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Michael Basseler is an Adjunct Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC) at Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen. He serves as the Managing Director of GCSC/GGK and has been the academic director since 2013. His work focuses on American literature and culture, particularly on African American literature, narrative theory, and interdisciplinary resilience studies. His educational background includes a PhD dissertation on cultural memory and trauma in contemporary African American novels and a postdoctoral dissertation (Habilitation) on literature as a form of "life knowledge" through short stories from the late 19th to early 21st century. Basseler's research interests span Literary and Cultural theory, African American literature and culture, Literature and knowledge, Narrative theory and cultural narratology, Interdisciplinary resilience studies, and genre theory and history. His recent projects focus on the concept of (cultural) resilience, issues of race and racism, and post-Cold War culture. His scholarly approach integrates literary analysis with cultural studies to examine how narratives shape and reflect cultural understandings of resilience, memory, and identity. His publications reveal a consistent focus on short literary forms, particularly the short story, and their evolving functions in contemporary culture. He has made significant contributions to understanding how literature serves as "life knowledge" and how narratives engage with concepts of resilience in times of crisis. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with close readings of specific texts to illuminate broader cultural patterns. Reviewed works in Amerikastudien/American Studies Active member of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Amerikastudien (since 2009) Founding member of European Network for Short Fiction Research (since 2014) As a supervisor, Basseler has guided numerous doctoral students through their dissertations, with a focus on contemporary cultural issues including African American identity, Caribbean literary interventions, resilience narratives, and cultural memory. His current research projects include "Narrating Resilience, Achieving Happiness?" (since 2021) and "Short Forms Beyond Borders" (EU Strategic Partnerships, 2020-2023), which explores short forms as tools for cultural, educational, and social mediation in Europe. Basseler leads an international research group and collaborates with specialists from six European universities and a private firm to develop short forms as both tools and objects of pedagogical innovation and cultural mediation, recognizing the growing relevance of brevity in contemporary society across various media forms.

• Literary and Cultural theory
• African American literature and culture
• Literature and knowledge
• +6 more

Olaf Kramer is a Professor of Rhetoric and Knowledge Communication at the Department of General Rhetoric, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tübingen. He leads the Presentation Skills Research Center and serves as Managing Director of the Research Center for Science Communication (RCS). Since 2021, he has been the spokesperson for the RHET AI Center, focusing on artificial intelligence in science communication. Kramer is also a key editor of Science Notes magazine and the neue rhetorik / new rhetoric book series. Professor, Department of General Rhetoric, University of Tübingen Head, Presentation Skills Research Center Managing Director, Research Center for Science Communication (RCS) Spokesperson, RHET AI Center Editor, Science Notes and neue rhetorik series Education: Studied General Rhetoric, German Literature, Philosophy, and Psychology in Tübingen, Frankfurt (with Jürgen Habermas), and Chapel Hill, USA (with Lawrence Grossberg) Ph.D. (2008): Rhetoric in Goethe Habilitation (2015): Virtual Reality, with teaching authorization in General Rhetoric and German Literary Studies Olaf Kramer's research centers on science communication , communicative competence , political communication , digital rhetoric , and virtuality . His work bridges classical rhetorical theory with contemporary media and public discourse, particularly in scientific and political contexts. He investigates how knowledge is recontextualized in public communication and how digital platforms reshape rhetorical practices. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary rhetoric , combining insights from law, theology, education, and digital media. His work explores the rhetorical dimensions of judicial decisions, science slams, social media, and AI, emphasizing the role of narrative, visual design, and audience engagement in shaping public understanding. The integration of virtuality and digital navigation into rhetorical theory highlights his innovative approach to modern communication challenges. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are mentioned in the provided text. Kramer actively supervises a large cohort of students and researchers, many of whom have collaborated on publications and projects. He has secured third-party funding for major initiatives like the Presentation Skills Research Center. His advisory and leadership roles extend to university governance, public engagement, and professional consulting for organizations such as the Max Planck Society and the German Foreign Office. He is deeply involved in public science communication through the Science-Notes lecture series, which he founded and moderates, and through media appearances on ZDF/3sat and RTL. His work also includes designing and leading rhetorical training programs for academic, corporate, and governmental clients, demonstrating a strong commitment to translating academic knowledge into practical applications.

