PROFILE
ELLEN BANGSBO
ANTHROPOLOGIST and WEAVER
Independent researcher, writer and amateur photographer: Tibet – Himalaya and Textiles
Research and analysis of social society and education, ethnic minorities, and development related to schooling.
Tibetan refugees and Tibetan Buddhism. Extensive fieldwork experience in Asian civil societies.
Lived in Asian civil societies and amongst Tibetan refugees with extensive travelling in India and Nepal 1979 – 1990.
Fieldwork and research on education for Tibetan refugees and Tibetan nomads in Tibet with extensive travelling in Tibet 2004 – 2019.
Experience in arranging and guiding trips to the Himalayan areas. Worked as a tour guide in Tibet, China, India and Nepal since 2007.
Research on cultivation of nettle and hemp fibers with fieldwork in Nepal 1979 and 2010 and ongoing in Denmark since 1977.
Textile artisan and weaver. Extensive knowledge in textile art and crafts, weaving, spinning, cultivation of nettle and plant fibers, and other textile handicrafts.
CV
Born and lives in Copenhagen, Denmark
EDUCATION
1997 – 2001. MSc. Master of Arts in Anthropology. Institute of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen.
1994 – 1997. Bachelor in Tibetan Studies. Asian Institute, University of Copenhagen.
1973 – 1978. Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. School of Textile Design. Copenhagen.
FIELD STUDIES and ABROAD
2010. Field studies in Nepal.
Research on indigenous work and use of nettle and hemp fibres. March and October – November.
2005. Field studies in Sichuan and Qinghai Province, China.
Anthropological research of school- and language issues for Tibetans in rural and urban areas in north-western Sichuan (Kham) and central Qinghai Province (Amdo). June.
Travel stipend from Danida, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2004. Field studies in Tibet and Sichuan Province, China.
Research of schooling possibilities for Tibetans in rural areas of northwest Sichuan (Kham) and urban areas in Lhasa and surrounding area. July – August.
1999. Anthropological fieldwork in Nepal.
Five months’ independent fieldwork with research on schooling challenges in Kathmandu and Jomson, Lower Mustang in Nepal.
Supported by Institute of Anthropology and North – South grants, Center for Africa studies, University of Copenhagen.
1990 – 1992. Fundraiser. Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (Tibetan Buddhist Center) at Woodstock, NY, USA.
1981 – 1990. Field studies in Nepal and India.
Social studies of local Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan exile communities. Tibetan language studies, Buddhist philosophy and practice studies in Tibetan Buddhism.
1979 – 1980. Field studies in Nepal.
Research of indigenous work and use of nettle and hemp fibres, including an individual fieldwork trip to Ghandrung (Pokhara) and Jumla in Nepal.
Supported by Andelsbanken, Fr. Borup and Family, and Municipal of Copenhagen.
1974. Field studies in Peru.
A two months’ individual fieldtrip to Peru for the purpose of studying indigenous textiles.
CONFERENCES
2022. 16th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS). Charles University and Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Prague. 3. July – 9. July 2022.
Paper: ‘Expressions of use, re-use and reinterpretations of Himalayan textiles.’ www.iats.info
2009. The 7th Nordic Tibet Research Conference. University of Helsinki, 25. – 26. September 2009.
Paper: ‘Contemporary Performances on the Tibetan Plateau.’
2007. The 6th Nordic Tibet Research Conference. Stockholm University, 5. – 6. May.
Paper: ‘Learning what? Education and vocational training for Tibetan youth at Tibetan areas in PRC.’
2006. The Eleventh Seminar International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS XI). Bonn University, Seminar for Central Asian Studies, 27. August – 2. September 2006.
Paper: ‘Contemporary Tibetan Nomad Schools.’
2003. The Tenth Seminar International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS X). Aris Trust Centre, Oxford University, 6. – 12. September 2003.
Paper: ‘Observations on schooling in the Tibetan diaspora versus schooling in Tibet.’
Participation grant from the Danish Council for Development Research (RUF).
2002. 17th European Conference on Modern South Asian Studies (EASAS). South Asian Institute Heidelberg, 9. – 14. September 2002.
