Alle fire presenterer seg sj?lv med utgangspunkt i desse tre sp?rsm?la:
1. Fortel litt om bakgrunnen og utdanninga di.
2. Kva vil vere fokus for arbeidet p? ILOS, er du knytt til eit bestemt prosjekt?
3. Korleis f?retrekk du ? bruke fritida?
Mylène Garin
My journey has been full of twists and turns, but my love for books has always been a constant. After graduating a scientific baccalaureate in 2016, I realised that my heart belonged to the humanities, and so I shifted my focus to French, German and ancient literature. Three years on, I moved to Regensburg, Germany, where I began an intense dual academic path: a Master’s in French literature at the Sorbonne Nouvelle as a long-distance student and a Master’s in Public History and Cultural Mediation at the University of Regensburg. Then, between 2021 and 2024, I lived in the beautiful city of Prague, Czech Republic, where I gained various professional experiences, ranging from radio journalism to project management in the Books & Ideas department at the French Institute. In 2025, I was thrilled to get back to my first passion, comparative literature, by jumping on board the “JEUX” project at the University of Oslo!
At ILOS, I will be part of a project called “JEUX - Literary Games, Poetics and the Early-Modern Novel”. This project is led by Karin Kukkonen and investigates how literary games led novelists to rethink fiction, narrative form, and literary history. My research will focus on the correlation between game objects and inventiveness in literature and will explore the gendered dimension of games in seventeenth-century literature, by studying a very particular game: the ludic fans.
Unsurprisingly, I am passionate about books, literature, and foreign languages. In my free time, I love immersing myself in new literary worlds and learning new languages, but staying connected to nature is also an essential part of my life. Whenever the landscapes are not draped in snow, I enjoy hiking and backpacking in the wilderness.
Michela La Grotteria
My background lies in literary theory and French literature. I hold a BA in Modern Literature from the University of Milan and an MA in Italian Studies and European Literary Cultures from the University of Bologna: both times I wrote my dissertations on experimental novels, focusing on how the authors structure them, and how they play with the reader. The opportunity to conduct hands-on research for my Master’s in Paris deepened my passion for bold, innovative research that bridges theoretical frameworks with impactful practical outcomes.
At ILOS I am part of the project “JEUX - Literary Games, Poetics and the Early-Modern Novel”, working under the supervision of Karin Kukkonen and alongside a brilliant team. My research focuses on the driving force of curiosity in storytelling, examining games and novels from 17th-century France through the lenses of literary theory and cognitive narratology.
In my free time, I enjoy knitting, practicing yoga, and spending time in nature (swimming during summer months, skiing in winter). I also love creating writing — I have published a novel in Italy and am currently planning the next book.
Elisa Saggioro
I have a strong foundation in classical and humanistic studies, with a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, following an artistic curriculum. I later completed a Master’s degree in Comparative European and Non-European Languages and Literatures, specializing in English and French literature. My academic interests lie in combining empirical and digital approaches to literature, as I enjoy merging theoretical perspectives with practical research outcomes.
At ILOS, my research will center on 17th-century French literature, with a particular emphasis on literary games. I am part of the project “JEUX - Literary Games, Poetics and the Early-Modern Novel”, working alongside a dedicated team. My primary focus will be on maps and the exploration of creative environments.
I am passionate about reading, particularly classics and fantasy, which likely explains my enthusiasm for fictional maps. I engage in a variety of creative hobbies, including journaling, coloring books, and crocheting. Physical activity is also an important part of my life, and I have been practicing aerial sports for several years.
Miras Tolepbergen
Miras Tolepbergen grew up in Kazakhstan and earned his BA in International Relations and Political Science. As an MA student, he studied International Relations History and Theory at Shanghai University. Additionally, he focused on Political Communication as an Erasmus Mundus scholar at Charles, Leiden, and Krakow Universities.
As a PhD fellow at ILOS, Miras is interested in how Russian foreign policymakers view Russia’s status, identity, and role vis-à-vis China since the start of the Russian Special Operation (SVO) in February 2022. The research aims to contribute to the long-evolving discussion on Russia’s civilizational path.
Besides pursuing academic inquiries, Miras enjoys tailoring, coding, listening to jazz music, visiting art galleries, reading Russian and World literature, and learning about human psychology, political philosophy, and religion.