Philosophy at UCPH jumps into the world elite

At the Section for Philosophy at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) section head Klemens Kappel is thrilled.

His university is the 29th best place in the world to research or study philosophy. This is a leap of 17 spots into the world elite in just one year according to the recognized QS World University Rankings 2017

“We have been writing around to each other in the section, and I’ve talked to lots of people about it, and we’re happy. We think it’s really good to be 29th”

Klemens Kappel

When asked what the reason is, Klemens Kappel’s spontaneous response is that Philosophy has not examined it yet, and that it’s really only the QS ranking itself that can do that.

But then he adds that the long term strategy for Philosophy, which belongs to the Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, has borne fruit.

“Over the last 10-15 years the section has become very internationalized, and it has become strong in research with a number of new people that have published many research papers and that have brought in many new international contacts,” says Klemens Kappel.

He believes that there is generally a high level at the section today.

“Without having checked it, I think that if you go back 10 years, then the section was not on the QS ranking at the time,” he said, adding that philosophy has also been lucky to get hold of external research funding.

“This has made it possible for us to organise conferences, workshops and have many guests, and so the section has become more visible in the international philosophical arena,” says Klemens Kappel.

What has the reaction to the QS ranking been in your own section?

“We have been writing around to each other in the section, and I’ve talked to lots of people about it, and we’re happy. We think it’s really good to be 29th. We are in one of the best locations in Europe, and we are better than many departments, for example in the US and the UK,” says Klemens Kappel, who hopes that philosophy can maintain its high ranking.

Partners keeping their eye on the rankings

When it comes to the question of how a ranking as the 29th best in the world can benefit, he responds:

“It may be important for researchers and students abroad who are looking for partners, or who are considering doing research at the University of Copenhagen. They also see the rankings,” he says.

And the work to make contact with others may be easier:

“When we seek out people and universities around the world and ask them if they will be our partners in a research project that we are about to apply for funding for, it is good to be able to point to a high ranking. It gives you respect,” he says.

Finally, the recognition also means something within the University of Copenhagen’s own walls.

“At our faculty they will be happy to say that the section for philosophy is one of the highest ranked in the world,” says Klemens Kappel.