Paper: ‘The Changing Status of Nuns in the Exile Tibetan Society in Nepal.’
Participation grant from the Danish Research Council for the Humanities (SHF).
2001. Second International Convention of Asian Scholars (ICAS 2) Berlin, 9. – 12. August 2001.
Paper: ‘Cultural traditions reinterpreted: The secular schooling of Buddhist monks and nuns in Nepal.’
Participation grant from the Danish Council for Development Research (RUF).
2000. The Ninth Seminar International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS IX). Leiden University, Netherlands, 24. – 30 June 2000.
Participation as student observer supported by Institute of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen.
2000. Co-organizer and participant at workshop: ‘Tradition and Change in the Himalaya Region.’
Paper: ‘A Tibetan Buddhist institution seen in a global context.’ Institute of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, January 2000.
1997. The 5th Nordic Tibet Research Conference. 5. – 8. June, 1997. Department of Ethnography, Aarhus University.
Participation as student observer.
OTHER
Guest researcher at Centre for Textile Research (CTR), University of Copenhagen, May 2022 – present. https://ctr.hum.ku.dk
Guest researcher at Centre for Textile Research (CTR), University of Copenhagen, November 2011 – January 2012.
Guest researcher at Design Museum Denmark (DMDK), Copenhagen. 2011. February.
Affiliate researcher at Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), Copenhagen. September 2010.
Affiliate researcher at Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), Copenhagen. September 2006.
Affiliate researcher at Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), Copenhagen. February – March 2003 and November 2003 – January 2004.
‘Global Public Goods and Health.’ By working group members: Ib Bygbjerg, Lene Lange, Ellen Bangsbo, Jens Kvorning, Esben Sønderstrup, Uffe Torm and Poul Birch Eriksen.
One of three working groups for The Danish Council for International Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looking into the relation between Global Public Goods and Free Trade, Human Rights and Health. 2003.
Co-organiser at seminar: ‘Asian women’s reproductive rights: Seen in the perspective of Tibetan women.’
Arranged by ‘KULU – Women and Development’ and ‘Danish Family Planning Association’ at the Asem4people Forum, Copenhagen 19. – 22. September 2002.
The 45th UN session of the ’Commission on the Status of Women’ (CSW) in New York, USA. Representing ‘Women and Development’ (KULU). March 2001.
MEMBERSHIP SOCIETIES
Kvindelige Kunstneres Samfund (KKS). / The Danish Women’s Artist Association. www.kks-kunst.dk
Member of The International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS). www.iats.info
BESTYRELSESMEDLEM / BOARD MEMBERSHIP
2018 – present Bestyrelsesmedlem i Venskabsforeningen Danmark–Bhutan.
Board member of Danish Bhutanese Friendship Association. www.bhutan.dk
2008 – 2012. Bestyrelsesmedlem i Dansk Selskab for Tibetansk Kultur.
Board member of Danish Tibetan Cultural Society, Copenhagen. Chairman 2010-2011.
2004 – 2007. Member of ‘The Education Network’, Copenhagen.
2005 – 2006. Board member of Ibis, Copenhagen.
2001 – 2004. Bestyrelsesmedlem i Kvindernes U-landsudvalg (K.U.L.U.).
Board member of Women and Development. Copenhagen.
AWARD and SUPPORT
2005. Rejselegat fra Danida, Udenrigsministeriet Danmark.
Travel stipend from Danida, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2003. Støtte til deltagelse i konference. Rådet for Ulandsforskning (RUF).
Conference participation grant from the Danish Council for Development Research.
2002. Støtte til deltagelse i konference. Statens Humanistiske Forskningsråd (SHF).
Conference participation grant from the Danish Research Council for the Humanities.
2001. Støtte til deltagelse i konference. Rådet for Ulandsforskning (RUF).
Conference participation grant from the Danish Council for Development Research.
1979 – 1980. Feltarbejde i Nepal. Field studies in Nepal.
Supported by Andelsbanken, Fr. Borup and Family, and Municipal of Copenhagen.
