A significant number of Danish researchers from across the social sciences, cultural studies, history and law are engaged in such efforts to rethink transatlantic studies, but there is a notable lack of interaction across disciplinary boundaries. In order to remedy this, a group of Danish researchers has taken the initiative to organize a network - The Danish Research Network on Transatlantic Studies. The purpose is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about ongoing research, and to promote cooperation on joint research projects. The outcome will be the creation of new intellectual synergy and a stronger position for Denmark within this important field of research.
The Danish Research Network wishes to:
Firstly, the network will broaden the geographical scope of transatlantic studies. With proximity to the Atlantic Ocean as an obvious prerequisite, large parts of Latin America and Africa self-evidently belong to the transatlantic community. Canada is playing an increasingly important role in transatlantic cooperation which should also be considered in greater depth. Furthermore, economic ties and political interaction between Europe, Russia and a range of countries in the Caribbean are likely to become more important in the coming years and should also be part of the research agenda.
Secondly, in terms of research themes the network will focus on the impact of transatlantic relations on individual nations – and comparative studies of several nations – as well as on paradigmatic changes on the supranational level and the means of addressing them. Discussions within the network will evolve around a number of thematic clusters. Based on current research activities among the members, some of the first themes that the network will organize around are transnational security policies, comparative perceptions of social rights, human rights and civil liberties, as well as migration, multiculturalism and changing national identities.
