Entangled Media Histories

A research network for European media historians since 2013

Reflections on EMHIS forum II and four weeks in Bournemouth

The English weather is probably the single thing, which has been hardest to understand for me during my stay here in Bournemouth. I don’t think that I have seen so many rainbows in my whole life as I have here in beautiful Dorset. (It was lovely sunshine when I went to the university this morning – now it’s pouring down!) Apart from the meteorological aspects of England, I have only positive things to say about the university and the staff of Centre for Media history. Kathryn and Hugh have been very helpful in making my stay as convenient and nice as possible. I have my desk just beside Kathryn’s, which is always helpful since she seems to have all answers to every practical question, what so ever. I hope I haven’t been too much of a disturbance.

The area of southern England is for sure an area that I will return to for holidays several times in the future – the steep chalk cliffs, which me and Alina visited with our house-host Stephanie was in deed a great piece of nature. I will miss the family and the rabbits. Especially the latters great living conditions were something extraordinary!

The digitized newspapers and journals interesting for my period are truly splendid. (The Royal library in Stockholm has a lot to learn, for sure.) Maybe I have found my entanglement postdoc project! Although it was empty when you guys left after our conference, I am sure that we straightened out a few things for the future. The working groups were, in my opinion, a step in the right direction. I have now started my last week in England, and I will try to do the best of it, working-wise as well as holiday-wise.

One is already looking forward seeing you all again in Hamburg, this autumn. Not just with the possibility for a FC St. Pauli game in mind, however that would have been great! I think we are all thankful for Andreas Fickers’ wise participation in the Bournemouth conference. I hope we will be able to get another great academic for the Hamburg meeting, and that this person will be as devoted and interested as Andreas was this time. In Hamburg will there hopefully be new participants in the EMHIS-group, with new doctoral students from both Bournemouth and from Lund. Whoever they will turn out to be, they can consider themselves lucky to have the opportunity of participating in this great research environment!

The sun is back on the sky!

//Erik

May 12, 2014