Academic background
1975–1980
University of Hamburg – German Language and Literature, Political Science, Psychology, and Education
1980
First State Examination for teaching at secondary schools (with distinction)
1987
Second State Examination for teaching at secondary schools (with distinction)
Doctoral studies
1988
PhD in German Literature (University of Hamburg)
Dissertation: 'Dramen des Weiblichen. Deutsche Dramatikerinnen um 1800'
Scholarship awarded by Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V. (Haus Villigst) 1981–1984
Postdoctoral teaching qualification (Habilitation)
2002
Postdoctoral lecturing qualification in German Literature (Humboldt University, Berlin)
Postdoctoral thesis: 'Familiengeheimnisse. Rückkehr der Inzestthematik in Literatur und Film der Gegenwart'
2003
Teaching authorization for German Literature (Humboldt University, Berlin)
Professional experience
1985 – 1987
Student teacher at secondary school level for German, History, and Social Studies in Hamburg
1988
Research associate in the Department of History, University of Hamburg
1988–1990
Teaching duties at the Universidade Clássica de Lisboa (Portugal), Dep. de Estudos Germanísticos, lecturer with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
1990–1991
Press spokesperson for the Academic Senator and Deputy Mayor of the City of Hamburg, Prof. Ingo von Münch
1991–1992
Cultural Representative on the Planning Committee of the Senate Chamber of the City of Hamburg
1992–1993
Academic Head of Public Relations at the Hamburg Institute for Social Research (Director: Prof. Jan Philipp Reemtsma)
1993–2000
Research Fellow and Lecturer, Department of Literature of the Faculty of Philology, University of Hamburg
2000–2002
Associate Professor, Institute of German Language and Literature and its Didactics, Leibniz University, Hannover
2002 – 2005
Professor of German Literature in the Context of Media, Institute of German Language and Literature and its Didactics, Leibniz University, Hannover
Since 2005
Full Professor of German Literature and Chair of German Media Studies, German Department, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz