Signature Events and Series

event series in support of our academic areas

The International Writers Series

The International Writers Series at Washington University features a diverse range of global voices in intimate readings and insightful discussions. Past speakers include: German novelist Antje Rávik Strubel, author of the German Book Prize–winning Blaue Frau (2021); Ukrainian‑American poet, translator, and scholar Oksana Maksymchuk, who presented her powerful English debut Still City: Diary of an Invasion and reflected on language’s role in war and resilience. Together, these events underscore the program’s commitment to elevating contemporary voices through dialogue on literature, translation, and global cultural experience.

Humanities Lecture Series

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Matheson Lecture

The William H. Matheson event series at Washington University’s Germanic Languages & Literatures program showcases high-level scholarly engagement centered on historical and literary cultures. Past lectures included: “The Lord, The Slave, & The Tailor’s Son” reception and lecture by Craig A. Monson, exploring a Renaissance case of identity fraud in Italy; a workshop by Johannes Göransson on transgressive literary circulation; a lecture on feminist and decolonial reframing in literature; and a lecture addressing ecological perspectives in world literature—each event fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and critical reexamination of literary and cultural histories.

Liselotte Dieckmann Lecture and Colloquium

Established in 1996, this biennial lecture and colloquium (usually in the fall semester) honors Liselotte Dieckmann, a highly-honored scholar in German studies and a pioneer for women at Washington University and in academia. Promising young scholars are invited to give a lecture on their newest interests and to conduct a workshop for German and Comparative Literature graduate students.

Over almost three decades, this series has brought together leading scholars to explore creative and academic writing within Germanic studies. Highlights included Karin Schutjer's workshop “Writing a Journal Article: Tips and Inspirations” and public lecture “San Marco in the Muck,” Imke Meyer’s graduate workshop on transforming dissertations into monographs, and Meyer’s public lecture analyzing Austro-Hungarian urban dynamics in Schnitzler’s “Die Toten schweigen.” These events fostered professional development, scholarly dialogue, and engagement with literary and cultural history.

Past Signature Events

Interested in our upcoming events?

Visit the Events Page