Nicole Svobodny

Nicole Svobodny is a Teaching Professor of Global Studies and Russian literature at Washington University in St. Louis. She coordinates the Eurasian Studies concentration and advises the Global Studies major. Her roles include Study Abroad Advisor and instructor of comparative literature courses. Svobodny holds a PhD from Columbia University and a BA in Russian Language and Literature from Brown University.

Her research focuses on intersections between literature and dance, particularly Vaslav Nijinsky’s work. She explores embodiment, inter-arts connections, and life-writing. A recent NEH Summer Stipend supported her archival research on Nijinsky across Europe. Her book Nijinsky’s Feeling Mind (2023) examines dance notation and literary expression. She co-edited volumes on migration and Pushkin’s legacy.

Teaching emphasizes writing-intensive courses on Russian literature, global identity, and comparative studies. Courses like Russia and the West use interdisciplinary materials to analyze cultural identity. Active learning and collaborative projects are central to her pedagogy.

Awards include the 2019 NEH stipend. Her work bridges literary analysis, performance studies, and cultural theory. Current initiatives focus on global cultural intersections and interdisciplinary humanities education.