In the article "Historian has found words for our time. Now I understand my inner infidelity" by Kristian Madsen, published in Zetland, the book Førkrigstid by historian and former postdoc at the Nordic Humanities Center, Frederik Forrai Ørskov, is reviewed. The book traces a historical line from the interwar period through the Cold War and the war on terror to today’s security policy tensions, especially the threat from Russia. Frederik Forrai Ørskov’s central point is that we live in a "pre-war era," where we act and think as if war is on the way, even though it may never come. The book has also received attention in other media, including Information’s review "Førkrigstidslitteraturen har kronede dage"
What happened when words from incel communities became part of mainstream internet slang? Fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center and linguist Kim Ebensgaard Jensen appeared on stage on 10 September 2026 in the podcast 'Verden Forsøgt Forklare' in the episode 'Incels – How Language Reveals a Hidden Worldview'. In the episode, he explored how language, worldviews and society are interconnected – and how linguistic patterns in incel communities revealed worldviews within subcultural online communities.
A fascination with violence is a recurring theme in a number of recent cases, but a researcher points to key differences. In the article “Dark Online Trends Draw Attention After Sword Attack in Sweden. Experts Now Warn Against Misunderstandings,” published in Jyllands-Posten, Fellow Line Nybro Petersen, Associate Professor of Online Extremism, explains the phenomenon of NVE (Nihilistic Violent Extremism) and related online communities. She warns against conflating different phenomena and concepts, as doing so may lead to misunderstandings and ineffective responses. The article was written by Tine Toft and published on 28 August 2026. The article is behind a paywall.
Does the field of the humanities have anything to contribute to the ecological crisis? In the Politiken commentary "Det er hos Inger Christensen, vi finder 'vild vækst'," Lilian Munk Rösing reviews Udsat natur by Johanne Gormsen Smidth and Vild vækst by Tue Andersen Nexø and Niklas Olsen, and argues that literature and cultural history are central to understanding the relationship between humans and nature. The article is behind a paywall.
What should we do with litterature that contain questionable values? In the essay "Det inflammerade biblioteket", published in the Swedish journal, Respons, Anders Engberg-Pedersen, Head of the Nordic Humanities Centre and Professor, examines how we should approach classics that are both central to our cultural heritage and ethically problematic. Using examples from, amongst others, the Marquis de Sade, Céline, Karen Blixen, Virginia Woolf and Peter Handke, he demonstrates how world literature is increasingly giving rise to heated debates. Instead of polarised positions, he proposes an analytical approach in which we confront the problematic values within these works and examine how they are constructed and how they function.
Trust in photography is the focus of the DR programme K-Live, featuring former fellow Mette Sandbye, professor of modern culture and photography studies at the University of Copenhagen. In conversation with host Casper Dyrholm, she reflects on the role of photography in a time of crises, information overload and visual saturation, drawing on her recent book Billedtræthed. Using images from the war in Ukraine, she introduces the concepts of image fatigue and image saturation, showing how photographs both shape and challenge our understanding of contemporary conflicts.
The Nordic Humanities Center is featured in Nordiske magazine in an article about the position of the Nordic Region in a new geopolitical reality. Based on the Nordic Humanities Center's research project on the return of geopolitics, the article highlights how the war in Ukraine and a changed world order have raised questions about culture, history and Nordic unity. The article points out that geopolitics today is not only about military strength, alliances and strategic interests, but also about the narratives, values and cultural communities that shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. It highlights how humanistic perspectives can help us understand and navigate in a time of uncertainty, great power rivalry, and new demands for democratic and cultural resilience.
In times of crisis and war, art and culture can play an important role. Creating or engaging in art and cultural activities can foster communities and often help people hold on to life and find meaning in uncertain times. Art can also act as a gathering point where experiences and emotions are shared across differences. At the same time, art can help to bring out the middle ground when polarisation is close, opening up new perspectives and a more nuanced understanding. This is an experience that Kathrin Maurer, professor at SDU and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Centre, shares in this article in Fagbladet Billedkunstneren.
In a time of armament and uncertainty, the concept of cultural preparedness has entered the public debate. But what does it really mean? In this opinion piece, fellow at the Nordic Humanities Centre and art historian Kristian Handberg argues that cultural preparedness is not just about protecting cultural heritage in times of crisis, but also about the role of culture in strengthening democracy, community and societal resilience. With examples from the Nordic and Baltic countries, he points out why culture should be considered a central part of our overall preparedness.
Anna Cornelia Ploug, postdoc at the Nordic Humanities Centre, is interviewed for an article in Science Report in connection with the launch of the book series "Challenges". In the article she says, among other things:- The main purpose is not that we are going to tell you what the humanities can do. We publish the books because they want something and make a unique contribution that can help change things for the better and help people orientate themselves in a complex society.
In an article from TjekDet, a number of researchers - including two fellows at the Nordic Humanities Center - review claims that the so-called Epstein files prove the existence of a global paedophile power elite. Line Nybro Petersen, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, warns against interpreting the documents as confirmation of conspiracy theories such as QAnon, emphasising that the theories are often based on real events, but distort them significantly. At the same time, Kasper Grotle Rasmussen, associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark, points out that the files raise serious moral questions about powerful people's relationships with Jeffrey Epstein.
Order out of chaos - the main function of conspiracy theory. One of the reasons why the Epstein files about the deceased American rich man convicted of sex offences are making internet forums for conspiracy theorists glow is that conspiracy theories can create order out of a chaotic amount of information. This is explained by Kasper Grotle Rasmussen, associate professor of American Studies at the University of Southern Denmark and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, in an article on DR written by Linnea Sophie Weibel.
Denmark suffers from an almost complete post-imperial amnesia. We have become accustomed to seeing ourselves as an innocent nation state shaped by defeat and unity. But in a time of great power rivalry and pressure from both the US and Russia, that narrative is inadequate - and perhaps downright dangerous, writes Rasmus Glenthøj, professor of history at the Department of Culture and Language at the University of Southern Denmark and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Centre, in Politiken.
The societal contribution of the humanities has been undervalued for decades. This was the message from Anders Engberg-Pedersen, Director of the Nordic Humanities Center, as he articulated the crucial role of the humanities in understanding and addressing the complex societal challenges of our time. In an article published by University World News – a global online publication providing in-depth, independent journalism and analysis on higher education and research worldwide – his perspective is highlighted in connection with an international conference on the contributions of the humanities and social sciences to Europe’s future.
In an op-ed in Politiken, Niels Bjerre-Poulsen, fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center and associate professor at the Center for American Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, describes how Donald Trump is facing increasing headwinds in the United States. “Much suggests that President Trump, in his second year in the White House, will encounter far greater resistance. At home, that resistance will come not only from an opposition no longer paralyzed by shell shock, but also from a growing number of members of his own party. And in Europe, he should probably not expect to continue being called ‘daddy’.”
Although it is theoretically possible to reach a special agreement under which the United States would gain military control over Greenland, there are many factors working against it. In Jyllands-Posten, three experts assess how the United States could, in practice, obtain control of Greenland. "The United States would have to put together an exceptionally generous offer if it is to be attractive for Greenland to wave goodbye to the Realm of Denmark and instead move into the American embrace," says Niels Bjerre-Poulsen, associate professor at the Center for American Studies at the University of Southern Denmark and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center.
It used to take time and effort to remove unwanted people from images or recreate a specific historical photo, but today it’s much easier. Social media is overflowing with AI-generated content, raising new questions about how easy access to image editing affects our understanding of history — and how we deal with the fact that what once seemed like solid historical documentation can now be recreated by a clever teenager in minutes. This is the focus of this episode of Kampen om historien, featuring Anders Ravn Sørensen and Mette Sandbye.
Several media outlets have addressed the questions about the current role of museums that were raised during a well-attended seminar organised by fellows at the Nordic Humanities Centre. In a follow-up article in the online media Science Report, Centre Fellow Malene Breunig highlights the importance of culture in a time of security challenges: "We talk a lot about defence and civil protection, but not about how we protect what our society is built on: our democratic values, our community and our ability to think critically," she says.
