I explore postgrowth economy, work and livelihoods during my 4-year postdoctoral research project that started in January 2017. My research is funded by Nessling Foundation, Kone Foundation and Foundation for Economic Education. My research started in January 2017 and goes on until late 2022. I have an affiliation to the Department of Design in Aalto University and to NODUS research group.
The official title of my project is
Social entrepreneurship for post-growth societies in the global North:An ethnographic participatory study of self-employment practices for ecologically and socially just world
In short, ‘postgrowth work and livelihoods’. My study contributes to the growing transdisciplinary research and activism that challenges economic growth as an imperative. My work is not only conceptual, but focuses on examples. Many political, practical, and ideological alternatives are ignored with the argument that they do not focus on economic growth or that they are “marginal”. Some political, practical, and ideological alternatives are ignored with the argument that they do not focus on economic growth or that they are “marginal”. Many contemporary movements, such as social entrepreneurship or postgrowth/degrowth, may be downplayed as utopian while the practitioners already (partially) lead their lives based on their own understandings. In the times of mounting ecological and social crisis we cannot afford to push already practiced solutions aside without exploring them further.
My research asks
- What kinds of livelihood practices manifest the aim for and life in postgrowth societies?
- What kinds of livelihood practices are there in the transformation to postgrowth societies?
- What kinds of tensions emerge from such practices?
For a longer postdoctoral research plan and publications, visit my ResearchGate.
Postgrowth work and livelihoods in my blog
- My April in Mustarinda residencyI applied to Mustarinda residency in Kainuu, Eastern Finland, to work on a book manuscript about postgrowth work and livelihoods and my ethnographic fieldwork since late 2016. Mustarinda residency is managed by the Mustarinda Association, which recently won a state art prize for multidisciplinary art. When I was accepted, the prospect of publishing an academic … Continue reading My April in Mustarinda residency
- A leap for just transitionIt requires a leap of fate, good luck, and persistence to keep working for a society that takes ecological crisis seriously. I know people, through my research and activism, who want to use their knowhow to enable a more liveable presence and future for all creatures. The challenge is that business-as-usual dominates labour markets and … Continue reading A leap for just transition
- Not knowingI have had a career crisis for more than 10 years. The origin of the my crisis is the socio-ecological crisis we experience. The topics of my on and off periods of doubt and stress have varied. But one thing remains: How to gain a livelihood while working for a paradigm shift? Everywhere I look … Continue reading Not knowing
- Harvesting the conference season 2021This conference season I have attended many research conferences. Some of them were postponed from last season and others are just too exciting to pass, since virtual attendance makes it possible to attend them from home. Timewise it has not always been optimal (other work, care responsibilities, time zones), but since rarely everything is, I’ll … Continue reading Harvesting the conference season 2021
- On a journey from stressful to restful beingI slide easily into stress. I’m very good at concealing it too, even from my self. This used to be my superpower for survival, but over the years it has become a burden. Like for many others, Covid-19 pandemic pushed me into anxiety, stress and worry. They were hard to avoid with all the measures … Continue reading On a journey from stressful to restful being
Eeva Houtbeckers 