News about Politics

New project maps illegal mining and global environmental crime

With a grant from the Independent Research Fund Denmark, researchers from the UCPH will study how minerals are irregularly mined in Ghana and end up in technological products, only to return and dumped as e-waste.

Economics of climate change: One per cent makes a world of difference

Frikk Nesje and his colleagues have created international awareness by building bridges in the political debate as to how much we should invest in the climate.

Vaccine ‘pocket money’ is controversial - but it works

Can a few hundred kroner motivate people to be vaccinated? Yes, to a certain extent, shows a research project anchored in the Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality, University of Copenhagen.

Vocational education shapes students’ personality

Do young people become more conscientious by getting an education? Yes, if it is a vocational education, a new study reveals.

No strategy behind Danish war effort in Afghanistan – we followed USA

When Denmark decided to participate in the war in Afghanistan just three months after the terrorist attacks 11 September 2001, it was an act of solidarity with the United States. The efforts were not part of a long-term…

Olympics in 60 seconds: From Greek myth to modern-day mega-event

The Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in honour of the gods. In addition to an abundance of sports, the Olympics of today are money, politics and propaganda.

Covid-19 clinical trials ignore gender differences

Although the coronavirus affects men and women differently, most clinical trials do not mention sex/gender, a new analysis of 4,420 studies concludes. Ultimately, it can influence the treatment negatively.

Five types of passengers: How we respond to fines on the bus

As passengers we respond very differently when caught without a valid ticket on the bus. Using video analysis, sociologists have identified five typical patterns of reaction.

New Associate Dean for Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences

On 1 September Professor Sara Hagemann takes up office as the new Associate Dean for Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Researchers test virtual reality as a tool for promoting vaccination

234 random passersby got the opportunity to try a new virtual reality game, when researchers from the University of Copenhagen visited Fælledparken to test the efficiency of VR technology within health information.

Researchers test virtual reality as a tool for promoting vaccination

234 random passersby got the opportunity to try a new virtual reality game, when researchers from the University of Copenhagen visited Fælledparken to test the efficiency of VR technology within health information.

Danish companies get new tools for recruiting internationals

With funding from Innovation Fund Denmark, a new project will help small and medium-sized companies recruit and retain international professionals. The Department of Sociology will be leading the research.

Big Brother isn’t always as clever as we think

New research questions the value of digital surveillance and big data. Sometimes traditional and less privacy-invasive data can predict human behaviour much more effectively.

Our personality traits explain how we perceive and react to COVID-19

Both Danes and Germans with prosocial personality traits are more likely to follow health recommendations, while people with traits that make them more susceptible to negative emotions are more likely to see COVID-19 as…

Letting nature manage itself may lead to the least costs —but EU subsidies remain an obstacle

Nature management through rewilding can be significantly more cost-effective than by traditional conservation measures. However, EU agricultural subsidies distort competition. This is the conclusion of an economic…

Climate labeling reduces our CO2 footprint — even for those who willfully attempt to remain uninformed

Climate labels informing us of a meat product’s carbon footprint cause many people to opt for climate-friendlier alternatives. This applies to people who are curious about a product’s carbon footprint, as well as to…

We need to rethink the healthcare sector

The conference on chronic conditions at the UCPH revealed a growing interest in the everyday lives of chronic patients. The job is now to make improved quality of life a matter of priority, says Ayo Wahlberg, one of the…

Educational mobility on the decline in Denmark

In 20 years, the impact of parental background on children’s education has increased significantly, and today Denmark is on par with the US despite free education and state education grants.

The University of Copenhagen gathers medical anthropologists for a conference on chronic conditions

With close to 500 participants, the Chronic Living conference on 4-6 March will be one of the largest medical anthropological events on record.

Every fifth Dane wants to put immigrants with Covid-19 back in the hospital queue

According to a new survey, up to one in five Danes would prioritise hospital beds for COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms born in Denmark over recent immigrants.

Research literature increasingly dominated by a few 'elite researchers'

A new sociology study shows that a small international elite of researchers is increasingly being quoted in scientific journals.

Biotech company funds research project on diversity

In collaboration with Genmab, a new anthropological postdoc project at the Department of Anthropology will now explore and help develop the company's efforts to ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace.

New unit at UCPH to put focus on research into children and education

New funding from the Ministry of Children and Education will enable researchers from across the Faculty of Social Sciences to strengthen quantitative research into children’s education and their social mobility.

Misguided sense of balance exacerbates climate scepticism

Many of us may have inadvertently contributed to the growing climate scepticism of recent years, a widespread phenomenon fuelled by “system errors” built into journalism, social media and parliamentary debates. A new…