My own research and my former and current students’ projects

Please see my most current CV at

My responsibilities and a commitments

  • To support you in successful completion of the program
  • To support you in navigating the university and the program, for example, by working with you to select courses appropriate to your interests; and to navigate the graduate handbook, graduate requirements, key deadlines and benchmarks set by the graduate school and by the program in German studies
  • To challenge you to think creatively and critically, and to engage with new directions in relevant research
  • To challenge you to reflect on your own positionality vis-à-vis your research topics
  • To read and provide feedback on drafts, even early, messy drafts, and to talk you through moments when you get “stuck” in the research and writing process
  • To support you in finding resources to address any barriers that you face in the process of completing the program
  • To advocate for you when appropriate and necessary
  • To connect you with colleagues in the field where possible and appropriate
  • To support you in finding a career path that fits your priorities and your hopes for success after graduation – for example, by talking through possibilities, discussing internships, guiding you through the application process for jobs, grants and internships, providing feedback on application documents, and providing accurate, thorough and timely references. I will regularly share resources!
  • To listen to your needs for success in the program
  • To support and encourage collaboration

My expectations for your work in the program

  • Engagement with the resources that have been provided to you, including the graduate handbook and the semesterly reminders from Karen, as you develop your timeline and goals
  • Integrity, honesty, and ethical research conduct
  • Consistent time dedicated to your research and writing
  • Independence in reading and researching, but also a willingness to consult for advice
  • Good communication, even when your work is not going as well as you might have hoped
  • Openness to feedback from me and from your other committee members
  • Supportive and positive interactions with your graduate colleagues
  • Willingness to mentor new graduate students as you advance in the program
  • Completion of an internship at some point during the program

Meeting expectations

  • First semester – monthly (these will not begin until we have a specific conversation during which you ask me to be your advisor and I have accepted. Expressing interest in a specific advisor during your application to our program does not accomplish this.)
  • Following semesters until you begin writing / completing your thesis project – 1 – 2 times per month
  • During the writing / thesis project completion phase - MA, weekly; PhD, 2 times per month
  • I ask that you reach out to schedule recurring meetings at the beginning of the semester. Occasionally committee work outside of the department will come up over which I have little scheduling control, so I may occasionally ask to move those meetings, but I will do everything possible to honor our time commitment.