(NISN)
| Nordic
Irish Studies Network
(NISN) |
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NoticeboardThe NISN noticeboard is the direct communication line between members of the network. The noticeboard consists of a Newsletter, Other News, and Abstracts. All three sections are currently being edited from the NISN secretariat. The Newsletter is addressed at NISN members and is written by the secretary. Other News is the section where members may publish news and other information - big and small - which they want to share with the rest of the network. Abstracts is a section where members can publish abstracts of recent papers, publications, and teaching programs. In order to contribute to any of the three sections, please contact the NISN secretariat via e-mail. You may attach a file for long contributions.
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NISN NEWSLETTER Autumn 2006Dear NISN Members My warmest regards to you all. This is my first newsletter as newly elected Chair of NISN. Thank you for your vote of confidence in nominating me - I look forward to serving the Nordic Irish Studies Network and carrying out my duties as best I can. First of all a special vote of thanks to Michael Böss and his organising committee for hosting the 5th NISN Biennial Conference at Aarhus University, Denmark, Conference, "The Construction and Deconstruction of Irish Memory" (Nov 3-4). The conference was held in conjunction with a Beckett Symposium "World Theatre: Samuel Beckett and the Theatre." We had a wonderful few days at Aarhus, with high quality papers, plenary talks, a workshop, and a theatre performance. It was a very enjoyable gathering, and gave us a change to meet with both old and new NISN members and friends. We are delighted to see the number of new scholars who are joining the Network, and presenting their research. As you will already have seen, the minutes from the General Business Meeting, which was held at the end of the conference, reflect our warm appreciation to Michael for hosting the gathering. New National Representatives on the Executive BoardAs also reported in the GBM minutes, we are happy to report that we have broadened the NISN Executive Board and have elected to the new Board representatives from Finland (Gerald Porter, University of Vaasa), Iceland (Brynhildur Róbertsdóttir Boyce, University of Reykjavik), and Norway (Charles Armstrong, University of Bergen). They will endeavor to foster and coordinate Irish studies, to recruit new members, and generally make NISN's presence known in their respective countries. We are delighted to welcome these new members to the Board and wish them success in their task. New TreasurerYou will also have seen from the GBM minutes that our finances are in good shape, having been managed diligently by our former Treasurer, Elin Holmsten, whom we thank for her good work. Our new Treasurer is Charles Armstrong, whom we also wish to thank for taking over the job. Queries about membership and payment of membership fees should now be directed to Charles at the following address: Charles I. Armstrong, English Department, University of Bergen, Sydnesplassen 7, 5007 Bergen, Norway, charles.armstrong@eng.uib.no New WebmasterOur website, which has previously been administered by Jacob Urup Nielsen, Webmaster at Aarhus University, will now be managed by Elin Holmsten, Dalarna. We wish to thank Jacob for his valuable work done thus far, and are greatly indebted to Elin for taking on this task. The website will be updated and will continue to announce our activities, conference announcements and publications. If you have any information you would like posted, please contact Elin at the following address: Elin Holmsten, English Department, Dalarna University College, 791 88 Falun, Sweden, ehm@du.se PublicationsThe following is a report on the on-going joint projects within the Network. If you have other projects that you would like to report, please contact us and we will be glad to advertise these: NIS (Nordic Irish Studies)The upcoming deadline for contributions for the next issue of NIS is February 15, 2007. A Special Issue focusing on Beckett will also be published. This will be edited by Michael Böss, with Brynhildur Róbertsdóttir Boyce as assistant editor. Irene Gilsenan Nordin will continue to edit the literary material, assisted by Elin Homsten, while Michael Böss continues to edit the history, politics section, assisted by Billy Gray. Brynhildur Róbertsdóttir Boyce will assist with the editing of Book reviews. While this circulation letter will reach both active and passive members of NISN only active paid up members of the Network will receive copies of the journal. