Research
All the information on nordics.info is research-based, however, this page helps you to find content by ReNEW scholars and others which is more explicitly about up to date research.
2019.12.11 | The Quick Read, Kirstine Helboe Johansen, Elisabeth Tveito Johnsen, Research
Celebrating Christmas at the edge of religion in Scandinavia
Christmas is the most important celebration of the year in the Nordic countries, but it is celebrated in a way that goes beyond its original Christian origins. It develops in areas that are not religious per se, such as in shopping centres, schools and in public and private broadcasting. These non-religious spaces become bearers of cultural…
2019.12.10 | Outlook, Atle Midttun, Nina Witoszek, Nation building, Research
Is the Norwegian model in danger?
In the first decades of the 21st century, some Norwegian commentators have been calling for an increased emphasis on commercial competition in Norwegian business and education, and an increased focus on profits as a measure of relevance and utility. This trend poses a threat to the social welfare model in Norway as it is traditionally construed. …
2019.11.28 | Outlook, Byron Zachary Rom-Jensen, Reputation, Culture, Research
‘Socialist’ suicide in Scandinavia: a historical view of a common myth
High rates of suicide are often connected with the Nordic countries and their apparently ‘socialist’ policies. Highlighting high suicide rates in Scandinavia can be traced back to at least the 1960s when foreign observers attempted to either undermine or legitimize the welfare states in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. These characterizations forced…
2019.10.31 | Article, Carolin Schütze, Labour markets, Research
It's relational: Racial attitudes in Swedish welfare institutions
Racial bias of staff at welfare institutions can result in negative outcomes for minority clients. Staff are not only professionals, but also individuals with personal beliefs and values. While the overriding organisational culture may be to give equal services to all clients, the attitude of staff and other work pressures might influence their…
2019.10.17 | Article, Sille Julie J. Abildgaard, Education, Business, Research
Studio-Based Learning in the Nordics
Studio-Based Learning (SBL) is an educational tradition with a student-centered approach. The practice originates in Northern Europe, where Nordic arts and design programs have a long tradition of using studio spaces for teaching. The physical space is considered a powerful factor in facilitating learning and accomplishing instructional goals, and…
2019.09.10 | Outlook, Thorsten Borring Olesen, Democracy, Nation building, Globalisation, Research
Buying Greenland? Trump, Truman and the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean'
In the summer of 2019, the Trump Administration voiced an interest in buying Greenland from Denmark. The historical background for this stretches at least as far back as a case brought by Norway at the International Court in 1933 when it was decided that Denmark had full sovereignty over Greenland. Since then, Danish governments have engaged in…
2019.06.25 | Article, Helena Kaarina Blomberg, Pauli Kettunen, Public policy, Governance, Research
The Nordic welfare state: staying fit-for-purpose
There have been drastic changes to the political and economic climate since the inception of the Nordic welfare states in the twentieth century. Changes are required to meet the needs of today’s populations. People are less static than they once were; their roles both in and out of the job market change over time, and integration with the…
2019.06.03 | Article, Helle Strandgaard Jensen, Culture, The arts, Media, Research
How to raise your parents: Scandinavian children’s television in 1970s
Children’s departments in Scandinavian broadcasting corporations (in Denmark, Norway and Sweden) were clearly influenced by the call for equality and the influence of principles arising from the 1968 movement. Producers of children’s programmes worked extensively to democratise children’s television by, for example, taking children’s wishes and…
2019.03.29 | Article, Laura Bjørg Serup Petersen, Belief systems, Multiculturalism, Research
Intercultural encounters in the Danish church in 2010s
The church as a social caretaker became less common throughout the 20th century as the Nordic welfare state increasingly took over this task. Churches which engage in social activities are arguably reclaiming this role, such as the increasing number of churches in the Danish People’s Church engaging in intercultural activities. These local…
2019.03.29 | Video, Jaakko Seppälä, Media, Nordic Noír, Research
Style and meaning in Nordic Noir: Reimagining the welfare states
This presentation is from a transdisciplinary research workshop entitled Nordic Noir, Geopolitics and the North held at Aarhus University in October 2018.