• Science Communication
• Rhetoric
• Knowledge Communication
• +7 more

Konstanze Baron, Ph.D., is a Visiting Professor at the Gotha Research Centre of the University of Erfurt. Her work bridges Enlightenment studies , moral philosophy , and 18th-century European literature , with a focus on Diderot, Rousseau, and cross-disciplinary intellectual history. Research Interests: Self and Other in Enlightenment autobiographical texts Experimental narratives and pedagogical frameworks Theater from Classicism to French Revolution Moral philosophy and literary anthropology Institutional political theory Rhetoric and speech act theory Selected Publications include monographs on Diderot’s narratives and co-edited volumes exploring Enlightenment perfectionism, Rousseau’s institutional paradoxes, and cross-cultural dialogues. Her recent 2023 article on Voltaire’s L’Ingénu examines critical social philosophy. Contact: konstanze.baron@uni-erfurt.de

• Enlightenment Studies
• Early Modern Literature
• Moral Philosophy
• +3 more

Professor Gabriela Lehmann-Carli is a distinguished scholar of Slavic philology and literature at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where she has served as a full professor since October 1998. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy II and the Department of Slavic Studies, specializing in Russian and Polish literature and cultural history. Currently, she serves on the directorate of the Brückner Center for Interdisciplinary Polish Studies and is a member of the Leibniz Society of Sciences in Berlin since June 2023. Her research interests span multiple interconnected fields including trauma narratives in the context of war and the Holocaust, cultural translation theory, empathy in literary texts, Enlightenment literature and Freemasonry in Poland and Russia, 19th century Russian cultural policy, Dostoevsky studies, and national identity construction. Her scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersections between literature, cultural history, and philosophical inquiry, particularly regarding Russian intellectual history from the 18th to 20th centuries. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a sophisticated interdisciplinary approach that bridges literary analysis with cultural history, trauma studies, and translation theory. Her work consistently examines how literature processes historical trauma, navigates cultural boundaries, and constructs national identity. She has developed a distinctive methodology examining empathy as both subject and methodology in literary analysis, particularly regarding taboo subjects and historical trauma. Member of the Leibniz Society of Sciences in Berlin (2023) Co-editor of the book series "Ost-West-Express. Kultur und Übersetzung" (2006-2022) Director of interdisciplinary research projects on empathy, taboo, and translation Professor Lehmann-Carli has directed numerous significant research projects including "Kriegstreibende und (potenziell) friedensstiftende nationale Narrative" (2022-2028), "F.M. Dostoevskijs anthropologische Grenz-Überschreitungen" (2021-2024), and earlier projects on trauma narratives, empathy strategies, and cultural translation. She has been instrumental in organizing international conferences, including the VII International Conference of the Study Group on Eighteenth Century Russia in Wittenberg (2004). She leads the interdisciplinary research group "Empathie – Tabu – Übersetzung" and has been a member of the "Study Group on eighteenth century Russia" for many years. Her work has established important connections between German and Slavic academic communities through collaborative projects with institutions including the University of Heidelberg and the Research Center for European Enlightenment.

