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Ethical spaces. Border resistance beyond praxis

man walking through railway station

"Rom for motstand, Oslo sentralbanestasjon. Photo: Kaia Rønsdal"

About the group

The spatial turn is part of normative studies in the humanities and social sciences as well as in theology. This research  group is studying practices, contemporary and also historical, from a spatialized perspective (Foucault/Lefebvre), but also phenomenological traditions).  In the next years the research group will focus, theologically and ethically, on  resistance developing out of the lived practice in spaces.

The research group is chaired by Associate Professor Kaia Rønsdal. The group includes staff and PhD/postdoctoral theologians inside and outside the University of Oslo, as well as anthropologists, nursing scholars, scholars in professional ethics and others. Most members have completed their PhDs, and are Publishing in their specialized field.

Professor Wyller chaired the research group Nordhost. Because of this migration studies (theological and ethical) is significantly present in the group, together with citizenship studies disability studies, gender, religious education, diaconia, ethics and nursing

Research activities

The group published the book “Rom og etikk: Fortellinger om ambivalens". In the coming years the group will focus more on resisting practices, still in a spatialized and ethical perspective. This new project is planned to publish a second book, deepening and focusing the perspective from the first book. The Espace group are planning workshops in 2019/2020 to develop and finish this book-project.

Members of the group have also submitted two research proposals in the Spring semester 2019. One to the Norwegian Research Council: “  Contested Christianities. Non-Christianist articulations in a context of migration”. A second is submitted to the NOS-HS (Nordic funding) for workshops to develop the Scandinavian Creation Theology: “The Politics of Creation (POLCRE). A Nordic Model for Rethinking Radical Recognition in Public and Ecclesial Space”.

Espace members also participate in the Nordic research group for Scandinavian Creation Theology at the Center for Grundtvig Studies, University of Aarhus, Denmark.

Academic programmes and courses

Spatial aspects and ethics are part of many courses at the Faculty of Theology. One basic course is “Religion, Migration and Citizensip" (REDI 4001). One other is Teol 4201.

Published Feb. 6, 2018 4:08 PM - Last modified Oct. 8, 2021 12:49 PM