FAOS – Employment Relations Research Centre – is a research centre at the Department of Sociology, University of Copenhagen. FAOS was established in 1990 as a research group attached to the Department of Sociology. In 1999 it was given the status of a research centre. Since its formation, FAOS has focused on studies of the labour market, industrial relations and, in recent years, employment relations, applying Danish, Nordic and European perspectives.
FAOS’s aims are: 1) to add to the existing fund of basic knowledge of employment relations, thus extending our understanding of the complex pattern of development currently taking place on Europe’s labour markets. This goal is to be achieved by conducting empirical and theoretical studies in Danish, European and global perspectives. 2) To work in close association with related research environments in Denmark and other countries, with a particular focus on participation in joint comparative research projects with an international dimension. 3) To contribute to the training of PhD-students to publish research results. 4) To maintain a dialogue with the labour market parties and with the relevant administrative/political institutions.
In compliance with its aims, FAOS forms and joins many international research networks. The centre participates in research projects carried out in co-operation with the labour-market parties. FAOS is working within the framework of a 5-year research programme (2019-2023). FAOS’ research programme is funded by trade unions, employers’ organisations and the Ministry of Employment. In addition, FAOS carry out shorter projects financed by specific organisations, ministries or others on topics similar to those in the research programme.