Greenlandic and Arctic Studies

The research encompasses interdisciplinary studies of Inuit culture and society (Kalaallit Nunaat/Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and Siberia), with a primary focus on Greenlandic cultural, social, and linguistic studies.

Greenlandic and Arctic Studies is an intercultural and regional field of study with a primary focus on culture, society, and language in Greenland and the Arctic; the research draws in particular on linguistics, anthropology, history, literary studies, Indigenous methodologies, and cultural studies in the humanities. The researchers address a range of topics that often relate to colonial and postcolonial relations and processes. Greenlandic and Arctic Studies is one of the oldest programmes at the University of Copenhagen (founded in 1920). Today, the section’s distinctive profile is characterised by topics related to the rights of Indigenous peoples, language dynamics, cultural encounters, history, and modern social development.

The research community serves and interacts with public and private stakeholders in Denmark, Greenland, and abroad, providing up-to-date knowledge on Arctic conditions and issues and contributing research-based critical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives. Affiliated with the research community is the internationally recognized Polar Library, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Arctic-related literature and materials.

Generally, our institutional Arctic research work is conducted through UCPH Arctic, HUM Arctic, and the University of the Arctic. In addition, our researchers participate in international research projects and collaborate with communities and institutions in Greenland and the Arctic.