According to Sofie Lene Bak, not having a strong research environment in the country can have serious and concrete consequences.<\/p>\n
Antisemitism has exploded on social media \u2014 but also in everyday interactions between Jews and non-Jews<\/p>\n
Sofie Lene Bak, UCPH associate professor and research leader<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u00bbIn Denmark, we are in many ways defenceless against waves of antisemitism because there is so little research in the area,\u00ab says Sofie Lene Bak, and continues:<\/p>\n
\u00bbAntisemitic prejudices \u2014 just like racist or Islamophobic ones \u2014 run the risk of being normalised if we do not have a solid research effort. Without knowledge, we could end up with aggressive or even violent attitudes become part of public discourse. I\u2019ve raised the concern for a long time that we lack the tools to recognise antisemitism.\u00ab<\/p>\n
The risk of a wave of antisemitic prejudice has become more urgent in recent years, Sofie Lene Bak says, but this risk has also changed in nature.<\/p>\n
Social media intensify risks<\/h3>\n
Before the internet and social media, antisemitic views were mainly associated with the political fringes, according to Sofie Lene Bak.<\/p>\n
\u00bbExtremist communities were largely disconnected,\u00ab she says, \u00bband they had a hard time spreading their views.\u00ab<\/p>\n
Recruitment into these communities happened via word of mouth or by distributing magazines in people\u2019s letterboxes, says Sofie Lene Bak. This made it easier to identify and monitor them. But that\u2019s no longer possible.<\/p>\n
The internet and social media offer new opportunities for organising and networking \u2014 and that increases the spread of antisemitic viewpoints.<\/p>\n
\u00bbThroughout my research career, I\u2019ve warned of the risk of antisemitism creeping into mainstream discussions,\u00ab says Sofie Lene Bak. \u00bbBut the internet has amplified and accelerated this risk. Antisemitism has exploded on social media \u2014 but also in daily interactions between Jews and non-Jews. So there is a real need for a multifaceted response.\u00ab<\/p>\n
Political weaponisation<\/h3>\n
Outside the university, antisemitism is an explosive political issue. Are you concerned that the research could be exploited for political ends?<\/em><\/p>\n\u00bbNo, I\u2019m not concerned about that, because I\u2019m hyper-aware of the potential weaponisation of research \u2014 that it could be used to attack others politically,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n
\u00bbBut you do have to keep in mind that the topic is highly politicised every time you speak publicly \u2014 that\u2019s something you get used to when working with antisemitism,\u00ab says Sofie Lene Bak.<\/p>\n
\u00bbOne good safeguard against the misuse of research in public debate is to be very clear about our premises, definitions and methods.\u00ab<\/p>\n
Although the project will place a strong emphasis on academic research, Sofie Lene Bak also stresses the importance of public outreach:<\/p>\n
\u00bbThe research needs to have an impact on society, and that\u2019s just as important to us. That\u2019s why we\u2019ll be producing a book series and a podcast series, and experimenting with various lecture and presentation formats, including online ones, that will be publicly accessible. It\u2019s important for us to be in continuous dialogue with the public on this issue.\u00ab<\/p>\n
This article was first written in Danish and published on 16 December 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.<\/em>
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Historian gets DKK 12 million to do antisemitism research<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Historian gets DKK 12 million to do antisemitism research\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Antisemitism is surging online \u2014 University of Copenhagen historian is now to lead a new research and outreach initiative\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"University Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uniavis\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-17T02:43:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-18T09:57:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/istock1363579434.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2121\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1414\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Malthe Granau\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/istock1363579434.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Uniavisen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Uniavisen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Malthe Granau\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Malthe Granau\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e1908cd8311a35e02aac6c2ba2f3cf1f\"},\"headline\":\"Historian gets DKK 12 million to do antisemitism research\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-17T02:43:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-18T09:57:41+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":996,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/istock1363579434.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Science\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/\",\"name\":\"Historian gets DKK 12 million to do antisemitism research\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/istock1363579434.