Alena Rettová

Prof. Dr. Alena Rettová is a Professor for African and Afrophone Philosophies at the University of Bayreuth's Faculty of Languages & Literatures, focusing on African literature, philosophy, and multilingualism. She is the Principal Investigator for the PhiGe project, examining novels in African languages and Sufi poetry case studies.

• PhD in Philosophy, German Studies, and African Studies from Charles University in Prague
• Expertise in African languages: Swahili, Shona, Ndebele, Lingala, Bambara, Yorùbá
• Previous postdoctoral researcher at University of Bayreuth (1 year)
• 14-year teaching/research career at SOAS, London (Swahili literature, African philosophy)

Her research explores intersections of African literature, existentialist philosophy, and Sufi traditions through decolonial frameworks. Key works include Afrophone Philosophies: Reality and Challenge (2007) and a monograph on Congolese Swahili sung poetry (2013).

Current projects focus on novel-writing in African languages and Islamic poetic traditions in African contexts. She joined Bayreuth University in April 2020, continuing her interdisciplinary work in African humanities.