Claire Maxwell is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Copenhagen, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences. She joined the department in 2018 from University College London. Her research focuses on elites, global mobility, education systems, and social inequality, with a particular emphasis on how internationalization and mobility shape class dynamics and family practices. Education: PhD in Sociology (University of London, 2005) MSc in Applied Social Studies and Social Work (University of Oxford, 1999) MA(Hons) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (2005) Research Interests: Maxwell’s work examines global middle-class families, elite education systems, and the interplay between mobility and nationalism. She pioneered the concept of 'cosmopolitan nationalism' to analyze how global agendas are re-purposed by elites. Current projects include SkillsINCORP (funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark), studying high-skilled professionals' incorporation into Danish workplaces, and Onboard Denmark (Innovation Fund Denmark), developing tools for SMEs to recruit international talent. Grants & Projects: SkillsINCORP (2022-2025): Investigating professional integration in Danish firms Onboard Denmark (2021-2024): Digital tools for SMEs Israeli Science Foundation-funded study on mobile Israeli families (2020-2023) Labs/Teams: Leads cross-disciplinary teams collaborating with industry partners on global mobility challenges. Co-edits the International Studies in Sociology of Education (until 2024) and the Education in Global Perspectives book series.
Ann-Dorte Pedholt Christensen is a Professor of Sociology at Aalborg University’s Department of Sociology and Social Work, affiliated with The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She leads research initiatives within CASTOR (sociological/criminological research on social differentiation) and MIX (Center for Displacement, Migration and Integration). Her research focuses on gender and masculinity studies through an intersectional lens, examining how gender interacts with class, ethnicity, generation, and migration. Key themes include citizenship, social movements, identity formation, military masculinities, and everyday life practices. She employs qualitative methods, notably the biographical narrative approach, collaborating with artists and municipal archives to bridge academic and public spheres. Christensen has coordinated AAU’s PhD program in Sociology and Social Work, served as head of the CASTOR research group, and contributed to editorial boards of international journals. Her work addresses UN SDGs related to gender equality and social inclusion. Recent projects include studies on migrant narratives (MultiAalborg), military family dynamics, and the evolving constructions of masculinity in Nordic contexts. Her publications span journals like Armed Forces and Society and Childhood , with book chapters in Palgrave handbooks. She actively engages in public discourse through media commentary and museum collaborations, addressing topics like gender equality backlash and refugee integration.
Christian Groes is a Visiting Professor at Roskilde University's Department of Communication and Humanities and a member of the Center for Gender, Power and Diversity. His work focuses on gender, migration, development studies, and cultural anthropology. He holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen (2011) and was a Research Fellow at Columbia University (2008). His research explores themes such as transactional sex, intimate economies, and postcolonial identities in transnational contexts. Education: PhD in Anthropology, University of Copenhagen (2011) MSc in Anthology, University of Copenhagen Research Interests: Groes examines gender dynamics in migration, sexual cultures, and the intersection of power and inequality. His recent work addresses sugardating among marginalized youth in Denmark and Mozambican women’s migration patterns. He employs ethnographic methods to analyze intimate labor, moral economies, and postcolonial frameworks. Publications Trends: His articles bridge anthropology and sociology, focusing on transnational intimacy, gender-based vulnerabilities, and the socio-cultural impacts of migration. Recent work critiques management culture myths and explores how marginalized groups navigate global inequalities through intimate economies. Awards: Sapere Aude Young Elite Scientist (2012) Society for Medical Anthropology CAR Book Prize (2018) Grants/Advisory Roles: Lead researcher on the ‘Sugardating among marginalized young people’ project (2019–2021) Member of the EQUALIS Advisory Board (2022–2025) Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Roskilde University’s Center for Gender, Power and Diversity, which focuses on intersectional research in global contexts.
