Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics
The Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, or NORDITA (Danish: Nordisk Institut for Teoretisk (Atom)fysik), is an international organisation for research in theoretical physics. It was established in 1957 by Niels Bohr and the Swedish minister Torsten Gustafsson. NORDITA was originally located in Copenhagen (Denmark), but moved to Stockholm (Sweden) during autumn 2006. The institute is now located at the AlbaNova University Centre. The main research areas at NORDITA are astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter and particle physics.
Since NORDITA's establishment in 1957 the original focus on research in atomic physics has been broadened. Research carried out by NORDITA's academic staff presently includes astrophysics, biological physics, condensed matter and materials physics, cosmology, statistical physics and complex systems, string theory, particle physics and Phenomenological Quantum Gravity. The in-house research forms the backbone of NORDITA activities and complements the more service oriented functions. By mission, NORDITA has the task of facilitating interactions between physicists in the Nordic countries as well as with the international community; therefore the comparably small institute has a large number of visitors, conferences and scientific programs that last several weeks. Notable former or present researchers at NORDITA include Ben Roy Mottelson, Leon Rosenfeld, James Hamilton, Gerald E. Brown, Holger Bech Nielsen, Paolo Di Vecchia, Alexander V. Balatsky, Axel Brandenburg, Christopher J. Pethick and Kim Sneppen , Alan Luther.
NORDITA is governed by a board consisting of one representative and one alternate member from each Nordic country, headed by a chair person. The board appoints a number of research committees which evaluate proposals and advice the board on scientific and educational matters. The NORDITA board nominates a director who is appointed by the presidents of Stockholm University and KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology. The director, currently Katherine Freese, is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the institute and provides scientific leadership.
NORDITA is funded by the Nordic countries via the Nordic Council of Ministers and its approximate budget for 2007 was 23 million Swedish kronor, of which half is contributed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the other half is shared between KTH and Stockholm University and the Swedish Research Council.