DELC Research Seminar Series: Jussi Laine In brief Date - 7 Feburary 2024 Venue - Room G.06, 50 George Square Speaker - Professor Jussi Laine (University of Eastern Finland) Title - (De)Fencing the boundaries of order, logic, and control: An end to the Finnish-Russian pragmatic frame About the event The current era of multiple and constant crises, with the various elements of uncertainty they create, has underlined the role borders play in the constitution of difference and bringing order amidst the perceived dangers of chaos. In the increasingly unpredictable world facing multiple, overlapping crises, the manipulative security narrative has become hegemonic and gained intrinsic value that may distract people from the real causes of insecurity. This talk focuses on the developments at the Finnish-Russian border and addresses recent border protection measures as a disruption of a continuous geopolitical narrative and as an expression of border anxiety that has become exploited politically and become manifested materially. By showcasing recent empirical examples of rebordering, it presents the border as an illuminating laboratory in which to study border change by pitting the past cross-border cooperation and interdependencies against the realistic politics and increasingly prominent threat perceptions. The break with past traditions, which have been formative elements of Finland’s political identity, is exemplified among others by the move to NATO membership, the imposition of highly restrictive visa requirements for Russian citizens, and the decision to build a border fence, and finally a full border closure. In an attempt to move beyond the conventional bordering and othering logics, this talk seeks to unravel the recent events through an ontological security perspective and problematise the politics of identity and difference the border is seen to manifest. About the speaker Jussi Laine is professor of multidisciplinary border studies at the Karelian Institute at the University of Eastern Finland. He is also President of the World Social Science Association and former leader of the Association for Borderlands Studies. His work looks at citizenship, identity and territory in border regions, with a particular focus on the Finnish-Russian border. Jussi is also a frequent contributor to news media on the issue of Finland's border relations with Russia. How to attend This event is free to attend and open to all. No registration required. About the seminar series The DELC Research Seminar Series (DRSS) encourages collaboration and coproduction between staff and students across European Languages and Cultures and beyond. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. No registration is necessary. Are you interested in studying European Languages and Cultures? Our interdisciplinary environment brings together specialists in nine European languages, and the many cultures worldwide in which they're spoken, with experts in film, literature, theatre, translation and intermediality. Working with colleagues elsewhere in LLC, and across the wider University, we are able to support research which crosses boundaries between disciplines and/or languages. Find out more about studying with us Feb 07 2024 17.15 - 18.30 DELC Research Seminar Series: Jussi Laine Join us for this in-person seminar by Professor Jussi Laine (University of Eastern Finland) that looks at the role of borders throughout the world in creating unneeded anxiety and furthering the manipulative security narrative, with a particular focus on the Finnish-Russian border. Room G.06 50 George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LH Find the venue
DELC Research Seminar Series: Jussi Laine In brief Date - 7 Feburary 2024 Venue - Room G.06, 50 George Square Speaker - Professor Jussi Laine (University of Eastern Finland) Title - (De)Fencing the boundaries of order, logic, and control: An end to the Finnish-Russian pragmatic frame About the event The current era of multiple and constant crises, with the various elements of uncertainty they create, has underlined the role borders play in the constitution of difference and bringing order amidst the perceived dangers of chaos. In the increasingly unpredictable world facing multiple, overlapping crises, the manipulative security narrative has become hegemonic and gained intrinsic value that may distract people from the real causes of insecurity. This talk focuses on the developments at the Finnish-Russian border and addresses recent border protection measures as a disruption of a continuous geopolitical narrative and as an expression of border anxiety that has become exploited politically and become manifested materially. By showcasing recent empirical examples of rebordering, it presents the border as an illuminating laboratory in which to study border change by pitting the past cross-border cooperation and interdependencies against the realistic politics and increasingly prominent threat perceptions. The break with past traditions, which have been formative elements of Finland’s political identity, is exemplified among others by the move to NATO membership, the imposition of highly restrictive visa requirements for Russian citizens, and the decision to build a border fence, and finally a full border closure. In an attempt to move beyond the conventional bordering and othering logics, this talk seeks to unravel the recent events through an ontological security perspective and problematise the politics of identity and difference the border is seen to manifest. About the speaker Jussi Laine is professor of multidisciplinary border studies at the Karelian Institute at the University of Eastern Finland. He is also President of the World Social Science Association and former leader of the Association for Borderlands Studies. His work looks at citizenship, identity and territory in border regions, with a particular focus on the Finnish-Russian border. Jussi is also a frequent contributor to news media on the issue of Finland's border relations with Russia. How to attend This event is free to attend and open to all. No registration required. About the seminar series The DELC Research Seminar Series (DRSS) encourages collaboration and coproduction between staff and students across European Languages and Cultures and beyond. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. No registration is necessary. Are you interested in studying European Languages and Cultures? Our interdisciplinary environment brings together specialists in nine European languages, and the many cultures worldwide in which they're spoken, with experts in film, literature, theatre, translation and intermediality. Working with colleagues elsewhere in LLC, and across the wider University, we are able to support research which crosses boundaries between disciplines and/or languages. Find out more about studying with us Feb 07 2024 17.15 - 18.30 DELC Research Seminar Series: Jussi Laine Join us for this in-person seminar by Professor Jussi Laine (University of Eastern Finland) that looks at the role of borders throughout the world in creating unneeded anxiety and furthering the manipulative security narrative, with a particular focus on the Finnish-Russian border. Room G.06 50 George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LH Find the venue
Feb 07 2024 17.15 - 18.30 DELC Research Seminar Series: Jussi Laine Join us for this in-person seminar by Professor Jussi Laine (University of Eastern Finland) that looks at the role of borders throughout the world in creating unneeded anxiety and furthering the manipulative security narrative, with a particular focus on the Finnish-Russian border.
