In the article "Micro-ecotopic Power Lines" (Lexington Books 2025), I discuss how fantasy novels by Michael Ende, Cornelia Funke, and Walter Moers thematically and formally challenge the anthropocentric perspective in the Anthropocene. Fantasy novels often give voices to non-human actors and bring forward a long, geological time perspective that can encourage readers to view humanity’s role on Earth in new ways.

The article Påfugløya - en litterær hagefantasi med dyr, trær, planter og vann som aktører (2025) examines how Thomas Hettche’s novel thematizes various garden concepts and raises the question: How can humans be "gardeners" in a universe shared with others?

In an extended analysis of Alfred Döblin’s novel Berlin Alexanderplatz ("Wie Kneipen und Fleischindustrie Döblins Berlin der 20er Jahre in den Untergang treiben", 2021), I discuss Döblin’s understanding of the social situation in 1920s Berlin. Döblin’s literary societal analysis is influenced by his work as a doctor / physician. The main character, the former convict Franz Biberkopf, struggles to live a decent life, and the success of this effort, in my analysis, is linked to Biberkopf's physical and health condition. Whether Biberkopf is drawn toward a criminal path or a respectable, socially useful life is closely tied in Döblin's story to the type of nourishment he consumes, such as vegetarian versus animal-based food. The protagonist’s metabolism is connected to ethical choices, including considerations of animal welfare and animal rights.

In 2018, I published the book Extremwandern und Schreiben with Böhlau Verlag. The book focuses on long, exhausting, uncomfortable hikes, often pushing the limits of what is physically possible. It examines how such hikes have been depicted in German literature from 1750 to 1920.

In 2020, the article "Weitwandern als Weg zum autonomen Denken. Ein literarisches Motiv von Goethe bis Stifter" was published, in which I examine literary reflections on the close connection between brain function and physical movement.

In addition to ecocriticism, I have been interested in quality teaching in higher education for a long time, particularly related to academic writing.

In 2013, I co-authored the book Akademisk skriving – en skriveveiledning (Cappelen Damm) with Simen Andersen Øyen and Anders Johansen.

The article Engaging Tools for Dialogic Guidance in Higher Education discusses the supervisory practices developed by a team of colleagues at the Academic Writing Center, a pilot project from 2013-2015.

In 2025, Peter Lang will publish my article Digitaler Literaturunterricht setzt neue Maßstäbe! Wie der Einsatz von Lernplattformen Studierende befähigen, sich komplexere akademische Kompetenzen anzueignen. In this article, I explain didactic innovations in the teaching of literature in a foreign language context, with particular emphasis on the use of digital tools in the post-COVID era.

I have communicated research through films, podcasts, and radio interviews in both Norway and Germany. Here are some examples:

Mari Eide's podcast series "Forskning til folket": Undervisning som formidling by Forskning til folket (spotify.com)

Panel discussion on writing. PhD-podden May 2020. Conference organized by PhD on Track. Akademisk skriving - Live med PhD on Track - Universitetsbiblioteket (uio.no)

Radio interview on P1, Opptur, May 30, 2020. Topic: Hiking in German literature.

Podcast at Bergen Public Library: Extreme Hikes in German-Language Literature. From Goethe to Hesse. February 2020. BOBcast - en podcast fra Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek — Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek (bergenbibliotek.no)

Writing Support Project, University Library:
https://mitt.uib.no/courses/26257/pages/effektiv-oppgaveskriving?module_item_id=147553

https://mitt.uib.no/courses/26257/pages/tre-tips-for-a-komme-i-gang-med-skrivingen?module_item_id=147557

Radio interview with the German channel SR2. Bücher vom Berg. Literatur im Gespräch. Moderation: Tilla Fuchs.
https://www.sr.de/sr/sr2/sendungen_a-z/uebersicht/literatur_im_gespraech/20181218_literatur_im_gespraech100.html

The Cultural History of Extreme Hiking:
https://fremmedspraak.podbean.com/category/litteraturpodden/

I teach German literature, culture, and history, as well as the course KLIMA200 "Klimaforteljingar."

