Narrare: Centre for Interdisciplinary Narrative Studies (2014- ) at Tampere University advances the internationally renowned and interdisciplinary work that our team in literary studies and social sciences has been doing for more than two decades. Narrare brings together researchers in literary studies, social sciences, game studies, media and journalism, history, philosophy, education, psychology, health sciences, political science and administrative studies.
Research focus and goals
The centre's essential aim is to develop consistent narrative-theoretical methodology for all disciplines working with narrative.
Our central research areas are:
- interdisciplinary narrative theory and analysis
- convention and invention in narratives
- narrative agency and positioning
- narrative, well-being, and dangers of storytelling.
Narrare works in collaboration with other leading centres for narrative studies in Europe and the United States, promoting joint research projects, publications and researcher exchange, organizing conferences and symposia and providing interdisciplinary doctoral training. We also collaborate with communities and professional groups outside academia, applying narrative-theoretical understanding to practical settings.
Our projects:
- Dr Elise Kraatila (Project PI): “Journalistic Future Narratives in and about NATO-era Finland”, Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö, 2025–2027.
- Dr Maria Mäkelä (Consortium PI): “Authors of the Story Economy: Narrative and Digital Capital in the 21st-Century Literary Field” (AUTOSTORY), Research Council of Finland, 2024–2028.
- Dr Natalya Bekhta: “Utopia and Eastern European Literature after 1989”, Research Council of Finland, 2024–2028.
- Dr Natalya Bekhta: “After Utopia: World Literature and the Future of Eastern Europe”, Kone Foundation, 2024–2029.
- Dr Laura Karttunen & Dr Anna Ovaska: “Words for Care: Literature, Healthcare and Democracy” (“Sanoja terveyden tekijöille: kaunokirjallisuus, terveydenhuolto ja demokratia”), Kone Foundation, 2024–2026. Coordinated by professor Viola Parente-Čapková, University of Turku.
- Dr Elise Kraatila: “Age of Uncertainty: Speculative Narratives in 21st-century Fiction and Nonfiction”, Tampere IAS, 2023–2025.
- Dr Hanna-Riikka Roine (Project PI): “Imagine, Democracy! Narrative Fiction as a Tool for Imagining Democracy in Finland”, Kone Foundation, 2023–2026. https://projects.tuni.fi/kuvitteledemokratia/
- Dr Laura Piippo: “The Novel’s Knowledge – The Changing Roles of Book and Author in Society”, Kone Foundation, 2023–2024. Coordinated by professor Markku Lehtimäki, University of Turku. https://www.tuni.fi/fi/tutkimus/romaanin-tieto-kirjan-ja-kirjailijan-muuttuvat-roolit-yhteiskunnassa
- Prof. Mari Hatavara (Consortium PI): “Political Temporalities” (POLTE), Research Council of Finland, https://projects.tuni.fi/polte/
- Dr Saija Isomaa (Project PI): “The Historical Poetics of Finnish Literature”, Kone Foundation, 2022–2025. https://www.tuni.fi/fi/tutkimus/suomen-kirjallisuuden-historiallinen-poetiikka
- Dr Iida Pöllänen: “The Black Renaissance and Its Nordic Affiliations”, Research Council of Finland, 2021–2024; Svenska litteratursällskapet, 2024–2025. https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/black-renaissance-and-its-nordic-affiliations
- Dr Anna Ovaska: “Reading Experiences of Pain: Enactive and Critical Perspectives on Suffering in Narrative Fiction”, Kone Foundation, 2020–2024. https://annaovaska.com/reading-pain/
