Old Norse mythology draws international researchers to Aarhus University.
On November 13th and 14th, Aarhus University is hosting an international conference on Old Norse mythology. The list of participants shows that the unique Old Norse material is a research area with an international appeal.
We will be receiving scientists from Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of California, Berkeley and University of Sydney, just to mention a few places, and the people coming to Aarhus are international authorities within this field of research, says Pernille Hermann.
She is an associate professor of Scandinavian languages and literature, and is arranging the conference Old Norse Mythology, Myth and Knowledge, together with Jens Peter Schjødt, professor of Religious Studies.
`The conference is open to everyone, and there will be 24 keynote speakers, including some of the greatest names within this field of research. However, there will also be presentations by younger scientists, taking new approaches to the topic. Thus, they represent the growth potential of a research area which is currently experiencing an increased interest from the outside world´ Jens Peter Schjødt explains.
A strong interdisciplinary research environment at AU
At Aarhus University, we have always had a particularly strong tradition of doing research in Old Norse mythology and sagas, which are tow closely related research areas. Therefore, foreign universities often advise their student to come here.
Aarhus University has a strong interdisciplinary research environment, including researchers from Scandinavian Studies, Religious Studies, Archaeology and History alike. Furthermore, Aarhus University is known for having a large number of research activities, merging research and education. We have our English-language Viking Studies program, and we are also part of a common Scandinavian Master´s program, Viking and Medieval Norse Studies, which also attracts international students´, Pernille Hermann explains.
Read more about the conference on Norse mythology.
 | Pernille Hermann, Associate professor of Scandinavian Studies, Aarhus University Mobile phone: 6165 3420 Land line: 8716 3142 Mail: norph@dac.au.dk |
 | Jens Peter Schjødt, Professor of Religious Studies, Aarhus University Mobile phone: 4156 2281 Land line: 8716 2489 Mail: jps@cas.au.dk |