Call for Papers

Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Indigenous Environmental Justice: Comparative Studies in Indigenous

Literatures and Creative Arts from Northern Europe and North America

The Seventh Workshop of the Ecocritical Network for Scandinavian Studies (ENSCAN) is an online,

transatlantic workshop and will take place from April 3 to 5, 2025. It is convened by Juliane Egerer

(University of Augsburg, Germany), Hanna Mattila (Sámi allaskuvla/Sámi University of Applied Sciences,

Kautokeino, Norway), and Tim Frandy (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada).

Theoretical framework

Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Indigenous Environmental Justice (IEJ) are two closely related fields: The first

explores complex intersections of ecological problems and social power structures connected to ethnicity,

Indigeneity, gender, national borders, and land entitlement, also focusing on, among others, hegemonic

centrisms, ecological imperialism, speciesism, and environmental racism. The latter transcends Eurowestern

definitions of Environmental Justice by insisting that Indigenous traditional knowledges, worldviews,

epistemologies, ontologies, axiologies, and the agency of non-human beings, such as plants, animals,

elements, minerals, spirit beings, and the land, are relevant for creating a future that includes living well

with Earth.

Goals

Indigenous literatures and creative arts maintain numerous complex functions for Indigenous artists, as well

as both outsider and insider audiences: raising awareness of ecological, social, and political issues;

spawning the decolonizing changes of artivism in society; elevating certain cultural aesthetics and

discourses; recontextualizing aspects of traditional culture to achieve ecological, social, and political goals;

creating art products through which human and non-human community is formed and sustained; and so

much more.

The workshop will focus on Indigenous literatures, creative arts, and expressive culture from Northern

Europe (Sápmi) and North America (Turtle Island), especially the Indigenous peoples of the North. The

emphasis is placed on Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Indigenous Environmental Justice, and on sociocultural,

environmental, and political processes as modes of analyzing, interpreting, and reading. The workshop

wishes to highlight the role of Indigenous literatures, creative arts, and expressive culture in processes of

decolonization, and in nurturing balanced, respectful, reciprocal, and inclusive relationships between

humans, various kinds of non-human beings, the land, and the environment.

In the workshop, we will explore the following questions, among others:

• How and to what ends do Indigenous creative arts navigate environmental problems and ongoing

colonial power structures?

• How do they deal with relationships between humans, various kinds of non-human beings, and the

environment?

• What strategies do they use to represent, imagine, express, and communicate insights into these

complex issues and what effects do they achieve? How do they contribute to decolonization?

• How do audiences, writers, and artists relate to each other?

• What are the differences and similarities between various Indigenous literatures and creative arts

regarding the aforementioned questions?2

Call for proposals

The workshop invites presentations that combine approaches of Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Indigenous

Environmental Justice within the fields of Indigenous and Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies with a

focus on the European and/or American North. Researchers from all career stages are encouraged to submit

a paper proposal of up to 300 words and a brief bio of 100 words for a 20-minute paper to

enscan.iej.project@gmail.com by November 30, 2024. The language of the workshop will be English.

Scholars presenting papers at the workshop will have the opportunity to revise their papers into chapters

for a peer-reviewed edited volume.

Workshop organizers

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the workshop organizers Juliane Egerer

(juliane.egerer@uni-a.de), Hanna Kristiina Mattila (hannam@samas.no), and Tim Frandy

(tim.frandy@ubc.ca). Further information can also be found on the ENSCAN website at www.enscan.net.

The Department of Scandinavian at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the area of Swedish or Norwegian Literature, Culture, and Society, with an expected start date of July 1, 2025. For more information about the position, including required qualifications and application materials, please visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04495. The deadline to apply is October 14, 2024. With questions, please contact ISSAHR@berkeley.edu. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

One award of $2,500 will be given to the author of an outstanding non- fiction scholarly book on a Danish or Danish American topic. This award is made every other year, in odd years, for the two preceding calendar years. The next award will be made for non-fiction scholarly books on Danish and Danish American cultural and historical topics published in the calendar years 2022 and 2023. They should be original works that significantly advance scholarship and thinking in the field either by opening up new lines of inquiry or by consolidating existing ones at a high level of accomplishment.

Publishers and journal editors are invited to nominate books, but individual authors should feel free either to submit copies of books directly or ask their publisher or editor to do so. The application deadline for the 2025 DAHS Book Award is March 1, 2024, via the form on this website. Please direct any questions about the award process to committee chair Nete Schmidt at aschmidt2@wisc.edu.

Application Deadline: March 1st, 2024

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, nominated books must have been published during the two calendar years preceding the application deadline. Republished and self-published volumes are not eligible.

APPLICATION: The application form (ONE nomination per form) containing the author’s name, e-mail address, title of the book, name of publisher, publication date, a name and e-mail address for the relevant contact person at the publisher must be submitted online through the form below by August 1st.

In order for a book to be considered by the three-member DAHS Book Award Committee, a copy of the book must be sent to each of the committee members. Nominated books should be sent directly from the publishers/presses, authors, or agents to each committee member. If the list price of a book makes this a hardship, we ask the publisher for one hard copy (sent to the committee chair) and an electronic version of the book that can be distributed to committee members.

