Critical Theory Bergen
Critical Theory Bergen is a research group for critical theory at the Department of Philosophy.
About the research group
Critical Theory Bergen brings together researchers and advanced students from philosophy and other disciplines, organizes academic events and contributes to public debate. Our work is inspired by traditions like the Frankfurt school, antiracism, feminism and postcolonial theory, with a shared goal of an empirically and historically informed, emancipatory social philosophy.
Program for fall 2026
Unless stated otherwise, we meet this term on Fridays, 11.00-12.15h, groundfloor meeting room, Sydnesplassen 12/13.
4.9 Discussion: Nancy Fraser, Cannibal capitalism (external link) (2022), chs. 1 & 5
25.9 Discussion: José Medina, The epistemology of protest (external link) (2023), ch. 1
2.10 14.15-16h, room 129: Online talk: Vanessa Wills (George Washington University), "What is a standpoint? The notion of standpoint in feminist standpoint theory"
14.10, 19-20.30h Critical Theory in Dialogue with Rahel Jaeggi, Nikita Dhawan and Franz Knappik (Litteraturhuset i Bergen, more info tba)
15./16.10 Nordic Network for Critical Theory conference "Critical theory in the age of monsters". Conference homepage: http://nordiccriticaltheory.w.uib.no/nnct-conference-2026/. (external link) Everyone interested is welcome to attend the whole event or parts of it, but please register via the link on the homepage by October 8th.
30.10. Talk: Franz Knappik (UiB), "Politicizing the ontology of collective memory"
Thematic focus: Islamophobia
13.11 Discussion: David Goldberg, "Racial europeanization" (external link) (2006)
27.11 Discussion: Anna Sophie Lauwers, "Is islamophobia (always) racism? (external link)" (2019)
11.12 Discussion: Sindre Bangstad, Anders Breivik and the rise of islamophobia (external link) (2014), selections (tba)
Past activities
Click here (external link) for an overview over past activities of Critical Theory Bergen (formerly Critical Theories Colloquium).
Public outreach
Kritisk teori i dialog 1: Sterk stat, svake mennesker. Politi og rett i møte med de marginaliserte (Litteraturhuset i Bergen, 4.6.26)
People
Group manager
Franz Knappik Professor
Christopher Senf Research and innovation coordinator, SFI Media Futures (UiB)
Group members
Erika Brandl PhD
Ane Engelstad Postdoc
Hans Marius Hansteen Associate professor
Vigdis Kvam Guest researcher
Johannes Servan Librarian, law
Torgeir Skorgen Professor, German
Tomas Stølen Associate professor, NLA
Jesse Tomalty Associate professor
David Chelsom Vogt Postdoc
Georg Picot Professor, Comparative Politics
Contact
To get updated about the group's activities, please contact Franz Knappik.
- Emails
- franz.knappik@uib.no