• Trauma Narratives
• Cultural Translation
• Empathy in Literary Texts
• +7 more

Berenike Herrmann is a Professor in the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies at the University of Bielefeld, Germany. She is affiliated with the Department of German Studies and the Department of Literary Studies, and actively contributes to interdisciplinary research through centers such as the Bielefeld Center for Data Science (BiCDaS) and the Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS). She leads major research projects within Collaborative Research Centers SFB 1288 and SFB 1646, focusing on comparative literature and linguistic creativity. Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies Department of German Studies Department of Literary Studies Collaborative Research Center 1288 – Subproject E06 SFB 1646 – Project A05 Bielefeld Center for Data Science (BiCDaS) Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS) Her research spans computational stylistics, data humanities, German-Swiss literature, affect and emotion, metaphors, and social reading practices. She employs digital methods to analyze literary texts and reader responses, bridging traditional literary scholarship with computational approaches. Her work emphasizes comparative frameworks, national literature formation, and the impact of digitality on contemporary literary culture. The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining literary theory with data science, cognitive linguistics, and affect studies. Key themes include computational analysis of style and creativity , emotional dynamics in literature , metaphorical structures , and digital reading practices . The research is characterized by methodological innovation, using metrics and models to study linguistic and literary phenomena in both historical and contemporary contexts. Deputy Chairwoman, Board of Literary Studies Deputy Chair, Library Commission Member, IKM Officers (with Prof. Dr. Maximilian Benz) Voting Member, Linguistics Department Member, BiSEd (Faculty of Linguistics and Literature) She is involved in academic governance and digital infrastructure, advising on library policy, research data services, and curriculum development. She is the module responsible for 'Literature in the present: Culture, media, digitality' (23-GER-PLit2_a), indicating active teaching and program leadership. Her projects are supported by third-party funding, particularly through the German Research Foundation (DFG), and she collaborates across disciplines, especially at the intersection of humanities and data science. Berenike Herrmann is embedded in several interdisciplinary research environments, including the Collaborative Research Centers 1288 and 1646, the Bielefeld Center for Data Science (BiCDaS), and the Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS). These labs and teams foster innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches to literary and linguistic research, combining traditional hermeneutics with computational modeling and data-driven analysis.

• Computational Stylistics
• Data Humanities
• German-Swiss Literature
• +7 more

Andreas Sommer is a Professor of History Education and director of the Center for Regional Research at Weingarten University of Education since 2025. He specializes in the didactic potential of historical films, macrohistory, and Anthropocene challenges in history teaching. Habilitation (2024): "Denken in großen Bildern" PhD in History Education (PH Weingarten, 2007-2010) Professor of History Education (PH Weingarten, 2025–present) Guest Professor at Universität Passau (2023) and Universität Augsburg (2023) His research spans history education , Anthropocene pedagogy , environmental history , and qualitative impact studies . He focuses on macrohistorical learning units, Holocaust education, and sustainability in curricula. The articles highlight his expertise in Anthropocene education (2025), historical film reception (2013), and global history integration (2016). Subfields include transformative learning, media literacy, and sustainability frameworks. Co-editor of "Kohlhammer Forschungsreihe Geschichtsdidaktik" (2025) Public speaker on Anthropocene (2023), Holocaust education (2025), and environmental history (2024) Antidiscrimination representative (2020–present) and coordinator of regional research projects

• History Education
• Holocaust Education
• Environmental History
• +3 more

Annette Kinder is a Professor of Psychology of Learning (W2) at the Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin. She has held this position since 2010, following a Heisenberg Fellowship (2004–2010) at the University of Potsdam and a substitute professorship at the same institution in 2008. Her academic journey includes roles as a university assistant at Philipps-Universität Marburg (1999–2004) and research associate in a DFG project on associative learning (1995–1999). She obtained her habilitation in psychology (specializing in general psychology) in 2003 and completed her PhD in 1996 at Philipps-Universität Marburg with a scholarship from Hessian Promotion for Junior Researchers. Research Interests: Cognitive Psychology Artificial Grammar Learning Numerical Processing Educational Diagnostics Machine Learning in Education Neurocognitive Poetics Scientific Awards: Heisenberg Fellowship (2004–2010) Teaching: She has taught courses like 'Pädagogische Diagnostik' (Educational Diagnostics) and research colloquia for qualifying theses since 2018/2019, focusing on cognitive and educational psychology.

• Cognitive Psychology
• Artificial Grammar Learning
• Numerical Processing
• +3 more

Christian Junge is a Senior Lecturer and Research Associate at the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS) at Philipps-Universität Marburg. His work bridges modern and classical Arabic literature, cultural and intellectual history of the MENA region, and affect theory. Education : Studied Arabic Studies and General/Comparative Literature in Berlin, Paris, and Cairo. PhD from Freie Universität Berlin (2011–2015) on language and literature in Aḥmad Fāris al-Shidyāq’s works. Research : Focuses on affect/emotion in Egyptian literature (1990–2020), Nahda movement, social media’s role in global Arab culture, and postcolonial language criticism. His recent publications explore sonic affect in Arabic literature, trauma and empathy post-revolution, and enumerative poetics in al-Shidyāq’s works. He co-directs the program “Arabische Philologien im Blickwechsel” and contributes to academic Arabic language initiatives. Scientific Awards : Fellow, Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School for Literary Studies, Freie Universität Berlin (2011–2015) Arab German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2018–2023)

