This is my first time at NSU, and after a few days I must say I’m really positively overwhelmed. I’ve
been participating in the Feminist Philosophy circle, and has found it to be a really inspiring
environment where we learn not only about what our fellow circle participants are working on in
their various disciplines, but more importantly about HOW they work. We’ve been thinking together
about how one can do philosophy in a more feminist way, how one can work together with others,
and what particular challenges academia poses in relation to feminism. Having just started my PhD,
and thus being quite new to academia, it has been very valuable to be reminded of that I don’t just
have to accept the structures and hierarchies for what they are – we can create other spaces
together.
The NSU itself feels like this sort of alternative space – also now when we’re located here in this
strange but beautiful place. I’m not saying I don’t see problems or challenges, but I’m really happy I
get to be a part of this. That I get to listen and think and talk together with others during the day, do
yoga or run along the beach during breaks, and drink beers watching the sunset in the evening is not
what PhD-life is always like, but I’m glad it gets to be like this sometimes.
Ylva, Finland