Events
Future events
QUEST LECTURE: Andrzej Marzec: When Aestetics Becomes Metaphysics – The Speculative Turn
May 27th, 10-12, Pub150
Abstract:
The chaotic and unsettling character of contemporary times, frequently described through the categories of crisis, apocalypse, catastrophe, and various forms of ending, points to an urgent need for an entirely new metaphysics capable of producing the experience of a shared, stable reality. One compelling response to the problem of the end of the humanistic world is object-oriented ontology, Graham Harman’s proposal that reconceives aesthetics as the primary form of metaphysics today. Art and philosophy today face not so much the task of saving the world from destruction, but with something arguably more fundamental: producing a shared reality (world-making). This lecture maps the key philosophical positions that have emerged from the observed revival of metaphysical thinking (the speculative turn) and addresses the question of what an intimate, renewed collaboration between philosophy and art might look like in this context.
Bio:
Andrzej Marzec is a philosopher, film critic, Assistant Professor at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, and lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, the SWPS University, and the University of Arts in Poznan. His research interests focus on speculative realism, object-oriented ontology, environmental humanities, dark ecology and contemporary alternative cinema. He is the author of “Widmontologia. Teoria filozoficzna i praktyka artystyczna ponowoczesności” (Hauntology: Philosophical theory and artistic practice of postmodernity) (2015) and “Antropocień – filozofia i estetyka po końcu świata” (Anthroposhadow: Philosophy and aesthetics after the end of the world) (2021), and the co-editor of “Derrida and Film Studies” (2025).
Call for papers: Environmental philosophy seminar for doctoral researchers
4.12.2026 / University of Turku, Publicum
The Turku Environmental Ethics Research Center (TEERC), at the philosophy department of the University of Turku, invites doctoral researchers interested in environmental philosophy to a full-day seminar on Friday 4th December 2026.
We welcome presentation proposals that broadly address questions of environmental philosophy. The seminar is intended for all doctoral researchers interested in environmental philosophy. Undergraduate students planning a research career and interested in environmental philosophy are also warmly welcome.
The seminar aims to provide doctoral researchers with an opportunity to present their research and receive feedback from experienced researchers, as well as to create networking opportunities among Finnish environmental philosophers. In addition to the presentation sessions, the program includes a keynote lecture.
Each presenter will receive a personal commentator, who is an experienced researcher in environmental philosophy. Participants are requested to submit a research paper or a part of their dissertation, approximately 3000-6000 words, for pre-seminar commentary. Participation is also possible with a research plan or idea paper. Presentations based on the work will be approximately 20 minutes long. The research paper and presentation can be in Finnish or English.
Registration: Please send your presentation proposal by email to teerc@utu.fi by October 2nd, 2026. The proposal should include the title of the presentation, an abstract (200-500 words), and the speaker’s name, contact information, and institution.
Travel expenses can be reimbursed for some participants; please indicate your need for travel support when registering. Travel support covers train and bus travel within Finland. Undergraduate students requiring travel support are also asked to submit a half-page motivation letter.
Lunch will be provided for all participants. Those interested can join a self-funded dinner after the seminar.
Important dates
Deadline for presentation proposals: 2.10.2026
Notification of accepted presentations: 12.10.2026
Deadline for submitting research papers: 13.11.2026
Seminar: 4.12.2026
For more information: teerc@utu.fi https://sites.utu.fi/teerc/en/etusivu/events/
Past events
27.3.2026 TEERC, CETE-P & UPCE PRESENT: EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY SERIES (EEPS) online seminar series
First seminar:
23.-29.6.2025 TEERC reseachers writing retreat at Villa Tammekann, Tartu, Estonia.
24.-26.9.2025 Nordic Environmental Ethics Network’s annual conference will be organized with TEERC at the University of Turku. Call for papers and more information can be found on the NEEN website: https://sites.utu.fi/neen/neen25-conference/
8.12.2025 Environmental Philosophy national seminar for doctoral researchers (CfP here, in Finnish).
3.2.2025 Open TEERC introduction seminar
3.12.2024 National environmental philosophy seminar for doctoral researchers, University of Turku, Publicum
18.10.2024 Guest lecture: Anna Wienhues (KU Leuven): ”Adapting Environmental Ethics to Climate Change: In Favour of a Nuanced View on Change”
TEERC seminar
TEERC organizes a research seminar for its researchers in every three weeks. We often invite speakers to present their work at the center. If you are interested in presenting your work at the TEERC seminar, please contact the center’s coordinator Mikko Puumala.
Funding: Grants and Awards
Helena Siipi (Laura Puumala & Jenna Aarnio), 9,000€, Moral Worseness of Mass Killing and Dying research project, Faculty of Social Sciences, research support funding
TEERC: Granö Stipend, researcher residence Villa Tammekann, Tarto, Turun Yliopistosäätiö
Jenna Aarnio: 28,000 €, research grant, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto; 13,176 €, reserch grant, Turun Yliopistosäätiö; 5,000 €, encouragement grant, TOP-säätiö
Olivia Mörk: 10,000€, research grant, Konkordia-liitto; 5,000€, encouragement grant, TOP foundation
Laura Puumala: 70,400€, research grant as part of a research project, Koneen Foundation