• Modern Arabic Literature
• Classical Arabic Literature
• Cultural and Intellectual History of the MENA Region
• +9 more

Dr. Bettina Wild is a Lecturer for special tasks at the German Institute in the Department of Literature Didactics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (since April 2023). Previously, she held roles including Deputy Professor at the University of Wuppertal (2016-2017), Deputy Junior Professor at Bielefeld University (2014-2015), and Managing Director of the Center for Children's and Young Adult Literature at the Heidelberg University of Education (2012-2020). She earned a Master's degree in German and English from the University of Heidelberg and Manchester (1996-2003), followed by a PhD in Heidelberg (2010). Her research focuses on children’s and young adult literature didactics, reading education in digital contexts, and literary media analysis. Key interests include intertextuality in modern children’s literature, reading socialization, and the implementation of reading culture at universities. She has contributed to projects like DigitalManufaktur (Mainz) and heiEDUCATION (Heidelberg), emphasizing interdisciplinary and digital pedagogy. Her publications span monographs like Topology of Rural Space (2011) and over 30 essays across journals and edited volumes, exploring topics such as animal figures in children’s literature, historical crime narratives, and multicultural education strategies. She co-edited works like Sophie von La Roche (2010) and contributed to teacher-training materials integrating digital tools. Wild’s academic service includes managing the Center for Children’s Literature and collaborating with libraries and cultural institutions. Her office hours are Thursdays 2:30-3:30 PM at Mainz, with digital availability by appointment.

• Children's and Young Adult Literature Didactics
• Reading Education in Digital Contexts
• Literary and Media Didactics
• +3 more

Eugenia Lao is a Lecturer at the University of Maryland at College Park and the Catholic University of America, specializing in Classical Philology and the history of science through the lens of Pliny the Elder. She earned her PhD in 2008 from Princeton University. PhD in Classical Philology, Princeton University (2008) Her research focuses on the intersection of empathy in Greek medical epistemology and the ambiguous categorization practices within early Roman natural scientific literature. She also explores the cultural and intellectual frameworks of Pliny’s Natural History . Eugenia’s publications highlight her expertise in classical scholarship, particularly in analyzing taxonomic systems in ancient texts and the rhetorical strategies employed in Roman economic discourse. Her work spans both literary and historical methodologies.

• Classical Philology
• Ancient Medicine
• History of Science
• +3 more

Dr. Eva-Maria Konrad is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for German Literature , Humboldt University of Berlin, specializing in Methods of Literary Studies . Her research bridges Literary Theory and Philosophical Inquiry , focusing on Contemporary Literature and the Role of Empathy in Literary Understanding . Research Focus : Fictionality, Empathy, Counterfactual Narratives, and Ethical Engagement in Literature Projects : Member (2018-2023) of DFG network Feeling and Understanding: The Role of Empathy Teaching : Courses on Fate, Contingency, and Chance in Contemporary Literature , Theories of Fictionality , and Unreliable Narration Publications highlight her work on fictional emotions, counterfactual literature, empathy’s role in interpretation, and historical fictionality debates. She co-edits the Journal of Literary Theory and the book series THEOREMA . Her email is eva-maria.konrad@hu-berlin.de . She holds a PhD (2013) and has held research roles at Goethe University Frankfurt and Regensburg.

• Literary Theory
• Philosophy of Literature
• Contemporary Literature
• +2 more

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Steierwald holds the Professorship for German Literature at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, affiliated with the Institute of History and Literary Cultures. Her research spans Literature Studies Cultural Studies History Linguistic Imagery Refugee and Trauma Studies Digital Humanities Recent activities include co-organizing the international conference Den Himmel zeichnen (2023) and delivering keynote speeches on library paradoxes (2018). Her publications focus on German contemporary literature Interdisciplinary methodologies Historical trauma representation Cultural memory She has received recognition for her 2016 Laudatio on Felicitas Hoppe's honorary doctorate. Steierwald actively organizes academic events like the Tagung 'fest–flüssig–plasmatisch–flüchtig' (2021) and contributes to editorial work as editor of the BibSpider series.