Gabriel Antonio Abarca Brown is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Medical Humanities at the Center for Culture and the Mind (CULTMIND) at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Humanities, where he works within the Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies. As a medical anthropologist, clinical psychologist, and psychoanalyst, his research spans multiple disciplinary boundaries while maintaining a focus on Latin American contexts, particularly Chile. His educational background includes a PhD in Anthropology from King's College London's Department of Global Health and Social Medicine (awarded February 1, 2021) and an MA in Adult Clinical Psychology with specialization in Psychoanalysis from the University of Chile. His academic journey reflects his interdisciplinary approach to understanding mental health through both clinical and anthropological lenses. Abarca Brown's research interests focus on the history, politics, and practices of psychiatry and global mental health, particularly examining their impacts on subjectivity and everyday life in Latin America. His work critically engages with decolonial perspectives, intersectionality, and the relationship between neuroscience and society. He investigates how mental health systems interact with migration, race, gender, and cultural contexts, with a special emphasis on Haitian migration to Chile. His scholarship challenges neurocentric approaches while exploring how global mental health initiatives are implemented and transformed in local settings. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward examining the intersection of neuroscience, migration, and mental health in Latin American contexts, particularly Chile. His work often employs ethnographic methods to explore how global mental health paradigms are translated and transformed in local settings. A significant portion of his research focuses on Haitian migration to Chile, examining how mental health services engage with migrant populations and how migrants navigate mental healthcare systems. His scholarship demonstrates a consistent commitment to decolonizing mental health approaches and amplifying Latin American perspectives within global mental health discourse. Honorable Mention - Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais Prize from the Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra (2022) ANID BecasChile PhD scholarship (2015) Scholarship for Research Visit at the Social Medicine Institute UERJ-Brazil (August 2017) Beyond his academic appointments, Abarca Brown has served as an Advisor to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and is a co-founder of the Platform for Social Research in Mental Health in Latin America (PLASMA). His external academic positions include Adjunct Researcher at Universidad Diego Portales and Visiting Professor at Universidad San Sebastián. He has lectured and conducted research at multiple institutions including the University of Santiago, University of Chile, King's College London, and the University of Copenhagen, demonstrating his strong regional and international academic networks. Abarca Brown is actively engaged with the Center for Culture and the Mind (CULTMIND) at the University of Copenhagen, where his postdoctoral fellowship is based. His work intersects with broader initiatives examining the relationship between culture, mind, and mental health. Through PLASMA, he contributes to building networks for mental health research across Latin America, fostering collaborative approaches that center regional perspectives and needs.
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.
Marie Riegels Melchior serves as Associate Professor in European Ethnology at the SAXO Institute, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen, where she has held academic positions since 2009 including her current role since 2017. Her work bridges academic research with museum practice, focusing on Danish cultural expression through material artifacts. Education: Cand. mag. in European Ethnology, University of Copenhagen (1997-2001) PhD candidate, Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts/School of Design & Designmuseum Danmark (2004-2008) Visiting Research Fellow, University of Leicester (2011) Visiting Scholar, University College London (2005) and Columbia University (1999) Her research centers on the cultural history of fashion and design, examining how wardrobes function as repositories of personal and collective memory. Current projects investigate the Dranella fashion company (1956-2000) and sustainable principles in royal dress collections, revealing fashion's role in negotiating identity, class, and environmental responsibility. She pioneers interdisciplinary approaches connecting material culture studies with contemporary sustainability challenges. Recent publications demonstrate consistent thematic focus on Nordic fashion contexts, with increasing attention to gender construction, Arctic adaptations, and heritage sustainability. Her scholarship moves beyond descriptive history to analyze fashion as active social practice, frequently incorporating museum studies frameworks and Scandinavian case studies that challenge Eurocentric fashion narratives. Scientific Awards: Kungl. Gustav Adolfs Akademi for Svensk Folkekultur (2021) Professor Riegels Melchior actively supervises PhD candidates through the SAXO Institute's doctoral program, though specific advisees aren't publicly listed. Her research has been supported by prestigious fellowships including the Polaire Weissman Fund at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2001-2002) and multiple research appointments at Designmuseum Danmark, reflecting strong museum-academia partnerships. She operates within the SAXO Institute's collaborative environment encompassing archaeology, ethnology, history, and classical studies, maintaining particularly close ties with Danish fashion archives and museums including Designmuseum Danmark and the National Museum of Denmark's dress collections.
Rune Stubager is a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University. He specializes in electoral behaviour, Danish politics, public opinion, and political sociology, focusing on how voters' positions in the social structure and perceptions of social groups influence political attitudes and party choice. Since 2011, he has served as a co-Principal Investigator for the Danish National Election Study ( https://www.valgprojektet.dk/ ). Research : Social determinants of voting, class identity, political polarization, and comparative political attitudes. Teaching : Political behaviour, political sociological explanations, and quantitative research methods. Contact : Telephone +45 87 16 56 94 | Email stubager@ps.au.dk His peer-reviewed publications, such as studies on class-based campaigning, voter responses to social class appeals, and the dynamics of political trust in Denmark, reflect his interest in bridging empirical analysis with theoretical frameworks from political sociology.
