Research Network on Transnational Socio-Cultural Processes

TRAP is located in the Tampere Centre for Cultural Studies (TACS), a multidisciplinary organ recently established at the University of Tampere to serve as a body of cooperation in research on cultural change. TRAP is an outgrowth of shared interests and long time research collaboration among scholars and research teams interested in cultural studies. Research on questions of national identities and transnationalisation has produced significant contributions to domestic and international discussion. Other forms of activity include organizing three major international cultural studies conferences (Crossroads), establishing the international Association for Cultural Studies (ACS), and launching the European Journal of Cultural Studies headquartered at the University of Tampere.

TRAP research network will take a step further by also analyzing the local-global interface. We not only ask how global changes have affected nation states, but also how these local level effects have impinged on what is seen as the global level development. In addition, we analyse how the transnational socio-cultural changes are framed. Of particular interest is the tendency that decisions are politicized - debated and challenged - within a nation state, whereas global changes are framed as inevitable. On the other hand, we also highlight evolving global framings and activities, such as the emergence of global movements and politics.