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Vladimir Tikhonov is a Professor at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo. Specializing in Korean history, his research focuses on Korean Buddhism, nationalism, modernity in East Asia, and labor movements. He holds a PhD from Moscow State University (1996) and has taught at KyungHee University (1997-2000). Current roles include co-leadership of the 'Militarism and Religions in Modern Asia' project and responsibility for the MA program in East Asian Culture and History. Research interests span colonial-era Korean perceptions of Japan and Russia, religious militarism, and the intersection of nationalism with Buddhist thought. Notable works include Buddhism and Violence (2012) and Modern Korea and Its Others (2015). Ongoing projects explore Korean communist movements and critical biographies of nationalist figures like Han Yongun. Teaching covers East Asian culture, history, and politics, with courses like EAST4510 and KOR4504. His publications combine historical analysis with transnational perspectives, addressing topics from colonial-era intellectual debates to contemporary South Korean military chaplaincy dynamics.

• Korean History
• Buddhism
• Nationalism
• +3 more

Daniel Mohseni Kabir Backstrom is a Research Fellow in Chinese Studies at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Humanities. His doctoral research, titled *Ghosts and the State: Immaterial Agencies in the Blang Mountains*, explores interactions between the Blang people (a Theravada Buddhist minority in Zomian highlands near the China-Myanmar border) and intangible entities like ghosts and the state. He specializes in the anthropology of religion and ethnic minorities in China. Education: Background in religious studies, China studies, and anthropology (specific degrees not listed) His research interests bridge anthropology, religious studies, and sociocultural analysis of ethnic minorities. Recent work includes *Religious Ecology and Sinofuturism* (2019), examining modernities in Chinese religious discourse. Current projects include *Transcendence and Sustainability: Asian Visions with Global Promise*. No scientific awards listed. Active in fieldwork and cross-disciplinary studies.

• Anthropology
• Religious Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• +3 more

Knut Axel Jacobsen is a Professor of the Study of Religion at the University of Bergen's Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion. His work focuses on Hinduism, Yoga, Sāṃkhya philosophy, and religious pluralism in South Asia. He has extensively researched Hindu diaspora communities in Europe, pilgrimage traditions, and the intersection of religion with digital technologies. Research Interests: Jacobsen’s research explores core themes such as Sāṃkhya-Yoga philosophy, Hindu ritual practices (e.g., pilgrimage, procession rituals), and the adaptation of South Asian religions in transnational contexts. His recent work analyzes ethical responses to ecological crises through Sāṃkhya frameworks and investigates the digital transformation of religious practices. Publications Trends: His articles from 2024–2025 highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining philosophy with environmental ethics, digital religion, and historical studies of religious figures like Kapila. He consistently addresses themes of religious pluralism, diaspora identity formation, and the material culture of South Asian traditions. Academic Contributions: Jacobsen has authored monographs on Hindu pilgrimage (e.g., Pilgrimage in the Hindu Tradition ) and Sāṃkhya-Yoga in modern contexts. He co-edited volumes like Brill’s Encyclopedia of Sikhism and Young Sikhs in a Global World , showcasing his role in shaping scholarly discourse on South Asian religions. Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is mentioned, his collaborations in edited volumes and international conferences reflect his engagement with academic networks in religious studies, digital humanities, and diaspora research.

• Hinduism
• Yoga studies
• Sāṃkhya philosophy
• +6 more

Ann-Kathrin Bretfeld-Wolf serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Language, Art and Culture at Diakonova University College, where she is a core member of the Research Group for Religion, Beliefs and Ethics (RLE). Her primary responsibilities include teaching Religion, Worldview and Ethics (RLE) across multiple bachelor's programs, with specific course-responsibility for BMSRL1023 and BMSRL2023 during the 2024-2025 academic year while also instructing BKNSRL2023, BHSRL2023, and BDBUL1002. She further contributes to the BA program in Early Childhood Teacher Education with an Emphasis on Multicultural Understanding as the coordinator for Society, Religion, Worldview and Ethics (SRLE) courses. Educational Background: PhD in Religious Studies, NTNU Trondheim, 2023 MA in Religious Studies, Ruhr University Bochum, 2012 BA in Religious Studies and German Language & Literature, Ruhr University Bochum, 2010 Research Focus: Bretfeld-Wolf's scholarship critically examines South Asian religious history through narrative analysis and postcolonial frameworks, with concentrated expertise in Buddhist textual traditions. Her work investigates how religious stories—particularly Buddha Gotama's life narrative—undergo cross-cultural adaptation in Norwegian kindergarten settings and children's literature, highlighting power dynamics in multicultural education. She also explores historical intersections between religion and print culture in colonial Sri Lanka and contemporary civil society roles of Thai-Buddhist centers. Publication Trends: Her scholarly output reveals a cohesive trajectory across Buddhist studies in South/Southeast Asia, emphasizing narrative adaptation as a lens for understanding religious agency. Key themes include decolonizing religious historiography (evident in her Pāli textual research), resistance to missionary influence through print media, and Buddhist contributions to civil society. The recurring focus on Norway's multicultural educational landscape demonstrates applied relevance of historical/religious analysis to modern pedagogical challenges. Scientific Awards: No awards, fellowships, or medals are documented in the source materials. Advising and Grants: While actively teaching undergraduate courses, no evidence of graduate student supervision (PhD/Master's) or externally funded research grants appears in the provided texts. Her dissemination activities include academic lectures on Buddhist narrative adaptation in early childhood education, suggesting knowledge mobilization priorities. Research Infrastructure: She operates within Diakonova's Research Group for Religion, Beliefs and Ethics (RLE), which provides the organizational context for her investigations into religious ethics, worldview pluralism, and multicultural pedagogy in Norwegian educational institutions.

