Academic Research

The project seeks to establish a comprehensive methodology of heteronormativity-critical reading techniques on the example of German literature from the era of Paragraph 175 (1872-1994). This approach is based on the surface of the text, rather than on the often referred to ‘subtext’. We see queer writing as an opportunity to express desire that not only evades heteronormative constraints, but critically questions them and attempts to transcend them through different approaches. Correspondingly, queer writing necessitates queer reading as a hermeneutic approach.
Queer reading does not aim to reveal something about the writer, e.g. to expose homosexuality, to form or assign identity, or to discover a supposedly ‘true’ interpretation of the text. Instead, queer reading examines narrative structures, plotlines, motifs, and characters that diverge from heteronormative norms. The term ‘queer’ encompasses not only sexuality and desire but also other ‘deviations’ from the norm, such as non-binary, non-white, and disabled subject positions. The principles of intersectionality are crucial in helping to counterbalance heteronormative perspectives.

The intern will assist in all aspects of the research project which may include:

Furthermore, the intern will have the opportunity to develop and conduct a small research project on their own within the frame of the main project. 

Advanced undergraduate students (from second year) 

Master's students 

Ph.D. students