Prof. Mønsted researches Inuit oral history and its connections to the archaeological record of Greenland. She will be developing the department’s interests in the cultures of the Arctic region and will teach a course (Scandin 170) on “Arctic Folklore and Mythology in Nordic Lands” in Fall Semester 2024.
In her dissertation (Copenhagen 2022), Mønsted examined Inuit stories documented in Greenland between 1735 and 1981. These stories shed light on the ideas and concepts Inuit connected to various architectural elements, such as ritual activities closely tied to the entrance tunnel. Therefore, the narratives offer new perspectives for researchers and communities to understand the built structures and natural landscapes of the Greenlandic Inuit. Additionally, they may inspire innovative approaches to designing future housing architecture and urban spaces in the Arctic.