1978. Sølvmedalje i prisopgaver for Kunsthåndværkere. Håndværkerforeningens Medalje af 1867. København.
Silver prize. Medal Awards for Craftsmen. The Copenhagen Handicraft’s Award Distribution of 1867.
TRIPS as tour guide
Tibet.
July & October 2007, June & July 2009, October 2010, June, September & October 2011, October 2019.
India.
Rajasthan:
October & November 2008, February & March 2009, April 2010, February 2012, February & November 2013.
South India: November 2007.
Spiti & Lahaul: July 2010.
Ladakh: August 1996, July & September 2008.
Nepal:
March 2010
China:
June 2011, September 2012.
TALKS
TEXTILES & PLANT FIBERS 2011 – 2023
2023. September. Hørvævsmuseet ved Krengerup. Workshop. ’’Cultivation of nettle fiber / Behandling af brændenældefiber’.
2023. June. ‘Material Culture: A Shared Heritage. The origin and use of textile patterns in Himalaya and on the Tibetan Plateau’. Centre for Textile research (CTR). University of Copenhagen
2023. Februar. ‘Nettle fiber: A sustainable textile / Nældefiber som bæredygtigt tekstil’. Holbo Herreds Væverforening.
2023. Januar. ‘A Shared Heritage. The origin and use of textile patterns in Himalaya and on the Tibetan Plateau’. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS). University of Copenhagen.
2022. September. Hørvævsmuseet ved Krengerup. Workshop. ’’Cultivation of nettle fiber / Behandling af brændenældefiber’.
2021. September. Hørvævsmuseet ved Krengerup. Workshop. ’’Cultivation of nettle fiber / Behandling af brændenældefiber’.
2020. Oktober. Hørvævsmuseet ved Krengerup. ’Nettle fiber: A sustainable textile / Tekstil potentialet i brændenælde’.
2020. September. Køng Museum, Køng. ’Nettle / Brændenælde’.
2019. Oktober. Tenen. Frederiksberg bibliotek. ’Nettle / Brændenælde’.
2013. August. Rødding Højskole. ’Nettle fiber: A sustainable textile / Tekstil potentialet i nældefiber’.
2011. December. Center for Textile Research (CTR), Copenhagen. A ‘stinging’ textile: Former and contemporary cultivation of Nettle fiber and its potential.
TIBET & HIMALAYA
2018. Maj. Cafe Globen, København. ’Fortællinger fra rejser i Tibet’.
2018. April. Cafe Globen, København. Tibet og Labrang. For Panorama Travel, præsentation af rejse til Tibet og Labrang i september/oktober 2018.
2016. Februar & maj. Folkeuniversitetet (FU). (Lecturer at The Open University). FU-København (Emdrup) og FU-Århus februar. FU-Odense 25. maj. ’Buddhisme. Tantra og tinder i Tibet’.
2015. April. Folkeuniversitetet. FU København og Århus. ’Det moderne Tibet og buddhismen’.
2014. November. Dansk Magisterforening, København. ’Tibet før og nu’.
2014. Juni. Folkeuniversitetet. FU Emdrup, København. ’Det moderne Tibet og buddhismen’.
2014. Juni. Folkeuniversitetet. FU. Emdrup, København. ’Buddhismens betydning for politik i Tibet. Hvem har kontrol over Tibet?’
2013. November. Folkeuniversitetet. FU-København. ’Kulturhelte og rollemodeller i Tibet’
2013. November. Folkeuniversitetet. FU-København. ’Shamanisme og dødsritualer i Tibet’
2013. Marts. Tromsø Universitet. ’Det moderne Tibet – nomader i kamp for overlevelse’.
2012. Oktober. Phende Ling, København. ’Dødsritualer i Tibet’.
2012. Marts. Ældre Sagen i Århus. ’Tibetanske nomader – en livsform i forandring’.
2012. Marts. Ældre Sagen i Århus. ’Det moderne Tibet og buddhismen’.
2012. Marts. Folkeuniversitetet. FU. ’Tibet – en kultur i kamp for overlevelse’.
2012. September. Færøerne (Faroe Islands).
Torshavn Universitet: ’Antropologisk feltarbejde i Tibet’
Torshavn Højskole: ’Dødsritualer i Tibet – tibetansk buddhisme og tradition’
Torshavn offentligt foredrag: ’Samspillet mellem tibetansk buddhisme og Tibet’
Torshavn gymnasie skole: ’Det moderne Tibet’
Færøerne gymnasie skole: ’Det moderne Tibet’
2011. April. Stockholm. Ved Svensk-Tibetanska Skol- och Kulturforeningen. ’Tibetanska nomader – en livsstil i förändring’.
