Mark B.N. Hansen

Mark B.N. Hansen is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Literature at Duke University, affiliated with the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. He holds roles such as Director of the Literature Program and previously served as Director of Graduate Studies and Undergraduate Studies in Literature. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine (1994), an M.A. (1989), and a B.A. from New York University (1987).

Hansen’s research explores the intersection of technology, human agency, and social life, spanning literary studies, media theory, phenomenology, and cognitive neuroscience. He emphasizes the role of technological exteriorization in defining human experience, with notable contributions to digital media aesthetics, media ontology, and the environmental turn in media studies.

His publications reflect a focus on 21st-century media’s impact on perception, temporality, and embodiment. Recent works include analyses of deepfake technology, feed-forward agency, and technical feeling. Hansen’s teaching spans special topics in literature, visual studies, and computational media, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach.

Recipient of prestigious awards like the National Humanities Center Fellowship (2014) and a Fulbright Senior Specialist designation (2012), Hansen also serves on editorial boards and professional organizations. His research has been supported by grants such as Duke’s Global Humanities Seed Grant (2022).