Prof Frederik Alkier Gildberg PhD, MSrN, BN, RN, is a professor in Forensic Mental Health and Forensic Mental Health Nursing at the Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark. At the same time, he is head of research at the Forensic Mental Health Research Unit Middelfart, Denmark. He is a Registered Nurse in Denmark and holds a Diploma of Social Science in Medicine. 

Frederik has published extensively in international journals, books, book chapters, posters and conference papers on subjects such as staff-patient relationships and mental health care, restrictive practices, the use of humor, qualitative methods of analysis, qualitative modeling and symbolic interactionism. In 2018, he published a peer reviewed textbook on qualitative analysis in health science and acted as editor on this book project for 20 expert authors. In 2019, he cocreated the curriculum development of the first module of a new post graduate course in mental health at the University of Southern Denmark. In 2021, as chief editor, Frederik developed a peer reviewed textbook on mental health nursing, with Frederik as co-author on 3 chapters covering the patient perspective on restrictive practices, nursing history and staff patient relationship.

Throughout the years, Frederik has co-founded several national and international initiatives including the Center for Psychiatric Nursing and Health Research, the Danish Psychiatric Nursing Research Network (DPSN) and the first international FOSTREN and EViPRG training school on violence and restrictive practices. He has served as a member on PhD defenses, both national and international, regarding mental health and qualitative research topics and methods. 

Frederik is an esteemed leader in the field throughout the world, achieving an impressive degree of research funding over the last 10 years and is known for his pragmatic yet tactical style in leadership and management. This has led to the establishment of a unique research unit within the forensic mental health setting in Denmark and impressive international achievements, with ongoing collaborations in the UK and Australia.