Maria Lindebæk Schmidt Lyngsøe

Maria Lindebæk Schmidt Lyngsøe serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies within the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Humanities. Her scholarly work centers on contemporary Islam in Scandinavia, specifically examining how devoted Muslims navigate religious practice within complex secular environments and maintain connections to divine and communal bonds through educational activities.

Education:

• Master's Degree in History of Religions, Embodying the Text (University of Copenhagen, 2017)

Lyngsøe's research integrates material religion, ontological theory, and ethnographic methodologies to analyze both online and offline religious expressions. Current investigations focus on Islamic aesthetics through the 'Framing Islam' sub-project, where she examines ethical dimensions of art production and consumption in Scandinavian Muslim communities. Her work consistently addresses gender perspectives in Islamic education and the adaptation of religious traditions within secular societies.

Her 2025 publications reveal a thematic focus on foundational female figures in Islamic tradition (Mariam, Khadija, Fatima, Aisha), analyzed through contemporary Danish Muslim experiences. These works highlight intersections between historical narratives and modern religious identity formation, particularly regarding Ramadan practices, religious authority, and artistic expression within secular contexts.

Scientific Recognition:

No formal awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials.

Lyngsøe actively supervises students in courses covering historical/contemporary Islam, gender studies, and ethnographic methods. Her primary research funding derives from the 'Pious Practices Among Danish Muslims' project led by Professor Catharina Raudvere. She maintains significant public engagement through media contributions and academic outreach.

Research Collaborations:

She operates within the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies research network and collaborates extensively with Kvindernes Religionshistorie (Women's Religious History) on public-facing content about women in religious traditions. Her current sub-project 'Framing Islam' involves interdisciplinary partnerships examining Islamic art production in Scandinavia.