(she/her)

I am a sociologist and PhD fellow in the research section at Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen.

CURRENT RESEARCH

My PhD project investigates ‘research culture’ as a topic of growing interest and attention – in scientific practice, in academia, and in society more generally. Methodologically and theoretically, the project draws on fields such as sociology of knowledge, sociology of work, and science and technology studies.

Empirically, the project consists of two main strands. The first strand explores the institutional rise of ‘research culture work’ at universities in the UK, where concerns about competition, work conditions, and workplace behaviours have brought issues of research culture to the forefront over the past five years. The second strand takes a more localised approach to examining lived experiences of belonging, identity, and career navigation among scientists at a large academic research centre in Denmark.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Most of my core research interests can be situated in relation to the sociology of knowledge: I am interested in the relationship between human thought and the social context in which it arises, as well as the influence of social life on the formation of ‘knowledge’ (in a broad sense of the word, including facts, ideas, values, beliefs, practices…). My research is often guided by a curiosity about the ways in which forms of knowledge (about science, politics, morality, etc.) – and contradictions between forms of knowledge – are experienced and negotiated by individuals and groups across different contexts and in different situations, as well as the way in which knowledge claims relate to discussions about identity, agency, and ethics.

Some of my main areas of interest are:

Social theory
Sociology of knowledge
History of science, history of ideas and concepts
Philosophy of science
Political sociology (the study of power and ideology; political/social movements; the relationship between values and behaviour)
Political philosophy
Qualitative research methods
Social and political aspects of architecture and design

BACKGROUND

I hold a BA in Politics and Sociology from the University of Sussex and an MPhil in Sociology from the University of Cambridge. I have also completed a second BA in Architecture from the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. In-between and after my studies, I have worked in public policy (in the UK) and as a research consultant specialised in the relationship between people and architecture (in Denmark). I also have many years of experience as a freelance translator.

I am originally from the Faroe Islands and am fluent in Faroese, English, and Danish.

DEPARTMENTAL AFFILIATIONS & ROLES

Medical Museion is part of the Department of Public Health as well as the fourth research programme at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research.

As a PhD fellow, I am also a member of the Centre for Medical Science and Technology Studies (MeST) and sit on the steering committee for the graduate programme in Medicine, Culture and Society.

EXTERNAL RESEARCH STAYS

October to December, 2023: Visiting PhD Student in the department of Science, Technology & Innovation Studies, University of Edinburgh.

 

 

See also my University of Copenhagen researcher bio.