Kimberly Ball

Kimberly Ball is a Continuing Lecturer in the Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies (ELTS) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC Irvine, an M.A. in Folklore from UC Berkeley, and a B.A. in Philosophy from UCLA. Her research explores how oral traditions and mythological narratives are transmitted and reinterpreted across time and media, with a focus on Scandinavian folklore and its influence on literature, film, and contemporary culture. She teaches courses on Scandinavian mythology, vikings, folk tales, and the supernatural in Nordic contexts.

Her work bridges folklore studies with modern interdisciplinary approaches, analyzing themes such as diabolical writing, cultural vessels of myth, and the intersection of technology with traditional storytelling. Courses taught include Scand 40/40W: Heroic Journey in Northern Myth, Legend, and Epic, Scand 134: Scandinavian Mythology, and Scand 165B: Vikings on Film.

Kimberly’s articles reflect her expertise in oral tradition, medieval narrative construction, and the evolution of folklore into modern genres like horror and fantasy films. She does not hold explicitly listed scientific awards, and no grants or advising details are provided in the text. She is affiliated with Royce Hall and maintains regular office hours for student engagement.