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-17T02:43:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-18T09:57:41+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e1908cd8311a35e02aac6c2ba2f3cf1f\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/en\\\/historian-gets-dkk-12-million-to-do-antisemitism-research\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/istock1363579434.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uniavisen.dk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/istock1363579434.jpg\",\"width\":2121,\"height\":1414,\"caption\":\"October 2021 - Berlin, Germany. 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Pictured: The memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin."},{"acf_fc_layout":"Standfirst","subject":"","text":"Med knap 12 millioner i ryggen skal lektor ved Saxo-instituttet Sofie Lene Bak lede projektet National Forum for the Study of Antisemitism. Projektet skal skabe bedre beredskab mod antisemitiske tendenser, som i \u00f8jeblikket \u00bbeksploderer\u00ab p\u00e5 sociale medier.","use_post_excerpt":true},{"acf_fc_layout":"Byline","is_author":true,"contributors":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<p>What does antisemitism look like in Denmark today \u2014 and what role does history play in current trends?<\/p>\n<p>These are some of the questions that Sofie Lene Bak, an associate professor of history at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), will investigate in a new research project that has just <a href=\"https:\/\/via.ritzau.dk\/pressemeddelelse\/14714289\/ny-viden-om-antisemitisme-i-en-kompleks-samtid?lang=da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">got DKK 11.9 million from the Independent Research Fund Denmark<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sofie Lene Bak has worked with antisemitism since her days as a student. She has written several books on the topic and has been a curator at the Danish Jewish Museum.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThere is real momentum for antisemitism research right now,\u00ab she says. \u00bbIt just so happened that I actually submitted the grant application for the project I\u2019m currently working on on 8 October 2023 \u2014 the day after Hamas\u2019 attack on Israel.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>The grant comes from a special, politically designated, theme pool under the 2025 special research budget, aimed at strengthening Danish research on antisemitism.<\/p>\n<p>Sofie Lene Bak will set up the project <em>National Forum for the Study of Antisemitism <\/em>with the funds: a research centre collaboration between the University of Copenhagen and Roskilde University.<\/p>\n<h3>A historical perspective on contemporary antisemitism<\/h3>\n<p>The purpose of the new forum is to create a national focal point for research into antisemitism \u2014 both how it is currently expressed and its historical roots.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>In Denmark, we are in many ways defenceless against waves of antisemitism because there is so little research in the area<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Sofie Lene Bak, UCPH associate professor and research leader<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The researchers will examine how antisemitism currently manifests itself in Denmark and what the mechanisms are that are driving it.<\/p>\n<p>Chair of the Independent Research Fund Denmark\u2019s Council for Culture and Communication, Lone Koefoed Hansen, who led the distribution of the grants, emphasised the project\u2019s societal significance <a href=\"https:\/\/via.ritzau.dk\/pressemeddelelse\/14714289\/ny-viden-om-antisemitisme-i-en-kompleks-samtid?lang=da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in an interview with Danish news agency Ritzau<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThe research can help us understand the relationship between antisemitism and contemporary society. With thorough and independent knowledge, we can as a society better understand how to counter prejudice, hate, and discrimination \u2014 including the kind that takes place online.\u00ab<\/p>\n<h3>Interdisciplinary forum<\/h3>\n<p>The project\u2019s purpose is to \u00bbset up Denmark\u2019s first national research forum dedicated to interdisciplinary studies of antisemitism,\u00ab according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/dff.dk\/hvad-har-vi-stoettet\/se-oversigt-over-stoettet-forskning\/?Bevilling.PolitiskTemaDK=Antisemitisme&page=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">grant description<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The forum is intended to build bridges between disciplines like history, the sociology of religion, and digital humanities, by bringing together leading researchers in antisemitism and modern Jewish history in Denmark.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWe are trying to approach the phenomenon of antisemitism from as many angles as possible, something that I believe is characteristic of antisemitism studies as a research field,\u00ab Sofie Lene Bak says to the University Post.<\/p>\n<p>The forum will also serve as an expert resource for both politicians and the general public. Public understanding is crucial in the fight against antisemitism, she says.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/jewish-student-scared-of-anti-semitism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Jewish student scared of anti-Semitism<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>\u00bbWe\u00a0lack the tools\u00ab<\/h3>\n<p>According to Sofie Lene Bak, not having a strong research environment in the country can have serious and concrete consequences.