Science Shapes Our Future
The faculty's researchers conduct ground-breaking research and publish scientific articles that ensures that the University of Copenhagen retain its position as one of the best universities in the world and one of the absolute best in Europe.
At SCIENCE - University of Copenhagen, we pursue excellence as well as curiosity across research, education, and collaboration. Our focus is on creating meaningful global change by addressing challenges and providing targeted solutions an breakthroughs.
Through innovation and an interdisciplinary approach, we aim to tackle complex issues and drive development in our research areas.
The faculty's research environments holds considerable academic weight and contributes with a high scientific impact. Groundbreaking basic research goes hand in hand with the implementation and application of the research results, and contributes to solving a number of the major challenges facing our society.
Lise Arleth, Associate Dean for Research
Research areas at SCIENCE
Explore the essence of our research at SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen (UCPH) through these five core narratives. Delve into the 'why, 'how', and what' that drives us. You will also find a (not exhaustive) list of links under each area that leads to examples of the research centres, research news, publications and infrastructure from and at the faculty's departments and sections.
The Universe
Curiosity has always driven our quest to understand the universe and the world around us. At SCIENCE we focus on the big questions. We are looking for answers to deep cosmological enquiries about the origin of the universe, the formation of living conditions and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. We are working to understand the natural forces, interactions and symmetries of the universe at all temporal and spatial scales, from elementary particles to molecules, earth science and cosmology. Mathematics serves as our basic language for describing and understanding the laws of nature.
New methods and challenging existing paradigms
Our research delves into the evolution of the universe, from elementary particles to galaxies and planets, and the Earth's composition and geology. We emphasise sustainability and recognise the limited nature and the importance of ecological balance. In materials and molecular research, we investigate structures, interactions and reactions, and exploit this knowledge to create functional molecules and refine natural biomolecules. Our quantum science research explores the smallest particles that potentially pave the way for revolutionary quantum technologies. Our collaborations span various fields, including astrophysics, materials physics, chemistry and particle physics.
The Universe at UCPH SCIENCE
Radiogenic and non-traditional isotope geochemistry laboratory
New type of extremely reactive substance in the atmosphere
A Living Planet
Man has always strived to understand life and its origin and development on our planet. At SCIENCE, we study all aspects of life and its building blocks, in all dimensions of time, space and scale, from atoms and molecules, cells and organisms to populations and societies. Our goal is to gain an overview of the full diversity of life and an insight into how we can protect it for both humans and the planet we inhabit.
From science to societal commitment
In a rapidly changing world, we study contemporary and historical ways of life and build sustainable collections. Our research ranges from science to societal engagement, educating future leaders and engaging in important conversations about biodiversity, climate change and disease origins. We explore everything from rainforests to cities, document all species and work with molecules such as proteins and DNA to develop new solutions. We strive to promote climate-friendly food and material systems and build a future without harmful environmental impacts.
A Living Planet at UCPH SCIENCE
Integrative Structural Biology at the University of Copenhagen
Machine Learning in Life Science
A Sustainable Future
Decades of scientific research have revealed the dire consequences of climate change that have profoundly changed our world. Changes that affect living conditions, land and sea use and the structure of nature, society, agriculture and forestry itself. The loss of biodiversity and increasing disasters, such as drought and famine, are alarming. Even though global awareness and green climate goals are gaining ground, we still lack comprehensive solutions. To ensure a sustainable future, we must explore and assess the possibilities, understand the costs and strike a balance between ecological conservation and the well-being of future generations.
A global perspective
At SCIENCE, we want to lead the way in the green and blue transitions by combining basic and applied research across disciplines. Collaborating with global partners is – in our view - key to finding solutions for a sustainable future. Our research focuses on balancing environmental concerns and developing innovative solutions for a more sustainable world. A global perspective for tackling climate challenges and contributing to a viable future is key.
A Sustainable Future at UCPH SCIENCE
Center for Volatile Interactions (VOLT)
Trees outside forests in global drylands (TOFDRY)
Danish invention to make computer servers worldwide more climate friendly
Listen to the landscape - an interactive website
Food waste prevention in Europe can generate major footprint savings
A Digital World
We do not know the future, but we know that for more than half a century the digital revolution has changed society and our understanding of the world in unpredictable ways. We expect the digital development to continue at a high pace. If handled properly and responsibly, it will increasingly strengthen the basis of our overall well-being, including our, safety and health.
At the forefront of the technological future
Our research promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing across disciplines and utilizes technologies such as extended reality and quantum technology together with data analysis. In AI research, we work to reduce bias in AI applications while prioritizing a deep understanding of the context in which we operate. Our research includes areas such as climate, ecosystems and programming languages, all of which play a role in the development of the digital world.
A Digital World at UCPH SCIENCE
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme
About Quantum Research at the Faculty
In future pandemics, you can hug your friends through your computer
Research in Chemometrics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at UCPH FOOD
A Healthy Life
Achieving healthy lives for all is a global challenge. Climate change poses significant threats to human health; In addition, it exacerbates hunger and malnutrition in regions where food is a scarce resource.
Low-income countries struggle against malnutrition, while high-income countries struggle with lifestyle-related diseases. Demographic shifts affect health systems, often unevenly distributed. Unequal access to healthcare fuels instability. Solving these problems requires innovative strategies for prevention, disease management and sustainable food production, to ensure a healthier and fairer future for all.
A healthy life on many levels
At SCIENCE the research into healthy living ranges from molecular level to societal level and includes climate impact, air and water quality, physiological functions and future habits and foods. Our approach to health covers nutrition, exercise, climate and the complex interaction between genetics and surroundings. Our research will contribute to a healthier future through the development of climate-friendly, healthy foods and diets across the entire food value chain, including plants, insects and aquatic animals. We investigate the physiological effects of food and create innovative solutions for air purification and healthy urban environments. In our research we also work to embrace personal health and incorporates physical activity, disease prevention and treatment across a spectrum ranging from molecular insights to societal aspects.
A Healthy Life at UCPH SCIENCE
Center for Optimized Oligo Escape and Control of Disease
Research on the intestinal microbiome at KU FOOD – health and disease