Alena Thiel is an Associate Professor at the Centre of African Studies within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Her research examines digital technologies' impact on state formation and knowledge systems across Africa, with primary field sites in Ghana, Senegal, Botswana, and Kenya. Her core research areas include: State knowledge systems (biometric ID, census histories, DHIS2 health records) Digital governance (addressing systems, payment solutions, disaster risk datafication) African/feminist AI development and implementation Anthropology of the state through Science and Technology Studies (STS) frameworks Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal concentrated analysis of health data infrastructures in Ghana, trust dynamics in Africa's global networks, and critical sociological examinations of digital identification. Her work consistently bridges anthropological theory with practical governance challenges in African contexts. As an active member of the Centre of African Studies, she maintains interdisciplinary collaborations across multiple African countries and European institutions, with particular emphasis on Ghanaian research partnerships and editorial leadership for Africa Spectrum journal.
Karen Bek-Pedersen is a Part-time Lecturer at the Department of Scandinavian Studies, School of Communication and Culture, Aarhus University. Her research focuses on Norse mythology, pre-Christian Nordic religion, ritual practices, and cultural anthropology. She is affiliated with the 'Forskningsenhed for europæisk middelalder' (Research Unit for European Medieval Studies) as a network member. Her publications explore topics such as mythological interpretation, ritual symbolism, and historical analysis of Nordic deities and legends. Notable works include studies on sorcery in medieval literature, symbolic animal representations in Norse myths, and the intersection of kingship and land in pre-Christian narratives. Selected Awards: N/A Advising/Grants: No specific grants or advising roles listed. Labs/Teams: Active member of the European Medieval Studies research network.
Kunihiko Kaneko is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, with a distinguished career in theoretical biophysics and complex systems. He received his PhD and MSc in Physics from the University of Tokyo, and has held leadership roles at the Universal Biology Institute and Center for Complex Systems Biology. PhD Physics, 1984 - University of Tokyo MSc Physics, 1981 - University of Tokyo His research spans five primary areas: Universal Biology, Evolutionary Constraints, Ecosystem Dynamics, Neural Cognition, and Universal Anthropology. He has published extensively on multi-level consistency principles, dimensional reduction in biological systems, and reciprocity between robustness and plasticity across scales. Recent publications show strong focus on microbial ecosystems (2025), evolutionary game theory (2025), neural modular architectures (2024), and dimensional reduction in cellular systems (2024). His work bridges physics and biology through dynamical systems theory applied to diverse phenomena from protocells to human societies.
Stine Krøijer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Social Sciences. Her research focuses on political anthropology, nature-culture relations, cosmology, time, multispecies ethnography, anarchism, autonomy, and indigenous peoples, with regional expertise in the Amazon and Scandinavia. She is actively involved in major research projects such as 'Lokale Landvindinger' (2021–2025) and 'Fire and Political Alterity in Amazonia' (2023–), funded by the Velux Foundation and the Danish Research Council, respectively. Her educational background includes a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen, awarded in 2011. Prior to her academic career, she worked with Oxfam_IBIS on forest, climate, and indigenous rights issues in the Amazon basin from 2002 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2014. Stine Krøijer’s research explores the political agency of non-human entities like trees, the performative aspects of climate activism, and the temporalities of radical politics. Her work bridges anthropology with environmental studies, political theory, and indigenous epistemologies. She investigates how radical environmental change—such as deforestation, peatland restoration, and forest fires—reshapes political subjectivities and social futures. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in climate politics, environmental activism, and the ontological status of nature. Themes include the agency of trees, dystopian imaginaries in environmental movements, and the co-creation of landscapes in Denmark. Her research combines ethnographic depth with theoretical innovation, particularly in understanding how ecological crises generate new forms of political alterity. Member, Expert Council on Nature National Parks, Ministry of Environment, Denmark Coordinator, Green Solution Centre, University of Copenhagen Editor, Tidsskriftet Antropologi She teaches courses on climate, nature, environment, global flows, project design, and fieldwork methods. Her advisory and grant activities are centered on externally funded research projects focusing on climate change, indigenous rights, and environmental transformation. She is also involved in public engagement through lectures and exhibitions such as 'Amazon Trails' and 'Climate/Kettle: Aesthetics of Resistance'. Stine Krøijer leads and participates in research groups focused on nature, environment, and climate. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across Denmark and Latin America, particularly in the Amazon region. Her work is embedded in both academic and policy-oriented networks, contributing to the Green Solution Centre and national environmental councils.
