Nyhed
Poul Thøis Madsen is teacher of the year at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design
Lagt online: 09.03.2026
Nyhed
Poul Thøis Madsen is teacher of the year at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design
Lagt online: 09.03.2026
Forside
Poul Thøis Madsen is teacher of the year at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design
By Line Nyrup Odgaard, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Ditte Skou Nielsen. Illustration: Alberte Spork
“He succeeds in creating a safe and inclusive learning environment where students feel a sense of influence and ownership over their own learning, and his teaching is often enriched with humour and anecdotes that make the material lively and engaging.”
Statements like this are among the many reasons why Poul Thøis Madsen has been selected as Teacher of the Year at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design (TECH).
Poul Thøis Madsen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sustainability and Planning at TECH, where he teaches subjects such as economics. Students highlight him as a lecturer who is deeply passionate about his field and communicates with an infectious enthusiasm that brings energy and engagement into the classroom.
“He conveys complex material with great clarity, making it accessible and relevant—regardless of the level of difficulty.”
Poul Thøis Madsen works purposefully to meet students where they are academically and to create the best possible conditions for them to acquire knowledge and strengthen their academic confidence.
It is clear to the students that Poul does not only teach because it is a job, but because he genuinely wants to make a difference. He is present, attentive, and sincerely interested in the students’ well being and academic development. He is described as an exceptionally pleasant person to be around, and this is reflected in the safe and inclusive learning environment he succeeds in creating.
The ongoing process of development
“I am both pleased and grateful that the students have appreciated my efforts to tailor the economics teaching to their needs,” says Poul Thøis Madsen. Because economics is often perceived as difficult and even a bit intimidating among his students (Urban, Energy and Environmental Planners), the recognition carries even greater significance.
The award also brings a sense of closure for Poul, as he was named Teacher of the Year at SAMF back in 2011 and now receives a similar honour at TECH.
“The greatest reward, however, is that the students actually gain something from the teaching; that they leave the classroom knowing more than when they arrived. And if we can share a laugh along the way, even better. Learning works best when the atmosphere is not too heavy.”
“What motivates me most is seeing students understand something they did not understand before. That moment when things ‘click’ is one of the greatest joys of teaching.”
Poul draws energy from developing his teaching including the work of tailoring a textbook specifically for the students. The book has been shaped through ongoing dialogue with students, just as the teaching itself is.
“The continuous process of development in close interaction with the students is what gives me the greatest satisfaction.”
With the TECH Teacher of the Year award, Poul Thøis Madsen now becomes a candidate for the AAU Teacher of the Year title, which will be announced at the AAU Annual Celebration on 17 April 2026.