Victor K. Mendes

Victor K. Mendes is an Associate Professor of Portuguese at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture (CPSC) and Editor of luso-asio-afro-brazilian studies & theory (laabst). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Lisbon and specializes in Portuguese and Brazilian literature, with a focus on modernist and eco-critical approaches. His research engages with figures like Fernando Pessoa, Almeida Garrett, and Machado de Assis, exploring themes such as anthropocentrism, environmental criticism, and postcolonial theory.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Lisbon, 1998

Research Interests: Mendes' work bridges literary analysis with environmental and postcolonial studies. He critiques anthropocentric frameworks in modernist texts and examines the intersection of ecology, gender, and colonialism in works like Novas Cartas Portuguesas. His publications include edited volumes on Portuguese literature's environmental dimensions and studies of Almeida Garrett's travel narratives.

Publications: His 15 most recent articles (2019–present) emphasize eco-critical readings of Fernando Pessoa, exploring how his work questions human exceptionalism. Earlier works analyze Machado de Assis' Brás Cubas through postmodern narrative theory and Garrett's influence on Portuguese prose.

Awards/Grants: None explicitly listed. His editorial roles and academic leadership highlight institutional contributions rather than individual accolades.

Lab/Teams: He leads the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, fostering interdisciplinary research and cultural initiatives in Lusophone studies.