Umeå Group for Premodern Studies

Research group The purpose of UGPS is to conduct internationally successful research in a broad multidisciplinary perspective on periods before 1800 in collaboration with international research groups and networks focusing on political culture, gender and emotions.

Copper etching in gray scale showing a man with a number of listeners. The man points out Scandinavia on a large globe

Olof Rudbeck Sr. explains the Atlantica for the wise men in the world. Contemporary copper etching made by Padt Brugge.

UGPS are focusing on three main themes:

• political culture – attitudes, beliefs and values underpinning political systems, practices and relations
• gender – constructions of differences and relations of power
• emotions – expressions, repertoires and strategies

These themes should be taken in a broad sense, including a wide range of disciplinary perspectives from literature, art, linguistics, history, archaeology, religion, history of ideas, philosophy, and political science.

A more specific aim is to place the Swedish historical and cultural development in a broad international perspective or alternatively study how global phenomena have affected Sweden during different historical epochs.

The long and short-term aims of UGPS include:
• Increasing younger researchers' competence to do research on premodern sources
• Conducting successful research on an international level
• Increasing the international publishing of results
• Applying for external funding for interdisciplinary research projects
• Organizing and participating in conferences and workshops
• Developing and expanding existing research networks
• Connecting international scholars to UGPS through networks and visiting fellowships
• Encouraging exchange of doctoral students and researchers
• Creating an international reference group to enrich the group's work in the long run