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Karin Lesnik-Oberstein

Karin Lesnik-Oberstein portrait
  • Director of Postgraduate Studies for the Department of English Literature

Areas of interest

I am the Director of the Graduate Centre for International Research in Childhood: Literature, Culture, Media (CIRCL) and Director of the CIRCL M(Res) in Children's Literature and Convenor of its module on 'Theory of Children's Literature' and Co-convenor of its module on 'Myth, Folktale and Popular Culture'; I undertake the supervision of seven MA students from the CIRCL MA every year.

My primary research interest is inter- and multi-disciplinary Critical and Literary Theory. I also have a research interest in those areas in which I teach, particularly anything relating to constructions of identity (gender; national, cultural, ethnic identity etc). I continue to have a strong interest in the construction of childhood in culture, including in non-literary disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, and philosophy.

Postgraduate supervision

Present PhDs:

  • Katy Corderoy (part-time; from 2020)
  • Natalie England (full-time; from 2021)
  • Lex Nicholls (part-time; from 2021; University of Reading Regional Bursary funded)
  • Kasturi Roy Bardhan (part-time, from 2023)
  • Claire Buckley (part-time, from 2024)
  • James Gillick (part-time, from 2024)

Completed PhDs:

  • Dr Neil Cocks (1997-2000; full-time)
  • Dr Susan Walsh (1998-2001; full-time; part UoR bursary funded)  
  • Dr Yuko Ashitagawa (2002-5; fully ORS funded for second and third year)
  • Dr Hannah Smith (2002-5; full Reading Studentship funded)
  • Dr Louise Tondeur (2002-6; full Reading Studentship funded)
  • Dr Helen Ainslie (2006-9, full Graduate School of Arts and Humanities funded)
  • Dr Catrin Edwards (2007-10, full AHRC funded)
  • Dr Kirsty Pennicard-Wood (2004-2010, part-time)
  • Dr Yu-Kuan Chen (full-time, 2007-12)
  • Dr Evdokia (Kia) Michalopoulou (2006-13, part-time)
  • Dr Christopher Milson (2011-2016; part-time)
  • Dr Kristina West (2012-2016; part-time).
  • Dr Bonnie McGill (2015-18; full University of Reading Studentship funded)
  • Dr Anindita Roy (2014-18; full Felix Scholarship funding)
  • Dr Yuna Nam (2017-20; full-time)
  • Dr Rebecca Lindsay (2016-20; part-time)
  • Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Harris (2015-21; part-time)
  • Dr Ian Mulholland (part-time, 2013-2023, University of Reading Regional Bursary funded)
  • Dr Natthavimol (Sai) Wangsittikul (full-time, 2019-2023)
  • Dr Soma Das (part-time, 2018-2023, University of Reading Regional Bursary funded)
  • Dr Kristina Hunt (full-time, 2019-2023)
  • Dr Alexander Hellens (part-time, 2016-2024; University of Reading Wilkie Calvert Bursary fee-funded).

Research centres and groups

I am the Director of the Graduate Centre for International Research in Childhood: Literature, Culture, Media (CIRCL)

I am a member of IRSCL (International Research Society Children's Literature) and PLACIM (The Platform for a Cultural History of Children's Media).

Research projects

I have recently published articles on theoretical approaches to children’s literature and on ecocriticism and eco-pedagogy and children’s literature.

I am consulting editor for the Korean Research Institute for Asian Women's (RIAW) journal of women's studies, Asian Women and an article and book manuscript reader for a wide range of academic peer-review journals and University presses. I am currently working on the critical theory of Artificial Intelligence.

Awards and honours

  • 2003: Nominated as one of twelve 'lecturers of excellence' at the University of Reading.
  • 2004: Nominated as one of ten 'lecturers of excellence' at the University of Reading.
  • 2006: Nominated for the Student Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching.
  • 2010: Awarded the student-nominated Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning.
  • 2012: Nominated for a Reading Student Union 'Gold Star' award.
  • 2015: Awarded University of Reading Student Union 'Outstanding Academic Tutor Excellence Award'.
  • 2016: Nominated for a University of Reading Student Union 'Teaching Excellence Award'
  • 2018: School ‘Celebrating Success’ Award
  • 2019: School ‘Working Together’ Award
  • 2020: Nominated for the Reading Student Union ‘Teaching Excellence Award for Arts, Humanities and Social Science’
  • 2022: School ‘Rewarding Excellence’ Award
  • 2022: Nominated for the Reading Student Union ‘Teaching Excellence Award for Arts, Humanities and Social Science’
  • Full member of the Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL)

Publications

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