Interview with Dr. Anna Axtner-Borsutzky
For many researchers, conducting research in New York is a dream come true – and last spring, Dr. Anna Axtner-Borsutzky had the opportunity to do just that. As a scholar of Modern German Literature at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), she participated in the LMU-NYU Research Cooperation Program. This allowed her to explore archives at NYU, Yale, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, all while serving as a Visiting Research Scholar at New York University.
Read the interview to learn about the differences between the academic approaches of the U.S. and Germany, the importance of transatlantic relations for her work, and why you shouldn’t miss a ride on the Q train when in New York City.
What made you decide to apply for the LMU-NYU Research Cooperation Program?
When I received the offer, I was excited from the very first second. I am very interested in German-American history because of my previous research project on transatlantic exchange in postwar journals and because of my current research on ideas of freedom and participation. Prof. Krauss at NYU was a perfect match for me – her research interests are also in the postwar period and in the 18th century, as well as in combination with theater history.
I was also attracted by the innovative, international research environment in New York City, but also by the overall research environment in the United States. It seemed very conducive to my academic and personal growth.
Could you give us an insight into your current research? What did you work on during your stay at NYU?
My current research is on “Gardens and Theatre in the 18th Century”. In the late 1770s, there was a so-called “garden revolution” in German-speaking areas, inspired by two things: English garden architecture and the ideas of liberty that the American Revolution, for example, had brought with it. I look at the spatial semantics of gardens in German drama at that time. It will be my second book. While at NYU, I worked on a chapter about the author J. R. M. Lenz and the influence of Shakespeare on German drama.
How important is transatlantic exchange for your research?
It is really important in a number of ways: First of all, there is some archival material in the U.S. that we no longer have in Europe. I do research on theater in the 18th century, so it is important for me to read books, articles, and letters from that time. Some of these are in archives and museums like the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Beinecke Library at Yale, or the Public Library of New York.
Second, the history of ideas in the 18th century is heavily influenced by the history of ideas that originated in the ideas of liberty and revolution, especially during the American Revolution.
Third, with regard to the garden scenes in the dramas that are part of my interest, I need to work with some new research methods, such as the approach of the environmental humanities. The Anglo-American research context is often faster and deeper in these new paradigms.
Last but not least, the American approach to university life and research differs from the German one. It was inspiring for me to observe and learn how it works, as it will help me build stronger transatlantic networks in the future.
How did you experience the academic atmosphere at the NYU German Department? Were there any differences or similarities compared to LMU?
The atmosphere was absolutely inspiring. Everyone was really welcoming and helped me get used to campus life. I joined a graduate seminar. It was a small group, and we studied very hard for three hours every Monday (at LMU it is just 90 minutes). The professors took the time to talk to me about my projects and about academic life at NYU. If I had a question, there was someone there to help me. The small groups made it easier than in Munich to talk intensively about my research ideas. At LMU we have a huge institute with so many students, graduates and postdocs that you can’t be as close as I felt at NYU.
What advice would you give to other postdocs who are considering a research stay abroad?
For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. How wonderful to live and work in NYC for three months! I would say: Enjoy the moment and keep an open mind. Talk to people and try to learn as much as you can. There is so much to learn and so many interesting people to meet.
How did you experience New York? Are there any places or events that you remember well?
New York City was overwhelming in so many ways. I lived in Brooklyn near Prospect Park, which I really enjoyed. I was in Manhattan during my studies and had a lot to see in Brooklyn as well. I found New York to be a city of contrasts, a city of freedom and a city of diversity and friendliness. Music and art are everywhere, which I appreciate with all my heart. The most memorable everyday moment? Riding the Q-train over the Manhattan Bridge in the morning as the sun was setting and the Brooklyn Bridge was glowing. I loved it.