Find Academic Supervisors

André Gagné is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University, currently on research leave (July-December 2025). His work bridges theology, political science, and sociology with global recognition through 400+ media features in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. Education: Conjoint PhD from Université catholique de Louvain and Université de Montréal M.A. from Université de Montréal B.Th. from Université de Montréal His research centers on Christian Political Thought (examining theology-state dynamics), Global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements (analyzing their sociopolitical impact worldwide), and Reception History of the Bible (tracing interpretive trajectories across cultures). This interdisciplinary approach integrates historical analysis with contemporary case studies, particularly focusing on evangelical movements in the Americas and Europe. His eight books and recent journal articles reveal consistent thematic focus: the weaponization of spiritual warfare rhetoric in politics, apocalyptic narratives in populist movements, and religious violence in Western traditions. The 2024 publications on Trump-era evangelicalism demonstrate methodological innovation through media discourse analysis combined with theological critique. Scientific awards: Newsmaker of the Week (4 times) Newsmaker of the Month (4 times) President's Opinion Leader of the Year (2016) Expert Communicator of the Year (2024) Dr. Gagné supervises MA students in Theological Studies and PhD candidates in Individualized Programs and Humanities. His policy impact is evidenced by service on Public Safety Canada's National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence (2023-2025), where he contributed theological perspectives on religious extremism. His media engagement strategy represents a deliberate effort to translate academic research for public discourse. He co-directs the Spirit, State, and Society podcast and maintains affiliations with Concordia's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Université de Sherbrooke's Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religions, and the multi-university Political Theology Research Group (McGill, Concordia, UdeM, ULaval).

• Christian Political Thought
• Global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements
• Reception of the Bible

Noah D. Gardiner serves as Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan (2014), followed by positions as Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Michigan and a postdoctoral fellowship at Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn. Gardiner's scholarly focus centers on Islamic thought and culture with particular emphasis on Sufism, esotericism, occult sciences, and manuscript culture in the 12th-15th century Arabic-speaking Mediterranean. His research explores the 'science of letters and names' (ʿilm al-huruf wa-al-asmaʾ), religious cosmology, and apocalypticism, examining how mystical ideas move between religious margins and centers. His work reveals significant connections between Islamic occult traditions and other esoteric systems like Jewish Kabbalah. His extensive publication record includes the monograph Ibn Khaldūn versus the Occultists at Barqūq's Court (2020), co-editing the special issue Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives (2017), and numerous articles in leading journals. His current research focuses on the 13th-century Sufi occultist Aḥmad al-Būnī and the broader occult renaissance in 14th-15th century Cairo. Gardiner actively contributes to the scholarly community through his role as co-organizer of the international online workshop 'Islamic Occult Studies on the Rise' and administrator of the scholarly resource site islamicoccult.org, which showcases emerging scholarship in Islamic esotericism. He teaches courses spanning foundational religion studies to specialized topics including Islam, Qur'an, Hadith, Islamic Theology, Sufism, and Religion and the Fantastic.

• Islamic thought
• Sufism
• Occult sciences
• +6 more

Mohammad Fazlhashemi is a Professor of Islamic Theology and Philosophy at Uppsala University's Department of Theology (Systematic Theology). His work bridges Islamic intellectual traditions with contemporary issues like democracy, environmental ethics, and interreligious dialogue. Current affiliations: Uppsala University, Faculty of Theology Key research areas: Islamic political philosophy, ecotheology, gender in Islam, and theological responses to modernity Email: mohammad.fazlhashemi@teol.uu.se Recent publications highlight trends in Islamic ecoethics (e.g., Islamic Ecotheology , 2025), critical analysis of classical texts (e.g., Critical-constructive interpretation of Islamic documents , 2024), and political theology (e.g., Justifying political decisions through theological arguments , 2016). His scholarship often engages comparative frameworks, as seen in works like Occidentalism (2005) and Shiʿite Salafism? (2022). Mohammad Fazlhashemi's impact spans both academic and public discourse, with contributions to debates on Islam and modernity in outlets like Expressen and Svenska Dagbladet . His co-authored book Visdomens hus: Muslimska idévärldar 600 - 2000 (2017) demonstrates his interest in Islamic intellectual history across eras.

