Oxford Scandinavian Studies Network 2024

The Oxford Scandinavian Studies Network (a TORCH Student Network at the University of Oxford) is an interdisciplinary forum open to anyone working on or interested in Scandinavia, regardless of their home institution. The Network offers an intellectually stimulating platform where researchers on Scandinavia can share and discuss one another’s work. Our goal is to strengthen interest in Scandinavia as a region and promote exciting new scholarship. The Network will support postgraduate participants in developing their ideas into finished papers or chapters and foster collaboration between local and international scholars at various career stages.

We are currently welcoming applications for our four fortnightly hybrid sessions in Hilary term 2024 (25 Jan, 6 & 20 Feb, 5 Mar, 3:30-5 pm GMT) from postgraduate students, particularly doctoral students.  At each session, two postgraduate speakers will present their burgeoning ideas, followed by a plenary discussion. Each talk will last around 20 minutes, and speakers are expected to give insights into a work-in-progress and to provide the other participants with either source material or secondary literature for preparation. As a follow-up, the Network will host a one-day in-person workshop in Oxford in Trinity term (May 17), where the same eight speakers will be able to present their finalised papers. All discussions will take place in English and the sessions will be open to the public; materials, however, can be in a Scandinavian language. 

We define Scandinavia as corresponding to modern-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. However, we also welcome papers concerning areas formerly part of, or associated with, Scandinavia. Papers can address any topic concerning post-Reformation Scandinavia up until present day. Papers may take any disciplinary or interdisciplinary approach related to the Humanities and Social Sciences (historical, literary, sociological, etc.). Proposals exploring the region from a transnational perspective are particularly welcome, as we wish to consider Scandinavian entanglements, whether aesthetic, historical, or cultural in nature, within a broader global context.

Please submit your proposed paper title and abstract of no more than 200 words, including a short biography, to scandinavianstudies@torch.ox.ac.uk by 20th December 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of the year. Please note that selected speakers are expected to attend both the four hybrid sessions in Hilary term and the in-person workshop on 17th of May. Unfortunately, the Network is unable to provide financial assistance for travel expenses.

Convenors: 

Sarah Fengler (sarah.fengler@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk)

Leif Hammer (leif.hammer@history.ox.ac.uk)

Marie Martine (marie.martine@hertford.ox.ac.uk).