Jennifer Burns

Jennifer Burns is a Professor of Italian Studies at the University of Warwick, serving as Deputy Chair of External Engagement for the Faculty of Arts. She specialises in 20th-21st century Italian literature, with a focus on migration, transnationalism, postcolonialism, and ethical/political commitment in narrative. Her research explores Italy's unique migratory histories through a transnational 'optic' for studying languages and cultures, developed collaboratively with institutions like Bristol, St Andrews, and QMU Edinburgh.

• Key projects: AHRC-funded 'Transnationalizing Modern Languages' (2013-17), producing the 'Transnational Modern Languages' book series
• Critical interests: world literatures, minor literatures, critical theory (space, gender, translation), and ethics of storytelling

Her recent editorial work includes the 2024 special issue Narratives Beyond the Self, analyzing relational and intersubjective narrative forms in Italian literature. She supervises PhD students on topics spanning migrant cinema, postcolonial historiography, and transnational storytelling, and has mentored postdocs like Dr. Luca Peretti (British Academy Fellow) and Dr. Naomi Wells (AHRC project).