The media outlet Kristeligt Dagblad discusses the government's talk of "cultural preparedness" and "spiritual armament". Rasmus Mariager, fellow at the Nordic Humanities Centre, points out the importance of historical perspectives: "Countries regularly need to look after themselves, and now we are looking back at how Danish society has reacted in previous crises. We can learn a lot from the Cold War, but also from Romanticism, where there was a strong national unity," says Rasmus Mariager.
Professor of History Rasmus Glenthøj from the Nordic Humanities Center joins this episode of DR’s Udsyn together with host and author Kaspar Colling Nielsen. Together, they explore the concept of “spiritual armament” – what it really means, and how a society can, in concrete terms, strengthen itself spiritually. Through their conversation, they unfold some of the most pressing themes of our time in order to understand the forces and logics shaping the dramatic developments of the present day.
The American business, finance, and news outlet based in New York, Bloomberg, quotes Rasmus Mariager, fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, in the article “Why Is Denmark Leading the Pack on Ukraine?”. In the piece, Mariager highlights Denmark’s historical experience as a “frontline state” during the Cold War, which, he argues, has made Danes particularly aware of the importance of protecting international norms and supporting smaller states in times of crisis.
Extraordinary crises require extraordinary insight. Denmark must prepare itself for the new world order with a foreign policy council if we are to secure strategic room for maneuver in the coming decades, write Rasmus Mariager, professor of history at the University of Copenhagen and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, together with Morten Heiberg.
Professor and Director at the Nordic Humanities Center, Anders Engberg-Pedersen, who holds a PhD in literature from Harvard University, speaks on the DR radio program “Divisionen” about the prestigious university’s struggle against the Trump administration. In addition to the issue of the many millions of frozen dollars that will no longer benefit research in the U.S., the conversation also touches on the risk of a so-called "brain drain" from the country, with the potential for a "brain gain" in Europe. The interview with Anders Engberg-Pedersen begins at 01:53:03 into the program.
The hosts, historians Clodagh Harrington and Alex Waddan, speak in this Irish/British podcast with Professor Niels Bjerre-Poulsen from the University of Southern Denmark about why Greenland has become a focal point for transatlantic tensions, and ask what this means for what was once known as the Western "alliance".
Fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, Rasmus Glenthøj, talks in this special edition of "The Struggle for History" with Adam Holm about how we are witnessing one of history's rhymes, where the world order is collapsing. They discuss how Europe has dealt with the collapse of power structures, and whether there is hope to be found in historical examples, or if we are facing a prolonged decline.
Fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, Rasmus Mariager, who holds a Dr. Phil and is a professor of history at the University of Copenhagen, participates alongside Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, Ph.D. and professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen, in this edition of the DR podcast 'The Struggle for History.' The topic is described by the editorial team as follows: "The US and Europe have stood side by side for generations, but now deep cracks have appeared in their unity. The concept of the West is faltering. What was this concept based on? What was the strength of the West? And should we write the obituary of the West?"
In Thea Pedersen's new photo book "Fragments", the war photographer depicts life at the front. From the indomitable fight at the beginning of the war, to the military endurance shown by the Ukrainians and now the exhaustion that is beginning to set in among the population. In DR P1's programme Anmelderne, fellow, Mette Sandbye, participates in a dialogue about Thea Pedersen's new book. From the indomitable fight at the beginning of the war, to the military endurance shown by the Ukrainians and now the exhaustion that is starting to set in among the population. Mette Sandbye reflects on what the book and the images tell us about the situation in Ukraine? Does it manage to show both everyday life and war? And what tradition of war photography do Pedersen's images belong to?
Donald Trump's second presidential term may well be wilder and more radical than the first. This time, he has a clear mandate from the voters and is a much more driven politician with a party that has been designed for him and his MAGA movement. This is what Niels Bjerre-Poulsen writes in this article, where he unfolds the historical background of the political slogan "America First". A slogan that dates back to the years after World War I, and which Trump has taken over from former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan.
