Esther Peeren

Prof. Esther Peeren is a Professor of Cultural Analysis and Academic Director of the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on cultural imaginaries of the rural in globalization, spatial justice, and territorial inequalities. She leads the ERC-funded project RURALIMAGINATIONS, examining how cultural narratives shape perceptions of rural life across the UK, US, Netherlands, China, and South Africa. Her work bridges literary studies with sociopolitical analysis, emphasizing the role of imagination in shaping material realities.

Educations: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts, but her academic roles imply advanced degrees in literary studies/cultural analysis.

Research emphasizes how idyllic rural imaginations influence political mobilization and spatial justice. Her contributions include co-editing the Palgrave Studies in Globalization, Culture and Society series. Recent engagement includes analyzing the IMAJINE scenarios' treatment of rural-urban dynamics through speculative fabulation frameworks.

Labs/Teams: Directs the ASCA research center and oversees the interdisciplinary RURALIMAGINATIONS project.