• German Literature
• Cultural Studies
• History of Science
• +7 more

Christiane Heibach is Professor for Media Aesthetics at the Institute for Information and Media, Language and Culture (I:IMSK) at the University of Regensburg, within the Faculty of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies. She has held prominent academic positions across Germany and Switzerland, including senior researcher roles at FHNW Basel and Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, and has served as acting professor at the University of Konstanz. She is an Associated Investigator in the Cluster of Excellence 'Matters of Activity' and was the 1st Chairwoman of the Society for Media Studies (2019–2021). Her research centers on media epistemology, the theory and aesthetics of digital media, intermediality, sensory perception, and media ecology. She explores figurations of immediacy and atmospheric experiences in media, often intersecting with design, technology, and environmental thought. Her work critically examines how digital environments shape perception, emotion, and cognition. The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with immersive technologies, affective computing, climate media, and digital authorship. They reveal a trajectory moving from digital literature and hypertext toward embodied, multisensory, and environmentally embedded media experiences. Her scholarship bridges media theory, philosophy, design, and artistic research, with a strong focus on the epistemological and aesthetic implications of emerging technologies. She has led and contributed to major research projects, including the DFG-funded 'Epistemology of Multimediality' and the SNSF project 'Designed Immediacy' on atmospheres in responsive environments. Her editorial work includes significant volumes on media authorship, materiality, and atmospheres. Christiane Heibach has no listed scientific awards in the provided text. She has advised or supervised students, though specific names are not mentioned. Her research is supported through institutional affiliations and project funding rather than individual grants detailed here. She is currently on a research sabbatical during the summer semester of 2025. She is affiliated with the Media Aesthetics research group at the University of Regensburg and has collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, particularly in artistic research projects involving responsive environments and sensory design. Her work often emerges from collaborative networks in media studies, design, and digital culture.

• Media Aesthetics
• Media Epistemology
• Digital Media Theory
• +12 more

Dr. Arash Aryani is a Research Fellow at University College London's Department of Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, supported by the DAAD PRIME Fellowship. His work bridges cognitive neuroscience, psycholinguistics, and affective science through neurocognitive analyses of language processing. Education: PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience (2018, Freie Universität Berlin) Research focuses on how sound and meaning interact in language processing, particularly in affective contexts. Key areas include phonological iconicity, semantic integration, and neural responses to emotional coherence. His work employs ERP studies, brain imaging, and computational modeling to explore these phenomena. Recent publications examine sound-meaning integration in taboo language, affective iconicity in poetry, and neurocognitive models of bilingual processing. The DAAD PRIME Fellowship supports his interdisciplinary investigations into affective language processing and its neural correlates. His collaborative studies span emotion description analysis, poetic text assessment, and phonological saliency studies. The department's affiliation with UCL positions him at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and advanced linguistic analysis.

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psycholinguistics
• Affective Science
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Jörn Brüggemann is the Chair of Didactics of German Language and Literature at Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg. His work focuses on digital sovereignty in German education, literary pedagogy, and the role of subjectivity and emotionality in literature discussions. Key Projects: BMBF-funded DiSo-SGW and DiäS on digital text sovereignty; DFG's SEGEL and GeTDiMe on literary discussions and pandemic impacts. Roles: Spokesperson for the Competence Center Languages/Society/Economy (2023–present); former Director of Oldenburg’s Center for Teacher Education (2021–2022). Research: Explores intersections of digital media, literary education, and emotional engagement. His projects address teacher training, competence-oriented tasks, and simplified texts in primary education. Publications: Over 15 recent articles analyze digital literacy, empirical classroom studies, and didactic models for literature instruction. Highlights include cognitive-functional vs. aesthetic-personal approaches and pandemic-era teaching adaptations. Teaching: Offers courses on German didactics, diagnosis of literary reading, and admission paper support. Collaborates with institutions like the Magellan-Verlag and the Hector Institute for Empirical Educational Research.

• German Didactics
• Digital Literacy in Education
• Literary Education
• +3 more