Dr. Elke Ritt

Head, Creative Europe at the British Council
Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS)

Biography

Dr. Elke Ritt, born in Krefeld, Germany, graduated from Duesseldorf University in 1978 with a degree in English and Mathematics. In 1984, she was admitted to the University of Leicester for a Degree of Master of Arts, and consequently obtained an MA in Victorian Studies. In 1991, she obtained a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Munich. Alongside her studies, Dr. Ritt spent 10 years teaching English and Mathematics at German secondary schools; teaching German, Literature, and Landeskunde in the Department of German at the University of Leicester; and teaching Literature at the Institut für Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft at the University of Munich. Dr. Ritt has been Head of the Arts & Creative Industries Department in Germany since 1993, and presently leads the Arts, Literature, British Studies, and Dreams and Teams programs. The Dreams & Teams project is an international program that aims to develop leadership and cross-cultural awareness in young people through sport and international educational links.