Fiona Bell

Fiona Bell is an Instructor in the World Languages and Cultures department at the University of Utah, where she teaches Russian language and literature. Her academic work spans Slavic studies, translation theory, and performance studies, with a particular focus on Russian literature and gender studies. With a Ph.D. from Yale University in Slavic Languages and Literatures, Bell brings a unique interdisciplinary approach that combines scholarly research with creative practice.

Dr. Bell's educational background includes:

• Ph.D., Slavic Languages and Literatures, Yale University (2025)
• M.A., Russian, Middlebury Language Schools (2022)
• M.St., Modern Languages, University of Oxford (2019)
• B.A., Slavic Languages and Literatures, Princeton University (2018)

Her research interests center on Russian and Eastern European literature, with special attention to gender studies, translation theory, and performance. Bell explores how literary works engage with histories of race, theatricality, and gendered experiences. Her scholarship often bridges academic analysis with creative practice, as seen in her work as a translator and physical theater practitioner. She examines the intersections of literature, cultural politics, and embodied performance, particularly focusing on how Russian literary traditions respond to contemporary social issues.

Dr. Bell's recent publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with Russian literary traditions while exploring innovative approaches to interpretation and translation. Her work moves fluidly between academic scholarship, creative translation, and cultural criticism, often incorporating humor and performance elements. A notable trend is her exploration of translation as a creative, interpretive act rather than mere linguistic transfer - a theme developed in her influential essay "The Diva Mode of Translation." Her research also frequently addresses gender dynamics in Russian literature and culture, examining how literary works engage with feminist perspectives and queer theory.

Among her notable recognitions:

• Finalist, Firecracker Awards (2023)
• Yale Nominee, Holmgren Graduate Student Essay Prize (2023)
• Winner, Graduate Essay Competition, North American Dostoevsky Society (2022)
• PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant (2020)

Dr. Bell has secured significant research funding including a Scholars of Sexology Fellowship from the Kinsey Institute (2024), a STARTALK grant from Middlebury College (2024), and a Summer Dissertation Writing Grant from the Association for Slavic East European and Eurasian Studies (2024). Her Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Russia (2019-2020) provided foundational experience for her cross-cultural work. As a reviews editor at Full Stop, she mentors emerging writers and translators while shaping critical discourse in literary circles.

Through her physical theater practice and clowning background, Bell integrates embodied performance into her scholarly work and teaching. Her solo clown show "From the Footnotes to the Footlights" exemplifies this interdisciplinary approach, bridging academic research with live performance. This integration of scholarly and creative practices creates a distinctive methodology that challenges traditional boundaries between academic analysis and artistic expression.