Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Norwegian scholarly journal devoted to research on Scandinavian literature.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Edda. Scandinavian Journal of Literary Research is a Norwegian academic journal focused on literary scholarship concerning Scandinavia and the wider field of Scandinavian literary studies. Founded in 1914 by literary historian Gerhard Gran, it began publication with Aschehoug as its first publishing house and developed into a long-running forum for literary researchers in the Scandinavian countries. Its editorial history includes several prominent Norwegian scholars, notably Gran, Francis Bull, Edvard Beyer and Åse Hiorth Lervik. Gran led the journal until his death in 1925, after which Bull served as editor-in-chief from 1925 to 1960. Beyer edited it from 1962 to 1972, followed by Lervik from 1972 to 1985. The journal's scope became more clearly Scandinavian during the 1960s, when it published articles in the languages of the Scandinavian countries and concentrated exclusively on their literatures. Its research coverage has included both canonical and modern authors. Subjects discussed in the journal have included works by Henrik Ibsen, Amalie Skram, Arne Garborg, August Strindberg, Henrik Wergeland, Knut Hamsun, Tarjei Vesaas and Bellman, as well as contemporary writers such as Jon Fosse, Dag Solstad and Lars Saabye Christensen. The journal has also addressed broader questions, including Greenlandic literature and the reception or study of Scandinavian literature in England. Edda has had a decentralized institutional structure in its more recent history. Editorial responsibility circulated among Norwegian universities: the journal was edited from the University of Trondheim between 1991 and 1995, the University of Oslo from 1996 to 2000, the University of Agder in Kristiansand from 2001 to 2005, the University of Tromsø from 2006 to 2010, and the University of Bergen from 2011 to 2014. From 2015, editorial work was again based at the University of Oslo. At that point, the editorial team was identified as Ståle Dingstad, Thorstein Norheim and Ellen Rees. In addition to regular research issues, Edda has published thematic special issues. Issue 4/2004 brought together articles originating in papers presented at the University of Agder conference “The Gendered Body, Aesthetics and Experience.” Issue 6/2006 was devoted to Henrik Ibsen, timed to the centenary of his death. These issues illustrate the journal's role not only as a general research periodical but also as a venue for focused interventions in literary history, aesthetics, gender studies and author-centered scholarship. The supplied reference material does not establish a separate commercial corporate owner, a current publisher, circulation figures or a current editor beyond the 2015 editorial information.
History
Edda was established in 1914 by Gerhard Gran as a periodical for literary research. Aschehoug served as its first publishing house, and Gran remained its editor until his death in 1925. Francis Bull then served as editor-in-chief for an unusually long period, from 1925 through 1960. Later editorial leadership included Edvard Beyer between 1962 and 1972 and Åse Hiorth Lervik between 1972 and 1985. During the 1960s, the journal's remit became explicitly focused on Scandinavian literature. It also began publishing scholarship in the languages of the Scandinavian countries, reinforcing its regional identity and its role among researchers working across Norwegian, Danish and Swedish literary traditions. Its subject matter has extended from established canonical writers to modern authors and comparative topics. Research discussed in the journal has treated writers including Henrik Ibsen, Amalie Skram, Arne Garborg, August Strindberg, Henrik Wergeland, Knut Hamsun, Tarjei Vesaas, Bellman, Jon Fosse, Dag Solstad and Lars Saabye Christensen. Other areas have included Greenlandic literature and Scandinavian literature as studied or received in England. From the 1990s onward, editorial responsibility moved among Norwegian universities. The journal was based at the University of Trondheim from 1991 to 1995 and at the University of Oslo from 1996 to 2000. It subsequently moved to the University of Agder in Kristiansand for 2001–2005, the University of Tromsø for 2006–2010, and the University of Bergen for 2011–2014. In 2015 it returned to the University of Oslo, where the listed editorial team comprised Ståle Dingstad, Thorstein Norheim and Ellen Rees. Edda has also used special issues to organize scholarship around particular intellectual themes or anniversaries. Issue 4/2004 developed from the University of Agder conference on the gendered body, aesthetics and experience. Issue 6/2006 focused on Henrik Ibsen in connection with the centenary of his death. The available sources do not provide verified details about circulation, subscription revenue, a distinct legal owner, or editorial changes after the 2015 information.
- 2015
Editorial base returns to the University of Oslo
[1]After successive periods at Norwegian universities, the journal was again edited from the University of Oslo.
- 2006
Henrik Ibsen special issue
[1]Issue 6/2006 was dedicated to Henrik Ibsen in the year marking one hundred years since his death.
- 2004
Thematic issue on gender, aesthetics and experience
[1]Issue 4/2004 presented scholarship developed from the University of Agder conference on the gendered body, aesthetics and experience.
- 1960
End of Bull's editorial tenure
[1]Francis Bull's period as editor-in-chief concluded after approximately thirty-five years.
- 1960
Scandinavian-language and regional focus
[1]During the 1960s, Edda adopted a clearer exclusive focus on Scandinavian literature and published work in Scandinavian languages.
- 1925
Francis Bull becomes editor-in-chief
[1]Following Gran's death, Francis Bull took over the journal's editorial leadership.
- 1914
Journal founded
[1]Gerhard Gran founded Edda as a journal for literary research, with Aschehoug as its first publishing house.
Products and positioning
A specialist scholarly journal serving researchers of Scandinavian literature, literary history, aesthetics and related cultural studies.
Academic journal · 1914
Edda. Scandinavian Journal of Literary Research
Edda is a scholarly periodical devoted to research on Scandinavian literature. Its contents cover literary history, interpretation, aesthetics and related comparative questions, ranging from canonical authors such as Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun to contemporary writers including Jon Fosse and Dag Solstad. The journal has also published work on Greenlandic literature and Scandinavian literature in England, and it occasionally organizes scholarship around dedicated thematic or commemorative issues.
Brand decisions
2006
Publication of an Ibsen centenary issueOtherBackground
The year 2006 marked the centenary of Henrik Ibsen's death, creating an occasion for concentrated scholarly attention.
Action taken
Edda dedicated issue 6/2006 to Ibsen.
Aftermath
The issue reinforced the journal's role in publishing focused studies of major Scandinavian authors.
2004
Publication of a conference-based special issueOtherBackground
The University of Agder hosted the conference on the gendered body, aesthetics and experience, generating papers suitable for a dedicated journal issue.
Action taken
Edda published the resulting scholarship in issue 4/2004.
Aftermath
The issue expanded the journal's thematic coverage into gender, embodiment and aesthetics.
1960
Strengthening the Scandinavian-literature remitStrategyBackground
The journal's stated scope in the 1960s centered exclusively on Scandinavian literature, while contributions were published in Scandinavian languages.
Action taken
Edda concentrated its editorial and publishing activity on literature from the Scandinavian countries and scholarship written in their languages.
Aftermath
This regional and linguistic orientation became a defining feature of the journal's scholarly identity.
Sources2 sources
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