Laura Kost
Laura Kost is a PhD student and research assistant at TU Dortmund University, where she has earned both her BA and MA in Applied Literary and Cultural Studies with minors in Linguistics and Sociology. Her dissertation project explores the use of American cultural narratives in autobiographies of athletes. She is currently teaching introductions to American Literary and Cultural Studies. Her research and teaching interests include LGBTQ* representation in popular culture as well as sports and athleticism in the US.
- Sports Narratives in American Culture
- Queer Studies/Queer Representations/Queer Theory
- Spoken Word and Performance Poetry
- "The Inspiring Athlete Story: Narratives of Transformation in Runner's Memoirs". Ruhr PhD Forum in American Studies, 4 February/5 February 2022
- "Capturing the spirit of our country: The Runner's (American) Dream". Ruhr PhD Forum in American Studies, 12 February/13 February 2021
- "Who Runs Social Media? Modern Success Narratives in the Autobiographies of Endurance Athletes". Ruhr Phd Forum in American Studies, Ruhr Universität Bochum/TU Dortmund University, 31 January/1 February 2020
- “Endurance, Extremes, and Enjoyment: Narratives of Transformation in Trail- and Mountain-Running”. Mediating Mountains, 46th International Conference of the Austrian Association of American Studies, University of Innsbruck, 22-24 November 2019
- “Coming of GAYge: Challenging Heteronormativity and Labeling in Contemporary Young Adult Literature”. Post Graduate Forum (PGF) 2018 of the German Association of American Studies (DGfA/GAAS), 8-10 November 2018.
- “Spoken Word as Politics: Saul Williams, W.E.B. Du Bois and Mobilizing People through Modern Sorrow Songs”. Pop Goes Politics: Student Conference in American Studies 2014, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 17-18 October 2014.
- Co-Organizer of the “2022 Ruhr PhD Forum in American Studies." Digital conference via Zoom, 4 February/5 February 2022
- Co-Organizer of the “2021 Ruhr PhD Forum in American Studies." Digital conference via Zoom, 12 February/13 February 2021
- Co-Organizer of the “2020 Ruhr PhD Forum in American Studies." Ruhr Universität Bochum/TU Dortmund University, 31 January/1 February 2020
- Co-Organizer of the 11th International Walt Whitman Week, Symposium and Seminar, TU Dortmund University, 28 May – 2 June 2018