Steffen Hendel

Dr. Steffen Hendel is a dedicated researcher and academic at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, serving as a research assistant in modern literary studies with Prof. Dr. Stephan Pabst within the Institute of German Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy II. His office is located at Ludwig-Wucherer-Straße 2, 1st floor, room 1.18.0, where he conducts his scholarly work and engages with students.

Dr. Hendel's research focuses on critical analysis of political and economic dimensions in literature from the 19th century to the present, with particular emphasis on war, exile, and refugee literature (including World Wars, post-1990 German conflicts, and the 2013+ refugee 'crisis'). His scholarly contributions explore aesthetic procedures in contemporary literature and mass phenomena, examining how cultural production interacts with political discourse. His dissertation Narrating the War. Positions and Poetics of the Representation of the Yugoslav War in German Literature (2018) established him as a significant voice in German war literature studies.

His recent scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with pressing contemporary issues, including analyses of Peter Handke's reception, refugee crisis literature, and right-wing rhetoric in German media. Dr. Hendel has published extensively in academic journals and edited volumes, with notable contributions appearing in Undercurrents - Forum Für Linke Literaturwissenschaft, Arcadia, and various conference proceedings.

As an academic administrator, Dr. Hendel serves as spokesperson for the research focus 'Mass Phenomena' and the doctoral program 'Language - Literature - Society' (in representation), coordinates the blog and online publication series for this research focus, and acts as library representative for the German Institute. He also provides ERASMUS student advisory services and IKEAS student counseling for Germany Studies.

His teaching activities include coordinating the 'Poetry in Conversation' reading and interview series with German Studies students in cooperation with Literaturhaus Halle and Freies Radio CORAX, featuring prominent contemporary authors. Dr. Hendel maintains an active presence in academic conferences, regularly presenting his research at national and international venues across Europe.