Rosanna Farbøl is an Associate Professor of European contemporary history.
I hold a Ph.D. in History from the School of Culture and Society at Aarhus University (2016). I have worked at the University of Southern Denmark and Lund University before joining UiO.
In research and teaching, I bring an interdisciplinary lens to the study of history, using theories and methods from Science and Technology Studies, ethnography, archaeology, architecture and cultural studies. I am also an active public historian. I collaborate with archives, museums and libraries, and I engage with broader audiences through public lectures, media interactions, and as a speaker at various fora.
Academic interests
My research focuses on the relationship between society and war and conflict, particularly during the Cold War, where I explore imaginary and real conflicts. I am especially motivated to investigate the temporality and materiality in these relationships, that is, the dynamics between visions of the future, perceptions of the present, and spaces of experience. This interest culminates in two separate yet interconnected research areas. The first area is memory studies and the use of history, where my PhD dissertation examined the Cold War's function as a moral compass, political argument, and national cultural heritage in Denmark.
In the second area, I have studied civil defence, nuclear culture, disaster preparedness and psychological defence, particularly how sociotechnical notions of a future nuclear war were not only managed through national strategies and plans but also had concrete consequences in everyday local environments. Here, I have drawn inspiration from, among others, Science and Technology Studies and studies in materiality, architecture, and design.
I am currently co-directing the MELICA research project at Aarhus University. This project seeks to propose new perspectives on the local effects of the Cold War by examining urban civil defence structures such as shelters and bunkers utilizing computerized tools and methods, including distant reading and agent-based modeling, alongside close analysis of historical sources.
I am also Co.-I. in the project 'Soundscapes of Warning: The Past, Present and Future of "Viktigt meddelande till allmänheten" (VMA, Important Public Announcement)' funded by The Swedish Research Council.
Teaching
As an educator, I have developed and taught courses on memory studies and Cold War history at both undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing critical thinking and historical analysis. My teaching philosophy is committed to fostering a deep understanding of historical contexts and their relevance to contemporary issues. I aim to create a dynamic where students are actively involved in their own learning process, enhancing their critical thinking and their ability to apply historical insights in both academic settings and beyond.
Awards
- The Golden Plough - Teacher of the Year, History AU
- Winner of the Danish award for Historical Book of the Year 2018 for Koldkrigere, medløbere og røde lejesvende. Kampen om historien (Gad 2017).
- Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Seal of Excellence 2017
Advisory and expert activities
2024- Member of the Advisory Board, project Atomic Warfare, Risk Modalities and Civil Defence Emergency Planning in Denmark 1956 – 1979, funded by Augustinus Fonden, assoc.prof Marianne Rostgaard, Aalborg University
2024 Expert consultation to the Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen) in the creation of a public information brochure on crisis preparedness.