Kornelia Freitag

Kornelia Freitag is a Professor of American Studies and Vice Rector for Academic and International Affairs at Ruhr University Bochum. She earned her teaching diploma in English and Russian from the Potsdam University of Education (now University of Potsdam), followed by a doctorate in 1985 and habilitation in 2001 in American literature and culture at the University of Potsdam. Her research focuses on American literary history, poetry (e.g., Stephen Crane), contemporary women writers' language experiments, and Asian American poetry. She has held research positions at Stanford University and the University of Washington, Seattle.

Education:

• Bachelor’s/Teaching Diploma: English & Russian (Potsdam University of Education)
• Doctorate (1985): University of Potsdam
• Habilitation (2001): University of Potsdam

Research Interests: American literary history, poetry, literary and cultural theory, with emphases on gender studies and Asian American narratives.

Administrative Roles:

• Dean at Ruhr University Bochum
• Speaker of the Humanities Section in the Ruhr University Research School
• Currently serves as Vice Rector for Teaching and International Affairs, overseeing 20 faculties spanning engineering to East Asian studies.

Key Contributions: Advocates for blended learning and digitalization in education, highlighted in her role during the European Digital University initiative. Maintains strong ties to her alma mater, University of Potsdam, through collaborative networks.