Marlene Winkler B.A.

As a doctoral researcher in the project “Best Agers/Best Places: Successful Aging and Spatial Human Differentiation,“ I examine the concept of aging in relation to space. More specifically, I focus on the gated community “The Villages” in Florida. I am particularly interested in exploring how queerness intersects with perspectives on aging.

What shapes me and my research?
I am especially interested in gender and queer studies within the framework of transnational American Studies. In this context, perspectives on aging are vital for my research. For example, my master’s thesis examines the self-representation of queerness and aging in memoirs by queer women in North American culture.

My path to the CRC
I completed my B.A. in American Studies and English Literature and Culture at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. After my undergraduate studies, I remained at JGU Mainz for a Master’s degree in American Studies. During my studies, I had the opportunity to teach German and theater for two semesters at the University of Limerick (Limerick, Ireland). This experience had a profound impact on me and significantly strengthened my enthusiasm for research and teaching. Since early 2026, I have been working as a doctoral researcher in subproject E01 of the CRC.