Academic article

• Solheim, Birger (2022). Wie Kneipen und Fleischindustrie Döblins Berlin der 20er Jahre in den Untergang treiben. Gesunder Metabolismus als Ausgangspunkt des anständigen Denkens in "Berlin Alexanderplatz". (external link)
• Solheim, Birger; Steiner, Pål; Brodersen, Randi Benedikte et al. (2016). Engaging Tools for Dialogic Guidance in Higher Education. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2007). Zum Geschichtsdenken Christoph Heins nach 1989. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2007). „:??Woher dieses gespenstische Vergessen. Reinhard Jirgl revitalisiert moderne und postmoderne Schreibformen in seinem Versuch, eine Erinnerungssprache für die Gegenwart zu finden“. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2007). ’Was heißt: Sich verändern?’ Mythos als Vehikel historischer und persönlicher Veränderungsprozesse in Christa Wolfs Erzählung Leibhaftig. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2007). "Ich bin selbst eher so etwas wie ein Sputnik" - Ingo Schulze im Gespräch mit Birger Solheim. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2005). Geschichtsverständnis und pragmatische Geschichtskonstruktion in Stephan Wackwitz' Roman "Ein unsichtbares Land". (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2003). Tolvtonemusikk og undergang. Om Oswald Spenglers rolle i Thomas Manns roman "Doktor Faustus". (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (1997). Trollfjellet og ironiens alvorlige spill. Ironiens forskjellige framtredelsesformer i Thomas Manns roman. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (1997). Trollfjellet og ironiens alvorlige spill. (external link)

Popular scientific lecture

• Lunde, Ingunn; Solheim, Birger; Irgens, Benedicte Mosby (2021). Samtale med to fremragende undervisere. Panelsamtale. (external link)
• Lunde, Ingunn; Mjør, Kåre Johan; Solheim, Birger et al. (2019). 30 Years Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2012). Thomas Mann og Adorno: Faustisk musikk. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2012). Faustisk musikk. Kritisk teori i Thomas Manns roman Doktor Faustus?. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2009). Dannelse hos Johann Wolfgang Goethe og Thomas Mann. (external link)

Programme participation

• Lunde, Ingunn; Kalsaas, Johanne; Mjør, Kåre Johan et al. (2019). The 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. (external link)

Academic monograph

• Solheim, Birger (2018). Extremwandern und Schreiben. Ein kulturhistorischer Streifzug von Goethe bis Hesse. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2004). Zum Geschichtsdenken Theodor Fontanes und Thomas Manns oder Geschichtskritik in "Der Stechlin" und "Doktor Faustus". (external link)

Academic lecture

• Brodersen, Randi Benedikte; Solheim, Birger; Steiner, Pål et al. (2015). Writing Center - The Norwegian Way. The Establishement of the Bergen Writing Center and Experiences after the First Year in Business. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2012). Der unironische Deutsche. Thomas Manns Argumentationsverfahren in Betrachtungen eines Unpolitischen - moralisch fragwürdig oder akademisch vorbildlich?. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2012). Hvordan styrke skrivedimensjonen ved universitetsstudiet?Med det nasjonale kvalifikasjonsrammeverket som brekkstang. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2012). Text analysis and academic writing. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2012). Skriveprogram og skrivesenter på HF. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2011). Reading before Writing. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2010). Reading to write. How to use authentic texts in order to improve student writing. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2004). Die Wende als Möglichkeit eines neuen Blicks auf die Vergangenheit. Zeit- und Raumkonzepte zwischen Realität und Fiktion bei W. G. Sebald und Jürgen Becker. (external link)

Chapter

• Kavli, Solveig M.L.; Mitternacht, Simon; Seland, Eli Heldaas et al. (2014). Søk & Skriv. Hjelp til skriving og etisk kjeldebruk i høgare utdanning. (external link)

Textbook

• Øyen, Simen Andersen; Birger, Solheim; Johansen, Anders (2013). Akademisk skriving – en skriveveiledning. (external link)

Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

• Solheim, Birger (2012). Ein banatschwäbischer Familienroman anno 2004. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2008). Litteraturens kamp mot systematisert glemsel. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2006). Die Wende als Möglichkeit eines neuen Blicks auf die Vergangenheit. Zeit- und Raumkonzepte zwischen Realität und Fiktion bei W. G. Sebald und Jürgen Becker. (external link)

Poster

• Solheim, Birger (2011). Rapport fra PEK-prosjeket Akademisk skriving og feedback. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2011). Rapport fra PEK-prosjektet Etikk og studiekvalitet. (external link)

Popular scientific article

• Solheim, Birger (2007). Kampen om Goethe. (external link)
• Solheim, Birger (2005). "Und die sind zwanzig Jahre später endlich langweilig, aber erfolgreich" - Birger Solheim im Gespräch mit Christoph Hein. (external link)

Book review

• Solheim, Birger (2004). Beretningen om en erindring. W.G. Sebald: "Austerlitz". (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Solheim, Birger (2002). In Klios Werkstatt : Darstellungen von Geschichte in Theodor Fontanes "Der Stechlin" und Thomas Manns "Doktor Faustus". (external link)

Thesis at a second degree level

• Solheim, Birger (1997). 'Placet experiri'. Spielarten der Ironie in Thomas Manns Roman 'Der Zauberberg'. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.