Research results from the Danish National Archives

Each year, the Danish National Archives publishes an Annual Research Report, providing an overview of its research results, projects, and collaborations. The reports demonstrate how more than 900 years of archival records and data provide the foundation for research of significant societal relevance.

Download the Danish National Archives’ Annual Research Reports

The Annual Research Reports include, among other things, presentations of major research findings and a comprehensive bibliography of the researchers’ scholarly publications, including books, journal articles, book chapters, and other academic outputs. They also contain statistics and an overview of the Danish National Archives’ research dissemination activities and research staff.

Research at the Danish National Archives addresses contemporary societal challenges through classical historical analysis, health and population register research, digital humanities, AI- and data-driven analysis, and commissioned research studies.

Building on the research potential of archival holdings, the Danish National Archives also develops methods for working with both analogue and digital sources.

• Read more about the Danish National Archives’ Research plan.

Peer-reviewed Publications and Scholarly Contributions

Researchers at the Danish National Archives publish peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and chapters in edited volumes each year across the fields of the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. Their research contributes new knowledge about both historical and contemporary society and is strengthened through collaboration with national and international research communities.

Public Engagement

Research findings are disseminated widely through public lectures at the Folk High School of Continuing Education (Folkeuniversitetet), historical societies, and cultural institutions. They are also communicated through opinion articles, feature articles, contributions to local and regional history journals, participation in radio, television, and digital media, as well as through teaching and the supervision of university students and PhD candidates.

Recent Research Highlights

To illustrate the breadth of research undertaken at the Danish National Archives, a selection of recent research outcomes is presented below. Click through the gallery to read more about each publication.

The Danish National Archives develops new knowledge and research infrastructure in collaboration with universities, cultural institutions, and public authorities. Drawing on more than 900 years of archival records and historical data, we contribute to collaborative research projects that address both historical and contemporary societal challenges.

Our research projects span digital humanities, population register and health research, and historical analyses of democracy, security, the welfare state, and cultural heritage. At the same time, we develop research infrastructure that makes historical data more accessible and more readily usable for researchers in Denmark and internationally.

Many of these projects are conducted in partnership with universities and other research institutions and are supported by external research foundations and funding bodies.

• See ongoing projects and collaborations.