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Antisemitism has exploded on social media \u2014 but also in everyday interactions between Jews and non-Jews<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Sofie Lene Bak, UCPH associate professor and research leader<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00bbIn Denmark, we are in many ways defenceless against waves of antisemitism because there is so little research in the area,\u00ab says Sofie Lene Bak, and continues:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbAntisemitic prejudices \u2014 just like racist or Islamophobic ones \u2014 run the risk of being normalised if we do not have a solid research effort. Without knowledge, we could end up with aggressive or even violent attitudes become part of public discourse. I\u2019ve raised the concern for a long time that we lack the tools to recognise antisemitism.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>The risk of a wave of antisemitic prejudice has become more urgent in recent years, Sofie Lene Bak says, but this risk has also changed in nature.<\/p>\n<h3>Social media intensify risks<\/h3>\n<p>Before the internet and social media, antisemitic views were mainly associated with the political fringes, according to Sofie Lene Bak.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbExtremist communities were largely disconnected,\u00ab she says, \u00bband they had a hard time spreading their views.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>Recruitment into these communities happened via word of mouth or by distributing magazines in people\u2019s letterboxes, says Sofie Lene Bak. This made it easier to identify and monitor them. But that\u2019s no longer possible.<\/p>\n<p>The internet and social media offer new opportunities for organising and networking \u2014 and that increases the spread of antisemitic viewpoints.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThroughout my research career, I\u2019ve warned of the risk of antisemitism creeping into mainstream discussions,\u00ab says Sofie Lene Bak. \u00bbBut the internet has amplified and accelerated this risk. Antisemitism has exploded on social media \u2014 but also in daily interactions between Jews and non-Jews. So there is a real need for a multifaceted response.\u00ab<\/p>\n<h3>Political weaponisation<\/h3>\n<p><em>Outside the university, antisemitism is an explosive political issue. Are you concerned that the research could be exploited for political ends?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00bbNo, I\u2019m not concerned about that, because I\u2019m hyper-aware of the potential weaponisation of research \u2014 that it could be used to attack others politically,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbBut you do have to keep in mind that the topic is highly politicised every time you speak publicly \u2014 that\u2019s something you get used to when working with antisemitism,\u00ab says Sofie Lene Bak.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbOne good safeguard against the misuse of research in public debate is to be very clear about our premises, definitions and methods.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p>Although the project will place a strong emphasis on academic research, Sofie Lene Bak also stresses the importance of public outreach:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThe research needs to have an impact on society, and that\u2019s just as important to us. That\u2019s why we\u2019ll be producing a book series and a podcast series, and experimenting with various lecture and presentation formats, including online ones, that will be publicly accessible. It\u2019s important for us to be in continuous dialogue with the public on this issue.\u00ab<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was first written in Danish and published on 16 December 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"ArticleEnd"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Newsletter","lang_select":"en","identifier":"Newsletter","headline":"Get an email with upcoming events and top University of Copenhagen stories","button_text":"Sign up here","class":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"OtherStories","headline":"","hand_picked_posts":false,"references":false,"category":false,"theme":false,"number_of_posts":"4","style":"default"}]},"taxonomyData":{"category":[{"term_id":46,"name":"Science","slug":"science","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":46,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":832,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[],"post_format":[],"expression":[{"term_id":15,"name":"News Article","slug":"news_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":15,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":11492,"filter":"raw"}],"translation_priority":[{"term_id":5468,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5468,"taxonomy":"translation_priority","description":"","parent":0,"count":674,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/istock1363579434-1280x853.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/110"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185779"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":185866,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185779\/revisions\/185866"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=185779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}