Scientific Degrees
- 2001 Habilitation, Universität Potsdam, Thesis. “Cultural Criticism in Contemporary Experimental Women’s Writing in the U.S.A.”
- 1985 Dr. phil., Universität Potsdam, Thesis. “Die Lyrik Stephen Cranes: künstlerischer Ausdruck eines veränderten Verhältnisses des Dichters zu seiner Welt am Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts”
- 1981 Teaching Diploma for English and Russian (Diplomlehrer für English und Russisch, Universität Potsdam)
Professional Career
- Since 2002 Chair of American Studies, Ruhr-University Bochum
- 2011 and 2015 Visiting scholar, English Department, University of Washington, Seattle
- 1981-2002 Assistant professor, Universität Potsdam
- 1992/93 Visiting scholar, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Stanford University
- 1997/98 Associate scholar, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Stanford University
Academic Service
- Since 2018 Steering Committee Member The European University Association Learning & Teaching Initiative
- Since 2018 Spokesperson for the Vice Rectors for Academic Affairs of North Rhein-Westphalia
- Since 2015 Vice Rector for Academic and International Affairs, Ruhr-University Bochum
- 2012-2015 Member of the Senate of Ruhr-University Bochum
- 2010-2013 Speaker of the Humanities in the Executive Board of the Ruhr-University Research School
- 2007-2009 Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Ruhr-University Bochum
- 2005-2007 Vice Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Ruhr-University Bochum
Selected Awards
- 10/96 - 09/00 Habilitation Grant of the Volkswagen-Foundation
- 09/92 - 07/93 Research Grant of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)
Selected Memberships
- Since 1990 German Association for American Studies
- Since 2000 Modern Language Association
