Richard Langston

Richard Langston is a Professor of German and Departmental Chair, specializing in twentieth- and twenty-first century German literature, visual culture, and philosophy. His work explores intersections of avant-garde cinema, queer studies, Marxist theory, and experimental poetry, with a particular focus on Alexander Kluge and Oskar Negt.

• Ph.D. in Germanic Languages and Literatures, Washington University in St. Louis (2002)

Langston’s research spans imagined histories of sex and sociability in West German gay literature, Marxist critiques of technology, and the aesthetics of resistance. His recent monograph Sex und Soziabilität (2024) and edited volumes on Kluge’s work (2024) highlight these themes.

The 2024 Alexander Kluge-Jahrbuch volume and associated essays examine crisis, neoliberalism, and AI, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Earlier works like Dark Matter (2020) and The Patriot (2021) address media ecologies and national identity.

Scientific awards include a Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (2011-2012) and the Zachary Smith Distinguished Term Chair (2014-2018). Langston mentors graduate and undergraduate students, advising dissertations on topics ranging from Viennese modernism to queer liberation narratives.