Danuta Hinc

Danuta Hinc is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Maryland’s College of Arts and Humanities. She is the author of the novel To Kill the Other and numerous essays exploring themes such as political radicalization, historical memory, and cultural identity. Her work bridges personal narratives with societal structures, reflecting her experiences growing up in Poland under communism and her subsequent migration to the United States.

Her educational background includes an M.A. in Philology from the University of Gdańsk (1991), where her dissertation won the Polish National Competition for the best dissertation in Humanities. She pursued three years of postgraduate studies at the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw under Professor Maria Janion. In 2016, she earned an M.F.A. in Writing and Literature from Bennington College, receiving the Barry Hannah Merit Scholarship in Fiction.

Research interests: Hinc focuses on creative writing as a medium for examining political history and social dynamics. Her works analyze how individuals navigate radicalization, cultural identity, and historical trauma, often through the lens of her own heritage and migration to America. She explores themes like authoritarianism’s legacy, the impact of political systems on personal choices, and the role of narrative in shaping collective memory.

Her articles consistently engage with historical and political themes, blending fictional narratives with literary critique. Recent works address Eastern European history, including Poland’s communist era and post-war challenges, while earlier pieces critique modern political deception and media accountability. She uses vivid imagery and domestic settings to mirror societal struggles, as seen in Water Under the Bed.

• Barry Hannah Fiction Award (Bennington College)
• Polish National Competition for the best dissertation in Humanities (1991)
• Barry Hannah Merit Scholarship in Fiction (Bennington College, 2016)

In teaching, Hinc advises students in creative writing, emphasizing narrative’s power to address socio-political issues. While no grants are explicitly mentioned, her academic journey reflects institutional support through scholarships. She has no listed lab affiliations, but her research collaborations include contributions to Interpolations and Paper Shell Review, showcasing her commitment to interdisciplinary literary studies.