Chairs: Prof. Peter Davies and Dr Helen Finch

This panel provides an opportunity to share practice and experiences in engaging with emotionally demanding material, topics or situations, whether in research or teaching.

Strong emotional reactions can emerge when dealing with any material, but we have been slow to understand the consequences for the well-being of students of dealing with especially emotionally demanding texts, films or topics. As researchers, we are often left to deal with our personal reactions to our work in our ‘emotional spare time’.

The panel will begin with four short presentations of examples from practice, but we are keen to hear from others about any institutional projects to support students and/or staff, as they intersect with German Studies curricula or research, and any examples of pedagogy that have successfully (or indeed unsuccessfully) engaged with discomfort, anger, upset or anxiety.

Dr Helen Finch (University of Leeds): Sitting with the Discomfort, or Whose Emotional Discomfort Matters?

Prof Peter Davies (University of Edinburgh): “Is it ok if I don’t come to the next class?” Institutional support structures and "emotionally challenging topics”.

Dr Rachel MagShamhráin (University College Cork): The Voice in Instruction: How a narratological perspective helps when teaching rape in literature

Dr Hilary Potter (Newcastle University): Dancing on a Volcano: Exhibiting and Emotionality.

The event will be held on Microsoft Teams, and the link will be shared with registered participants nearer the time. There are 30 places available. Please register by 27 August 2020.