RESEARCH

The field of cultural research covers cultural heritage and art it the broadest sense of those terms. Cultural research primarily employs social science and humanities-related methods, although it may at times use scientific and forensic evidence, as well.

INSTITUTIONS
Research is a significant component of the work of several institutes falling under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. Research is conducted at national archives, research libraries, museums and several institutes of education, such as the Royal School of Librarianship, the schools of architecture, the School of Conservation and the academies of music. Research is also important in the work of the Danish Language Council and the Danish Folklore Archives. Estimates indicate that these bodies spend DKK 400 million annually on research and research-related activities, such as setting up research libraries.

LEGISLATION
A number of Acts of Parliament regulate research conducted by cultural agencies (e.g. The Museum Act and the Public Archives Act). Similarly, several archives, libraries, museums etc are embraced by the Act on Research Conducted at Archives, Libraries, Museums, etc, the objective of which is to promote research at research institutes in the province of the Ministry of Culture.

SPECIAL INITIATIVES
The Ministry of Culture has taken several initiatives over the years to stress the priority the Government attaches to cultural research.

THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE
The Ministry of Culture’s Research Committee, whose membership is made up of professionals who are experts in their field, was set up in 1994 to advise the Ministry on research and research policy. The committee has drawn up a programme of action entitled Cultural Research 2001-2004.

RESEARCH POOLS
The Ministry of Culture has instituted two pools designed to support research within the field of culture and the arts. One is applied to support concrete research projects at institutes, while the second finances PhD bursaries at Ministry of Culture institutes. Both pools are financed by football pools and national lottery revenue, and awarded annually on the recommendation of the Research Committee. In 2001 DKK 8 million was allocated to the two pools.

Besides research conducted at its own institutes, the Ministry of Culture also supports research within the field of sport.