Mechthild Dehn is Professor of Educational Research at the University of Hamburg (retired since 2004) with particular focus on Didactics for German Language and Literature. She has published numerous books and articles, including on aesthetic aspects of linguistic and media learning, narration, the development of textual competence and the acquisition of written language. She was specialist advisor on the Federal Commission for Education Planning’s research into “Elementary Writing Culture” (1992–95) and into “New Media as a Means of Access to Writing and (School) Culture” (2000–03). In 2006, she was awarded the Erhard Friedrich Prize for German Didactics.