Meral Shehabi

Meral Shehabi serves as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Communication, South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo, Macedonia. Appointed full-time in September 2003, she teaches Albanian language courses for multiple academic levels, Academic Writing, Romanticism in Albanian poetry, Modern Literature, Literary text analysis, and Balkan dimensions of Albanian folklore.

Education:

• Doctor of Philological Sciences (2009-2017) from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, specializing in Albanian Literature with dissertation "Aspekte te intertekstualitetit në pitarasin e Rilindes naksionale"
• Magister i šešinave filologije (2004-2009) from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, thesis "Dialogu letrar i Naim Frashërit me letersína ojentale"
• Profesor i gjuhes dhe letersise shqipe (1999-2003) from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje

Research Focus: Her scholarship centers on intertextual relationships within Albanian literature, particularly examining biblical narratives, mythological frameworks, and folk traditions in National Renaissance works. She investigates textual dialogues between canonical authors like Naim Frashëri, Jeronim de Rada, and Ismail Kadare, while analyzing cultural transmission across Balkan literary traditions. Her recent publications demonstrate increasing engagement with Arbëresh diaspora literature and linguistic analysis of Albanian written usage.

Publication Trends: Analysis of her 15 publications (2017-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: biblical intertextuality in Albanian drama (33%), National Renaissance literary analysis (40%), and linguistic studies of Albanian language (27%). Her work consistently applies intertextual theory to explore cultural identity formation, with growing emphasis on transnational literary connections since 2020.

Professional Activities: Dr. Shehabi's teaching portfolio spans foundational language instruction to advanced literary analysis. While no formal advisees or research grants are documented in available records, her course development in Balkan folklore studies indicates program-building contributions. Her multilingual capabilities (Albanian native, Macedonian/Turkish C2, Serbian C1, English B2) facilitate cross-cultural academic work across the region.