Contesting Euro Visions Research Group

The objectives of this research group are both intellectual and practical. The intellectual objectives are firstly to open a space for reflection on European cultural identity beyond the official discourse on ‘shared values’ promoted by the European Union, and secondly to consider analytically the social and cultural impact of alternative visions of Europe. It is taken as axiomatic that the EU’s post-statist policy, in part informed by civilization-clash thinking and largely driven by the imperative towards political union, is heavily invested in promoting, and managing a single common set of values.

This project takes a radically different approach to European cultural identities, concentrating on the popular, the contested, the transcultural and the marginal.

Siena Cathedral Drapery

Through an examination and critique of different categories of cultural identity within, across and beyond the world’s many ‘Europes’, it aims to develop conclusions about the evolving shape of cultural identities which compete with and contest the EU’s vision of Europe.

 The practical objective of the project is to bring together researchers working on European identities from multiple global perspectives.

The Institute for International Studies aims to work together with partners and other academics and practitioners from various European locations, the Americas and Asia, in order to foster dialogues and exchanges which cut across regional blocs. It is hoped that through regular contact between project participants, increased understanding of the shaping of Europe will emerge within a global perspective. Annual workshops will be held for the duration of the project, with anticipated research outcomes including print and online publications and other cultural products.

Timetable

  2005: European Visions, Contesting Voices - Workshop UTS, Sydney

  2006: The Edges of Europe - Workshop

  2007: Eurothers - Workshop

  2008: Virtual Europes - Workshop

  2009: Europeans, Europe in Ruins - Workshop

  2010: Teaching Europe Conference UTS - Sydney