Cultural Transfer Studies in the Humanities

The main focus of this theme group is the importance of cultural transfer in a variety of fields, such as the field of ‘World literature’ or ‘European literature’, transnational literary history or sociology of literature. One of the research topics lines within this theme group is the study of the “construction” of minor and mixed language communities as (emerging) transnational and transcultural space. In focusing on the intricate interplay between national, transnational and regional literatures, the research will explore the significant tension found between the local, subnational and global levels, at which language and cultural politics tend to operate as inclusive and exclusive forces.

The theme group has initiated several projects, amongst others the NWO funded Added Value Grant project ‘Gedeelde literatuur’ (Shared Literature, 2015-2016), the Summer School ‘Beyond Horizons’ (2014 - ) and the U4 Cultural Transfer Theme group (2014- ). Within the context of the Summer School and the U4 collaboration the theme group works internationally and is currently expanding the international network. The theme group aims to apply for funds and PhD projects, for example joint PhDs within the U4 or with other international partners such as the Departent of Foreign Languages and Translation Studies of the Sichuan University.

Project showcase

The fourth edition of the Summer School ‘Transmitting and Writing New Identities of Minorities and Migrants in and beyond Europe’ was organized from 18-23 June 2017. It examined the function and meaning of cultural transfer as an important tool to build up sustainable societies. Special attention was paid to minorities and migrants. The concepts of cultural transfer as well as the various definitions of ‘minorities’ and ‘migrants’ were discussed and historically and politically contextualized.

The study of cultural transfer and transmission is a relatively new research line within the broader context of literary history and cultural studies. The U4 network Cultural Transfer Research includes researchers of different backgrounds and expertise. It aims to build an EU-network in cultural transfer studies and to initiate research and collaboration by organizing workshops once a year and preparing applications for EU-funding. Workshops were organized in Groningen (2014), Uppsala (2015) and Ghent (2016.

Involved researchers

• Jesse van Amelsvoort
• Elise Bijl
• Petra Broomans (chair); Groningen/Gent
• Nannie de Graaff
• Hisham Hamad
• Goffe Jensma
• Ester Jiresch
• Janke Klok; Groningen/Berlijn
• Stella Linn
• Sjoerd-Jeroen Moenandar
• Tia Nutters
• Dagmar Reichardt; Hamburg/Riga
• Mathijs Sanders (chair)
• Marja van Tilburg
• Sandra van Voorst
• Jeanette den Toonder (chair)
• Margriet van der Waal
• Janneke Weijermars