The Picador Guest Professorship for Literature
The Picador Professorship for Literature at the University of Leipzig is unique in Germany. Located at the university's American Studies Program and based on a partnership between the Veranstaltungsforum der Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, the DAAD, and the University of Leipzig, it combines elements of a writers-in-residence program, creative writing programs, and university learning. The Picador Professorship for Literature brings leading young writers of English language literature to Leipzig and Mitteldeutschland, thereby providing students with a chance to work with 'practitioners' of literature. It thus also engages in and fosters a vivid exchange about the relationship between literature, language, and culture, especially as they shape society's negotiation of diversity and difference.
Current Picador Professor Calvin Baker
In the Summer Term of 2013, the Picador Chair for Literature will be held by Calvin Baker. Read more about Professor Baker on his faculty page.
Former Picador Professors for Literature
Since the inauguration of the Picador Professorship in early 2007, American Studies Leipzig has been proud and honored to host the following Picador Guest Professors for Literature:
- Tristan Hughes (Winter 06/07): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/hughes
- James Hopkin (Summer 07): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/hopkin
- John Haskell (Winter 07/08): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/haskell
- Chuck Klosterman (Summer 08): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/klosterman
- Nancy Kress (Winter 08/09): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/kress
- Catherine Chung (Summer 09): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/chung
- Olen Steinhauer (Winter 09/10): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/steinhauer
- Christian Hawkey (Summer 10): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/hawkey
- Nathalie Handal (Winter 10/11): americanstudies.unileipzig.de/faculty/handal
- Shannon Cain (Summer 2011): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/cain
- Porochista Khakpour (Winter 11/12): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/khakpour
- Fiona Maazel (Summer 2012): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/maazel
- Alexander Chee (Winter 12/13): americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/faculty/chee
Picador Chair Related News, Events and Activities
- 14 May, 12:52 Room for LC-III Seminar Changed
- 20 Mar, 16:26 Picador Seminars by Calvin Baker
- 20 Mar, 16:24 Next Picador Professor Calvin Baker
- 20 Sep, 10:35 Spots Still Available for Picador Classes
- 03 Sep, 12:21 Readings Lists for the Picador Seminars by Alexander Chee
- 12 Aug, 15:02 Next Picador Professor Alexander Chee
- 12 Aug, 14:56 Seminars by Picador Professor Alexander Chee
- 30 May, 18:31 Picador Reading with Fiona Maazel on May 15
- 02 Apr, 12:45 Hurry Up to Sign up for the Picador Writing Workshop
- 03 Feb, 13:13 Next Picador Professor Fiona Maazel
- 03 Feb, 12:27 Seminars by Picador Professor Fiona Maazel
- 06 Jan, 11:41 Picador Reading with Porochista Khakpour
- 06 Jan, 11:21 NEA Literature fellowship for Porochista Khakpour
- 22 Nov, 19:08 Picador Professor Porochista Khakpour publishes article in the New York Times
- 15 Nov, 18:47 Picador Professor Porochista Khakpour Guest Editor for Guernica Magazine
- 07 Oct, 16:50 Picador Classes to Start One Week Later
- 19 Sep, 19:29 Picador Professor Porochista Khakpour Reflects on 9/11 in the New York Times
- 19 Sep, 15:44 Hurry Up to Sign up for the Picador Courses
Meet the Picador Professor for Literature
American Studies Leipzig is very much interested in organizing Picador Professorship Events (readings, round tables, panel discussions, etc.) with local, regional and national partners. If you are interested in inviting Calvin Baker for such events, please contact the American Studies Leipzig Picador Coordinator Florian Bast (email: florian.bast@uni-leipzig.de, phone: +49 (341) 97 37 334) directly.