Frank Reiser

Dr. Frank Reiser is an Academic Councilor for Romance Literature at the University of Freiburg, where he has been teaching since 2010. He is affiliated with the Romance Department (Romanisches Seminar) and teaches courses in Spanish and French literature, including Introduction to Spanish Literature, Introduction to French Literature, and specialized seminars on memory cultures in language education.

His educational background includes:

• High school diploma in 1993 from Schwäbisch Hall
• Studies in Romance Philology (French, Spanish, Portuguese) and Philosophy at the University of Freiburg beginning in 1995
• Foreign language assistant in Épinal, France (1998/99)
• MA with distinction in 2001
• Baden-Württemberg University Teaching Certificate in 2005
• Doctorate in 2006 with a thesis on prison representation in contemporary French novels

Dr. Reiser's research focuses on literary studies with particular emphasis on Spanish and French literature, memory studies, and the intersection of literature with education. His work explores how literature can address social traumas and build intercultural competence, particularly through the lens of memory cultures. He has developed innovative approaches connecting literary studies with subject didactics for language teacher education, creating design-based research projects that bridge academic research and school practice.

His numerous publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with how literature processes historical events and collective memory, from 9/11 representations in French literature to memory cultures in Spanish education contexts. His scholarship spans literary theory, cultural studies, and educational applications, showing how literary texts can serve as tools for understanding complex social phenomena and developing critical perspectives.

Dr. Reiser has received recognition for his work:

• Prize from the literary society (Scheffelbund) after high school
• 2007 Hans and Susanne Schneider Foundation Prize for Young Researchers in Romance Studies

As an educator, Dr. Reiser has been deeply involved in teacher training, particularly for future Spanish and French language instructors. His work with Prof. Dr. Katja Zaki on design-based research projects demonstrates his commitment to connecting academic literary studies with practical classroom applications. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for Literary and Cultural Studies of the journal "Lendemains. Etudes comparées sur la France," contributing to scholarly discourse in Romance studies.

Dr. Reiser maintains an active research profile, regularly publishing in both German and international venues, with recent work focusing on memory cultures, social traumas, and their relationship to literary education. His current teaching schedule for the summer semester 2025 shows his ongoing commitment to undergraduate and graduate education in Romance literature.