Janin Pisarek

I work in academic, journalistic, and voluntary contexts at the intersections of culture, language, and society, with a particular focus on narratives, cultural history, and interdisciplinary educational work. As a bridge builder between academia and the public, I communicate complex topics with conviction, warmth, and an occasional touch of humor—whether in German-language or international publications, projects, or lectures.

What drives me is making knowledge visible and effective—collaboratively, collegially, and with a firm belief that good communication opens doors and creates connections.

Janin Pisarek is a folklorist and cultural scholar specializing in historical-comparative narrative research. She publishes in journals and series such as Märchenspiegel. Zeitschrift für internationale Märchenforschung und Märchenpflege and the Exeter New Approaches to Legend, Folklore and Popular Belief by University of Exeter Press. As co-author, she has contributed to two interdisciplinary volumes on house spirits and mythical creatures in German-language fairy tales and legends, published by Böhlau Verlag.

Her main research interests include European magic fairy tales, demonological legends and legendary figures, as well as biographical storytelling. Pisarek serves as Vice President of the Europäischen Märchengesellschaft an member of the Board of Trustees of Märchen-Stiftung Walter Kahn, is a member of the scientific advisory board of the Schweizerischen Märchengesellschaft, and belongs to both the Kommission für Erzählforschung of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Empirische Kulturwissenschaft and the Volkskundlichen Kommission Thüringen.

Following hands-on professional experience in various museums, she held project management positions in the fields of biographical work and cultural education. She is currently working in the field of science management and science communication at a university of applied sciences.