Zooming in on Individuals in Post-Apocalyptic Fiction: Emotions and Coping Strategies in Times of Transition– Interview with Sel

Selin Beyhan (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What coping strategies do characters in post-apocalyptic novels use to deal with the challenges of post-apocalyptic settings?- What emotions do fictional characters display during periods of transition?- What can we learn from characters in post-apocalyptic narratives? In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Selin Beyhan from the Department of English Studies at Heidelberg University, to discuss her research on post-apocalyptic fiction, with a particular focus on individual emotions and coping strategies during times of transition. Selin reflects on her academic journey and highlights the timely relevance of her work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased readers’ engagement with themes of emotional resilience and adaptation in literature. She further clarifies the distinction between apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction and explains how her research examines contemporary narratives that mirror modern anxieties. Drawing on a range of novels, including Station Eleven, The Dog Stars, The Book of M, TheBeginning at the End, The City Where We Once Lived, and Severance, she explores how characters navigate trauma, uncertainty, and transformation. By bringing psychological theories into her literary analysis, Selin seeks to illuminate the complexity of human emotions amid societal upheaval and ultimately aims to deepen our understanding of individual experiences in post-apocalyptic narratives. Join us as we explore the thin line between fiction and non-fiction in post -apocalyptic storytelling! Timeline(00:00) Intro(00:24) Introducing Selin Beyhan and Her Research Topic(01:49) The Choice of Research Topic and the Impact of the Pandemic(05:10) Differences Between Apocalyptic Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, and Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia(07:33) Contemporary Post-Apocalyptic Fiction(10:00) Contemporary vs. Non-Contemporary Post-Apocalyptic Fiction(15:30) The Concept of “Empathy”: Past Experiences and Similarity(19:09) Focusing on Individual Experiences(21:06) Coping Strategies in Post-Apocalyptic Narratives(24:15) Character Transformation After Trauma(27:24) The Gap Between Us and Them in Post-Apocalyptic Fiction(30:10) Interdisciplinary Approaches in Literary Research: The Application of Psychological Theories(33:30) Challenges of an Interdisciplinary Approach(36:09) Transferring Insights from Post-Apocalyptic Fiction to Real Life(41:12) Personal Reflection: Language Channel on Instagram (Selinguist)(43:22) Personal Reflection: Balancing Academic and Personal Life(46:22) Outro KeywordsPost-Apocalyptic Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic Narratives, Coping Strategies, Emotional Resilience, Contemporary Literature, Fiction, Psychological Analysis, Individual Experiences, COVID-19, Literary Studies, Literary Research, English Studies, Empathy, Character Development, Emotions, Coping Strategies, Interdisciplinary Work, Apocalypse, Coping with Change, Transition Times, Modern Anxieties, Station Eleven, The Beginning at the End, The Dog Stars, The City Where We Once Lived, Severance, The Book of M, Us and Them, Heidelberg University, Scientific Podcast, Academic Podcast, HGGS