Waterloo welcomes next Diefenbaker Chair

The University of Waterloo is pleased to welcome Dr. Priscilla Layne as the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker Memorial Chair in German Literary Studies. An internationally recognized scholar in German literature, film, Afrofuturism and Black German studies, Layne joins Waterloo after 15 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Her appointment reflects Waterloo’s continued success in attracting leading international scholars whose work bridges disciplines and connects global and local conversations.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Layne joining us as our first hire for the School of Critical and Creative Humanities,” says Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. “With her multi-disciplinary background, her scholarship is a natural fit for creating collaborative opportunities in research and teaching in the Faculty of Arts.”

As the third scholar to hold the Diefenbaker Chair, a donor-funded endowed research position established in 2007 through the generosity of a private philanthropic foundation, Layne will also lead the Waterloo Centre for German Studies (WCGS), helping expand its role in research, teaching and public engagement.

A destination for humanities scholarship

For Layne, the opportunity offers the chance to lead one of Canada’s leading centres for German studies, while joining a university with a strong reputation for interdisciplinary collaboration.

“The WCGS is a unique space committed to hosting interesting events that cater to the local community but also branch out to connect scholars and students internationally,” Layne says. “Waterloo itself has an excellent reputation, and there are many scholars here in fields adjacent to mine. The start of the new School of Critical and Creative Humanities will allow me to make those kinds of cross-disciplinary connections.”

Layne’s arrival comes amid broader shifts in higher education across the United States, as some scholars explore opportunities beyond their home institutions and countries. She was also drawn to Waterloo’s co-operative education model and, as a literary translator, hopes to explore partnerships with local companies to create translation-focused co-op experiences for students.

Research that connects disciplines and cultures

Layne’s research spans German literature, film, Afrofuturism and Black German studies, with recent work exploring science fiction, disability and graphic narratives. Her current manuscript examines representations of disability and illness in European comics, creating opportunities for collaboration with researchers working in speculative fiction, comics and game studies across campus.

After discovering a far more multicultural Germany than she expected as a university student, Layne built a research program examining the country’s diverse racial and ethnic landscape and how it is represented in literature and film. Her work explores issues of identity, migration and social change, connecting Germany’s past and present to broader conversations taking place across North America.

“Some positive things to learn from Germany are prioritizing environmental care, valuing social welfare and education, and learning from the past even when the lessons make us uncomfortable,” she explains. “But Germany admittedly still has a lot more work to do when it comes to addressing issues of decolonization and its colonial legacy.”

Representation and possibility

As the daughter of Caribbean immigrants and a first-generation academic from a working-class background, Layne is deeply aware of the importance of representation in higher education. Throughout her career, she has been guided by a principle often associated with children’s advocate Marian Wright Edelman: “You cannot be what you cannot see.”

“As a Black woman in German studies, having a position like the Diefenbaker Chair is incredibly rewarding,” Layne says. “It means a lot to me to be entrusted with the stewardship of the WCGS and to have the chance to use my work to bring more attention to German studies.”

Beyond her research and teaching, Layne sees the Diefenbaker Chair as an opportunity to strengthen German studies, broaden participation in the humanities and inspire the next generation of scholars. She looks forward to bringing courses on Afrofuturism, science fiction and disability studies to Waterloo while engaging with the University’s diverse campus community and the Greater Toronto Area’s vibrant Caribbean community.

“I hope students can see themselves reflected in me, discover a love for German, and also realize that despite our individual and systemic struggles, it’s possible to achieve your dreams. Especially if you have faculty and staff looking out for you and supporting you along the way.”