Dr. Juliane Okot Bitek

Biography

Juliane Okot Bitek is a poet and scholar whose work focuses on themes of memory, trauma, and cultural identity, particularly related to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. She is the author of the poetry collection '100 Days', which received the 2017 Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry. Her contributions to the academic discourse on literature include several journal articles and book chapters addressing the intersections of Black Studies and creative writing. Her recent publications include 'dis place: Emancipation Day' and 'Colonial Intent Treachery: Poetic Response', highlighting her interest in the complexities of narrative and representation in both historical and contemporary contexts. Okot Bitek is a recipient of multiple nominations for prestigious writing awards and has been recognized for her innovative contributions to poetry. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Core Creative Writing Faculty at Queen’s University, where she is involved in the Black Studies Program and teaches courses that bridge art and activism through literary expression. Her research interests encompass African literature, creative writing, war trauma literature, and the dynamics of Black Indigenous cultural relations.

Research Interests