Kasper Edvard Brasken

Kasper Edvard Brasken is an Academy Research Fellow in political history at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Social Sciences. He is affiliated with both the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science and the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to historical research. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary political analysis, particularly focusing on transnational anti-fascist movements and their relevance to current political challenges.

Brasken's research interests center on 20th century political history with a special focus on transnational and global history, anti-fascism, resistance movements, solidarity networks, historical memory, and urban history. His PhD examined German communism, internationalism, and solidarity movements, and he has since expanded his research to focus on global anti-fascism as a historical phenomenon. His work emphasizes the intersection of historical analysis with current political developments, particularly the resurgence of far-right movements globally.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Nordic perspectives on anti-fascism, particularly examining Finland-Swedish communities and their historical resistance to fascism. His work spans traditional academic publications in journals like Twentieth Century Communism to more accessible public scholarship through Åbo Underrättelser and The Helsinki Notebooks. Brasken's research demonstrates how historical anti-fascist movements inform contemporary resistance to far-right politics, with particular attention to urban spaces, ethnic minorities, and transnational networks.

Brasken has received the prestigious Academy Research Fellow position from the Academy of Finland, recognizing his contributions to historical scholarship. He is actively involved in scholarly networks including the Memory Studies Association, where he helped launch the 'Antifascist Memory' working group. His work has gained recognition through invitations to international conferences and collaborations with scholars worldwide.

As co-founder of The Helsinki Notebooks: Global Dispatches Against Fascism and the Far Right, Brasken bridges academic research with public engagement, providing critical analysis of contemporary far-right movements. He is actively involved with the Worldwide Antifascism Research Network (WARN), which serves as a resource for researchers studying anti-fascism. His current projects include co-authoring 'Anti-Fascism: A Global History' (Routledge 2026) and editing 'Imagining the Anti-Fascist City' with Moshumee Dewoo and Shane Little.

Brasken maintains active connections with research communities through his participation in the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science. His work on the 'LGP-project' explores people's right to the city and how to challenge fascism in urban spaces, reflecting his commitment to connecting historical scholarship with contemporary social justice concerns.