Jaak Tomberg
Jaak Tomberg | |
|---|---|
Tomberg at the Tallinn Literature Festival HeadRead (2014) | |
| Born | 30 June 1980 Tartu, Estonian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Awards | SFRA Innovative Research Award (2014); University of Tartu Medal (2023); Estonian Cultural Endowment Literature Prize (essayistics, 2023 works; awarded 2024) |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu |
| Thesis | Kirjanduse lepitav otstarve (“The conciliatory purpose of literature”) (2009) |
| Doctoral advisor | Jüri Talvet; Jüri Lipping |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Literary theory; science fiction studies |
| Institutions | University of Tartu; Estonian Literary Museum |
Jaak Tomberg (born 30 June 1980) is an Estonian literary scholar and literary critic whose work focuses on literary theory and science fiction studies. He has been affiliated with the University of Tartu, and previously worked at the Estonian Literary Museum.[1]
In 2014, Tomberg received the Science Fiction Research Association’s annual award for best critical essay-length work (then called the SFRA Pioneer Award, now the SFRA Innovative Research Award) for his article on realism and science-fictional estrangement in William Gibson’s Bigend trilogy.[2][3]
Education and career
Tomberg graduated in Estonian literature from the University of Tartu (2002) and earned a PhD in 2009 with the dissertation Kirjanduse lepitav otstarve, supervised by Jüri Talvet and Jüri Lipping.[1][4]
According to the University of Tartu, he worked at the Estonian Literary Museum as a research fellow (2005–2013) and has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 2014, including as a researcher in literary theory and (later) an associate professor of Estonian literature.[1][5]
Research
Tomberg’s research and criticism has addressed the relationships between realism and science-fictional estrangement, and broader questions in contemporary literary theory.[6]
His award-winning article, “On the ‘Double Vision’ of Realism and SF Estrangement in William Gibson’s Bigend Trilogy,” appeared in Science Fiction Studies in 2013.[7][8]
Awards and honours
- SFRA Innovative Research Award (2014; then “Pioneer Award”).[2][3]
- Tartu Kultuurikandja (“culture commentator”) for the 2017 cultural year (awarded 2018).[9]
- University of Tartu Medal (Tartu Ülikooli aumärk) (2023).[10]
- Estonian Cultural Endowment Literature Prize (essayistics; for 2023 works, awarded 2024) for Kuidas täita soovi: realism, teadusulme ja utoopiline kujutlusvõime.[11][12][13]
Selected works
Books
- Ekstrapolatiivne kirjutamine: tulevikukirjutuse poeetikast (“Extrapolative Writing: On the Poetics of Writing the Future”). Tartu: University of Tartu Press, 2004.[14]
- Kuidas täita soovi: realism, teadusulme ja utoopiline kujutlusvõime (“How to Fulfil a Wish: Realism, Science Fiction, and the Utopian Imagination”). Tartu: University of Tartu Press, 2023.[15][16]
Edited volumes
- (with Sven Vabar) Katsed nimetada saart: artikleid fantastikast (“Attempts to Name an Island: Essays on Speculative Fiction”). Estonian Literary Museum / University of Tartu Press, 2013.[17]
Selected article
- “On the ‘Double Vision’ of Realism and SF Estrangement in William Gibson’s Bigend Trilogy.” Science Fiction Studies 40(2), 2013.[7]
References
- ^ a b c "Jaak Tomberg". University of Tartu, Institute of Cultural Research. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b "The SFRA Innovative Research Award". Science Fiction Research Association. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Teadusliku fantastika uurijad andsid TÜ teadurile maineka auhinna". University of Tartu. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Kirjanduse lepitav otstarve (doctoral dissertation)". University of Tartu Press / DSpace. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Üle 500 kultuuriinimese toetavad Tartusse südalinna kultuurikeskuse ehitamist". Tartu City Government. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Article Abstracts: #120 (Science Fiction Studies)". DePauw University (SFS). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b Tomberg, Jaak (July 2013). "On the "Double Vision" of Realism and SF Estrangement in William Gibson's Bigend Trilogy". Science Fiction Studies. 40 (2): 263–285. doi:10.5621/sciefictstud.40.2.0263.
- ^ "On the "Double Vision" of Realism and SF Estrangement in William Gibson's Bigend Trilogy". JSTOR. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Kultuurikandja laureaadid 2001–2019 (PDF)" (PDF). Tartu City Government. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Tartu Ülikooli aumärgi kavalerid". University of Tartu. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Selgusid Kultuurkapitali kirjanduse aastaauhindade laureaadid". Eesti Kultuurkapital. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Eesti Kultuurkapitali kirjanduse sihtkapitali aastaauhinnad 2023". Sirp. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Kirjanduspreemia laureaat Tomberg: ulmekirjandus on väga aja- ja asjakohane". ERR Kultuur. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Ekstrapolatiivne kirjutamine: tulevikukirjutuse poeetikast". University of Tartu Library Bookshop. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuidas täita soovi. Realism, teadusulme ja utoopiline kujutlusvõime". Nüüdiskultuuri uuringute töörühm (University of Tartu). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuidas paremini kujutleda?". Keel ja Kirjandus. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Katsed nimetada saart. Artikleid fantastikast". University of Tartu Press (shop). Retrieved 14 February 2026.