Since Nordita's establishment in 1957 the original focus on research in atomic and nuclear physics has been broadened. Research carried out by Nordita's academic staff presently includes astrophysics, biological physics, hard condensed matter physics and materials physics, soft condensed matter physics, cosmology, statistical physics and complex systems, high-energy physics, and gravitational physics and cosmology. 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.