A community of Italian researchers in Denmark
ARSID, the Association of Italian Researchers and Scientists in Denmark, is a non-profit association run by volunteers. It was created in 2021 at the request of the Embassy of Italy in Denmark and has its seat at the Italian Institute of Culture in Hellerup.
What we do
ARSID is a meeting place for Italians who work in research and science in Denmark, and for Italian and Danish professionals living in Denmark who are interested in scientific or technological exchange with Italy. Every year we organise two public seminars, an evening with companies, visits to laboratories and companies, two assemblies and a Christmas dinner. We also work with the Embassy of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture on the Day of Italian Research in the World and the National Day of Space. Membership is free.
Members are grouped by the three research domains of the European Research Council (ERC), which we also use in the member directory.
Life Sciences
Biology, medicine, health and related disciplines.
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Social Sciences and Humanities
Economics, social sciences, arts and the humanities.
Our story
Dates and photographs from the Association’s publication on its first five years, 2021–2026.
A preparatory meeting at the Italian Institute of Culture
ARSID was created at the request of the Embassy of Italy in Denmark, under Ambassador Luigi Ferrari, by a committee formed by Leonardo De Chiffre, Enrico Cappellini and the Deputy Head of Mission Stefano Salmaso. The committee met researchers at the Institute in Hellerup, in person and online, to collect opinions and proposals.
The preparatory meeting at the Italian Institute of Culture, 26 October 2020 Launch on the Day of Italian Research in the World
The Association was launched on the fourth Day of Italian Research in the World, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The first working meeting
Founding members met at the Italian Institute of Culture and online to start organising the Association.
The constituent assembly
The assembly adopted the statute and formed the Steering Committee. ARSID was then entered in the Danish business register with CVR number 42601047.
The first public seminar
On the Day of Italian Research in the World, Rubina Raja spoke about the Danish excavations in the Forum of Caesar in Rome, and Enrico Cappellini about the analysis of ancient proteins in art, archaeology and palaeoanthropology.
The first ARSID meets Companies
Novo Nordisk, the LEGO Group, Convatec, Grundfos, Metro Service and Vestas presented their work to members at the Italian Institute of Culture, with the support of the Embassy.
Claudio Cassarino, Managing Director of Metro Service, presents the company, 3 November 2022. Photo: Gaia Micatovich The first visit
Members visited DTU Skylab and the DTU FoodLab in Lyngby, run by member Roberto Flore, the first of a series of visits to laboratories and companies.
The second ARSID meets Companies
MADE, the Danish national cluster for advanced manufacturing, the LEGO Group, Metro Service, Alstom and FATIGROUP presented their work.
The contributors to the Steering Committee, October 2023. From left: Daniel Michelsanti, Francesco Fantinelli, Clarissa Nazzaro, Francesca Pessina, Simone Maria Bonin, Daniel Russo, Christian D’Acunti, Alberto Santi Seminar: learning Danish
“What can help Italians and other foreigners to speak Danish?”, with speakers from DTU Compute, the University of Copenhagen and the universities of Lund, Aarhus and Aalborg.
The audience at the seminar on learning Danish, 22 May 2024 Seminar: Italian women researchers in Denmark
More than 80 people heard Elisa Bassignana (IT University of Copenhagen), Anna Maria Sempreviva (DTU), Ada Scupola (Roskilde University) and Chiara Francavilla (DTU). The Ambassador of Italy, Stefania Rosini, attended.
The third ARSID meets Companies
Novo Nordisk, Metro Service, Erre Quadro, FATIGROUP and Grundfos presented their work, with the support of the Embassy and the Institute.
Seminar: sustainable agriculture in a changing climate
With the Ambassador, Stefania Rosini, and Davide Cammarano of Aarhus University.
Visit to DTU Physics
A guided tour of the plasma laboratory and the 3D Imaging Center, coordinated by member Riccardo Ragona.
Visit to the research vessel Alliance
Members were hosted on board the NATO oceanographic vessel Alliance for an introduction to the research carried out at sea.
On board the research vessel Alliance, 26 June 2025 General assembly
Members met at the Italian Institute of Culture for the general assembly.
Members after the general assembly, 3 September 2025 Visit to Topsil
A visit, coordinated by member Benoit Bidoggia, to a company that has produced ultra-pure silicon for the semiconductor industry for more than sixty years.
Seminar: sustainability reporting in public transport
Researchers and professionals in public transport discussed sustainability reporting under the European CSRD directive.
Speakers at “Data-driven sustainability progress in public transport”, 7 October 2025 The fourth ARSID meets Companies
Presentations by FATIGROUP, Erre Quadro, DANITACOM and Metro Service, and a session on the environmental footprint of data centres.
Visit to Radiometer
A visit to the medical diagnostics company, coordinated by member Stefano Menotti.
Seminar: Danish taxation and social security
A practical introduction with presentations by Krifa, Advokathuset Bredgade, Danitacom and KPMG Acor Tax.
The publication on the first five years
By Leonardo De Chiffre, Daniel Russo, Simone Maria Bonin, Michele Tunzi and Clarissa Nazzaro, under the patronage of the Embassy and the Italian Institute of Culture.
I primi cinque anni di attività, 2021–2026 (PDF, in Italian)
Steering Committee
Leonardo De Chiffre
President
Professor emeritus, DTU
Daniel Russo
Vice-President
Associate professor, Aalborg University
Simone Maria Bonin
Treasurer
Economist, Danmarks Nationalbank
Michele Tunzi
Secretary
Associate professor, DTU
Clarissa Nazzaro
Secretary
Architect, Sweco
Observer
Mariangela Sconziano
Commercial attaché, Embassy of Italy in Copenhagen
Contributors
Volunteers who help the Steering Committee with communication, new members and social activities.
Daniel Michelsanti
Data scientist, Novo Nordisk
Alberto Santi
PhD student, DTU Construct
Francesco Fantinelli
AML and compliance analyst
Roberto Monaco
Postdoctoral researcher, DTU Entrepreneurship
Oriana Perrone
PhD, chief sustainability officer, Ålida
Former members of the Committee
The Association in brief
| Launched | 15 April 2021, fourth Day of Italian Research in the World |
|---|---|
| Constituted | 24 June 2021, constituent assembly. CVR 42601047 |
| Seat | Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Gjørlingsvej 11, 2900 Hellerup |
| Recognition | Listed among the associations of Italian researchers abroad by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Members | More than 300. Membership is free |
| Documents | The first five years, 2021–2026 (PDF, in Italian) Privacy policy |
| Contact | info@arsid.org |