Karyn Ball

Karyn Ball is a Professor in the Department of English & Film Studies at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Arts. She holds a BA from Pomona College, two MAs (Creative Writing from Syracuse University and Comparative Studies from University of Minnesota), and a PhD from University of Minnesota. Recognized with prestigious fellowships including DAAD (1995-96) and Charlotte W. Newcombe Dissertation (1997), her research focuses on critical theory, continental philosophy, and cultural studies. Her work explores trauma studies, Holocaust representation, affect theory, and global animal studies, with notable contributions to journals like Cultural Critique and Law and Critique.

Teaching interests include critical theory, psychoanalytic approaches to culture, Holocaust studies, and interdisciplinary discourse analysis. Courses span undergraduate offerings like English 101 and graduate seminars on topics such as 'Global Affects' and 'The Holocaust in History.'

Ball's publications include edited volumes like Traumatizing Theory and Disciplining the Holocaust, and she has guest-edited special journal issues on 'Cultures of Finance' and 'The Global Animal.' Her scholarship critically engages thinkers like Freud, Derrida, Arendt, and Kafka, while addressing contemporary issues like neoliberalism's impact on cultural institutions.

Recent research explores intersections of trauma theory, political economy, and posthumanism, with articles on topics like 'Toxic Sovereignty' and 'Death-Driven Futures.' Awards and fellowships reflect her impactful contributions to interdisciplinary humanities research.