Helen Goethals

Helen Goethals is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, affiliated with the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS). Her academic work bridges literature, history, and political discourse, with a focus on the Commonwealth, the British Empire, and the interplay between poetry and politics. She has been a full professor since 2009, following a lectureship at Lumière University Lyon 2.

Education:

• CAPS and English Aggregation (1990)
• Doctorate (1996): 'Poetry Anthologies in 20th Century England', Université Lumière Lyon 2, with unanimous congratulations from the jury
• Habilitation to Supervise Research (2009): 'Poetry and Politics: Arts of the Possible', Université Lumière Lyon 2

Her research explores the intersections of poetic expression and historical-political contexts, particularly in the Anglo-Hellenic world since 1821, Cyprus, and the Levant during wartime. She investigates how literature reflects and shapes national and cultural identities. Her work often centers on 20th-century British and Commonwealth poetry, war literature, and postcolonial memory.

The available publications indicate a strong thematic focus on memory, conflict, and literary representation, particularly during the mid-20th century. Her articles analyze how poetry engages with political upheavals in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, and how novels like Timothy Findley’s The Wars reinterpret the trauma of World War I through narrative form.

Helen Goethals is Vice-President of the Robert Graves Society, reflecting her engagement with 20th-century literary figures. Though no formal awards are listed, her scholarly contributions are recognized through publications with academic presses and participation in edited volumes.

She supervises research at the doctoral level, as evidenced by her HDR (Habilitation to Supervise Research). While no specific students are named, she contributes to academic training through seminars and research programs at CAS. She has co-edited journal issues and collective works, such as Carrefours / Crossroads in Anglophonia. Her involvement in research axes like 'Destabilization and Resistance' and 'Crises and Reconfigurations' highlights her leadership in thematic research groups.

She is active in the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS), contributing to seminars such as 'Empire and After', 'Poetics', and 'WISE Connections'. She participates in broader research initiatives including ANR programs and doctoral training events, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in Anglophone studies.