Seminar Racial biology in the Nordics: Still an open field in polarized times (Rasbiologi i Norden: ännu ett öppet fält i en polariserad tid?) at CENS: 17.4.2026
The history of racial biology in the Nordic countries has since the 1990s been recognized as an important field of research within critical Nordic Studies.
In order to map new research strands on the subject the invitation seminar discussed the latest developments, international trends and future prospects in the study of the history of racial biology in the Nordic countries, as well as connections to today's societal debate climate. Among the new trends observed was the connection between research on racial biology and the history of photography.
The seminar was held in Scandinavian languages with participation from: Sigrid Lien (University of Bergen), Jon Kyllingstad (University of Oslo), Emma Vikström (Umeå University), Maja Hagerman (CENS) and Julia Dahlberg (University of Helsinki). Moderator: Peter Stadius.
The seminar was arranged with the support of Svenska Kulturfonden.
Sigrid Lien (University of Bergen): Sophus Tromholt og Roland Bonaparte i nord: Fotografi og rasebiologi.
Maja Hagerman (University of Helsinki): Framställandet av en "nordisk rastyp" som visuell ikon.
Emma Vikström (Umeå University): Rasbiologi i svenska utbildningssammanhang under 1900-talets första hälft.
Julia Dahlberg: Vad hände sen? Det finländska forskningsläget och några frågor för framtiden.
Jon Kyllingstad (University of Oslo): Samfunnsvitenskapelige og biologisk-antropologiske begreper om rase, rasisme og human biologisk diversitet før og nå.
The final discussion focused on creating connections between research findings, and discussing possible topics for future research as well as opportunities for collaboration between researchers.
Photo: University of Helsinki - Image Bank