Marlene Compton

Marlene Compton is a Lecturer and Research Associate at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, affiliated with the Chair of English Cultural and Literary Studies led by Prof. Dr. Claudia Lillge. Her work focuses on memory studies, particularly collective trauma and its representation in literature, with a core emphasis on the Shoah. She holds dual Master’s degrees in Comparative Literature (Freie Universität Berlin) and Research on Antisemitism (Technische Universität Berlin), alongside a BA in Language and Communication.

Education:

• Since 2023: PhD Candidate, FAU, Erlangen
• 2020–2023: M.A. Comparative Literature, Freie Universität Berlin
• 2017–2021: M.A. Research on Antisemitism, Technische Universität Berlin
• 2014–2017: B.A. Kultur und Technik, Technische Universität Berlin

Research & Teaching: Compton explores intersections of memory, literature, and identity, specializing in postmemory, queer studies, and gender studies. Her current project examines Anne Blonstein’s poetry in the context of Shoah postmemory. She emphasizes interdisciplinary and intersectional methodologies.

Awards & Memberships:

• Scholarships: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (2025–), Stiftung Zeitlehren (2024–)
• Queer Staff Network Founder (FAU)
• Member: German Association for the Studies of British Cultures (BritCult), Deutscher Anglistikverband

Teaching & Engagement: Compton has served as a teaching assistant since 2015 and contributes to FAU’s academic community through leadership roles in diversity initiatives (e.g., Lenkungskreis Diversität) and mentoring programs like ARIADNE.