Steering group positions open

Dear all,

SELMA: Centre for the Study of Storytelling, Experientiality and Memory is looking for new members and deputies for its steering group (board). We accept applications from people in all career stages, and especially encourage younger scholars to apply. We look forward to involving new active members who are interested in the Centre’s work.

SELMA explores the interrelations between storytelling, experientiality and memory. The Centre is based at the School of History, Culture and Arts Studies at the University of Turku, Finland. We organize both on-site and online events and board meetings are often held online, but we hope that members of our steering group are able to participate on-site as well.

Our research foci include life-writing, narratives of illness and health, environmental narratives, trauma narratives, transcultural memory, and digital storytelling. We explore the intersections of narrative, experience and memory from both theoretical and historical perspectives. We aim at crossing the borders between research and artistic creativity by creating dialogue, promoting social engagement and fostering international collaboration between scholars, artists and other people outside academia.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our steering group, please contact our coordinator via email lianme[at]utu.fi. The deadline for applications in 15 May. Introduce yourself in relation to the Centre’s research foci and activities, and describe how you would like to participate in and contribute to the activities of the Centre and how you would like to develop it further. You can apply in English or in Finnish.

Please note that we are looking for members who are able to commit at least for the full academic year 2026-2027, preferably longer. We expect the board members to participate in the board meetings and to attend actively the Centre’s events. We also welcome initiatives to organise events. Anyone with an affiliation to the University of Turku can apply, and we welcome applications from different disciplines and faculties.