Welcome

Welcome to the Crossing Cultures website.

Crossing Cultures:
Shifting Places, Identities and Memories

We are current and former members of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Stirling (Scotland) and affiliated scholars from other institutions and have closely related research interests in fields which study shifting places, identities and memories across cultures (see the members’ research interests and ‘Events’).

In an era of growing anxieties, fractures and conflicts this interdisciplinary research focus explores kaleidoscopic patterns of interaction and hybridity across the world. This exploration involves colonial and post-colonial theory, an examination of the tensions and fluidity of multiple cultural identities, questions of ideology, and forms of religion and spirituality. It also takes into account the extent to which historical epochs, narratives and representations – be they, for example, literary, linguistic, historical, visual or digital – may be involved in defining and positioning cultural dialogue between different national, societal and linguistic forms of expression. Our work here recognises that those instances of cross-cultural interaction do not result in a simple fusion or unproblematic hybridity, and that within them there are significant patterns of domination and oppression.

In a context where local and global developments become increasingly fused, this interaction is studied from different angles, including microhistorical, comparative and big data approaches. As such we emphasise the importance of analysing cultural and linguistic identities across different cultural settings. In situating common defining concepts in distinct cultures and in studying the use of those concepts and changes in societies across the world, this research theme shows the intellectual potential unleashed by the fusion and critical interaction of shifting cultural models, experiences and realities.

We welcome the involvement of all scholars who reflect a critical interest in this interdisciplinary area and invite colleagues and students to contact us.

Please note that  the most recent updates were made at the end of 2019!