PhD Courses in Denmark

Dates and time: 24 - 28 November from 9:00 to 16.30/17.30/19:00 (se programme below)

This 5 day course introduces and discusses theoretical and methodological challenges in relation to different qualitative approaches in memory studies (interviews, site-based fieldwork, discourse analyses, archival studies). During the course, PhD students will have a chance to hear, meet and discuss with established scholars within the field of memory studies, to hear established researchers and fellow PhD students reflect on their own theoretical positions and methodological choices, and to present their own work and discuss it with both experienced scholars and their own peers. The programme will include an excursion to a memory or heritage site in the vicinity of Copenhagen.

PhD students are required to submit a 7-10 page position paper on the theoretical and methodological approach of their own research project before the PhD course. Moreover, they are expected to act as discussants for two papers by fellow PhD students at the PhD course.

Academic Aim:
 - Introduction to a variety of qualitative approaches within memory studies
 - Reflections on theoretical and methodological challenges within memory studies
 - Development and clarification of one’s own theoretical and methodological position within the field
 - Establishment of network of colleagues and peers within the field

Target group:  PhD students within humanities and social sciences working with issues related to cultural or collective memory, heritage studies and uses of the past.

Course lecturers: 
Jessica Ortner, Associate Professor, Department of Culture and Language, University of Southern Denmark
Sara Dybris McQuaid, Associate Professor in British-Irish History, Society and Culture, Aarhus University

Course organisers: 
Anne Folke Henningsen, Associate Professor, The Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen
Anna Lena Sandberg, Associate Professor, Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies, University of Copenhagen
Tea Sindbæk Andersen, Associate Professor, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen

Draft programme:

Monday 24 November
10.30: Welcome; introductions, presentation of course programme
12-13: Lunch
13.15-16: Short introductory lectures by local course teachers & discussion of readings:
Anna Sandberg (Engerom)
Tea Sindbæk Andersen (ToRS)
Anne Folke Henningsen (Saxo)
16-17.30: Reception

Tuesday 25 November
9-12.30: Seminar: paper presentation and discussion
12.30-13-30: Lunch
13.30-16.30: Lecture & discussion of readings:
Astrid Erll (Goethe University Frankfurt): memory, literature, crises

Wednesday 26 November
8-19: Excursion:
Forsorgsmuseet, Svendborg
 - Guided tour and lecture by Stine Grønbæk Jensen (Copenhagen) Sarah Smed and informant (Forsorgsmuseet): presentations and discussion on memory, oral history and the participatory museum
 - Panel discussion with Magdalena Zolkos and Astrid Erll: reflections and discussion of museum politics, participatory practices and marginal voices through oral history

Thursday 27 November
9-12.30: Seminar: paper presentation and discussion
12.30: Lunch
13.30-16.30: Lecture & discussion of readings:
Magdalena Zolkos (University of Jyväskylä): Memory, heritage, gender

Friday 28 November
9-12.00: Lecture & discussion of readings:
Sara Dybris McQuaid (Aarhus University): Administrations of memory
12.00-13.00: Lunch
13.00-16.30: Writing session: revising position papers based on insights from course discussions and feedback
16.30-17.30: Participants’ roundtable: Revisiting the PhD projects’ theoretical and methodological approach
17.30: End of course. Reception

Language: English

ECTS: 3.8 for participation with paper presentation

Preparation: All course participants are required to submit a 7-10 page position paper on the theoretical and methodological approach of their own research project no later than 7 November 2025.

Max. numbers of participants: 25

Registration: Please register via the link in the box no later than 22 September 2025

Further information: For more information about the PhD course, please contact the PhD Administration (phd@hrsc.ku.dk).

Literature: TBA