2011. September. Dansk Selskab for Tibetansk Kultur (DSTK). Himalaya restaurant, København. ’Tibetanske nomader på det tibetanske plateau’.
2011. April. Dansk Selskab for Tibetansk Kultur (DSTK). Himalaya restaurant, København. ’Tibetanske nomader på det tibetanske plateau’.
2011. April. Folkeuniversitetet. FU, København.’ Det moderne Tibet og buddhisme’.
2011. Marts. Folkeuniversitetet. FU. Emdrup, København. ’Tibets fremtid’.
2010. September. Dansk Selskab for Tibetansk Kultur (DSTK). København. ’Tibetanske nomader på det tibetanske plateau’.
2010. September. The Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), København. ’Tibetan Nomads living on the Tibetan Plateau.
2009. November. De berejstes klub – for medlemmer, København. ’Tibetanske nomader’.
2009. Oktober. Globen København. De berejstes klub. ’Tibetanske nomader’.
2008. Hannibal og Marco Polo / My Planet, København. Om Indien, Ladakh og Tibet.
2008. Dansk Selskab for Tibetansk Kultur (DSTK). København. ’Gendun Choephel – en revolutionær munk’.
2008. Flakkebjerg Efterskole. Om Tibet.
2007. Maj. Foredrag og paneldebat: Dansk – Kinesisk Forening, København. Emne: Skolegang, uddannelse og jobmuligheder for tibetanere i Kina. ’Uddannelse i Tibet.
2006. Oktober. The Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), København. ’Nomad Primary Schools in the Rural Tibetan Borderland’.
2006. September. Løgumkloster Højskole. ’Blandt tibetanere i Kina’.
2005. November. Aalborg Seminarium interkulturelle hold. ‘Schooling for knowledge and cultural survival: Tibetans as a minority group in China’,
og: ’Tibetansk hverdagsliv på verdens tag: en livsform i forandring’. ’Tibetanere i Tibet samt de tibetanske etniske områder i Qinghai og Sichuan i Kina’.
2005. September. Uddannelsesnetværket ved Ulandsforeningen Ibis København. ’Skoler i tibetansk etniske områder i Qinghai og Sichuan: Modersmålsundervisning samt lærer – uddannelse og kapacitet i undervisningen’.
2005. Februar. Aalborg Lærerseminarium. ’Flersprogenhed og skoleforhold for minoritetsgrupper; med udgangspunkt i skoleundervisningen i Tibet’.
2005. Januar. Uddannelsesnetværket, Ulandsforeningen Ibis, København. ’Kvalitet i undervisningen; med udgangspunkt i skoleundervisningen i Tibet’.
2005. Januar. Skoler i Tibet. København. ’Tibetanske skolebørn i Tibet og Kham 2004’.
2001. November. The Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), København. ‘The Tibetan monastic tradition in exile. The secular schooling of monks and nuns in Nepal’.
2001. April. Dansk-Kinesisk venskabsforening, København. ‘Uddannelse i Tibet før og nu’.
MEDIA
2023. Phytophilia. ‘Nettle. Interview with Danish anthropologist and weaver Ellen Bangsbo’. Interview by Sara Martinsen. https://www.phytophilia.dk/ellen
September 2012. Faroe Island/Færøerne.
Radio interview on Modern Tibet:
Tibet kroyst millum fortíð og framtíð | Kringvarp Føroya – KVF.fo
https://kvf.fo › netvarp › 2012/09/18.
Radio interview on Modern Tibet: www.oyggjatidindi.com