Johan Fischer is an active Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University, Denmark. His research focuses on the interfaces between human values and markets, with particular expertise in religious food practices including halal consumption, Islamic markets, and vegetarianism across Southeast Asia and India. His research interests span Islamic consumption patterns, moral economies of food, religious marketplaces, and the globalization of religious dietary practices. Fischer examines how religious values interact with market forces, particularly in Muslim and Hindu contexts, analyzing how consumers navigate religious requirements within globalized food systems. His work bridges anthropology, sociology, religious studies, and economics to understand contemporary consumption patterns. Fischer's extensive publication record shows consistent focus on religious food markets, with recent work shifting toward vegetarianism and plant-based futures. His publications reveal a trajectory from studying halal markets in Southeast Asia to examining vegetarianism in India and developing theoretical frameworks for understanding moral economies of consumption globally. Carlsberg Foundation Monograph Fellowship: Going Green Globally? Moral Economies of Vegetarianism (2022-2023) Carlsberg Foundation Research Infrastructure: Vegetarianism in a Global Perspective (2021-2022) Danish Council for Independent Research grant on Indian vegetarianism (2017-2018) Erasmus Mundus mobility grant (2017-2018) As Co Editor-in-Chief of Research in Globalization and Editor of Routledge's Studies in Material Religion and Spirituality series, Fischer actively shapes scholarly discourse in his fields. His recent activities through 2023 demonstrate continued engagement with academic communities through workshops on medicinal animals, religious foodways, and Inter-Asian legalities.
Dil Bach is an Associate Professor at the Department of Educational Anthropology within the Danish School of Education. Their research focuses on parenting strategies, early childhood education, and the intersection of welfare state policies with family dynamics. Bach has conducted extensive studies on cultural norms in parenting, particularly in Denmark and Singapore, and explores how socioeconomic factors influence child-rearing practices. Key research projects include investigations into school readiness, challenges of intensive parenting in multicultural contexts, and the civilizing practices within affluent families. Bach collaborates with institutions to analyze family-childcare interactions and policy implications. Their work bridges anthropology, sociology, and education, emphasizing empirical methodologies. Publications highlight topics like psychosocial health in HIV-positive mothers, comparative parenting styles, and the sociological dimensions of childcare reforms. Current projects (2023-2025) explore family positioning in early childhood education and pedagogical approaches to children’s behavioral challenges. Bach’s contributions include over 15 peer-reviewed articles and books, with a focus on qualitative studies in education and family systems. Their research often addresses societal tensions between disciplinary practices and child-centered approaches in educational institutions.
Helene Risør is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Social Sciences. Her research is centered on political and urban anthropology, with a regional focus on Latin America—particularly Chile and Bolivia. Institution: University of Copenhagen School: Faculty of Social Sciences Department: Department of Anthropology Email: helene.risoer@anthro.ku.dk Phone: +4535336522 Her research explores the lived experiences of civil insecurity, citizenship practices, and political subjectivity, especially among lower-middle and poor urban populations during periods of political transition. She investigates how statehood and citizenship are enacted locally, nationally, and globally. Her current postdoctoral project, The Becoming of Political Youth: Generation, Citizenship and the Transformation of Civil Society in Bolivia , examines youth as emergent political actors. This work is supported by the Sapere Aude Young Researcher’s Award from the Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF), which also funds comparative ethnography in Chile and Bolivia and a research network on Political Subjectivities and Indigeneity before and after the Revolution . Her publications reflect deep ethnographic engagement with themes of violence, citizenship, and political transformation in the Andean region. Key works include studies on lynching in El Alto, civil insecurity, and methodological reflections on participatory photography. Sapere Aude: Young Researcher's Award (2011) She has advised and continues to mentor research in political anthropology, though no named students are listed. Her work contributes to theoretical debates on citizenship, civil society, and generational politics in contexts of profound social transformation.
Mathies Græsborg Aarhus is a researcher in the Department of Culture and Language at the University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Humanities. His work bridges literature and social inquiry, focusing on labor, class, and cultural representation. Education: PhD in Literature, University of Southern Denmark (2020) MA in Literature, University of Copenhagen Visiting Researcher, University of California, Berkeley (2012–2014) His research centers on British and American literature after 1900, with a focus on affect theory, working-class fiction, labor history, and new social movements. He explores how literature reflects and shapes discourses around unemployment, precarity, and automation. His interdisciplinary approach connects literary studies with sociology and cultural theory. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in analyzing class through digital and empirical methods, such as data-driven studies of readership, while also engaging with avant-garde and estate literature in the UK. His work appears in journals like Textual Practice , Contemporary Literature , and ASAP Journal , and he is currently writing a book on the literary history of unemployment since 1930. Scientific Awards: L. S. Dembo Prize (2011) Dembo Prize (2021) He has been actively involved in academic service, including editing Aktualitet , organizing conferences like Ljudboken! , and presenting at research seminars. He has supervised bachelor projects and taught courses on American literature, British literature post-1922, and social class in Trump’s America, demonstrating commitment to pedagogy and mentorship. His public engagement includes media appearances in Morgenbladet , Kristeligt Dagblad , and DR’s P1 Morgen, where he discusses literature and inequality. He is not affiliated with a specific lab or research center, but his collaborative network includes scholars in Nordic and Anglo-American literary studies, and he contributes to broader conversations on literature and social justice.
