Niklas Olsen

Niklas Olsen is Professor of Intellectual History at the University of Copenhagen's SAXO-Institute (Faculty of Humanities), specializing in twentieth-century political ideology, economic thought, and environmentalism. His research examines how ideas about capitalism, technology, and growth shape political responses to ecological crises. Currently a fellow at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS), he leads the Danish Independent Research Fund project 'Promises of Promethean Technologies' (2024–2027) and contributes to 'Neoliberalism in the Nordics'.

His educational background includes:

• MA in History, University of Copenhagen
• PhD, European University Institute
• Studies at UCLA
• Two visiting research periods at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities, Essen

Olsen's research centers on intellectual history with focus on neoliberalism, climate politics, and environmental thought. He investigates historical trajectories of green capitalism, the role of key actors in neoliberal economies, and Denmark's position as an environmental frontrunner. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary ecological challenges, emphasizing conceptual shifts in political economy.

Recent publications (2024–2025) reveal concentrated exploration of Danish/Nordic climate politics, environmental history, and neoliberal ideology. Key themes include nuclear energy debates, rewilding controversies, pollution-industrial complexes, and Bjørn Lomborg's influence. His scholarship consistently situates current environmental discourse within deeper historical frameworks of economic thought and political ideology.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Current fellow at Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS)
• Nordic Humanities Center fellowship (UCPH, 2025)
• Resident Scholar at Centre for Applied Ecological Thinking (UCPH, 2023)
• Visiting Fellow at Cambridge Centre for Political Thought (2022)

Olsen actively supervises doctoral research on voter subjectivity, nuclear environmentalism, and historical climate forestry. His grant leadership includes the Danish Independent Research Fund projects 'Promises of Promethean Technologies' (2024–2027) and 'Key Actors – Peopling the Neoliberal Economy' (2019–2022), alongside collaborative initiatives like 'Neoliberalism in the Nordics' with Uppsala University.

He maintains strong institutional connections through the Centre for Sustainable Futures at the SAXO-Institute and participates in international research networks focused on ecological thinking and Nordic political economy.