Sabine Sielke

Prof. Dr. Sabine Sielke holds the Chair of American Literature and Culture at the University of Bonn, where she also directs the North American Studies Program and the German-Canadian Centre. She is a spokesperson for the Zentrum für Kulturwissenschaft in Bonn and serves on the advisory board of Zhejiang University's Center for Modernist Studies. Her research focuses on intersections between cognitive sciences, cultural studies, and literary discourse, particularly examining how scientific concepts translate into narrative forms. She has held fellowships at Harvard University's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute and received grants from DAAD, ACLS, and the German Research Council. Her work bridges disciplines like biochemistry, psychosomatics, and literary studies within the Graduate School 'Life Sciences – Life Writing.'

Education:

• Doctoral and postdoctoral degrees from Freie Universität Berlin’s John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies
• Studies in English and Biology at Freie Universität Berlin and Duke University

Research Interests: Explores how scientific methods shape interdisciplinary understanding of 'life sciences,' particularly through narrative forms in US-American fiction. Current projects include cognitive science-culture studies dialogues on perception and memory, and the narrative translation of scientific endeavors. Her approach interrogates disciplinary boundaries to redefine cross-field knowledge exchange.

Grants & Awards:

• DAAD Fellowship
• American Council of the Learned Societies Fellowship
• German Research Council Grant
• Harvard University Fellowship

Advising & Collaborations: Leads the Graduate School GRK 'Life Sciences – Life Writing,' fostering dialogue between biochemistry, literary studies, and linguistics. Previously taught at universities in Lodz, Freiburg, and the Szondi Institute (Berlin). Active in institutional roles, including directing research centers and advising international initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Core member of the GRK interdisciplinary network and the Zentrum für Kulturwissenschaft, collaborating with global partners like Zhejiang University.