Nina Grønlykke Mollerup receives ERC Consolidator Grant

The project, which was created in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Pax Memoria, will investigate how images used to document violence, war crimes and human rights violations are created – not only in the moment when they are taken or viewed, but also in processes of designing image technologies and developing camera and visual literacy skills – what this project terms before the image.

Nina Grønlykke Mollerup (ToRS) says of the project:

– Images are central to justice. They expose violence, mobilise publics, and serve as evidence in courts. But what images show – and conceal – depend on design of cameras. And this has profound implications. The importance of images for justice will continue to grow. Meanwhile, as technologies advance, the relationship between images and justice becomes increasingly complex. BEFORE THE IMAGE ensures we understand and address the implications of changing image technologies for justice.

Main objectives

The project’s main objectives are to:

• Develop a political ontology of image-making that expands conceptualizations of where, when, and by whom images are produced.
• Develop and test an innovative methodological approach to ‘studying the future’ by collaborating with key image actors to gain unique access to emerging imaging technologies.
• Enhance the capacity of stakeholders to address biases and promote justice by providing actionable insights into the preconditions of image production.

ERC Consolidator Grants are awarded to outstanding researchers with groundbreaking ideas and are among Europe's most prestigious research grants. The grant is designed to help researchers consolidate their independent careers and build a research group with international impact.