People: Michele Mendelssohn
- Current role:
- Academic (teaching)
- Institution:
- University of Oxford
- Discipline:
- Arts and humanities
What motivated you to engage the public with your work?
I believe the humanities are of value, first and foremost, because they are keen reminders of our own humanity. When I engage with the public, I have the opportunity to share with them something that is truly life-enriching. There is a misconception about that literature cannot save your life. That may be strictly true, but I like to remind the public that literature can change your life and, in many cases, that amounts to saving your life. What motivates me to engage the public is no different from what motivates me to be an excellent researcher and teacher: I believe that art makes life. In other words, art matters because it is part of the human experience. For all these reasons, it's a delight to be able to spark others' interest in the arts and humanities.
Describe the public engagement activity you have done.
I am currently at work on a Leverhume-funded project titled Going Wilde: the Cultural Politics of Aestheticism. In addition to my scholarly work, I have written for The New York Times and The Guardian (among others). I have also acted as an expert commentator on CBC radio, as well as for The Scotsman.
What are your top three tips for other researchers?
1. Speak in plain English rather than in academese.
2. Have a sense of humour (or try to).
3. Remember when it was all new to you? Never lose sight of what makes your work exciting and the reason you got into it in the first place.
What would you say to encourage another researcher to engage with the public?
Do it! Do it! You won't know if you don't go.
