
Giselle Anatol - Undergraduate Research Mentor
Dr. Anatol works in the Department of English and is the director of The Hall Center for Humanities.
Bio:
Name: Giselle Anatol
Department: English (and Director of The Hall Center for Humanities)
Years at KU: I began teaching in August 1998, but took a leave for one year (2002-2003) to teach at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.
Describe your research in just two sentences that we can all understand: My primary field is literature of the African diaspora, with an emphasis on the Caribbean. My 2015 book The Things That Fly in the Night explores representations of Black female vampires in folklore, novels, calypso lyrics, and children’s stories; the core of that research is a Trinidadian folktale about the soucouyant—a crotchety old woman who sheds her skin at night, turns into a ball of fire, and flies from house to house to suck the blood of her neighbors.
Questions:
Q: How did you first get interested in doing research?
A: While taking a children’s literature class as an undergraduate, I began thinking more and more about the soucouyant stories I had heard in childhood, and what this figure symbolized. I recognized that she had been used as a type of “bogey-man” to frighten children into obedience (“Be good or the soucouyant will come to get you!”), but became curious about why she was always female, and if the skin-shedding and ball of flames represented ideas beyond the literal details. In a way, engaging in this study was a way to conquer my childhood fear—I was always terrified of vampires! This work has informed my teaching, as well—besides teaching Caribbean literature classes, and African American literature classes, I have also taught courses on multicultural works for children and young adults, and speculative literature (fantasy, science fiction, horror, the surreal) by authors of the African diaspora.
Q: Is there someone who has been a great mentor to you? What about that person made him/her an effective mentor?
A: I have had many, many fantastic mentors and am grateful for all they have taught me. When I was in graduate school, I thought that being mentored would be over when I received my doctorate; I was so wrong! When I arrived at KU, Professor Maryemma Graham became an unofficial mentor to me. She modeled professional behavior, introduced me to a host of colleagues around the country, and provided opportunities for me to present my work and get published. She also continually encouraged me not to lose myself in my career and a purely intellectual identity: she threw receptions where guests talked about more than work, invited my kids over to her house for “play dates,” and reminded me to practice a mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy lifestyle.
Q: What advice do you have for undergraduates interested in doing research in your field?
A: I think a lot of researchers become so consumed with work and a life of the mind that they neglect to make time for other pursuits. My advice would therefore be: Don’t forget to experience life beyond books (and my family of origin would laugh at this, because I *hated* to do anything but read when I was a child. My mother would have to force me out of the house, yelling, “Go outside and play! Get some fresh air! And sunshine! And leave that book indoors!”).
Q: What is your favorite part about mentoring undergraduates?
A: I’m sure lots of interviewees have said this before, but I *love* seeing the sparks that light up students’ eyes when they finally understand a difficult concept, or make an important connection, or come up with a unique idea.
Q: What do you find to be the most challenging part of mentoring undergraduates? Do you have any strategies that have helped you address this challenge?
A: There are many exceptionally talented undergraduates who are convinced that a successful job is one with a high salary and “name recognition” (e.g. physician/surgeon, lawyer, engineer, architect, business executive), but there are SO many fulfilling and financially rewarding careers that you can pursue with an English major, or a degree in Philosophy, or Religious Studies! (Not to mention that a degree in any of the humanities fields can make an undergrad a more unique applicant in the above-mentioned jobs….) I would argue that the strong research skills developed for a history thesis, or the ability to read closely in a lit course, or analyze the small details in a painting, and the repeated practice of communicating what you’ve observed, whether in a class discussion or a compelling essay, and the flexible, innovative thinking encouraged in the humanities—these are among the skills needed to succeed across a wide range of careers.
Q: How do you spend your time when you aren’t teaching or researching?
A: I love to cook, especially Trinidadian food, although it never tastes quite as delicious as my mother’s! Seaside vacations with my partner and children and throwing theme parties with friends are two more of my favorite activities. I enjoy arts and crafts; I taught myself to knit when I was in graduate school, but, since I never progressed beyond squares and rectangles, I am pretty much limited to scarves and blankets. LOL. I have also started pursuing my creative writing more diligently. My first picture book, Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold, was published in December 2023.