Interview

Birgit, how did you start as a researcher?

"I think I have always had a small reseacher hidden inside - ever since I was very young. It probably mostly come from my great interest in culture, oral storytelling, including myths, legends and linguistics. These are subjects that have always interested me. Originally, my interest was mainly in linguistics - then it was culture studies that caught my interest."

"And ever since I entered the old Herrnhut building in 1989 as a student .. then I knew that this was where I belonged. This was my home."

"It was so me! .. because I would like to have more knowledge and learn about the Greenlandic society - and about everything within the concept of culture. So I applied and was employed in the late 1990s. And I've been working ever since!"

What is your current research about?

"Right now I mostly conduct research in interdisciplinary cultural studies from a critical distance." [at this moment, the interviewer probably looks like a question mark - but fortunately Birgit quickly elaborates with a more mundane explanation].

"It's about that through literature, media, public debate one can get really good insight into what is happening in society right now - what is being talked about in society - areas that either inspire or excite people. Throug literature one can get a really good reflection of what is happening of important things in society. This is what literature can - and that is what I find interesting to research. For example, horror stories - or monstrous narratives can in reality cover all the taboo that would otherwise not be put into words - just as they can reflect what a cultural community fears. Horror stories are not so 'innocent'. We put our anxiety, our concerns into words. In that way, research in Greenlandic literature can give us a better understanding of our society, our culture - in our own self-understanding. And in this way we can also better equip our students to be able to analyze their own culture and other societies."

What motivates you in your research?

"It is a central part of my identity to be a researcher. And having helped in building up a young university - that still motivates me a lot. It motivates me to help further develop Ilisimatusarfik - giving my research on to our students so that they can be equiped as well as possible when they come out to the work life - preferably with a knowledge that can be translated constructively in building society."

Birgit - why is your research important for the Greenlandic society?

"As I said before, cultural studies from different angles - preferably from an strange angle or politically incorrect angle - can when necessary provide a very good reflection of our society in Greenland - for better or for worse."