptability, self-discipline, self-reflection, creativity, and openness to feedback and criticism. These skills are essential not only for the tasks themselves but also for effective collaboration with others.
What types of jobs & industry sectors can you work in, with your skills?
I possess the flexibility to work across various fields, as project management, digital transformation, and technology are crucial in nearly all sectors. My experience includes education, innovation, welfare and health technology, sustainability, and technology, among others, and continues to expand. While I have primarily worked as a project manager, I am also adept at taking on roles as a consultant and change agent, often combining these roles within the same job.
What are the main challenges in your job?
One of the biggest challenges in my job is collaborating with stakeholders, or perhaps it's more accurate to say, working with potential stakeholders before they fully commit. Specifically, the task ahead involves establishing an engaging and collaborative relationship with them. This process is often difficult, requiring significant time and numerous adjustments.
What is your advice to students?
Pursue your passions and motivations and remember that choosing one path doesn't limit you from exploring other directions in your career.
How can teachers and parents support their students / children?
To support their students and children, teachers and parents should acknowledge them for both their unique identities and their abilities. It's essential to have someone who believes in us, and this is a crucial role for parents and teachers. Many people fondly remember that special teacher who significantly impacted their educational journey, making them feel capable of more than they ever imagined, despite any mistakes or setbacks. Recognizing and valuing each child's and student's individual contributions is a vital lesson that parents and teachers can impart.
This interview was also published on the Scientix website
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