Dr. Olivia Fialho

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Olivia da Costa Fialho is an Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature at Utrecht University. Holding a Bachelor in Letters (Portuguese-English) and a Master's in Applied Linguistics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, she earned her PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Alberta in 2012. Her career includes postdoctoral research at the Department of Media and Culture Studies at Utrecht University, focusing on Empirical Literary Studies, and a role in the Cognitive Literary Studies at the University of Oslo. Fialho's research interests include Comparative Literature, Cognitive Literary Studies, Empirical Literary Studies, and Digital Humanities. She developed the transformative reading approach, which explores how literature influences self-perception and social understanding. Fialho has secured substantial research funding for projects addressing the societal impact of literature, including the ERC Advanced Grant for understanding the moral implications of literature. A prolific educator, she has developed innovative courses linking literature and psychology, and continues to supervise PhD dissertations and MA theses in her fields of expertise.

Research Interests

Experience

Senior Researcher

2021-01-01 — 2022-01-01

Huygens Institute / KNAW • Utrecht

Conducted research in Computational Literary Studies.

Postdoctoral Researcher

2014-01-01 — 2018-01-01

Department of Media and Culture Studies, Utrecht University • Utrecht

Engaged in empirical literary studies projects.

Researcher

2019-01-01 — 2021-01-01

Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages, University of Oslo • Oslo

Participated in literature, cognition, and emotions research.

Awards

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ERC Advanced Grant

2022-01-01

Requirements for Utrecht University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:93
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Advanced knowledge of research methods and statistics
Application Checklist
  • Transcript of records
  • Motivation letter
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Proof of English proficiency
Specialization Notes

Department of Psychology