Morten Axel Pedersen

Morten Axel Pedersen is a Professor at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and a key figure at the Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science (SODAS). He also serves as chief scientist at the Centre for AI in Society (CAISA), where he collaborates with computer scientists, media scholars, and policymakers on responsible AI and digital sovereignty. As co-founder and former director of SODAS, he has played a pivotal role in advancing computational anthropology and the integration of social science with data science.

• PhD in Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge (2002)

His research lies at the intersection of anthropology, political economy, and digital methods. He specializes in computational ethnography and theoretical innovation, with long-term fieldwork in Mongolia and China. His work explores the relationship between political forms and cultural imaginaries, the ontological turn in anthropology, and the societal implications of AI and datafication. He has contributed significantly to debates on relational ontology, hope in post-socialist contexts, and the political economy of attention.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary scholarship, combining ethnographic depth with data-driven methods. Themes include Chinese globalization, infrastructure projects, security, fear, and the future. His work bridges traditional anthropological inquiry with cutting-edge digital tools, positioning him at the forefront of social data science. He has also contributed to public scholarship through interviews and media engagement.

• Sapere Aude Research Leader Grant from DFF
• ERC Advanced Grant on The Political Economy of Attention

Pedersen has advised numerous research projects and led major grants, including the ERC Advanced Grant. His leadership in establishing SODAS and CAISA demonstrates a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and training the next generation of scholars. He actively collaborates with researchers across computer science, business intelligence, and media studies, fostering innovative approaches to societal challenges posed by AI and digital technologies.

He is affiliated with the Copenhagen Centre for Social Data Science (SODAS) and the Centre for AI in Society (CAISA), both of which serve as hubs for interdisciplinary research on data, technology, and society. These centers bring together scholars from diverse fields to address pressing issues in digital governance, ethics, and social impact.