Colum McCann

Colum McCann is a Professor of Contemporary Literature and Writer-in-Residence at The European Graduate School (EGS), and teaches Creative Writing at Hunter College, City University of New York. A celebrated Irish-American author, he has won the National Book Award and Chevalier des arts et lettres. Born in Dublin (1965), he studied journalism at Dublin Institute of Technology before earning a BA in History/English from the University of Texas at Austin. His work explores themes of cultural memory, displacement, and identity across novels like Let the Great World Spin (2009), Zoli (2006), and Dancer (2003), which delve into Roma communities, ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, and Irish-American experiences.

McCann’s research methods involve immersive travel—such as living with Roma communities in Eastern Europe or tunnel-dwellers in NYC—to craft narratives that bridge personal and historical scales. His essays and articles address social justice, cultural preservation, and literary form. Over 20 awards honor his contributions to literature, including membership in Ireland’s Aosdana arts academy.

• Awards: National Book Award (2009), Deauxville Literary Prize (2009), Chevalier des arts et lettres (France), Aosdana membership
• Grants/Residencies: Extensive travel research funded by grants, including stays in Japan, Eastern Europe, and NYC
• Labs/Teams: Leads creative writing workshops at Hunter College and EGS; collaborates with international literary festivals