The Department of Culture and Language is a broad-based department of the humanities.

We affirm that the human sciences, in all their breadth, are vital to understanding the world and helping it develop in sustainable and democratic directions. We explore thinking, actions, histories and cultures: examining peoples’ forms of communication and language as well as their diversity, faiths, and beliefs.

Our research spans multiple general research areas: history, classical studies, cultural studies, literary studies, the study of religions, language, and communication. We engage deeply with our core disciplines and seek extensive opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration – both within and beyond our department. We draw upon the Department’s academic breadth to provide perspectives on the complex challenges of society and of our times.

Our research creates value for society by generating new knowledge about our past, present and future. By analysing and interpreting cultural imprints and expressions -- both present and past – we foster deeper reflection on human history and contemporary existence. We contribute to a common future by preserving, investigating, and transmitting our cultural heritage. We also open new fields of opportunity by envisaging ways in which life and cultures can develop in the future.

In the tradition of the humanities, we strengthen societal development by engaging in critical, constructive, and creative thinking that challenges existing norms and understandings. Through our study of language, texts, signs, cognition, interactions, and technologies, we help to develop human communication and interaction. Moreover, our investigations of identity, cultural diversity, and inequality related to gender, family, ethnicity, religion, and health, contribute to an inclusive and tolerant society. Our studies of the relationships between people and institutions and their historical development are crucial to understanding the present and the future. We confront major contemporary challenges including the climate crisis, migration, global inequality and insecurity, as well as pressures on welfare societies, on the multilateral world order, and on the individual. Through our efforts, we aim to increase insight into such challenges, illustrate their complexity, and to contribute to solving them.

We strive for excellence in our research, our research dissemination, and our research management. We belong to well-established, top-level national and international research communities, and we contribute to research through the most prestigious conferences, journals and publishers in our fields. Our knowledge and output benefits students through our education programmes as well as the general public through lectures, podcasts, and expert contributions in the media.

The Department’s implementation of SDU’s strategy issues from a dialogue between the Department management, the Department Council, and the Department’s heads of research. All practices will be based on the goals formulated by the Faculty of Humanities for its research efforts during the strategy period. The implementation consists of a concretisation of the Department’s efforts on the following strategic focus points:

1. We will retain and recruit top international talent.
2. We will retain and develop outstanding research environments that foster the next generation of excellent researchers.
3. We will be world leaders in selected research areas.
4. We will develop research quality based on international collaboration and feedback.

In addition, SDU’s strategy for the provision of external research funding also plays a significant role.