• Islamic Theology
• Islamic Philosophy
• Political Thought
• +4 more

Professor Jinhua Chen (PhD, McMaster University, 1997) is a leading scholar in East Asian Buddhism at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts. Holding a Canada Research Chair (2001-2011) and inducted into the Royal Society of Canada (2020), his work spans trans-regional Buddhist narratives, monastic institutions, relic veneration, and technological innovations in medieval Asian religions. Key Affiliations: UBC Buddhist Forum (Director), Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies (Resident Scholar), and editorial roles in Brill Book Series on East Asian Religions and Studies in Chinese Religions . Research Themes: Combines textual analysis with interdisciplinary methods to explore Buddhist sacred sites, doctrinal transmissions, and church-state dynamics. His projects include From the Ground Up (SSHRC Partnership Grant 2016-2023), examining East Asian religions through multi-media sources, and studies on ruixiang (propitious signs) in medieval Chinese prognostication. Scientific Awards: Royal Society of Canada Fellow, Canada Research Chair, SSHRC Insight Grants, Humboldt Research Fellowship, and Max Planck Institute funding. Publications: Over 30 book chapters and journal articles (2000-2016), including monographs on Fazang, Shingon-Tendai conflicts, and Buddhist sacred geography. Teaching: Courses on Chinese thought, Chan/Zen Buddhism, and Buddhist text interpretation, emphasizing methodological rigor and cross-cultural analysis. Projects: Directed international collaborations on Buddhist manuscripts, palace chapels, and relic cultures, with grants totaling over $4 million CAD.

• East Asian Buddhism
• Buddhist Transmission Narratives
• Church-State Relationships
• +6 more

Professor Philip G. Ziegler is a theologian specializing in systematic theology, historical theology, and ethics. He holds the personal chair of Professor of Christian Dogmatics at the University of Aberdeen's School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History. Previously, he taught at the Atlantic School of Theology in Canada and held postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton University. Ordained in the United Church of Canada since 1996, he also serves as an associated elder at St Machar Cathedral and Trustee of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly. His research focuses on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, and apocalyptic theology, with recent work exploring Christology, ethical responsibility, and divine freedom. Education : BA (Hons.), MA (University of Toronto) STL (Regis College) MDiv, ThD (Emmanuel College, Victoria University) Research Interests : Ziegler's work bridges historical theology and contemporary ethical questions, particularly through Bonhoeffer's theology of resistance, Barth's soteriology, and Kierkegaard's existentialism. He emphasizes apocalyptic motifs in Reformed thought and their implications for Christian ethics. Recent projects include global theology's engagement with Bonhoeffer and the interplay between divine grace and human freedom. Key Contributions : His 2024 Warfield Lectures on 'God's Adversary and Ours' explore diabolical theology, while his 2018 book Militant Grace reimagines Pauline apocalypticism. He co-edits volumes on modern German theology and chairs major theological committees at Aberdeen. Academic Leadership : He has held numerous administrative roles, including Head of School (2009-12), Director of Research (2014-17), and Co-Director of the Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology. Current roles include Convenor of the Hay of Seaton Lectureship Committee and elected University Senate member. Awards : Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (2024). Labs/Teams : Co-director of the Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on Reformed traditions and modern theology.

