معرفی
Dr. Marco Bernini is an Associate Professor in Cognitive Literary Studies in the Department of English Studies at Durham University. He also serves as the Lead of the Narrative and Cognition Lab within the Institute for Medical Humanities and sits on the Steering Committee of the Institute of Medical Humanities. His interdisciplinary work bridges literary studies and cognitive sciences with a focus on how literature explores cognitive processes.
Dr. Bernini's academic background includes:
- Marie Curie Junior Research Fellow (2012-2014) at Durham University
- Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Associate (2014-2018) at Durham University
- IASH fellow at the University of Edinburgh (2011-2012)
- Core member of the Wellcome Trust interdisciplinary project 'Hearing the Voice' (2012-2021)
- Member of projects on 'Narrative and Complex Systems' at the University of York and 'History of Distributed Cognition' at the University of Edinburgh
- Co-leader of the IAS Major Project on 'Dreams, Narrative and Liminal Cognition' (2020-2022)
His research focuses on how literary narratives portray cognitive processes such as levels of consciousness, self-knowledge, memory, mindwandering, inner speech, and emotional states. He has made significant contributions to understanding Samuel Beckett's work through cognitive frameworks, examining how Beckett's explorations of consciousness challenge traditional literary analysis. His work also extends to the relationship between writing and authorial intentionality from an extended mind perspective, and narrative approaches to cognitive theories of complexity and emergence. Dr. Bernini frequently examines liminal states of consciousness such as dreams, hallucinations, and transitional states between waking and sleeping, demonstrating how literature can both reflect and enrich cognitive scientific understanding of these phenomena.
His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on cognitive literary studies with particular attention to narrative representations of consciousness. The work shows strong interdisciplinary connections between literary analysis and cognitive science, especially in examining how literature explores complex mental states. His scholarship frequently engages with modernist and contemporary literature, particularly the works of Samuel Beckett, Marcel Proust, and other authors who experiment with narrative forms to represent cognitive experiences.
Dr. Bernini has received notable recognition for his work:
- 2018: Durham Research Staff Awards - Joint first prize (with Ben Alderson-Day, Department of Psychology)
Dr. Bernini actively mentors PhD students James de Lullington and Noor Dabbas. His teaching includes specialized courses such as 'Mind and Narrative' at the undergraduate level and 'Narrative and Thresholds of Consciousness' at the MA level, which he co-teaches with Dr. Peter Garratt. These courses reflect his commitment to interdisciplinary education, combining cognitive science with literary studies to explore how narratives represent mental processes. He has secured significant research funding through fellowships from prestigious organizations including the Marie Curie program and the Wellcome Trust.
As the Lead of the Narrative and Cognition Lab within Durham's Institute for Medical Humanities, Dr. Bernini fosters collaborative research that bridges humanities and cognitive sciences. The lab provides a space for interdisciplinary dialogue about how narrative structures interact with cognitive processes, particularly in relation to consciousness, selfhood, and mental health. His leadership in this area has positioned Durham University as a significant center for cognitive literary studies.
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