Rasmus Mariager writes together with Peter Fibiger Bang – both professors of history at the Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen – in an article for Weekendavisen about Denmark's relationship with the great power USA. The two researchers describe how the very close relationship is "of recent date", but that Denmark, especially after the end of the Cold War, has stood unequivocally on the side of the USA and has faithfully supported the imperialist superpower with military commitment. Not least in Afghanistan, where 44 Danes lost their lives. At the same time, it has cemented the USA's dominant role in the world that European states have placed their trust in the Americans to such an extent, and therefore the current dispute over Greenland is "bordering on the unbearable", as the two professors write: "In other words, the USA is on its way out of a path that has the potential to undermine its own role in the world. The fragmentation and relative weakness of Europe is one of the cornerstones of the 43 American empire. Is it in America’s own interest to really change that?”
In an article about the year's milestones in research in 2024, Science Report has asked a selected number of researchers what they see as the year's milestones. Professor at Aalborg University and EU advisor, David Budtz Pedersen highlights the Nordic Humanities Center with the words: "There is a lot of good on the shelves in Danish research at the moment. But if I have to highlight one project, I think that the Nordic Humanities Center under the leadership of Anders Engberg-Pedersen has done very well in the past year. They have managed to put the humanities on the agenda with fellowships, publications, books and events. It is extremely important that we create a positive narrative about the importance and impact of the humanities when we have to face the challenges of the future in climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, well-being and safety.”
”1920’erne – Festen der forandrede os" is the name of a new series on DR, in which Karen Vallgårda, who this year is a fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, puts the facts on a dramatic and real story about the wartime millionaire Olaf Bigler and his girlfriend and later wife, the actress Ellen Ferslev. Karen Vallgårda, who is joined on the expert side by Poul Duedahl among others, contributes in particular with her extensive knowledge of the history of divorce in the Danish welfare society.
Professor of history and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center Karen Vallgårda has been in the podcast Genstart on DR and talks about how our view of emotions shapes and changes our society, for better or for worse.
Literary researcher and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center Tue Andersen Nexø appears as a guest host in this episode of the daily newspaper Politiken's podcast "Den levende". Here he talks with host Lotte Folke about what a future without the nuclear family might look like, how utopias have become modern again, and how you can address them in small ways.
Professor of emotional history Karen Vallgårda takes part in the radio program Kulturen on P1. She is interviewed about people's concept of emotions in a historical perspective. The interview begins at approximately 11:20 in the broadcast here.
Immigration policy is not just a current point of contention in the Social Democrats. In fact, it has always divided the party internally. Heidi Vad Jønsson explains here how the relationship with immigration has changed and developed the Social Democracy up to today.
Although humanities have been almost halved over the past ten years, politicians still believe that too many humanities are being trained. But now the humanities will respond again, and that is why the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Copenhagen have jointly created the "Nordic Humanities Center", which is an interdisciplinary research center where: "humanistic research is connected to concrete issues in order to clarify its great societal value."
Nordic Humanities Center seeks to rearm the humanities' perspectives at the big challenges in our society. This will happen through interdisciplinary collaboration and a big focus on communication with he public, says history professor, Karen Vallgårda.
Denemarken voert sinds 2018 een keihard migratiebeleid. Politici uit andere Europese landen, ook Nederland, kijken hier vol belangstelling naar. ‘Ze maken steeds nieuwe regels, om ons verder weg te duwen.
The new Nordic Humanities Center will unite the humanist research with concrete social problems. Leader of the center, Anders Engberg-Pedersen, has visions of a research center that clears the social value of the humanist research.
Counting men and women in history books at the schools, is a good place to start. But history classes in school should also include children, non-whites, climate philosophy, menopause, and psychiatri.
When humans fight each other in war, it is not only politics that functions as a driving force, and decides who and where we attack. The culture also affects military thoughts, because the culture forms the military leader's conception of war and themselves. War has, since Napoleon, been seen as an art form, where creativity, intuition and the generals' talent affect the course of the battle, and the thought that lives on at the military academies today.
Videnskab fra vilde hjerner