• Systematic Theology
• Historical Theology
• Ecumenics
• +5 more

Dr. Logan Williams is a Kirby Laing Research Fellow in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen. He holds a PhD from Durham University (2020), an MLitt from the University of St Andrews (2016), and a BA from Biola University (2014). His research focuses on New Testament studies, particularly the intersection of Christology and ethics in Paul’s letters, the Gospel of Mark, and early Christian-Jewish relations. He has held positions as a lecturer at the University of Exeter (2022–2023) and a postdoctoral fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2023–2024). His current project examines Pharisaic law and its portrayal in Mark’s Gospel, supported by the Kirby Laing Foundation until 2027. Williams teaches New Testament courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including 'Exploring the New Testament' and 'God and Salvation in the Letters of Paul.' He leads a Greek reading group and an emerging classical Ethiopic study cohort. His scholarship bridges biblical exegesis and historical context, addressing topics like Pauline ethics, Markan theology, and intertextuality with Dead Sea Scrolls and Enochic texts. Recent publications include Christology and Ethics in Galatians (2024) and articles on Mark’s anatomical arguments and messianic imagery in 11QMelchizedek.

• New Testament Studies
• Biblical Theology
• Early Christianity
• +3 more

Elizabeth (Lisa) Alexandrin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at the Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba . Her academic work bridges Islamic Studies , Sufism , and gender theory , with a focus on visual and textual representations of mysticism. Education: PhD in Islamic Studies, McGill University (2006) MA in Anthropology, University of Toronto (1993) BA in Anthropology, Boston University (1993) Research Interests: Islamic intellectual history Sufism Ismaili thought Body histories Visual piety Key Themes in Publications: Apocalyptic narratives in Fāṭimid Ismāʿīlī thought Qurʾanic calligraphy as spiritual practice Symbolism of walāyah (sainthood) in Sufi texts Intersection of dreams and mystical exegesis Awards: SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2018-2022) Explore SSHRC/University of Manitoba grant (2021-2022) SSHRC standard research grant (2011-2012)

• Islamic Intellectual History
• Sufism
• Ismaili Thought
• +2 more

Gabriele Boccaccini is a Professor of New Testament and Second Temple Judaism in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan since 2002. He holds a Ph.D. in Judaic Studies from the University of Turin (1991) and has held visiting professorships at BIBLIA (Italy), Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (Detroit), Ecumenical Theological Seminary, and Waldensian Faculty of Theology. His research focuses on Second Temple Judaism Jewish-Christian relations Apocalyptic literature Dead Sea Scrolls Rabbinic origins Jewish intellectual history He has received numerous awards including the LSA Excellence in Education Award (1999), University of Turin Post-Doctoral Grant (1992), and the Italian Doctoral Grant in Judaic Studies (1987). His work spans over 50 publications, including monographs on Middle Judaism and edited translations of key biblical scholarship. As a leader in interfaith dialogue, Boccaccini has served on the founding committees of the Camaldoli Conferences Italian Ecumenical Association Greater Detroit Interfaith Round Table and contributed extensively to journals like Henoch and Amicizia Ebraico-Cristiana .

• Second Temple Judaism
• Christian Origins
• Jewish-Christian Relations
• +4 more

Volker Leppin is a Professor of Humanities at Yale Divinity School. Previously, he held the Chair in Church History at the University of Tübingen (2010–2021) and University of Jena (2000–2010). Educated at the University of Marburg, Heidelberg University, and the Theological Academic Year in Jerusalem program, he specializes in medieval and Reformation studies, emphasizing continuity between the medieval and Reformation eras. His research focuses on Christian mysticism, spirituality, and theological transformations. Key academic roles include directing Tübingen’s Institute for Late Middle Ages and Reformation and membership in prestigious academies: Heidelberg’s Academy of Sciences, Saxonian Academy of Sciences, and the European Academy of Arts and Sciences (Salzburg). He has authored 20 monographs in German and English, including Martin Luther. A Late Medieval Life (2017) and Ruhen in Gott (2021), and edited/co-edited 67 books. His research highlights the Reformation’s roots in medieval spirituality, arguing against its rupture narrative. Recent works like Sola (2024) and Ruhen in Gott explore Luther’s theology and mystical traditions. Over 400 articles and chapters reflect his broad engagement across medieval theology, mysticism, and Reformation polemics. Awards: Member of three European scholarly academies. Grants/Advising: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts. Labs/Teams: Former directorship of Tübingen’s Institute for Late Middle Ages and Reformation.

