Current Projects
“Experimental Cultures of the 1990s-2020s: Narratives, Models, and Epistemic Objects” Prof. Marina Grishakova, University of Tartu, 2026-2030.
(ENG) This project offers a new perspective on narrative experimentation as a means of thinking with and through narrative fiction or “knowing by imagining” (Williamson). By building on H.-J. Rheinberger’s concept of experimental systems as historically changing assemblages of social, scientific, and cultural practices, the project explores how metamodern experimental cultures of the 1990-2020s serve as indicators of epistemic and social change in society. Through the analysis of narrative experimentation and modeling in such genres as utopias and dystopias, speculative fiction, philosophical fiction, and alternate history and comparison of data from Eastern, Central and Northern European contexts, we identify epistemic and social functions of experimental forms. By studying how social issues and values are negotiated in reflexive experimental practices, the project contributes to a more nuanced and high-quality public discussion.
(EST) Projekt pakub uue perspektiivi narratiivsele eksperimenteerimisele kui mõtlemisvahendile ning “teadmisele kujutlusvõime abil” (Williamson). Tuginedes Rheinbergeri eksperimentaalsete süsteemide kui ajalooliselt muutuvatele sotsiaalsete, teaduslike ja kultuuriliste praktikate koosluse mõistele, uurib projekt, kuidas 1990.–2020. aastate metamodernsed eksperimentaalsed kultuurid toimivad ühiskonna episteemiliste ja sotsiaalsete muutuste indikaatoritena. Analüüsides narratiivset eksperimenteerimist sellistes žanrites nagu utoopiad ja düstoopiad, spekulatiivsed ja filosoofilised fiktsioonid ning alternatiivne ajalugu Ida-, Kesk- ja Põhja-Euroopa kontekstides, tuvastame eksperimentaalsete vormide episteemilised ja sotsiaalsed funktsioonid. Uurides ühiskondlike murekohtade ja väärtuste kaalumist ja tõlgendust eksperimentaalsetes kunstipraktikates, aitab projekt kaasa nüansirikkama ja kvaliteetsema avaliku diskussiooni kujunemisele.
Recently Finished Projects
In 2021-25, the research group has been working on the small-scale pilot projects funded by the University of Tartu: “The Poetics of Knowledge: Experimental Narratives, Scientific Imaginaries, and the Limits of Representation,” “The Poetics of Knowledge: Experimentation, Modeling, and the Limits of Narrative Representation,” “Experimental Cultures of the 1980s-2020s: Narratives, Models, and Epistemic Objects.”
“Re-Familiarizing the Body and Its Umwelt: Uncanny Imaginary as a Tool to Cope with Contemporary Societal Challenges (REFAM)“ Prof. Anneleen Masschelein (KU Leuven), Prof. Kris Van Heuckelom (KU Leuven), Prof. Marina Grishakova (University of Tartu) and Prof. Mateusz Borowski (Uniwersytet Jagielloński), CELSA (Central Europe Leuven Strategic Alliance), 2023-2025.
“The Role of Imaginary Narrative Scenarios in Cultural Dynamics” Prof. Marina Grishakova, Estonian Research Council, 2017-2021. Read the description.
“Negotiating Ethics Through Fictional Minds and Bodies” Dr. Marzia Beltrami, Mobilitas Pluss Postdoctoral Researcher Grant, European Regional Development Fund and Estonian Research Council, 2020-2022.
“‘Unnatural’ Fairy Tales: A Cognitive Approach” Dr. Francesca Arnavas, Mobilitas Pluss Postdoctoral Researcher Grant, European Regional Development Fund and Estonian Research Council, 2019-2021.
“Imagining the Inner Journey: Conversion and its Discontents in Film Narratives from the 1960’s to the 2010’s” Dr. Hanna Ilona Eerika Mäkelä, Mobilitas Pluss Postdoctoral Researcher Grant, European Regional Development Fund and Estonian Research Council, 2019-2021.
“Complex Plots: Narrative Representations of Complexity” Dr. Toon Staes, Mobilitas Pluss Postdoctoral Researcher Grant, European Regional Development Fund and Estonian Research Council, 2018-2020.
“Emergent Stories: Storytelling and Joint Sensemaking in Narrative Environments” Prof. Marina Grishakova, Estonian Research Council, 2013-2016.
“Post-Corona Futures (Story Lab)” This study is led by Anneke Sools (Department of Psychology, Health and Technology; Story Lab) and Yashar Saghai (Department of Philosophy; the Millennium Project: Global Futures Studies and Research) from the University of Twente in collaboration with members of our international consortium from King’s College London, Leibniz University Hannover, the University of Crete, the University of Humanistic Studies, the University of Tartu, the University of Eastern Finland, and the University of West England Bristol. In Estonia, the study is led by the research group of professor Marina Grishakova (University of Tartu, Institute for Cultural Research). For contact: prof. Marina Grishakova (marina.grishakova@ut.ee), Paula Taberland (MA student). The corona outbreak is having a huge impact on the lives of people all over the world. This global crisis has changed our daily routines in a way we never imagined possible. This shows us that far-reaching changes are possible. It makes us aware of the fact that many things we have always found normal can be questioned. When this crisis is over, do we want to go back to the way it was or are there things we would rather see changed? Suppose we had the opportunity to design a new future, what would it look like?
Twente Ülikooli Story Lab algatatud rahvusvahelises võrdlevas uuringus osalevad teadlased Euroopast, Põhja-Ameerikast ja Aasiast. Materjalid koondatakse Twente Ülikoolis loodavasse rahvusvahelisse andmebaasi. Kasutades haridus- ja terviseuuringute kontekstis rakendatud “projektiivsuse” kontseptsiooni, kunstipõhist lähenemist ning narratiivset meetodit, uuritakse, kuidas pandeemia eriolukorras erinevates ühiskondades tulevikku kujutletakse ja mudeldatakse, millised on esilekerkivad ajalisuse mudelid ning milline on praeguste stsenaariumide ja valikute võimalik mõju tuleviku ühiskonnale.
Eestis korrraldab uuringut professor Marina Grišakova uurimisrühm (TÜ kultuuriteaduse instituut). Kontaktisikud: Prof. Marina Grišakova (marina.grishakova@ut.ee), Paula Taberland (magistrant).
Introduction to Cognitive Humanities: building and teaching a BA/MA course for the Spring semester 2022 (with guest speakers Reet Hiiemäe, Isik Sarihan, Steven Willemsen and Dimitar Uzunov). Introduction to Cognitive Humanities capture the interdisciplinary dialogue between the study of the human mind and different fields of the humanities such as literary, art and media studies, linguistics, and philosophy.