Cassandra Falke

Cassandra Falke is a Professor of English Literature at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Her expertise spans English Romanticism, literary theory, and phenomenology, with a focus on class analysis, violence in literature, and human rights narratives. She leads interdisciplinary research initiatives such as ReadRespond: Literature / History / Human Rights, an online platform fostering global discussions on rights-engaged literature. Falke chairs the American Studies Association of Norway and directs UiT’s Interdisciplinary Phenomenology research group.

Her research explores themes like the portrayal of political violence, the ethics of storytelling, and the intersection of Christianity with critical theory. Notable publications include Wild Romanticism (2021) and Literature by the Working Class (2013). Falke’s work often bridges philosophical inquiry with literary analysis, particularly through phenomenological frameworks.

Recipient of a Fulbright Professorship, two NEH awards, and a Distinguished Teaching honor, she has spearheaded projects like Interpreting Violence: Narrative, Ethics, and Hermeneutics. Her current book project, The Reader as Witness: Seeing Political Violence through Contemporary Novels, examines ethical engagement with violent narratives. Falke’s grants and collaborations reflect her commitment to cross-disciplinary and global academic dialogue.