• Medieval Studies
• Reformation Studies
• Church History
• +3 more

Laura Quick is an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow of Theology and Religion at Worcester College. Her academic work bridges biblical studies with comparative ancient Near Eastern literary culture, focusing on the intersection of language, gender, and ritual in the Hebrew Bible. Research Focus: Beauty and aesthetics in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near East; body symbolism in biblical and Dead Sea Scroll texts; philological gender analysis; ritual and liturgical studies Academic Roles: Editorial Board, Hebrew Studies; Steering Committee, Philology in Hebrew Studies (SBL); External Member, Sheffield Institute for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies Recent publications examine topics ranging from cosmetic practices in Esther and Ruth to the mythological background of Isaiah 14. Her scholarship frequently engages with Deuteronomy, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Septuagint studies, employing comparative methods to analyze textual strategies and cultural exchange. She teaches Hebrew poetry, ritual, and liturgy, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate theological education at Oxford.

• Hebrew Bible
• Ancient Near Eastern Literary Culture
• Biblical Philology
• +3 more

John Wayne Kaufman is an Associate Professor of Early Christian Studies and the History of Theology at MF University College of Theology, Religion and Society. He currently serves as head of the Department of Theology and History and has held various academic leadership roles, including board member and department head. His research focuses on early Christianity (2nd–3rd centuries), with a specialization in Irenaeus of Lyons, emphasizing themes like salvation as deification, historical methodology, and the intersection of theology and history. He teaches courses on early Christianity, the history of theology, and historical methods in theological studies. Education and Academic Background: PhD in Theological History, MF University (2009) Cand.theol., MF University (2001–2003) Cand.philol. in Intellectual History, University of Oslo (1999–2001) Cand.mag. in German, Theology, and Intellectual History, University of Oslo (1995–1998) Research Interests: Kaufman’s work bridges early Christian theology, historical methodology, and the societal context of antiquity. He explores themes such as Irenaeus’ Christology, the development of Christian denominations, and the role of historical studies within theological frameworks. His recent publications address topics like Christian responses to ancient epidemics and the Delphic maxim’s influence on early Christian thought. Professional Contributions: Kaufman has edited volumes on ancient perspectives of love and contributed chapters to international collections. His work often engages with historical relativism and the essence of Christianity, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to theological history.

• Early Christianity
• History of Theology
• Second and Third Centuries
• +7 more

Zenonas Tziarras is a Lecturer in the Department of Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cyprus. His academic work focuses on Turkish foreign policy, contemporary Turkish politics, and the international politics and security dynamics of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region. He holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick, UK, with a specialization in Turkish Foreign Policy under the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Dr. Tziarras earned his BA in Mediterranean Studies from the University of the Aegean, Greece, and his MA in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK. He has also attended specialization seminars in International Security at the University of Delhi, India, and in Leadership and Conflict Resolution at Koç University, Turkey, along with obtaining a certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills from the Northern Ireland Open College Network. His research interests span Turkish foreign policy, contemporary Turkish politics, international politics and security of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, political Islam, and more recently, political theology, apocalypticism, and the relationship between religion, ideology and politics. Dr. Tziarras employs Neoclassical Realist theoretical frameworks in his analysis of foreign policy behavior, with particular attention to ideational factors. His scholarly output demonstrates a clear evolution from analyzing Turkish foreign policy in the Middle East toward examining broader regional dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean, with increasing focus on Cyprus's foreign policy and strategic position. The publications reveal a methodological consistency in applying international relations theory to concrete regional cases, particularly examining how systemic pressures interact with domestic factors to shape foreign policy outcomes. Dr. Tziarras is the co-founder of the platform Geopolitical Cyprus and serves as a member of the editorial board of the New Middle Eastern Studies Journal. He has previously worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Cyprus and as an Associate Lecturer in Security & Diplomacy Studies between 2015 and 2017.

