Sundstofa - Swimming Pool and Community Research Center

General overview

Sundstofa - Swimming pool and community research center was established in 2013. The National Laboratory is a study program in folklore and museum science at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences and the Faculty of Business Administration. Sundstofa is intended to be an extensive forum for interdisciplinary research on swimming culture and the community of those who use geothermal energy.

The foundation emphasizes academic independence in the tasks that it undertakes. The role of Sundstofa is to:

  • Increase and strengthen research on swimming pools and society by: on swimming culture
  • Conducting interdisciplinary research on swimming culture
  • Initiating and conducting research on the value of hot water for daily life with special emphasis and the social value of geothermal energy
  • Having co-operation with domestic and foreign research institutions and scholars
  • Provide students in research studies with facilities and equipment for research work, as well as training and experience in scientific work methods by giving them the opportunity to work research work on behalf of the research center as far as possible
  • Presenting the results of research, including through the publication of academic papers
  • Conducting professional courses, lectures and conferences in the field of museum science
  • Contribute to the publication of theoretical works on swimming culture and the social significance of geothermal energy

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Sundstofa is composed of three members for a three-year term. The Faculty of Business Administration and the Department of Ethnology and Museum Studies at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences designate each member of the Board of Directors, one of whom shall be chairman.

Research

In collaboration with the National Museum of Iceland, Sundstofa has conducted research on the experience of Icelanders and attitudes towards swimming pools.