Through ethnography we depict the everyday lives of people and the cultural variations in relation to states, hegemonic market economy, and political conflicts. There are also studies of extreme forms of conflicts and violence.

Social movements and activism is an international research field in which the department’s researchers have long been active. A neoliberal era with economic globalization, increasing inequalities, marginalization, and precarious lives have led to massive protests and insurgency across the world, organized both locally and transnationally. This has brought new research questions and methodological questions to the fore. Through ethnography we depict the everyday lives of people and the cultural variations in relation to states, hegemonic market economy, and political conflicts. There are also studies of extreme forms of conflicts and violence, as found in wars. We share an interest in resistance and have studied social movements related to feminism, environment, work, minorities, migrants, and nationalistic and conservative movements as well. Among many themes are, for example, medialisation, organisational forms and the meaning of place, but also the activists’ forms of expression, such as graffiti, street performance and poetry.

Contact person:
Eva-Maria Hardtmann