Museum of Copenhagen´s research profile Museum of Copenhagen’s core task is to collect, register, preserve, conduct research and public dissemination comprising all periods of Copenhagen's history. The museum strives to create curiosity and discussions about the city, and wishes, through research and dissemination of the capital's cultural heritage, to be a place for dialogue about Copenhagen's past, present and future development. Throughout the museum’s various activitites, it contributes to lifelong learning and education. The emphasis in Museum of Copenhagen’s collection, knowledge and dissemination has traditionally been on the city's topographical development and administration, citizens' welfare, health, and democratic rights. In recent years, the museum has had an increased focus on documenting, researching, and collecting new aspects of the city's history and of life in present-day Copenhagen, including themes like migration and cultural diversity, early urbanisation, and the development of urban identities, as well as private and emotional life in the city. Museum of Copenhagen is responsible for archaeological excavations in the municipalities of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg. The museum has a research obligation within the entire museum's area of responsibility.
Aims and focus: Museum of Copenhagen aims to be a leading part in the development of, and research into historical archaeology, particularly the archaeology of the recent past. This will be carried out, among other things, by exploring the role and value of material culture in the recent past, and the role of materiality in our contemporary digital world. Based on several of the museum's current and upcoming excavations and research projects, e.g., the large-scale archaeological investigations Hans Tavsens Park (coming in 2023-2024), Suensonsgade and Papirøen, there will, among other things, be focus on exploring the relationship between urban development and the development of urban lifestyles. In the interdisciplinary research project Lyden af hovedstaden (The sounds of the capital), “sound universes” of the city, from the Middle Ages to modernity are explored. In addition, the museum has applied for funding to develop a site- and user-sensitive analysis of the significance of monuments and their changing roles in the urban environment. Museum of Copenhagen wishes to show how knowledge about the past can contribute to discussions about today's challenges concerning climate, sustainability, health and democracy, with emphasis on urban environments. There is focus upon creating value for the local community, for instance by inviting the public into Citizen science projects or collaborating with students in research activities. This is exemplified in the museum's ongoing Velux-funded Lyden af hovedstaden and the NOVO Nordic-funded Naturvidenskab på det kulturhistoriske museum (Science at the Cultural historical museum). The museum is also seeking funding for archaeological research on living conditions in the urban environment of Renaissance Copenhagen. Through collaborations across disciplines and institutions in Denmark and abroad, the museum wants to create a multi-vocal and inclusive research environment that can create innovative and broadly founded projects.