Critical Theory Bergen

Critical Theory Bergen is a research group for critical theory at the Department of Philosophy.

Affiliation

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.
NB Program changes may happen during the term. To receive updates and reminders, register for the group's email list by contacting franz.knappik@uib.no.

4.9 Discussion: Nancy Fraser, Cannibal capitalism (external link) (2022), chs. 1 & 5

25.9 Discussion: José Medina, "The duties to protest and to listen to protest" (external link) (2023)

2.10 14.15-15.45h: Online talk: Vanessa Wills (George Washington University), "What is a standpoint? The notion of standpoint in feminist standpoint theory" (NB contact franz.knappik@uib.no for a copy of the paper; room was changed to groundfloor meeting room)

14.10, 20-21.15h Critical Theory in Dialogue 2 with Rahel Jaeggi, Nikita Dhawan and Franz Knappik: "Can progress be saved?" (Litteraturhuset i Bergen) (external link)

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.

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)

10.12 14.15-15.45h: Talk: Sindre Bangstad (KIFO), "Decolonizing Critical Theory: Pitfalls and Possibilities"

11.12 Discussion with author: 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; panel debate with criminology professor Helene Gundhus/UiO, philosophy professor Franz Knappik/UiB, artist and activist Marthe Valle, and Maria Wasvik/Antirasistisk senter; moderated by FoF students Knut-Johan Farestveit and Sofia Karlsen. | watch video recording (external link) | read panelists' Aftenposten essay (external link).