Elena von Ohlen

Dr. Elena von Ohlen is a Research Associate at the Institute of Romance Languages and Literatures, University of Duisburg-Essen, specializing in Latin American literatures from the 16th to 21st centuries. Her work bridges Law and Literature, focusing on feminist literary studies, intersectionality, femicide, translingual literatures, early modern witch hunts, and reproductive rights representation.

• Education: BA and MA in Spanish Philology and Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies from Freie Universität Berlin, with study abroad at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
• Research: Habilitation thesis on 'Brujas hechiceras' before colonial inquisition tribunals
• Focus Areas: Femicide, translingualism, colonial inquisition, gender-based violence

Her recent publications explore queering Gloria Anzaldúa's works, femicide terminology, and intersections of law and literature in Latin America. Awards include the 2024 Doctoral Prize of the Berlin Scientific Society and multiple DAAD-funded research stays.

• Scientific Awards
  • 2024 Berlin Scientific Society Doctoral Prize
  • 2021–2023 Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Program
  • 2021–2022 Dahlem Junior Host Program
  • 2020–2021 DAAD Women's Advancement Funding
• Research Stays
  • 2020 Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá)
  • 2017 Comisión Chilena de Derechos Humanos (Santiago)
  • 2016–2017 El Colegio de México

She teaches introductory courses on Spanish literature, focusing on themes like 'The Other Boom' authors, 'Brujas' in literature, and literary multilingualism. Her work contributes to critical discourse on gender violence and colonial legacies.