CULTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS: WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO 

 

The research programme

CT is an interdisciplinary and inclusive network research programme focused especially on the intersections between aesthetics, media studies and cultural analysis/theory. An interest in one or more of these fields is the only precondition for being a member of the programme. CT has existed since 2013 and has more than 50 members. CT welcomes juniors, seniors and visiting researchers and invites all new members to a welcome talk with a programme director.

 

Research groups

CT is subdivided into a set of research groups where more focused research activities are organized. Some are closely linked to externally funded research projects, some are in development, some are also research centres, some are sleeping at the moment. Any small/big group of junior/senior researchers can form a new research group. The research groups are open for all members and can include researchers from outside the programme.

 

Activities

CT is an open and flexible programme aimed at supporting the work of research groups and individual CT members ready to initiate and organize collective or networked research activities. The CT leadership initiates a set of annual activities open for, and aimed at, all CT participants:

1. a research seminar/conference organized by one of the research groups,
2. a writing retreat at e.g. Sandbjerg or Klitgaarden,
3. a research/network trip to international universities,
4. public talks by (inter)national guests,
5. informal events (like Friday bars) to offer the members a chance to socialize,
6. various one-time events and strategic workshops with specific themes, which can have theoretical, analytical or methodological foci, or focus on general research skills (e.g. research communication or leadership, funding or applications).

The various types of activities are often organized in collaboration with research groups or individual members. They often include international guest researchers. 

 

Leadership

CT has three co-directors, each situated at one of the three main locations – Kasernen, Katrinebjerg and Nobelparken. The point in the collective leadership is not to make one sub-programme for each location, but a) to share ideas and tasks and ensure a continuous development of the programme; b) to have time and energy for welcoming new members and for supporting new ideas and initiatives in the programme; c) to ensure a strong infrastructure linking the seven (out of the School of Communication and Culture’s nine) different departments, which are active in the programme. 

 

The atmosphere

CT aims at being a welcoming, inspiring, engaged, non-hierarchical and generous research environment where all members and visitors are happy to discuss their ideas and projects. In the programme activities we balance development of individual and collective research, exchange and networking between people and disciplines, and the sharing of the challenges and joys of research.