Constructive Institute’s 10th class of fellows has just been selected

28.05.2026

In the midst of a time of increasing distrust, news anxiety and pressure on the media and democracy, the Constructive Institute is bringing together a team of journalists and editors for the 10th consecutive year to develop and strengthen journalism.

Over the next 5 to 10 months, 12 newly appointed fellows will immerse themselves in constructive journalism, the challenges of democracy and the role of the media in society. The fellowship combines academic insight, journalistic practice and international perspectives with time for reflection and development.

During the fellowship, participants take courses at Aarhus University, work on their own journalistic projects and participate in international study tours and excursions to media and companies in Denmark. The program concludes with a report in which fellows share experiences and results from their work.

“The fact that the fellowship program is now entering its tenth year also marks the development of constructive journalism from an idea to an international journalistic movement with growing importance in an industry undergoing constant change,” says Ulrik Haagerup, director and founder of the Constructive Institute.

With the newly appointed fellows, a total of 120 Danish and international journalists, editors and media professionals have been part of the fellowship program at the Constructive Institute since its opening in 2017. Previous fellows are widely represented in foreign as well as Danish media, and after completing their fellowship, they have returned to their media and have helped develop new journalistic formats, editorial strategies and new ways of engaging citizens in the public conversation.

Here are the 12 new fellows

The new fellowship team will start at Constructive Institute in Aarhus in August 2026 or February 2027. The fellowship program has been created with support from TrygFonden, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Industriens Fond, Louis-Hansen Fonden and Aarhus Stiftstidendes Fond.

The selected fellows for the 2026/2027 class are:

  • Louise Guldberg Rosendal, DR Livsstil og Fakta
  • Sanne Nyland Christensen, DR Nyheder
  • Mads Schmidt Hansen, TV Syd
  • Runa Bligaard Ammitzbøll, TV 2 Østjylland
  • Lisbeth Davidsen, TV 2
  • Søren Aaes, DR Nyheder
  • Mathias Sommer, Børsen
  • Signe Gru, TV 2 Nord
  • Kristian Brøndum, TV 2 Østjylland
  • Michelle Madsen, Vejle Amts Folkeblad
  • Brian Karmark, freelance, tidl. fotochef på Jyllands-Posten
  • Kirstine Lefevre Sckerl, Århus Stiftstidende

About the Constructive Institute’s fellowship program:

The fellowship program offers journalists, editors, photographers and other media professionals the opportunity for a 5 or 10 months immersion focusing on, among other things:

  • Constructive journalism and the role of journalism in democracy
  • Academic courses at Aarhus University
  • Development of an independent journalistic project
  • International study tours and professional excursions
  • A strong international network of journalists and editors

Constructive Institute, based at Aarhus University, has over the past 10 years established itself as an international movement with masterclasses and workshops around the world as well as sister institutes in Germany and Australia.

For further information contact:

Ulrik Haagerup
CEO and founder
uh@constructiveinstitute.com
Phone: +45 60 13 86 00

Orla Borg
Head of fellowship
ob@constructiveinstitute.com
Phone: +45 40 10 46 89

Simone Terndrup Kristensen
Head of Communications
stk@constructiveinstitute.org
Phone: +45 93 54 40 62