Dr. Helen Swift

Biography

Professor Helen J Swift specializes in Medieval French Literature, focusing on the late medieval to early modern periods. Her research interests primarily involve the poetics of vernacular literature between 1330 and 1550, emphasizing text-image relationships and the historical transition from manuscript to print cultures. She examines narratives through gendered lenses, especially in the works of Christine de Pizan, engaging with representation and identity construction in fourteen to fifteenth-century fiction. Swift has contributed to significant projects like the MARGOT project at the University of Waterloo and the SIEFAR project, focusing on women's equality. She has held various roles including co-investigator on Academy-funded projects and convenor of master's programs in Women's, Gender, Sexuality Studies, and Medieval Studies. An active participant in interdisciplinary dialogue, Swift brings insights from various fields to her teaching and supervision, overseeing topics that intertwine medieval literature with contemporary theoretical frameworks. Her published work includes contributions to notable journals and book volumes, reflecting her diverse academic engagement and commitment to enriching the field of Humanities, with a special focus on the complexities of medieval narratives.

Research Interests