Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Women in the History of Philosophy (INSPIRE)

INSPIRE Summer School 2026: Thinking in Many Forms: Gender, Genres, and Practices

The INSPIRE Summer School 2026 is an initiative organized by The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Women in the History of Philosophy (INSPIRE).

Questions about philosophical and literary genres are of the essence: Throughout Western history, unconventional thinkers, in particular women, have participated in philosophical debates through genres and rhetorical practices that differ from those associated with more canonical (and typically male) philosophers. As an alternative to systematic treatises, they wrote poetry, exchanged letters, authored essays for moral periodicals, composed dedications, and crafted elegant prose. In this way, they practiced philosophy. However, deviating from the norm often came at a price, and exclusion from the canon was usually the result. Nevertheless, focusing solely on genre is still insufficient for understanding the pitfalls of a rigid conception of philosophy. A deeper understanding of the practices through which different forms of critical thinking emerge and take shape is equally important.

Through keynote lectures, seminar discussions, and field excursions – including a visit to the University town Lund, Sweden – participants will engage with fundamental philosophical questions and methodological challenges. They will critically reflect on philosophical traditions, genres, and practices that lie beyond conventional definitions of philosophy. In addition, the Summer School will offer a dedicated career development module for early-career scholars in philosophy and related disciplines.

Learning objectives

Participants in the Summer School will:

engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on key conceptual and methodological questions in philosophy and literary studies, with, but not exclusive, attention to Northern European intellectual traditions.
develop a critical understanding of philosophical genres and intellectual practices.
acquire methodological tools for analyzing non-canonical philosophical texts through approaches drawn from literary studies, gender studies, and the feminist history of philosophy.
explore current debates in the humanities concerning authorship, genre, intellectual authority, and the historical codification of a canon.
interact with leading international scholars working at the intersection of philosophy, literary studies, and intellectual history.
build lasting academic networks and receive professional guidance, including opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and mentoring through a career development module for early-career researchers.

Keynote speakers (confirmed)

Christian Benne (professor, University of Copenhagen)
Katie Ebner-Landy (assistant professor, Utrecht University)
Alberto Frigo (associate professor, University of Milan)
Gunilla Hermansson (professor, University of Gothenburg)
Irina Hron (docent, University of Copenhagen)
Mats Malm (professor, University of Gothenburg)

Target group

The Summer School is explicitly aimed at doctoral students interested in innovative approaches to European and Northern European philosophy, history, literary studies, and the history of philosophy and ideas more broadly. The program is also open to postdoctoral researchers, more advanced scholars, and highly motivated master's students who are interested in the Summer School’s areas of study.

ECTS

Participation in the summer school gives 3.0 ECTS points, 4,5 if you give a paper presentation. When registering for the Summer School, you will be given the option to apply to give a presentation or to attend without presenting. A maximum of eight presentations will be selected. You can read more about this under “Registration”.

We will provide participants with diplomas on the condition that they are present at least 80 % of the time and fill in an evaluation form.