Grazia Pulvirenti

Grazia Pulvirenti is Full Professor of German Literature at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania. She holds leadership roles as Director of the Interdepartmental Center for Neurocognitive and Humanistic Studies (NEWHUMS) and Project Leader of the international research network NeuroHumanities Studies (www.neurohumanitiestudies.eu). She is President of the Goethe-Gesellschaft Italia and the Lamberto Puggelli Foundation, and founder and editor of the "Wunderkammer" book series in German studies. She serves on the editorial boards of multiple academic journals and book series, and is an active member of international scholarly associations including the MLA, IVG, AIG, and the Goethe Society of North America.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of literature, cognition, and culture. Key areas include:

• Neurohumanities and cognitive philology
• 20th-century Austrian and German literature (Hofmannsthal, Trakl, Bernhard, Kleist)
• Modern poetry and narrative theory
• Opera, theater, and performativity
• Visual culture and intermediality
• Forms of the imaginary and imagination studies

Her recent scholarly output demonstrates a strong transdisciplinary trend, merging literary analysis with neurocognitive frameworks. Publications such as Stories, Minds, Worlds (2018) and the Frontiers article (2020) exemplify her innovative work in neurohermeneutics—bridging literary interpretation with cognitive science. These works explore how narrative structures reflect and shape mental processes, emphasizing imagination, worldmaking, and embodied cognition.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Anna Maria Ortese Critics' Award
• Nomination for the 2021 Strega Prize

Grazia Pulvirenti has supervised graduate students on topics such as the poetry of Friedrich Nietzsche and dreams in 20th-century German literature. She previously coordinated the PhD program in Cultural Heritage Studies at the University of Catania, demonstrating sustained engagement in academic mentoring and program leadership. She has delivered lectures at numerous national and international universities and conferences since 1991. Her research is supported by her leadership in interdisciplinary networks and centers, including NEWHUMS and the NeuroHumanities Studies group, which foster collaboration across the humanities and cognitive sciences.

She leads key research initiatives such as the international network NeuroHumanitiestudies and the interdepartmental center NEWHUMS, both dedicated to advancing neurocognitive approaches to literary and cultural studies. These labs and teams promote transdisciplinary dialogue, publications, and academic events bridging literature, philosophy, and neuroscience.