Mariana Akawi is a doctoral student in the Department of English at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in novel theory,  postcolonial studies, and Victorian literature. She is especially interested in studying the uses and circulation of the English language across different temporal and geographic contexts, particularly, though not exclusively, in South Asia, and in exploring the ways in which nineteenth-century novels continue to shape our reading and writing practices today. Mariana’s research constantly draws inspiration from archive and museum studies and narrative theory.

Mariana received a BA in English and Political Sciences and an MA in English Literature from the University of Haifa, where she was the recipient of the Council for Higher Education Excellence Fellowship for Arab Students, as well as of the New Questions in Postcolonial Studies Fellowship. At Haifa, Mariana worked as a Teaching Assistant for the introductory Theory and Criticism course. In addition, she had previously taught an English for Academic Purposes class to non-native speakers of the language, and served as a mentor to Arab and/or first-generation students, helping them acclimate to the university environment.

For the 2025-2026 year, Mariana is an Auerbach fellow in Victorian Studies. She is also the GEA’s workshop coordinator.