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Anja Lange, Teaching Professor and Interim Director, Herbst Program for Engineering, Ethics & Society

Anja Lange
Anja grew up in Hamburg/ Germany and enjoyed some of her early education in Montana. She finished her undergraduate degree in French and American Literature & Culture in Göttingen/Germany. She returned to the beautiful Rocky Mountain region and received her MS and PhD in Comparative Literature at CU. For 22 years now, she has taught Humanities to engineers in the Herbst Program for Engineering, Ethics & Society. She loves to travel and is a most passionate proponent of gaining global perspectives, which is reflected in two study abroad courses she has created for engineering students, to Xi’an, China (“Xi’an: Self and Images of the Other”) and to Florence, Italy (“Florence: Art and Politics”). Anja lives in Boulder with her husband Clayton, who received his PhD in Computer Science here in CEAS. They have two daughters, Annika (19), and Katja (21).

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
My father was a commercial ship captain, and I spent a large portion of my early life onboard with my family, traveling globally from port to port.

What have been some meaningful ways in which you have felt welcomed to CEAS?
In every engineer there is an artist, a writer, a musician, someone who can appreciate the incredible value Humanities has for the practice of engineering and vice versa. The joy I see in the faces of students, faculty, and administrators when they realize this is all the welcome one could possibly hope for.

What is an ordinary moment in your life that brings you joy?
Spending time with my two amazing daughters. I learn so much from them every time we are together.

One thing you’re willing to spend way too much on...
I have a horse. Anyone who owns a horse will understand without further explanation.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“Go ahead, you’ll see what comes of that.” I heard this often from my mother growing up. I was free to make my own choices, and either enjoy or suffer the consequences.

What do you most like to do to unwind?
Riding my horse. I’ve also taken quite an interest in the Chinese Gongfu tea ritual. I enjoy it with friends, students, and colleagues. It is a special time to connect and find the mental equilibrium in our busy modern world.

What’s the best way for others to collaborate effectively with you?
I have had the good fortune of collaborating with many people on campus, in Engineering and other units here on campus. It usually starts with an email and the germ of any good idea.