Malene Gram is a Professor at the Aalborg University Business School, affiliated with the Marketing and Market Processes Research Group. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, sustainable consumption, and family dynamics, with a particular emphasis on intergenerational relationships, branding, and advertising. She employs qualitative methodologies including ethnography, interviews, and content analysis. Her work bridges marketing, sociology, and anthropology, exploring topics like holiday consumption, food decision-making, and digital identity. Key projects include studying grandparent-grandchild consumption relations and the impact of global advertising on cultural values. She has led or participated in 7 research projects since 2003, including the ongoing Meet the family - A family and transition stage (2021–2024). Gram’s research has been featured in outlets like the Journal of Consumer Culture and presented at international conferences. She actively contributes to academic peer review and editorial work. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses contemporary challenges such as sustainable consumption, digital media’s role in identity construction, and cross-cultural consumer practices.
Karen Egedal Andreasen is an Associate Professor in education and pedagogical assessment at the Department of Culture and Learning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Aalborg University. She is a core member of the Center for Education Policy Research (CFU), contributing to national and international educational research. Her research interests are deeply rooted in the sociological and historical analysis of education. Key themes include: Socialization and social mobility Processes of marginalization, inclusion, and exclusion in educational contexts Assessment practices in comprehensive schools Educational innovation Home economics and vocational education Gender perspectives in science and practical subjects Her recent publications and projects reflect a strong trend toward historical educational studies, particularly focusing on post-war Danish education, gendered schooling, and the sociological implications of assessment. She frequently investigates how educational policies and practices shape equity and access over time. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: Active contributor to public and academic debates on grading, gender, and educational equity Regular participant in national and international research seminars and conferences Member of the ESREA Network on the History of Adult Education and Training in Europe Advising and Research Leadership: Principal Investigator on multiple research projects, including those funded by the Independent Research Foundation of Denmark Co-investigator in interdisciplinary projects such as 'Practical Skills in School' and 'Internationalization of Vocational Education' Supervises PhD students and contributes to doctoral education Research Groups and Networks: Center for Education Policy Research (CFU), Aalborg University ESREA Network History of Adult Education and Training in Europe Collaborative networks in Scandinavian educational innovation (e.g., IADAS)
Lasse Martin Koefoed is an Associate Professor at the Department of People and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Roskilde University. He leads the Nordic Master Program 'Nordic Urban Planning Studies' and contributes to critical urban studies, cosmopolitan urbanism, and multiculturalism in cities. Ph.D. in Human Geography (2006, Roskilde University) M.Sc. in Social Sciences (1997, Roskilde University) His research explores everyday politics , urban security design , public space , and cosmopolitan urbanism . Recent projects include 'Sustainable Diverse Cities' and 'Liveable Cities', focusing on integration, multiculturalism, and urban innovation. Key research trends center on urban solidarity , cross-cultural encounters , and the politics of hospitality , reflecting his theoretical focus on phenomenological reconfigurations of urban political dynamics. Det Norske Forskningsråd (Byforsk) grant (2017-2022) BLOXHUB and SBI grant (2018-2022) Nordic Council of Ministers grant (2016-2019) Danish Social Science Research Council grants (multiple projects 2007-2017) He co-founded the BLOXHUB Scientific Advisory Board and has held leadership roles in research groups and academic committees. His work appears in journals like Mobilities , Antipode , and Cities .
Mari Holen is a Professor at Roskilde University's Department of Humanities and Technology, affiliated with the Research Group for Health and Society and the Center for Gender, Power and Diversity. Her research focuses on health inequality, institutional practices, and patient empowerment in somatic and psychiatric healthcare. She leads the Health Promotion and Health Strategies research group and supervises PhD students. PhD in Inclusion and Equality (2011), Roskilde University Holen's work examines how healthcare institutions reinforce or reduce inequality through diagnosis categorization, recovery policies, and patient-professional interactions. She employs qualitative methodologies to analyze clinical practices and social conditions in healthcare systems. Her recent publications address home nursing professionalism, hazing in healthcare, and patient-led research. She contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and education through cross-institutional collaborations like the Psychosocial Problems and Society network. Best Abstract Award (2017) PhD Cup 2012 Holen serves as chair of BFI subject group 58 (nursing) and coordinates research projects with institutions like Steno Diabetes Center Sjælland. Her expertise bridges health sociology, gender analysis, and welfare state studies.