NOTIFICATION: Award decisions will be announced in late 2024 and the book selected for the award will be recognized in The Bridge in 2025.

University of Wisconsin Press Welcomes Scandinavian Studies to Catalog

Swedish Lecturer or Teaching Specialist at the University of Minnesota

About the Job

The Department of German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Lecturer/Teaching Specialist and Coordinator of Swedish to begin Fall 2024. We are seeking innovative instructors and scholars who would teach primarily Swedish language courses at all levels from beginning to advanced, in addition to content courses in the field of Scandinavian Studies. The successful candidate will be expected to develop curriculum for and conduct Swedish language classes, design materials and assessments, hold office hours to assist and advise students, respond to student and department inquiries, participate in relevant training and meetings, and conduct outreach to strengthen and grow the program. We would also require continued personal growth within the profession, keeping current with the field and broadening knowledge and expertise. The teaching load is three courses per semester.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

M.A. degree or foreign equivalent or ABD in the Swedish language, Scandinavian Studies, Foreign Language Education, or a related field.  Native or near native fluency in the Swedish language. Demonstration of commitment to quality teaching and program development. At least one year of postsecondary experience teaching Swedish language.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ph.D. degree or foreign equivalent in the Swedish language, Scandinavian Studies, Foreign Language Education, or a related field. Advanced knowledge of one or more of the other languages taught in our department (Dutch, Finnish, German, Norwegian, or Russian). A strong background (e.g., coursework, publications) in foreign language education, second language acquisition, or technology-enhanced teaching is preferred. Positive evaluations from students, peers and/or supervisors. Two years of postsecondary experience teaching the relevant language.

Applicants with an M.A. will be appointed as Teaching Specialists. Those with a Ph.D. will be appointed at the Lecturer level. 

About the Department

Ranked as one of the top departments of its kind, German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch (GNSD) serves undergraduate, graduate, and other university students. The language program offers a wide range of courses in German, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Russian, and Swedish. Innovative teaching materials and instructional technologies are an integral part of the language curriculum. More information at: https://cla.umn.edu/gnsd

GNSD is located in the vibrant metropolis of the Twin Cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul have a long tradition of Scandinavian heritage and are home to renowned cultural centers such as the American Swedish Institute. The Twin Cities boasts a lively theater and art scene, as well as a variety of fantastic restaurants. Ranked as having one of the top three park systems in the country, the Twin Cities offers  many opportunities to get outside and enjoy green spaces. The department itself sits in the center of campus in a historic building, Folwell Hall, that is conveniently located next to restaurants and coffee shops. 

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for a position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and CV.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. This position requires that you upload a statement of teaching philosophy.  

Three letters of recommendation should be sent by the recommenders via Interfolio or via e-mail to kehret@umn.edu. This position will remain open until filled. Search Committee will begin reviewing applicants February 2, 2024.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu. 
 Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

Join Director Karen Cantor for a screening and discussion of her documentary The Danish Solution: The Rescue of the Jews in Denmark (2003), which recounts how ordinary Danish citizens, along with the Danish Resistance Movement, helped their Jewish neighbors escape from Nazi-occupied Denmark into Sweden in the first weeks of October 1943. Thanks to these heroic efforts, 95% of Danish Jews survived the Holocaust.

November 9 at 1PM in the Pickford Theater of the James Madison Building (LM-302)

Find more info here: https://www.loc.gov/item/event-411164/the-danish-solution-the-rescue-of-the-jews-in-denmark-with-director-karen-cantor/2023-11-09/

📣 Opportunity for funding from Mellon Foundation: now accepting concepts from
institutions of higher learning related to cultures of US democracy, environmental justice
studies, and social justice and disciplinary knowledge.
Register by 11/30. Learn more at https://on.mellon.org/cfcpartner.

The Society for American Music announces the John Koegel Latin American and Latinx Music Fellowship

This fellowship was endowed by lead donor John Koegel, longtime member of the Society for American Music, Professor of Musicology at California State University, Fullerton, and scholar of Mexican, Latinx, and Latin American musics, and was also supported by other generous contributors. It is awarded competitively to scholars in any phase of their career to support research on Latin American musical life. This includes research on/pertaining to South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as representations of these culture areas in North America and around the world. The fellowship may be used for expenses associated with archival or ethnographic research, including but not limited to travel expenses, books, and media resources. The award is offered annually. The maximum award is $2,000.

The deadline for all SAM research fellowships is November 1st, 2023. More details may be found on the SAM website. 

 The Society for American Music announces the Wayne Shirley Research Fellowship

This fellowship honors the career of Wayne Shirley, who spent thirty-seven years as a reference librarian and then music specialist in the Music Division at the Library of Congress, during which time he assisted and mentored generations of scholars. He is also a renowned music editor. The fellowship is given annually to support a short-term research residency at the Library of Congress on any topic relating to musics of the Americas. Awarded competitively to scholars at any phase of their careers, the fellowship is designed to support expenses (such as travel, lodging, and duplication) associated with residency at the library. The maximum award is $1,000.

The deadline for all SAM research fellowships is November 1st, 2023. More details may be found on the SAM website.