Rachel Falconer

Rachel Falconer is a Full Professor of English Literature in the English Section at the Faculty of Arts, University of Lausanne (UNIL), appointed on 1 August 2010. She holds a PhD from Oxford and a degree magna cum laude in Classics from Yale, and previously taught at the University of Sheffield for 17 years.

Her academic journey includes a strong foundation in classical and English literary studies, particularly focusing on the interplay between ancient and modern texts. Her research bridges literature, mythology, and interdisciplinary themes, especially the dialogue between science and the humanities.

Rachel Falconer's research interests center on English literature, particularly katabasis (descent into the underworld) in contemporary narratives, crossover literature that appeals to both children and adults (e.g., works by J.K. Rowling and Philip Pullman), the permanence of classical mythology, and the relationship between science and literature. She also explores epic traditions, Bakhtinian theory, and interdisciplinary encounters between the arts and sciences.

Her recent scholarly publications reveal a consistent focus on descent narratives, Seamus Heaney’s engagement with Virgil, climate change metaphors in literature, and interviews with Poet Laureates. The articles demonstrate a thematic continuity in exploring mythic structures in modern writing, with increasing attention to environmental and existential themes.

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Rachel Falconer has led academic initiatives such as the Arts-Science Encounters meetings (2009–2010), fostering dialogue between researchers from diverse fields. She welcomes doctoral theses on 17th-century and contemporary literary texts, science-literature intersections, and classical mythological continuity, indicating active supervision and mentorship. There is no mention of specific grants, but her sustained publication record and leadership in interdisciplinary forums suggest ongoing research support.

She is affiliated with the English Section at the Faculty of Arts, University of Lausanne, and her work is deeply embedded in the European academic landscape, with publications in both English and multilingual contexts.