Hello there, Hanna Enefalk, Associate Professor of History and the new representative for Karlstad University in Humtank. Tell us more!
"Humtank is a think tank for research and education in the humanities, with representatives from fourteen Swedish universities and colleges. It has existed for over ten years and is funded by nearly all Swedish universities engaged in humanities research. Its purpose is to highlight the humanities and their perspectives. Both the general public and politicians sometimes forget that science is more than just men in white lab coats. Humtank plays an important role in reminding people that historians, literary scholars, cultural researchers, and other humanities academics also exist."
"My assignment means that the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences allocates ten per cent of a full-time position for my work as Karlstad University's representative in the think tank. I succeed Kristian Petrov, Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies, who previously held the role."
What do you hope to contribute, and do you have any expectations?
"I want to highlight the humanities' perspective as a constructive alternative to 'fake news', algorithm-driven search results, and AI-generated content. At the same time, we need to protect humanities institutions from financial erosion—we must show decision-makers that the relatively small resources we receive are an effective investment with great returns. This is, of course, not something that can be solved over a coffee break, but I hope Humtank can help strengthen public opinion."
"Above all, I would like to know which issues my colleagues in the humanities at the university think Humtank should focus on. Feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts!"
What are you currently researching?
"I am studying autobiographies written over 200 years ago by members of the Moravian church, an 18th-century evangelic revival. Additionally, I explore the risks people faced in pre-industrial Sweden, how they tried to avoid them, and how they made sense of their situation when they failed and disaster struck."
"I am also working on Humanities Days, an event rooted in Humtank and the university’s humanities strategy. On 8–9 October, everyone—colleagues, researchers, students, and the general public—is welcome to attend lectures and guest talks covering a broad range of humanities research topics!"
- Learn more at humtank.se
