Art has, throughout history, offered deepened perspectives on the present. It has expressed both the most fundamental and the most distinctive aspects of society. Through artistic expression, we can discover what we did not know was there, and in times of crisis culture plays a fundamental role. At a university where independent thinking is a cornerstone and where the ambition is to be an active part of contemporary society, the arts – not least literature – offer exciting pedagogical opportunities in a time of rapid change.
The new university-wide initiative GU Läser therefore offers:
- Course and programme directors, as well as teaching teams, opportunities to develop forms and content in education, with the aim of integrating the reading and discussion of fiction into teaching in order to create new perspectives and insights in ways that are relevant to each discipline.
- In collaboration with the University of Gothenburg Student Unions (GUS) and Folkuniversitetet, an infrastructure for student-led book circles and reading communities.
Through fiction, we open new paths into the complexity of reality – strengthening critical thinking and contributing to a deeper understanding of human beings and society, engagement, academic learning and ethical reflection.
Date: 17 March 2026. Programme 15.00–17.00. Information sessions 14.00–17.30.
Venue: University of Gothenburg, The Aula, Vasaparken
Dress code: Bring a work of fiction in your hand.
Programme
The programme will be held in Swedish.
15.00 Welcome to Brave New Literary World at GU
- Introduction to the initiative – Pauli Kortteinen, Vice-President for Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture
- The development of GU Läser and personal reflections – Oskar Broberg, Chair of the GU Läser working group, Vice-Dean for Education, School of Business, Economics and Law
- Fiction as a form of knowledge and literary Bildung – Åsa Arping, Professor of Comparative Literature and Dean, Faculty of Humanities
15.20 Networking, literary speed-dating and happenings
We will mingle and talk about the books we have brought that have made an impression on us, with breaks for special features, including:
- QUIZ: Which great books – which exciting courses?
Two panels will tackle the question: How can fiction be used as course literature? Based on quick-fire literary examples and with only brief time for reflection, the panels will propose courses in different disciplines. There are no right answers – only imaginative ones. A judging panel will decide. With Ann Ighe, School of Business, Economics and Law; Lars Karlsson, Faculty of Social Sciences; Christian Munthe, Faculty of Humanities. Additional participants to be announced. - We who love book circles and books
Alwa Nyman and fellow students at the University of Gothenburg share recommendations for book circles and books that can open up new perspectives and deeper understanding.
16.35 Author readings
Authors Lina Ekdahl, Ulf Karl Olov Nilsson and Zhiwar Rashid will give readings.
17.00 Closing remarks
At our GU Läser stations in Ekmanhallen, 14.00–17.30, you can receive further information during the afternoon:
- GU Läser
- University of Gothenburg Student Unions (GUS)
- University Library
- Folkuniversitetet – information about book circles and facilitator training
- Workplace libraries
About GU Läser
GU Läser aligns with the ongoing national mobilisation to promote reading and connects in several ways to the University of Gothenburg’s strategic goals. GU Läser forms part of the University’s ongoing work to develop cultural collaboration and new forms of engagement between the arts and the sciences.
The initiative is also linked to Gothenburg’s status as a City of Literature and, since 2021, a member of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. The University of Gothenburg is one of three principal partners in Litteraturstaden Göteborg and its commitments to UNESCO to harness the power of literature in working towards sustainable societal development in relation to the UN Agenda 2030.
