معرفی
Dr. Serena Laiena is a Lecturer and Assistant Professor (Ad Astra Fellow) in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at University College Dublin. Her research centers on early modern Italian theatre, particularly commedia dell’arte, with a focus on gender, women’s agency, and the cultural roles of professional actresses. She also explores plurilingualism in theatre and the contemporary social function of performance.
- PhD, University of Cambridge
- MA and BA, Sapienza University of Rome
- Teaching Associate, Higher Education Academy, University of Cambridge
Her research interests include:
- Early Modern Italian Theatre and Commedia dell’Arte
- Renaissance and Early Modern Italian Literature
- Gender Studies and Renaissance Feminism
- Women’s agency and workers in early modern Europe
- Plurilingualism and dialect use in theatre
- Performance and social integration
Her recent publications reflect a deep engagement with the socio-cultural dynamics of early modern Italian performance, especially the transformation of actresses from marginalized figures to respected cultural agents. She analyzes the works of figures like Giovan Battista Andreini and Virginia Ramponi through lenses of gender, religion, and self-fashioning. Her monograph The Theatre Couple in Early Modern Italy received the 2024 Ennio Flaiano International Prize in Italian Studies, highlighting its scholarly impact.
Her scientific awards include:
- Premio Internazionale di Italianistica 'Ennio Flaiano' 2024
She is actively involved in research supervision and mentoring, currently guiding one PhD candidate. She has secured significant grants such as the Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Arts and Humanities Research Council DTP, and the Judith E. Wilson Grant. Her teaching spans institutions including UCD, the University of Cambridge, Ghent University, and the University of Manchester, where she has coordinated modules on Dante, Renaissance politics, and Italian theatre. She is also engaged in public outreach through workshops on commedia dell’arte and theatrical embodiment.
She leads and participates in research teams and initiatives focused on early modern Italian culture, gender, and performance. Her current work continues to explore the intersections of theatre, identity, and society in early modern Italy, with an eye toward contemporary relevance.
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