The future of German Studies explored at conference

11 Jul 2024

• The latest research in German Studies, equality, access and diversity addressed at international Women in German Studies conference.
• Annual event brought experts from across the world to UCC for three days of discussion and debate.
• UCC is ranked in Top 200 for the study of Modern Languages.

A recent German state ban on the use of gender inclusive language, German literary and cultural history, cinema and music were among the topics explored at the international Women in German Studies Association conference at University College Cork (UCC).

The three-day event entitled ‘Barriers and Boundaries: Interrogating Ideas and Practices of Demarcation in German Studies’ examined issues of equality, access, diversification of student and staff bodies, and questions of inclusion and solidarity.

Dr Rachel MagShamhráin, senior lecturer and Head of the Department of German, said: “We were delighted to bring nearly 40 experts from around the world together to explore and showcase interdisciplinary research across German Studies. Our annual meeting is an important opportunity to share expertise and experiences and address academic practices and policies intersecting with the discipline.”

Organised by Dr MagShamhráin and the Women in German Studies (WIGS) committee, the conference featured presentations from colleagues from universities including the University of Sydney, Ohio State, Cornell, Oxford and Louvain.

A highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Professor Eva Geulen, Director of the Centre for Literary and Cultural Research (ZfL) and Professor at the Department for Cultural History and Theory at Humboldt University Berlin. Professor Geulen reflected on the current state of the profession through the lens of borders, barriers, and boundaries.

A plenary address by Professor Margaret Menninger, Executive Director of the German Studies Association and faculty member at Texas State University, explored the theme "German Studies as a Team Sport: Inclusion as a Method and Talking Point within the North American GSA."

The conference concluded with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Women in German Studies Association, where members committed to several initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable and marginalised individuals within the subject community and broader stakeholder population. One significant outcome was the decision to rename the association to better reflect this commitment to inclusion.

University College Cork is ranked as in the Top 200 in the study of Modern Languages, according to the latest world subject rankings.

Learn more about German Studies at University College Cork.