معرفی
Maria Katharina Wiedlack serves as Assistant Professor for Anglophone Cultural Studies at the Department of English and American Studies, University of Vienna. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral fellowships at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Europa-Universität Flensburg, and the University of Vienna, as well as a visiting professorship at Johns Hopkins University's Center for Advanced Media Studies. She teaches courses including Introduction to the Study of Literature and Culture, Cultural Theories and Popular Culture, and specialized seminars on topics ranging from queer theory to Asian American culture.
Wiedlack's research centers at the intersection of queer-feminist theory, post-socialist studies, disability studies, and decolonial approaches. Her work critically examines Western representations of Russia, particularly regarding vulnerable populations, with a focus on media constructions, historical narratives, and cultural productions. She investigates how geopolitical tensions shape understandings of gender, sexuality, and disability across national boundaries.
Her recent publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining the complex relationships between Eastern Europe and 'the West' through critical lenses. Wiedlack's work demonstrates particular interest in archival practices, knowledge production in marginalized communities, and the politics of visibility. Her research often focuses on how mainstream Western media constructs narratives about Russian and post-Soviet subjects, particularly regarding queer and feminist movements.
- Principal Investigator for FWF project 'Rivals of the Past, Children of the Future: Localizing Russia within US National Identity Formations from a Historical Perspective' (V 741)
- Project lead for 'The Magic Closet and the Dream Machine: Post-Soviet Queerness, Archiving, and the Art of Resistance' (https://magic-closet.univie.ac.at/)
Wiedlack's scholarly work extends beyond traditional academic boundaries into community engagement, particularly through her research on queer-feminist punk subcultures and activism. Her recent monograph 'Under Western Eyes: Vulnerable Minorities and the Russian State in New Cold War Cultures' (Academic Studies Press, 2025) represents a significant contribution to understanding contemporary geopolitical narratives through critical cultural analysis.
