Ruth Wehlau

Dr. Ruth Wehlau is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Queen’s University, part of the Faculty of Arts and Science. She specializes in medieval literature with a focus on oral culture, performance studies, and the reception of medieval texts in modern contexts. Her research examines intersections between masculinity, female desire, and medieval narratives, as seen in her current project on Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte Darthur.

Dr. Wehlau holds a PhD in Medieval Studies from the University of Toronto (1993). Her teaching spans Arthurian legend, Old English literature, and the History of the English Language, with a particular emphasis on integrating performance and oral traditions into pedagogy. She has also taught Irish Gaelic and explored its cultural significance in early medieval contexts.

Her research interests include medieval drama, Old English poetry, and the concept of medievalism across genres—from 18th-century drama to modern fantasy. Her edited volume *Darkness, Depression and Descent in Anglo-Saxon England* (2019) highlights her expertise in trauma studies and emotional expression in early literature. Recent work focuses on modern adaptations of Arthurian legends and cultural identity in postcolonial contexts.

Dr. Wehlau’s publications span academic journals like *European Romantic Review*, *The Year’s Work in Medievalism*, and *Parergon*, alongside edited collections. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges literary criticism with performance studies, oral traditions, and comparative cultural narratives.