On 1 November 2024, Karlstad University welcomed a new professor as Sofia Wijkmark was appointed professor of comparative literature.
"It feels very exciting! I’m mostly looking forward to having more time for research," she says.
"There are a number of projects that I would like to dedicate more time to, and now I finally have the opportunity to do so," says Sofia. "I hope to support other people’s research in various ways and contribute to further developing the research environment at the department."
With the addition of Sofia Wijkmark, Karlstad University now has two professors of comparative literature, including Christina Olin-Scheller, professor of literary studies education and educational work. Sofia describes it as a great strength to have professors with both of these specialisations in the same discipline.
"It gives comparative literature at Karlstad University a competitive edge as well as making the research environment broader and facilitating collaboration between subject and subject-specific education."
Among other things, Sofia and Christina are conducting the project “Värmland (Re)imagined. Place-based literature and history education for a sustainable future” together with Martin Stolare, professor of history. The project is about developing a model to use regional literature to increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the interaction between humans and places. The project is an example of collaboration in comparative literature at Karlstad University.
Different perspectives on Selma
Sofia Wijkmark wrote her doctoral thesis on the Gothic elements of Selma Lagerlöf’s work. And Selma has been a common thread through much of the research that Sofia has conducted over the years.
"Lately, I’ve been devoting a lot of energy to a project focusing on Västanå Theatre and the way they have transformed Selma Lagerlöf’s texts to theatre. It’s something that I hope to deepen and develop further in the future," says Sofia.
She describes Västanå Theatre as interesting to study partly because they have consistently worked with the works of a specific author, and partly because the author is not a playwright but a prose writer whose work they translate to the stage.
"What is it about Selma’s writing that makes her texts well suited for theatre? What are the theatrical elements? Those are the things that I wish to shed light on," says Sofia.
What is it about Selma Lagerlöf that fascinates you so much?
"Her ability to create stories. I have always been interested in different forms of storytelling, how a story is constructed, how it can be transformed in different media and why we have a need for stories. I’m also fascinated by her ability to combine realism and fantasy."
