Jens Kirk

Jens Kirk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Culture and Learning at Aalborg University within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. His academic work centers on literature, media, and society, with a strong emphasis on the intersections between ecological thought, medical humanities, and contemporary cultural narratives. He is particularly known for his research on the Anthropocene, solastalgia, and environmental grief, often exploring these themes through literary and media analysis.

His research interests include the Anthropocene, medical and ecological humanities, solastalgia, adaptation studies, digital authorship, and the pedagogical challenges in English language education. These themes are reflected in both his scholarly publications and collaborative projects, especially those addressing transitions in education and cultural storytelling.

The recent publications reveal a clear trend toward interdisciplinary environmental humanities, combining literary analysis with ecological psychology and medical discourse. His work frequently engages with concepts such as solastalgia and ecological PTSD, drawing on thinkers like Tim Ingold and analyzing contemporary narratives of environmental loss. He also maintains a strong focus on pedagogy and curriculum development in English education, especially in bridging secondary and higher education.

• Notable Themes: Anthropocene, Solastalgia, Green Medical Humanities, Environmental Grief, Literary Adaptation, Digital Authorship

Jens Kirk has been involved in significant research projects, including Literature, storytelling and knowledge (2010–ongoing) and the NCFF-supported project Fra Engelsk til Engelsk (2022–2023), which examined educational transitions in English studies. He has also served as a guest editor for special issues on the Anthropocene, demonstrating leadership in emerging interdisciplinary fields.

He is active in public discourse, having contributed to media debates on academic working conditions and stress in higher education. His collaborations span multiple departments and institutions, and he frequently participates in academic conferences and workshops on literature, media, and pedagogy.