Elisabeth Haefs was a doctoral researcher in the City Scripts graduate research group. She received her B.A. from the University of Siegen, and an M.A. in Anglophone Studies as well as Literature and Media Practice from the University of Duisburg-Essen (2018). She finished her studies with a thesis on narrativity in texts from scientific journals. Her research interests include Science and Literature, British Literature and Culture, American Studies and Urban Studies.

To trace how narratives of regional transformation enable the use of urban greening strategies to advance social inclusion, her dissertation “Scripts of Community Gardening: The Inclusive Green City Plot in Portland (Oregon) and Essen” engages in a comparison between the “European Green Capital” Essen and the ecological model city of Portland, Oregon. In this comparison, the ubiquitous assumption that gardening ‘automatically’ builds community is questioned, followed by an exploration of the narrative dynamics fueling this assumption. The dissertation will be published soon.

For further information about her academic activities and publications click here.

Contact: elisabeth.haefs@uaruhr.de