Kjersti Irene Aarstein

Kjersti Irene Aarstein is an Associate Professor and educational coordinator at the Centre for Women's and Gender Research (SKOK) at the University of Bergen, with academic affiliation to the Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies. Her work bridges literary scholarship with gender research, creating interdisciplinary connections between textual analysis and contemporary gender theory.

Her research interests encompass several interconnected domains:

• Gender and feminist literary theory with Scandinavian focus
• Postcolonial perspectives in literature, particularly the Black Venus figure
• In-depth analysis of Karl Ove Knausgård's "Min Kamp" series
• Mother-daughter relationships in Norwegian literary tradition
• Colonial history representation in Scandinavian literary works
• Comparative analysis of English and Caribbean literature

Aarstein's publication pattern reveals consistent scholarly engagement with how literary narratives explore complex social issues including colonialism, identity formation, and familial dynamics. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing Scandinavian literary traditions through a feminist lens, with significant contributions to understanding how contemporary and historical Norwegian literature addresses gendered experiences and power structures. She frequently examines the intersections between personal identity, cultural history, and literary form.

As educational coordinator at SKOK, Aarstein plays a key role in developing academic programs that advance gender research methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches. Her scholarly activities connect with broader institutional initiatives including the NORA conference and collaborative events with Western Norway College of Applied Sciences, demonstrating active engagement with the Nordic gender research community.