Dr. Astrid Greve Kristensen Literature & Memory Studies Researcher

About

I am a literary scholar specializing in Central European literature, memory studies, and the representation of trauma in Czech and German texts. My research explores how orphanhood functions as a metaphor for historical displacement, political rupture, and the transmission of war memories across generations.

I recently completed my doctoral studies at Sorbonne University in Paris, where I worked under the supervision of Clara Royer. My dissertation, "Strangers in a Strange Land: The Returns of Orphans in German and Czech Literature of the 2000's," examines contemporary novels by authors such as Jáchym Topol, Radka Denemarková, Bianca Bellová, and W.G. Sebald.

Previously, I held a PhD fellowship at CEFRES (French Research Center in Humanities and Social Sciences) in Prague.

Research and Interests

Post-1945 Czech and German literature
Memory studies and trauma representation
Orphanhood as literary metaphor
Central European literary traditions
Slavic studies and comparative literature

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Sorbonne Université, Paris (2020–2026) Successfully defended 13th March 2026 Dissertation: "Strangers in a Strange Land: The Returns of Orphans in German and Czech Literature of the 2000's" Topics: contemporary fiction, Czech culture and history, memory studies, childhood studies Member Labo Jr Passages, Sorbonne · Associate PhD Fellow CEFRES, Prague · Stipend holder, CNRS

Master's degree, European Languages — University of Oslo (2017–2019) Grade: A Thesis written in English on Czech modern literature Member of the Institute of Literature, Area Studies and Languages' Student Council

Bachelor's degree, European Languages — University of Oslo (2015–2017) Grade: A 1 semester abroad at Charles University, Prague

Bachelor's degree, Literature — University of Oslo (2012–2015) Grade: B One semester sabbatical (Fall 2014) in Buenos Aires, Argentina — Spanish classes and local volunteering

Selected Publications

Kristensen, Astrid Greve. Publication in Česká literatura (2025).

Kristensen, Astrid Greve. "Jáchym Topol's 1968 Orphans." Published in CEEOL (Central and Eastern European Online Library).

Conference Presentation: Co-convened "Truth and Un‑Truth: Transmission of Memories of War" at CEFRES, Prague (November 2022) with Rose Smith (Charles University).

Academic Training & Summer Schools

2021 - 4EU+ Summer School of Memory Studies, Prague "Borderlands of Memory: Nationalism, Religion and Violence in Europe"
2018 - Letní škola slovanských studií, Palacký University, Olomouc
2016 - Letní škola slovanských (bohemistických) studií, Masaryk University, Brno
2014 - Letní škola slovanských studií, Charles University, Prague

Languages