Quentin Gausset is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Social Sciences. His work bridges environmental anthropology, development studies, and climate action, with extensive fieldwork across West, Southern, and East Africa, as well as Southeast Asia and Denmark. He leads the SAMSKAB research project focused on green transitions and community-driven sustainability. His research interests include environmental anthropology, natural resource management, development, HIV/AIDS, ethnicity, autochthony, indigeneity, kinship, religion, and interdisciplinary field methods. He is a member of the Anthropological Research Group on Nature, Environment and Climate (NEC), reflecting his deep engagement with ecological and societal transformations. The recent scholarly output of Quentin Gausset demonstrates a strong shift toward climate action, citizen-driven environmental initiatives, and sustainable community models, particularly in Denmark. His publications analyze eco-villages, carbon footprinting, and collective behavioral change, emphasizing the cultural and social dimensions of the green transition. This reflects a broader interdisciplinary trend in his work, linking anthropological insight with sustainability science and policy. While no formal scientific awards are listed in the provided material, his editorial leadership in key books on climate mitigation and green transitions underscores his influence in the field. His collaboration with institutions such as Gulu University and participation in research networks highlight his international academic engagement. Quentin Gausset has advised or collaborated on numerous research initiatives and projects, including the Citizen Driven Environmental Action (CIDEA) project and initiatives on natural resource management in Africa. He has contributed to interdisciplinary teaching and capacity-building programs in Southeast Asia and southern Africa, demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and applied research. He is actively involved in the Anthropological Research Group on Nature, Environment and Climate (NEC) at the University of Copenhagen, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on environmental change, sustainability, and community governance. His work often involves collaborative networks across Denmark and internationally, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Søren Andkjær is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics at the University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Health Sciences. He is affiliated with the Research Unit of Active Living, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of outdoor recreation, health, and cultural practices. His work emphasizes participatory approaches and real-world impact through community engagement and public dissemination. Research Interests: His primary research areas include friluftsliv as a cultural phenomenon, outdoor education, the health-promoting potential of outdoor environments, and safety in outdoor activities. He explores how nature-based experiences contribute to personal development, mental health, and social cohesion, particularly among children and adolescents. The recent articles reflect a strong trend in environmental health, outdoor education, and digital engagement with nature . His work combines qualitative methodologies such as thematic analysis and netnography with systematic reviews and participatory design, focusing on Danish and international contexts including New Zealand. Key themes include children’s active living in coastal areas, friluftsliv therapy for mental health, and the cultural significance of online outdoor communities. Scientific Engagement: Active contributor to conferences and public discourse on outdoor life and health. Regularly featured in Danish media discussing nature, health, and community. Editorial board member for research journals and peer reviewer. Søren Andkjær is actively involved in teaching and supervision, particularly in courses related to active outdoor life and event design in outdoor spaces. He has led and participated in research projects evaluating programs that promote children’s engagement with nature. His collaborative network spans academia, public organizations, and community initiatives, reflecting a commitment to translating research into practice. He has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. Labs and Research Units: He is a key member of the Research Unit of Active Living, which investigates how physical activity in natural and urban outdoor environments can promote health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Renaud Lambiotte is Professor of Networks and Nonlinear Systems at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. He holds a PhD in Physics from Université libre de Bruxelles and has held research and faculty positions at ENS Lyon, Université de Liège, UCLouvain, Imperial College London, and the University of Namur. He is currently an active academic in applied mathematics and network science. His research focuses on complex systems, particularly dynamics on networks, temporal networks, and stochastic processes. He applies these to social and brain networks, data mining, and urban systems. His work bridges theoretical modeling and real-world data, emphasizing the structure and evolution of complex systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in network theory, including hypergraphs, community detection, multidimensional dynamics, and data quality in network interventions. He also explores applications in urban air quality and gentrification, showing a commitment to socially relevant complex systems research. Scientific Awards: Prix Wernaers 2013 Prix Wernaers 2016 Prix Wernaers 2020 Verdickt-Rijdams 2016 de l'Académie royale de langue et de littérature françaises He is the co-founder of L’Arbre de Diane, a publishing initiative at the science-literature interface, which received multiple awards. He teaches advanced courses such as Differential Equations II and Networks. He is affiliated with the Machine Learning and Data Science and the Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics research groups. He has authored or co-edited key texts in the field, including A Guide to Temporal Networks and Modularity and Dynamics on Complex Networks , and has published around 130 peer-reviewed articles. His research is supported by ongoing collaborations and active publication output, indicating sustained academic leadership.
