Laurie Clark is a PhD candidate in the dual PhD/Dr. phil Transcultural German Studies program at the University of Arizona and the Universität zu Köln. She completed her undergraduate work at New Mexico State University with a BA in German Studies and a minor in Spanish in 2018, and her MA in German Studies at the University of Arizona in 2020. Laurie grew up speaking both German and English and living in both countries, which sparked her interest in languages at an early age. In addition to her many years as a GAT at the University of Arizona, Laurie also has additional teaching experience as a dance instructor, a college-level English tutor, a private German tutor, and a high school substitute teacher.
Laurie’s research is primarily focused on the integration of drama pedagogy (i.e., the application of theater techniques) in the foreign language classroom and the use of arts-based inquiry as a research method. As part of her research, she draws upon her experiences with conceptualizing and teaching "GER 311: German through Performance", as well as her experience as a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer. Laurie's research interests also include dance, film, and theater in Germany, particularly during the Weimar Republic.
Laurie is a Max Kade Fellow (2018) and a member of the Delta Phi Alpha honor society.