Elsje Fourie awarded NWO SSH XS grant

Elsje Fourie received €50,000 in the NWO SSH XS funding scheme for the project ‘Global Novels, Global Readers? Imagining transnational communities along the circuits of global literary consumption’. In the project, Elsje will explore how book clubs around the world read and respond to globally "successful" novels.

In the era of late capitalist globalisation, novels are not only works of art but also commodities that are consumed by readers around the world. Does the rise of the ‘global novel’ create readers capable of greater understanding and solidarity towards those in distant locations? Or do the kinds of books that ‘go global’ merely end up reinforcing readers’ existing prejudices? This interdisciplinary study examines the responses of readers in four countries to four global novels, thereby contributing both to literary debates around the evolution of this emerging genre and to social science debates around the impact of cultural globalisation.

Also read

  • Wednesday 4 June 2025

    On 3 June, pro-Palestinian protesters held a protest march at and inside several UM buildings. Their route included the buildings of UCM, SBE, Law, and the Student Services Centre. The demonstration ended around 14:00.

    Logo UM
  • Rise with Pride: UM raises the flag for inclusion

    On Monday, staff and students came together on the lawn near UNS40 to mark the start of Pride Month with a moment of reflection and solidarity. Vice President Jan-Tjitte Meindersma raised the Progress Pride Flag on behalf of the university, in a visible sign of support for LGBTQIA+ members of the UM...

    The raised flag at Pride month flag raising event