News about Society

Living with chronic disease: Three questions that still need answering

We still lack knowledge on how best to help patients with chronic diseases. Ayo Wahlberg, who just completed a large-scale study on the everyday lives of people living with chronic disease, calls for new initiatives.

What role does music play in future psychedelic treatment?

Thanks to a grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark, psychologist Dea Siggaard Stenbæk will examine how listening to music affects healthy trial subjects whilst receiving treatment with the psychedelic drug…

Danes have reduced meat consumption – but we lag behind other Europeans

A major new survey on meat consumption in Europe reports that Europeans have a growing appetite for plant-based foods and that meat consumption has dipped. While this applies to Denmark as well, Danes lag behind the…

Our computers are sexist towards male and female politicians

Female politicians are often described as 'beautiful' or 'hysterical' in language models, while descriptors like ‘brave' and 'independent' are elicited for their male counterparts. A new analysis by researchers from th…

The gulf between rich and poor is increasing

The economic inequality is decreasing on a global scale, and the gulf between rich and poor is growing fast. This is the conclusion of an international research project with Danish participation.

The green transition starts in your municipality

Local citizens need to be involved in the green transition if the climate crisis is to gain broad public support, researchers argue. Local citizens’ assemblies focussing on climate issues may prove an important part of…

Companies recruit more female board members through family ties

The introduction of a gender quota in Denmark has increased the number of women on company boards, but it also led to more family driven hiring, a new study finds.

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.

Farmers' share of food prices has fallen

The path from farm to fork is getting longer and longer on a global scale. In fact, most of what we pay for food doesn’t go to those who grow or raise foods, but to food processors, packagers, transporters and others. A…

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.

Study aims to prevent violence against staff working in residential care

Staff working in residential care institutions for children and youth are regularly exposed to violence and threats at work.

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…

This is how much Danes are willing to pay to protect nature and prevent noise from motorways

Danes are quite willing to pay to prevent noise pollution, protect unique natural areas and avoid animal collisions when it comes to the construction of new motorways. This is the conclusion of a new report by…

New online course: Urbanisation and Health – Promoting Sustainable Solutions

Join our new online course, "Urbanisation and Health – Promoting Sustainable Solutions" for free now.

Ancient riddle solved: Danish researchers find a way to make faba beans safe for all to eat

Consuming large amounts of faba beans can be dangerous for about 400 million people due to a compound called vicine, which accumulates in the beans. This limits their potential as a widespread, sustainable source of…

Ancient riddle solved: Danish researchers find a way to make faba beans safe for all to eat

Consuming large amounts of faba beans can be dangerous for about 400 million people due to a compound called vicine, which accumulates in the beans. This limits their potential as a widespread, sustainable source of…

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.

Danish invention to make computer servers worldwide more climate friendly

An elegant new algorithm developed by Danish researchers can significantly reduce the resource consumption of the world's computer servers. Computer servers are as taxing on the climate as global air traffic combined,…

Danish invention to make computer servers worldwide more climate friendly

An elegant new algorithm developed by Danish researchers can significantly reduce the resource consumption of the world's computer servers. Computer servers are as taxing on the climate as global air traffic combined,…

Climate report: Home buyers ignore flood risk

Buyers neglect to investigate the risk of flooding until after purchasing new homes according to a new report from the University of Copenhagen. The report also reveals that home prices are only slightly affected by…

The sense of smell in older adults declines when it comes to meat, but not vanilla

Contrary to what science once suggested, older people with a declining sense of smell do not have comprehensively dampened olfactory ability for odors in general – it simply depends upon the type of odor. Researchers at…

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.