The National Research School Text, Image, Sound, Space (TBLR) – Interpretation and Exchange of Theory was established in 2004 as a national network-based research school in the aesthetic disciplines, with the University of Bergen, NTNU, the University of Agder, the University of Oslo, Nord University, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway as partners. The school organizes a national doctoral training seminar at least once a year, featuring international guest lecturers. Invitations are sent to PhD candidates in the aesthetic disciplines at all of the member universities. At the same time, the school is both cross-aesthetic and discipline-oriented.

At least once a year, TBLR invites PhD-.students from the participating institutions to a one week PhD training seminar in literary and aesthetic studies with prominent international guest lecturers. TBLR also organizes shorter seminars on selected subjects relevant to a PhD study, such as “academic writing”, “supervision”, “transferable skills”, and specific methodological issues.

There is no tuition fee and TBLR covers the participants' board and lodging for the duration of the seminars (although the participants are usually requested to cover their own travel expenses).

TBLR cooperate with a number of other training schools such as Copenhagen Doctoral School in Cultural Studies (CDS), European Summer School for Cultural Studies (ESSCS). PhD students from the consortium’s partner universities may apply for participation in any course organized by these schools (relevant information will be posted on TBLR’s home page).

As of 2025, the TBLR board consists of: Professor Knut Ove Eliassen (NTNU, chair), Professor Charles Ivan Armstrong (UiA), Professor Linda Nesby (UiT), Professor Ina Blom (UiO), Professor Pasi Väliaho (UiO), Professor Svein Halvard Jørgensen (Nord University), and Associate Professor Peter Svare Valeur (UiB).

Previous and forthcoming seminares

See our Norwegian TBLR website