Birte Wege

Prof. Dr. Birte Wege is an Assistant Professor at the John F. Kennedy Institute's Department of Literature at Freie Universität Berlin. She specializes in graphic narrative documentaries, American literature, and visual culture. Her research focuses on how graphic narratives document historical and political conflicts, particularly through interplay with photography and notions of authenticity.

• Education: PhD in North American Studies (Freie Universität Berlin, 2015), MBA (Simon Fraser University), MA in English (University of Alberta)

Her key research interests include the intersection of visual media and political discourse, with a focus on works by Emmanuel Guibert, Art Spiegelman, and Joe Sacco. She has pioneered analysis of how graphic narratives challenge traditional documentary forms through their unique blend of text and imagery.

Wege has presented at major conferences like MLA and PAMLA, discussing topics such as war representation and the ethics of visual storytelling. Her teaching spans American literature, postdramatic theatre, and interdisciplinary studies of violence and identity.

• Awards: Rolf Kentner Dissertation Prize (2016), Doctoral Grant (2011-2015)

Her courses often blend theoretical frameworks with practical analysis, covering topics like aging in literature, Puritan influences on modern writing, and the politics of Canadian literary institutions. She currently advises doctoral students in North American studies and related fields.