We conduct research that contributes to assuring the social and economic sustainability of the welfare state
The ROCKWOOL Foundation Research Unit works impartially and scientifically. A distinguishing feature of our research is that it always takes as its starting point significant and relevant challenges to the welfare state. The objective of the research is to improve the level of knowledge and the quality of the public debate, thus contributing to creating the best possible foundation for political decision-makers.
Latest releases from the Research Unit
Podcast
Is it the police’s responsibility to deal with mentally vulnerable citizens?
March 2025
Video
Conference: Denmark in Decline – Can We Sustain the Welfare State We Aspire To?
March 2025
Knowledge overview
A difficult childhood can leave lasting marks well into adulthood
March 2025
Book
Denmark turns grey?
March 2025
Knowledge overview
Denmark turns grey – and demands wise decisions from politicians
March 2025
Research report
Measuring the Trend in Police Tasks Concerning People with Mental Health Challenges in Denmark, 2008-2022
March 2025
Knowledge overview
Today, the police handle four times as many tasks with mentally vulnerable citizens
March 2025
Comment
How does the employment reform benefit the most vulnerable of the unemployed?
March 2025
Impartial research
The research is primarily conducted on the basis of project grants from the Board of the ROCKWOOL Foundation, but is always executed completely independently of the Board.
The research is often carried out in close cooperation with external researchers from the best universities and research institutions in Europe and the United States.
In order to ensure relevance and a high academic standard, all projects are presented to a research programme committee before they are submitted to the Board. The research programme committee is composed of leading professors from Scandinavian universities.
The ROCKWOOL Foundation Europe
A section of the ROCKWOOL Foundation Research Unit is physically located in Berlin. The new section is under the day-to-day management of Professor Christian Dustmann and has its own, independent profile.
In the same way as for the ROCKWOOL Foundation Research Unit in Copenhagen, one of the key missions of the Berlin Unit is to improve the foundations for the political decisions taken in Denmark and the rest of the EU with regard to the challenges facing the sustainability of the welfare state. This is achieved through independent, impartial research of the highest calibre, communicated to decision-makers and to the general public.
While the research unit in Copenhagen focuses in particular on challenges facing the Danish welfare state, the unit in Berlin places greater emphasis on challenges pertaining to international conditions, such as future trade links with Asia and how these may affect welfare for all EU citizens. One highly prioritised area comprises the challenges to the welfare state arising from international migration.
Seminars
The Research Unit hosts a seminar every two weeks, where researchers from all over Europe present their work.