Cornelia Gräbner

Cornelia Gräbner is a Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies and Comparative Literature at Lancaster University's School of Global Affairs. Her research focuses on three core areas: poetry-in-performance, committed writing, and cultural imaginaries of acquiescence and critical hope. She explores intersections of poetry with politics, critical thinking, and social transformation, with a geographic focus on Europe and Spanish-speaking Americas. Gräbner has led major projects like POEPOLIT II (funded by Spain’s Ministry of Science) and the Leverhulme Trust-supported 'Cultural Imaginaries of Acquiescence.' She curates poetry events like 'Poems in Port Cities' and collaborates with organizations such as Music for Hope. Her recent publications analyze Carolyn Forché’s work, necropolitical resistance through poetry, and port city poetics. Gräbner supervises PhD students in comparative literature and performance studies.

• Education: Doctorate in Hispanic Studies
• Affiliations: Poetics of Resistance research group, Latin America Research Cluster

Research Interests: Poetry performance’s role in social critique, committed writing as ethical intervention, and countering low-intensity democracy’s acquiescence through 'critical hope' narratives. Methodologies include literary analysis, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary performance studies.

Her funded projects include investigations into poetic dialogisms with social conflict (2020-2023), and a current British Academy grant exploring CAMeNA archives. Gräbner’s work bridges academic and public spheres through festivals, workshops, and advisory roles.