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Dr Conor Brennan

Roles and subjects

Departmental Lecturer and tutor in German

Contact

conor.brennan@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk

Schools Liaison Officer for German at Oxford

Academic Background

I studied English & German at Trinity College Dublin, followed by an MSt in German at Oxford and a PhD in Comparative Literature at TCD. My doctoral research analysed responses to the climate crisis in contemporary fiction, considering works from a wide range of cultural contexts that included Austria, Australia, Poland, Germany, Ireland, and South Korea. Before taking up my current post at Jesus, I was Lecturer in German at St John’s College, Oxford from 2023-24. I’ve spent stretches of time along the way in Freiburg, Vienna, and Innsbruck.

Undergraduate Teaching

I teach German literature from 1770 to the present; special authors Kafka, Bachmann, Rilke, Bernhard and Brecht; German-English translation; and first-year literature and textual commentary. I also provide lecture courses on German literature since 1945 and on writing after Auschwitz.

Postgraduate Teaching

At postgraduate level, I provide Master’s dissertation supervision within my areas of expertise, and a special seminar on Ingeborg Bachmann’s Malina.

Research Interests

My current research interests are mostly in the area of environmental humanities, including animal studies, ideas of eco-aesthetics, and postcolonial responses to the climate and biodiversity crises. I am also interested in discussions of comparative literature and world literature more broadly; debates around translation, multilingualism, and identity; and the intersection between literature and philosophy. Many of the German-language authors I am especially drawn to are Austrian, including Bachmann, (arguably!) Kafka, Thomas Bernhard, Marlen Haushofer, and Ruth Klüger.

Non-academic Info

I’m originally from Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, and went to Irish-speaking state schools for my primary and secondary education. One of my favourite things about Jesus so far (apart from its well-deserved reputation for friendliness!) is the college’s commitment to access and outreach and its distinctive Welsh identity within Oxford.

It’s been great to learn more about Wales from my students, many of whom are Welsh speakers, and has sparked a new interest for me in the language and culture. As Schools Liaison Officer for German at Oxford, I’m passionate about trying to widen access to the university and to modern languages more broadly. In my spare time, I enjoy playing music, am currently trying (and mostly failing) to learn Korean, and am an avid runner.

Publications

Media

Links

Subject notes for courses taught at Jesus College:

See also Dr Conor’s departmental profile.