• Turkish Foreign Policy
• Contemporary Turkish Politics
• International Politics
• +9 more

Matthias Riedl is Associate Professor in the Department of Historical Studies at Central European University (CEU), where he is also a member of the Center for Religious Studies and the Doctoral School of History. He holds affiliations with the Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies and has taught extensively in comparative political thought and religious history. His academic career includes prior roles as Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Visiting Assistant Professor at Duke University, and Visiting Lecturer at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. His educational background includes an M.A. and Ph.D. (summa cum laude) from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. His research lies at the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on intellectual history, apocalypticism, and radical religious movements from late antiquity to the early modern period. He has a strong interest in comparative frameworks, including non-Western political thought and religious dissent across cultures. Riedl’s recent publications explore themes such as apocalyptic violence, the political theology of Thomas Müntzer and Joachim of Fiore, and the secularization of religious concepts in modern ideologies. His work bridges historical analysis with philosophical inquiry, often engaging with theorists like Eric Voegelin and Karl Löwith. The articles reflect a consistent focus on millenarian thought, revolutionary agency, and the symbolic continuity of apocalyptic traditions across epochs. Among his scientific contributions are numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes on topics ranging from the ordering of time to the city as a symbolic center. Though no formal awards are listed, his extensive publication record and international academic engagements reflect scholarly recognition. Riedl has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s students on diverse topics including church-state relations, religious violence, and comparative theology. He has directed multiple international summer schools on religion and politics, often in collaboration with institutions like Duke University. His research is supported by long-term projects and interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly through the Eranos Conferences. He is actively involved in research groups and has contributed to collective works on prophets, time, and the secular sphere in theology. His ongoing monograph on Thomas Müntzer underscores his commitment to understanding revolutionary religious thought in historical context.

• Religion and Politics
• Intellectual History
• Political Theology
• +14 more

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His work focuses on New Testament textual criticism, early Christian apocrypha, and the historical Jesus. Ehrman holds a Ph.D. (1985) and M.Div. (1981) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a B.A. (1978) from Wheaton College. His research explores the evolution of early Christian texts, the role of forgery in ancient polemics, and the intersection of religion with social history. Notable publications include How Jesus Became God , Misquoting Jesus , and God’s Problem , many of which have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Ehrman has received awards such as the Religious Liberty Award (2011) and the Bowman and Gordon Gray Professorship (1998–2001). He teaches courses on the New Testament, early Christian apocrypha, and textual criticism, and has produced numerous online lectures and media appearances. His current projects include a study on millenarianism ( Expecting Armageddon ) and advocacy through his Biblical Studies Academy.

• New Testament Studies
• Early Christian Apocrypha
• Historical Jesus
• +3 more

Natalie E. Latteri is an Adjunct Professor and Part-Time Faculty member at the University of San Francisco, teaching courses on Jewish-Christian Relations within the Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice. She holds a PhD in History from the University of New Mexico, an MA from Purdue University, and a BA from the University of California, Davis. PhD, History, University of New Mexico MA, Purdue University BA, University of California, Davis Latteri’s research focuses on interfaith relations in medieval Europe , particularly Jewish-Christian interactions through apocalyptic and polemical texts. Her work explores themes of messianism, hauntings, possession, and gender/sexuality in religious writings , analyzing the Toledot Yeshu tradition, Christian apocrypha, and medieval recensions of apocalyptic narratives. Her recent publications examine the historiography of Jewish apocalypticism (2016), comparative analyses of Antichrist narratives in Jewish and Christian texts (2017), and gendered interpretations of biblical typology in apocalyptic literature (2016). These works span disciplines including Religious Studies, Gender Studies, and Medieval History. Scientific awards include fellowships from the Russell J. and Dorothy S. Bilinski Foundation (2016-17) and the American Academy for Jewish Research (2015) , recognizing her contributions to Jewish-Christian interfaith scholarship.

• Jewish-Christian Relations
• Messianism and Apocalypticism
• Christian Apocrypha
• +3 more