Laura Bieger is Professor of American Studies, Political Theory and Culture the University of Groningen. She held teaching and research positions at Universität Freiburg, FU Berlin, UC Berkeley, Universität Wien and IFK Wien. Her essays have appeared in New Literary History, Amerikastudien/American Studies, Studies in American Naturalism, Narrative and ZAA. She is currently working on reading publics in U.S. democracy.