Elsa Duval

Elsa Duval is a Lecturer of French at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies within the UCLA College. She holds additional affiliations with Johannes Gutenberg University and the Leibniz Institute of European History in Mainz, Germany. Her expertise spans medieval history, cultural diplomacy, and the history of heritage conservation in international contexts.

Education:

• PhD in Contemporary History, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (2023)
• Master in Medieval History, University Paris VII Denis-Diderot and University of Bielefeld (2012)
• Bachelor in Archaeology, University Paris IV Sorbonne (2010)
• Bachelor in History and Sociology, University of Bielefeld (2009)

Research Focus: Elsa’s research examines the history of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly Aachen Cathedral, as part of the interdisciplinary project Knowledge of the World – Heritage of Mankind. She explores how medieval heritage influences contemporary cultural diplomacy and global heritage conservation policies.

Teaching & Experience: Prior to UCLA, she taught French at Tamkang University in Taiwan. Her teaching and research bridge historical scholarship with modern societal engagement, emphasizing transcultural studies and heritage discourse.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Leibniz Institute of European History and the Johannes Gutenberg University’s research group on UNESCO heritage.