Bernadette Malinowski

Bernadette Malinowski is a Professor of Modern German and Comparative Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, Chemnitz University of Technology. She has held this position since 2011 and also serves as the Managing Director of the Institute for German Studies and Intercultural Communication. Her academic career includes previous roles at the University of Augsburg, where she completed her habilitation and earned her doctorate.

• University: Chemnitz University of Technology
• School: Faculty of Philosophy
• Department: Professorship of Modern German and Comparative Literature
• Academic Rank: Professor

Her research centers on the intersections between literature, science, and epistemology. Key interests include scientia poetica (poetic knowledge), intercultural hermeneutics, the dialogue between the humanities and natural sciences, and the literary representation of scientific concepts. She has made significant contributions to the study of authors such as Stefan Heym, Daniel Kehlmann, Bertolt Brecht, Paul Celan, and Hölderlin. Her work often explores themes of questioning, temporality, and the poetics of knowledge.

An analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on comparative and interdisciplinary approaches, particularly the Totengespräch (dialogue with the dead) genre, the concept of the palimpsest in cultural theory, and the linguistic and epistemological connections between literature and science. Her scholarship spans literary theory, cultural history, and close textual analysis, demonstrating a consistent engagement with both historical and contemporary literary phenomena.

Scientific Awards:

• Wissenschaftspreis der Universität Augsburg 2008
• Preis für gute Lehre 2003 des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst

Malinowski has supervised numerous publications and edited volumes, contributing to academic advising through her leadership of research projects and editorial work. She has been involved in significant grant-funded research, including a DFG project on Stefan Heym and the digital edition of his work Ahasver. She actively participates in public academic discourse through lectures, literary events, and jury duties for literary prizes. She is also a co-founder and co-editor of the book series ΕΥΡΟΣ / Euros. Chemnitzer Arbeiten zur Literaturwissenschaft.

Labs and Teams: She leads the research team for the DFG project on Stefan Heym and the digital edition project Stefan-Heym-Digital. She is a central figure in the academic team at the Professorship of Modern German and Comparative Literature at TU Chemnitz, collaborating with colleagues such as Dr. Christoph Grube and Dr. Michael Ostheimer on research, publications, and public events.