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this publication, please check your membership status with the Treasurer. Recovering MemoryPublication of the latest NISN research project on the theme of Memory is well on course. The volume, consisting of 17 papers under the working title Recovering Memory, to be published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, is presently being edited. Contributors have been asked to submit their final chapter manuscripts to the editors, (Friberg, Gilsenan Nordin, Yding-Pedersen) together with an updated abstract shortened to 150 words, by November 15. The final ms. will be submitted to the publishers by the end of December, as agreed in our publishing contract. The volume is expected during 2007. "Cross-cultural Encounters"The suggested theme for our next NISN research project is "Cross-cultural Encounters," focusing on interculturality, transculturality, or transnationality. We welcome additional suggestions. The discussion of thematic focus, as well as who will become editors, will be taken up again at our next meeting. We hope to meet next in Bergen - those of us who can (see forthcoming conferences below). We will keep you informed of any news on this front. "Twenty-First Century Redefinitions of National Identity: Postnationalist Constructs of Identity in Contemporary Ireland"An international Call for Papers will be issued shortly for contributors to a forthcoming collection of essays with the above working title. This publication will be edited by Irene Gilsenan Nordin and Carmen Zamorano Llena. While articles for consideration are welcome from NISN members, the CFP will invite contributors from all over the world. Forthcoming ConferencesBeckett Symposium, Karlstad University, Sweden, 1-2 December, 2006"Beckett: Screens of Silence - Beckett: Écrans de silence." This bilingual symposium is organised by DUCIS (Dalarna University Centre for Irish Studies) Dalarna, together with the French Dept at Karlstad University. The following are the English speaking keynote lectures:
For further information, contact: Irene Gilsenan Nordin (DUCIS) ign@du.se Building Bridges: National Forum on English Studies in Swedish Higher Education Tällberg, Dalarna, Sweden, 25-27 April 2007While this forum does not deal directly with Irish Studies, it will no doubt be of interest to members who, like many of us, also teach non-Irish orientated courses within the university system. The forum will discuss ways in which to "build bridges" between some of the following: English departments in Swedish universities; Swedish and European universities within the Bologna framework; Academy and industry; Universities and schools; Universities and public institutions; Literature and linguistics; English and other subjects; English and teacher education; Teachers and students within distance education. The forum, organised by the English Dept, Dalarna University College, will take place at Hotel Dalecarlia in Tällberg in the very heart of Dalarna. We hope that this relaxing and invigorating atmosphere will inspire all participants to contribute to creative and rewarding discussions on how building bridges can help us adapt to our changing working situation as university teachers. The forum will start with an evening buffé on Wednesday 25 and finish after lunch on Friday 27. Accommodation will be available in regular hotel rooms, hostel-standard rooms, and in cabins. Tällberg is most easily reached by train to Tällberg station, by air to Dala Airport, or by car. For further information, contact: Anita Purcell Sjölund, Dalarna, aps@du.se 10th Nordic Conference of Studies in English Studies, Bergen, Norway, May 24 -26, 2007.Please note that while this is an "English" conference, papers on Irish topics are more than welcome. Thus, for instance the organisers would be very happy to have papers on contemporary Irish poets in the panel on "Contemporary Poetry," or other aspects of Irish Literature. For further information, contact: Charles I. Armstrong, English Department, University of Bergen, Sydnesplassen 7, 5007 Bergen, Norway, charles.armstrong@eng.uib.no 6th EFACIS (European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies) Conference, University of Seville, 13-15th December 2007The next EFACIS Conference will be held at the University of Seville, 13-15th December 2007, hosted by Inez Praga. The theme of the conference is: "Dreaming the Future: New Horizons / Old Barriers in 21st Century Ireland." You will have received the 1st Call for Papers in the last couple of weeks. Further information, registration, travel arrangements, and accommodation details will be included in the second CFP. Information will also be available on the EFACIS website: http://www.geocities.com/efacis/ 5th NISN Biennial Conference, University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland, May 2008We are delighted to announce that the next NISN Conference will be held at the University of Vaasa, Finland, where our host will be Gerald Porter. The conference will take place in May 08. We thank Gerald very much for his kind invitation to host this gathering, and we look forward to turning out in full force to Finland in Spring 08! More details will be posted later. Christmas is just around the corner -even if some of us may not like to be reminded of the fact so soon - so let me end by wishing you all a very happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year! Kind regards Irene Gilsenan Nordin |
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OTHER NEWS
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