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FRIHUMSAM-Fri prosj.st. hum og sam

Egalitarian Futures Research Group (EFRG)

Alternative title: Forskningsgruppen egalitære framtider (EFRG)

Awarded: NOK 1.6 mill.

Questions around growing global inequalities are more important than ever, not least in this time of a global pandemic. Our research group, the Egalitarian Futures Research Group (EFRG), tackle the issue of inequalities by looking specifically at what we term egalitarianism, that is ideas about equality that guide social, political or religious thought. We explore what egalitarianism may mean in a range of contexts across the world. Our specifc focus means that we look not only at egalitarianism in economic terms or in terms of equality in status, for instance. Instead, we focus on the diversity of forces that contribute to freedom and emancipation in ways that free human beings from constraint. At one level, therefore, we address socio-political transformation that reflect ideologies which, at root, derive from the centuries following the Enlightenment. At another level, we identify egalitarian impulses, orientations and movements in global contexts which are not shaped by the Englightenment. In the period 2020 until 2023, EFRG will focus on these three fields of inquiry: 1) New technologies and the future of the human, 2) Revolution, activism and the corporate state after the Covid-19 pandemic, and 3) Future urbanities and commons. In pursing this focus on egalitarianism, EFRG grows out of long-term research led by the University of Bergen and we will also continue to involve junior scholars (Norwegian and international PhD and postdoctoral students in anthropology) within specific research activities. In addition, we will integrate PhD students in anthropology in Norway and internationally with tailor-made annual PhD courses, renowned guest researchers and support for PhD student research, writing and publication beyond the courses.

The Egalitarian Futures Research Group (EFRG) builds on many years of anthropological research. With this project we seek to further understand the phenomenon of egalitarianism, that is, ideas and orientations around equality that guide social, political or religious thought in a range of contexts across the world. In doing so, we are directed towards analysing not only egalitarianism as a form of socio-economic equality but instead also to focus on emancipatory forces of socio-political restructuring which free human beings from constraint, opening them to realize potential hitherto prevented in various ways. At one level, therefore, the project addresses socio-political transformation integral to a diversity of ideologies that began assuming their contemporary form following the Enlightenment. The current project involves an extension and consolidation of the group, including the recalibration of research group leadership and the increased involvement of junior scholars, i.e. Norwegian and international PhD and postdoctoral students in anthropology, within specific research activities. In developing our research on these issues, this particular project will integrate PhD students in anthropology in Norway and internationally with tailor-made annual PhD courses, renowned guest researchers and support for PhD student research, writing and publication beyond the courses. In the period 2020 until 2024, EFRG will focus on these three fields of inquiry: 1) New technologies and the future of the human, 2) Revolution, activism and the corporate state after the Covid-19 pandemic, and 3) Future urbanities and commons.

Funding scheme:

FRIHUMSAM-Fri prosj.st. hum og sam