Miriam Sentler

Miriam Sentler (b. 1994, DE/NL/NO) is a Doctoral Research Fellow in Petroculture Studies at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages. She is a visual artist and researcher whose work examines the cultural and environmental legacy of energy industries, with particular focus on Shetland Islands' relationship with oil production.

Her research interests span Petroculture Studies, Environmental Humanities, Energy Politics, Visual Art, and Island Cultures. Using comparative analysis and ecocriticism, Sentler investigates how Shetlanders utilize their creative island culture to translate and oppose oil and other energy production in the North Sea and Northern Atlantic. Her work emphasizes landscape transformation, belonging, myth-making, and sacrifice in post-industrial and coastal contexts.

Sentler's recent publications explore energy narratives through artistic and academic lenses, with a focus on how island communities creatively respond to energy developments. Her research reveals how cultural practices like the Up Helly Aa festival incorporate oil industry elements while maintaining community resistance narratives.

• Research fellowship University of Oslo, funded by the Research Council of Norway (2023-2027)
• Artist Basic Grant, Mondriaan Fund (2023-2027)
• EARTH Scholarship, British Council Scotland (2024-2025)
• Project Grants for The Moving Energy Theatre and Bog Guardians

Sentler founded the interdisciplinary project Deep Time Agency with artist Wouter Osterholt in 2019, which has resulted in numerous exhibitions and research projects across Europe. Her artistic work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including Museum Rijswijk, Museum het Nieuwe Domein, Kunsthalle Wilhelmshaven, and the Lofoten International Art Biennale. She has received support from the Mondriaan Fund and the Research Council of Norway for her research and artistic practice.