Steffen Bo Jensen is a Professor at the Department of Politics and Society, Aalborg University, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. He leads the Global Refugee Studies (GRS) Centre, MIX – Center for Displacement, Migration and Integration, and the Center for the Study of Coercion and Accountability. His research focuses on human rights, urban violence, gangs, radicalization, policing, and development policy. He advocates for a shift in criminal justice away from punitive approaches and emphasizes understanding everyday violence in urban contexts as significant in itself. Key projects include RUV: Rethinking Urban Violence (2025–2028) funded by the European Research Council (ERC), which explores mechanisms of confinement, marginalization, and migration. Jensen’s work combines ethnographic methods with global comparative research, examining cases in South Africa, Nicaragua, France, Uganda, and Tunisia. He has secured €2.3 million in ERC funding for a project analyzing intersections of urban marginality, displacement, and incarceration. Jensen’s media engagements include commentaries on police violence in the Philippines, gang dynamics in Marseille, and the implications of urban policies. His research has been featured in Current Anthropology , European Journal of Sociology , and The Conversation . He actively participates in policy dialogues and academic networks, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration to address systemic violence and inequality.
Bente Halkier is a Professor in Sociology at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Sociology, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her work focuses on consumption practices, food politics, and qualitative methodologies. She has held academic roles since 1993, including leadership roles in research groups and centers. PhD in Social Sciences from Roskilde University (1998) Professorships at Roskilde University (2011–2016) and University of Copenhagen (2016–present) Her research explores how everyday practices like food consumption intersect with broader societal issues. Key areas include: Contestation over food safety and dietary advice Convenience food dynamics and sustainability Interactions between media, science, and consumer behavior Her recent projects include studies on socioeconomic disparities in dietary health and the role of food practices in climate change mitigation. She has led multiple grants, including the Proper Food under Economic Constraints project (2018–2021). Bente has authored over 30 academic books and journal articles, edited volumes on consumption studies, and served on editorial boards for journals like Cultural Sociology and Journal of Consumer Culture . She frequently collaborates internationally, including with institutions in the UK, Sweden, and Norway.
Maurizio Teli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sustainability and Planning at Aalborg University, part of The Technical Faculty of IT and Design. His work focuses on participatory design, sustainable development, and computing for social good. He coordinates major projects such as Reworlding (Horizon Europe, 2024–2027) addressing socio-environmental challenges and EDUS (ERASMUS+, 2023–2026) developing training methodologies for sustainable education. Teli is affiliated with the AI for the People Centre, Danish Centre for Health Informatics, and Green Societies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. His research spans participatory design methodologies, sustainability transitions, and the role of technology in fostering commoning practices. Notable contributions include exploring non-human stakeholders in sustainable development and infrastructuring public history. Teli has authored over 70 publications, including book chapters and peer-reviewed articles in journals like interactions and Radiography . Advising and grants include leadership roles in 7 active projects totaling €10M+ funding. His work bridges academia and practice, with datasets like 'Community Radio Guidelines' (Zenodo, 2019) promoting accessible design practices. Teli’s labs and networks focus on digital sustainability, healthcare informatics, and participatory urban planning.
Steffen Dalsgaard is a Professor at the Technologies in Practice group at IT University of Copenhagen. As Head of Center for Climate IT, he leads initiatives exploring how digital technologies interact with climate change mitigation. He also contributes to the Center for Information Security and Trust. PhD in Anthropology and Ethnography (Aarhus University, 2010) Recipient of DFF Sapere Aude grant, ERC Consolidator Grant, and Carlsbergfondet funding Key research areas: climate data valuation, sociopolitical implications of IT, and comparative ethnography Research Focus: Investigates intersections between digital technologies, climate change, and sociocultural values through ethnographic studies in Denmark, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil. Examines carbon markets, environmental technoscience, and digital governance systems. Scientific Awards: ERC Consolidator Grant (DecouplingIT) DFF Sapere Aude grant Carlsbergfondet grant Key Collaborations: Works with Independent Research Fund Denmark, European Commission, and external bodies like the Academy for Technical Sciences (ATV). Leads multidisciplinary projects involving climate data analysis and sustainable technology implementation.
