"In my research, I am interested in shedding light on the role aesthetic texts play in our understanding of how cultures are organised. I had actually started asking about the paradigms that guided different societies in different ages while still a student. Let me give you a little mental exercise from my research to help you get the idea: What do you think is the 'right' reaction to finding out that someone has a serious disability? What are the contextual factors that determine your response? Novels and films tell us how people think, feel and act in situations – and, in so doing, provide us with clues to cultural patterns. Encountering a culture other than your own heightens your awareness for your own compartmentalised ways of thinking."
You can find further information about Professor Hartwig's research and her publications on her chair website. She also publishes weekly articles on her research on her blog "Images of Disability".
How is disability portrayed in contemporary culture? Professor Susanne Hartwig explains research findings on the representation of disability in Art.
