I teach a variety of topics in Medieval, Scandinavian, 19th century literature, and folklore studies. My research is general in three areas: medieval Nordic narrative and oral theory, the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, and folklife on the Åland Islands. Among others, I have written a book entitled Analyzing Ten Poems from the Poetic Edda in 2007, an article updating this work in 2023, several articles on Hans Christian Andersen, a book on learning Swedish entitled Beginner's Swedish in its third edition, and am currently working on folk life on the Åland Islands. I am also co-editor on a volume coming out in 2024 on Finland Swedish culture.I am very passionate about undergraduate education. I work with the International Learning Community as the faculty director of the Norden Language floor and the Bradley Learning Community for first-year students. I also teach the key-stone course for a First-year Interest Group (FIG) entitled the World of the Vikings. I am currently working on a study abroad to Sweden for newly matriculated undergraduates through the Summer Launch program.I am also active in governance. I was the representative for the University ofWisconsin-Madison Academic Staff Assembly for 15 years. I was the vice-president and then president of the Association of Swedish Teachers and Researchers in America (ASTRA) from 2016-2022. I am currently the president of the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study.

I teach topics in Medieval, Scandinavian and folklore studies. My research is general in three areas: medieval Nordic narrative and oral theory with a book entitled Analyzing Ten Poems from the Poetic Edda; the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen with several articles; and my current work in progress Folklife on the Åland Islands. I have also written a book on learning Swedish entitled Beginner's Swedish.