Jan Tønnesvang is head of department at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.

Born in Esbjerg, Jan earned his degree as a psychologist from Aarhus University in 1995. He was employed at the Danish School of Education for three and a half years before settling down at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences in 2001.

Formerly a professor of social psychology and personality psychology, Jan is now a professor of educational psychology. His primary interest lie within integrative psychology, focusing on how to bridge the gap between theory and practice when working with people in pedagogical, organisational and managerial contexts:

“We are facing a challenge in ensuring that the overall unity found in different forms of human work is not superseded by our urge to make everything more efficient and generate constant growth. This applies to both educational matters and work life matters, as well as to questions regarding the balance and sustainability of our ways of living in general. My research and knowledge exchange are directed towards this purpose,” says Jan Tønnesvang.

Osman Skjold Kingo is the deputy vice-head of the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.

Osman graduated from Aarhus University in 2003. He worked for 2 years in PPR (2004-2006) and subsequently received his Ph.D. in 2010 from the Department of Psychology. Osman has been employed as a postdoc since 2010 and later as an associate professor in developmental psychology at the department since 2013. He chaired the developmental psychology working group from 2014 to 2023 and also served as the chair of the academic council at BSS from 2018 to 2023.

In terms of research, Osman has conducted experimental studies particularly on young children's understanding of the physical world, their conceptual development, and the development of episodic memory. Additionally, he has researched the relation between physiology and memory, professionals' perception of memory, and children's understanding of death. Osman teaches developmental psychology and has taught seminars on the concept of meaning for several years. Furthermore, he has maintained a strong interest in clinical practice and has been teaching intervention methods since 2014.

As the deputy vice-head, Osman hopes to contribute to effective communication and cohesion within the Department of Psychology, as well as to ensure the best possible conditions for the department, its staff, and students within the Aarhus University organization.

Dorthe Kirkegaard Thomsen is deputy head of department  for research facilitation, talent and equality at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.

Dorthe received her PhD degree in 2003 from the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, where she has since been employed in various positions, most recently as professor (as from 2013).

Her research focuses on narrative identity, including questions about how narrative identity is formed, and the importance of narrative identity for mental health.

As chair of the PhD Committee - and as deputy head of department for research facilitation, talent and equality - she finds it particularly important to support development of the various forms of talent and research that unfold at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.

Mimi Yung Mehlsen is director of studies at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.

Mimi earned her degree as a psychologist in 1998 and subsequently worked within geriatric psychiatry in Herning until she became a PhD student at Aarhus University Hospital. Following this, she has been an assistant professor at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences and a researcher at Aarhus University Hospital, until she was employed as an associate professor of health psychology at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences in 2011.

Her research focuses on how human beings develop throughout their lives and how they experience and cope with illness at different points in their lives. She has comprehensive experience within research methods and interdisciplinary development.

Through her entire career, Mimi has been teaching psychology, and she takes a keen interest in developing the forms of teaching at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences. As the director of studies, she takes great pleasure in working together with the students, at the same time regarding her primary task as supporting all teaching staff in their opportunity to deliver the best possible teaching. 

Carsten Dalsager is head of secretariat at the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, a position he has held since 1 August 2011. Prior to this, he was head of administration at the Department of Psychology.

Carsten has been with Aarhus University since 1994. He has also held positions as finance employee, research group secretary at the School of Economics and Management and special consultant at the University Studies Office with responsibility for study-related key figures. He comes from a position as head of administration at the Department of Psychology.

He has an MSc in Economics from Aarhus University and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Public Administration) from the former Aarhus School of Business.