Ronny Grønning Spaans

Ronny Grønning Spaans is a Professor of Nordic Literature at the University of Oslo (UiO), affiliated with the Department of Nordic Literature under the Faculty of Humanities. He holds a PhD in Literary Studies from UiO (2015), focusing on the poetry of Joannes Six van Chandelier. His roles include teaching NOR1301 – Nordic Literature before 1800 and previous positions as Associate Professor at Nord University (2018–2023) and part-time lecturer in Dutch Language and Literature at UiO (2017–2023).

His research interests center on literary history, historiography, early modern literature, poetry, and Norwegian-Dutch relations. Key areas include Petter Dass’s poetry, Dutch Golden Age literature, and interdisciplinary studies of science and religion in Nordic texts. He has published widely on topics such as Arctic sea monsters in Petter Dass’s work, natural history in verse, and the cultural influence of Dutch Renaissance poets like Jan Six van Chandelier.

Recent publications (2024–2021) highlight critical analyses of Petter Dass’s contributions to Norwegian literary tradition and explorations of Dutch-Norwegian cultural exchanges. His work frequently bridges literary criticism with historical, scientific, and religious contexts, emphasizing cross-disciplinary approaches.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed in his profile, though his extensive publications reflect significant scholarly contributions. He advises students in Nordic literary studies and collaborates on projects involving historical literary analysis and cultural history.

Spaans is based at Henrik Wergelands hus in Oslo and maintains active research in early modern Nordic literature, with a focus on under-explored connections between Norwegian and Dutch literary traditions.