Ella Fegitz is a Research Fellow at the University of Southern Denmark, affiliated with the Department for the Study of Culture and the Interdisciplinary Centre on Population Dynamics (CPop HUM). Her work focuses on post-feminist subjectivity, neoliberalism, and the intersections of gender, aging, and media representation. She explores how media and policy construct narratives around aging entrepreneurial femininity, particularly in the UK context, while addressing systemic issues like sexism, ageism, and digital literacy's impact on women's employability. Ella’s research integrates cultural gerontology, critical media analysis, and social policy evaluation. Her interdisciplinary approach examines topics ranging from intergenerational dynamics in feminist mentorship to climate activism at Burning Man festivals. She critiques post-feminist media portrayals of gender, sexuality, and race across platforms like Italian newspapers, vegan vlogs, and popular culture series like Sex and the City . Her publications analyze themes including neoliberal feminism's impact on older women's labor participation, the politics of female anger in aging populations, and the cultural symbolism of Burning Man’s environmental narratives. Ella’s work bridges theoretical frameworks with lived experiences, emphasizing marginalized voices in socio-cultural discourses.
Rasmus Nielsen is a Professor at the University of Copenhagen, specifically affiliated with the Globe Institute and the Section for Geogenetics. His research spans evolutionary genetics, population genetics, and computational genomics with a focus on both human and non-human species. He maintains an active research profile with numerous high-impact publications in leading scientific journals. Professor Nielsen's research interests center around evolutionary and population genetics, with particular expertise in ancient DNA analysis, statistical methods for genomic data, and phylogenetics. His work bridges computational biology with empirical data from diverse species, including humans, plants, and other organisms. He has made significant contributions to understanding human evolutionary history, population structure, and the genetic basis of adaptation. His research also extends to medical genomics, particularly in understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits and diseases. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on methodological development in genomic analysis, with papers appearing in top-tier journals like Nature , Science , and Nature Reviews Genetics . His work shows consistent engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of genetics, spanning human evolutionary history, medical genomics, and plant evolutionary biology. The research output reveals a collaborative approach, with frequent co-authorship across multiple institutions and disciplines. As a Professor at the University of Copenhagen's Globe Institute, Nielsen leads research within the Section for Geogenetics, which focuses on evolutionary and population genetics using cutting-edge genomic approaches. The section maintains strong connections with both computational and empirical research groups, facilitating interdisciplinary work that spans from methodological development to application in diverse biological contexts.
Qiuyu Jiang is a Postdoc researcher specializing in Digitalization, Democracy, and Governance. Their work bridges interdisciplinary research with practical applications, particularly in China’s Social Credit System and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) frameworks for Fintech startups. They are affiliated with institutions like Copenhagen Fintech and Really Simple Syndication Press through collaborative projects and publications. Research Interests: Qiuyu’s research focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and societal governance, including the ethical implications of social credit systems, data commons for sustainability, and ESG measurement in financial technology. Their work employs action research methodologies to integrate theory with real-world interventions. Scientific Awards: Kauffman Best Paper Award Runner Up (2022) Project Highlights: MDMP: Reorganizing Trust through China's Social Credit System (2020–2026) CARE: Collaborative Analytics for ESG in Fintech (2022–2024) GreenITSME: Sustainable IT Models (2025–2026)
Birgit Bräuchler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Social Sciences. She joined the university in March 2021 and holds adjunct positions at Monash University (Adjunct Senior Research Fellow) and Goethe University Frankfurt (Adjunct Professor). Her academic background includes a PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (2005) and a habilitation from Goethe University Frankfurt (2014). Her research focuses on media and digital anthropology , conflict and peace studies , human and cultural rights , activism and brokerage , and environmental anthropology , with a strong regional focus on Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia . She is a member of several interdisciplinary research groups: 'Culture, Mobility and Power' (CAMP), 'Nature, Environment and Climate' (NEC), 'Techne', and the Asian Dynamics Initiative. Her recent publications show a consistent engagement with digital media, memory, environmental ethics, and artivism. Themes include YouTube testimonies of child soldiers, ecological mediation in Bali, art as activism in Maluku, and digital connectivity in Indonesia. Her work bridges anthropology, cultural studies, science and technology studies, and peace research, often analyzing how digital technologies reshape identity, memory, and conflict. Her scientific contributions are reflected in 76 research outputs, including books, journal articles, and book chapters. Notable recent works include studies on crisis brokerage, decolonial art exhibitions, and neoliberal development in Indonesia. While no formal list of advisees is available, her research collaborations suggest active mentorship and academic leadership. Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Monash University (since 2021) Adjunct Professor, Goethe University Frankfurt (since 2014) She has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. Her research is externally collaborative, particularly across Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe. Though no specific grants are listed, her extensive publication record and affiliations indicate sustained research funding. She is actively involved in digital and environmental anthropology, with future work likely expanding on ecological justice, digital memory, and post-conflict reconciliation.