• Religious Studies
• South Asian Religions
• Postcolonial Theory
• +6 more

Harish Surya Prakash Pedaprolu is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo (Faculty of Humanities), working on the ERC-funded project GOODATTENTION under Sebastian Watzl. His research bridges Philosophy of Mind, Language, and Epistemology, focusing on normative interrelations between freedom, attention, and communication. Education includes: Bachelor's and Master's in Philosophy (University of Mumbai) M.Phil. in Philosophy (University of Mumbai), dissertation: Ontology of Names in Kripke's Possible Worlds Semantics Teaching experience spans: Undergraduate Lecturer in Philosophy (SIES College) Visiting Faculty for Postgraduate courses (University of Mumbai) Academic Fellow for 'Ethics of Artificial Intelligence' (Indian Institute of Information Technology) Publications explore metaphysical idealism, linguistic analysis of causation, and music in Indian philosophy, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with ethics, culture, and language theory. Affiliated with the Oslo Mind, Language and Epistemology Network research group.

• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Language
• Epistemology
• +3 more

Kaja Berg Hjukse is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Oslo. Her research focuses on marriage, women’s intimate lives, and social change in Myanmar during the political and economic reforms from 2011 to 2021. She holds a Master’s (2016) and Bachelor’s (2013) in Social Anthropology from the University of Oslo, with an exchange period at University College London (2012). Her thematic interests include kinship, medical anthropology, gender, Buddhism, and social change, with regional expertise in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. She conducted 15 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Upper Myanmar, examining the dynamics of marriage dissolution and its societal implications. Dr. Hjukse has received numerous awards, including the Ingmund Kirkerud Scholarship (2022) and the SUPRA Nordic Scholarship (2021). Her work bridges intimate relationships with broader political and economic shifts, contributing to understanding gendered experiences during Myanmar’s 'transitional' period. Her PhD project, funded by the University of Oslo, analyzes the interplay between personal and societal transformations through the lens of marital dynamics. The project highlights how shifts in relatedness reflect and shape broader social changes.

• Medical Anthropology
• Gender Studies
• Kinship Studies
• +4 more

Halvor Eifring is a Professor of Chinese Studies at the Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo. With expertise spanning Chinese language, literature, philosophy, and meditation studies, he has established himself as a leading scholar in interdisciplinary Chinese studies and comparative meditation traditions. Dr. Eifring received his Master's degree in linguistics in 1987 and his Ph.D. in 1993, both from the University of Oslo, where he has been a professor of Chinese since 1995. His academic journey includes research visits to prestigious institutions including Princeton University (1992), National Taiwan University (1995), Peking University (2000), Harvard University (2001), Center for Chinese Studies in Taiwan (2007, 2009), and Meiji University in Japan (2018). Eifring's research interests span multiple interconnected domains. His primary focus includes Chinese language (both modern and pre-modern), Chinese literature (especially pre-modern fiction), and Chinese philosophy (particularly early Confucianism and Daoism). He has made significant contributions to the study of meditative traditions, examining how language, culture, and thought intersect in Chinese contexts. His current work explores 'mind wandering' across various contemplative traditions, while his longstanding research investigates psychological structures in the 18th-century Chinese novel 'Dream of Red Mansions.' Analysis of Eifring's recent publications reveals a clear interdisciplinary trajectory, bridging Chinese studies with cognitive science, neuroscience, and comparative religious studies. His work increasingly focuses on the intersection of meditation practices, consciousness studies, and cultural contexts, with particular attention to how traditional Chinese philosophical concepts inform contemporary understandings of mind and cognition. The publications demonstrate a methodological approach that combines philological rigor with cross-cultural comparative analysis. Eifring has held significant academic leadership positions, serving as director of the Department of East European and Oriental Studies (1997-1999) and research leader at the Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages (2005-2006). He teaches Chinese language, literature, and culture at both bachelor's and master's levels, occasionally extending to East Asian and general linguistics. Beyond academia, he serves as an editor for the cultural magazine 'Dyade' and is a meditation teacher at 'Acem,' reflecting his commitment to bridging scholarly research with practical application. His current research projects include 'Two Thousand Years of Mind Wandering' and he is affiliated with the research group 'Literature, Cognition and Emotions' at the University of Oslo, demonstrating his ongoing engagement with interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human cognition through cultural and historical lenses.

• Chinese language
• Chinese literature
• Chinese philosophy
• +7 more

Professor Young-Sook Lee is a distinguished academic specializing in Tourism Management at The School of Business, UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. Originally Korean Australian, she relocated to Norway in 2014 after spending over 15 years as a tourism academic at Griffith University in Australia. She holds a PhD in Sociology (applied in tourism) from the University of Queensland. Her research focuses on East Asian cultural philosophies in nature and tourism, tourist behavior, Arctic tourism, and sustainability in tourism. Professor Lee has made significant contributions to the field, including leading the editing of the first Arctic tourism book 'Arctic Tourism Experiences: Production, Consumption and Sustainability' in 2017. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of Eastern philosophical traditions and contemporary tourism practices, particularly examining how concepts from Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shintoism influence tourist experiences and behaviors. Professor Lee's publication record shows a clear evolution from early work on Asian tourist behavior to increasingly focused research on Arctic tourism experiences, with particular attention to how East Asian cultural frameworks shape interactions with Arctic environments. Her recent work demonstrates sophisticated theoretical approaches to understanding cross-cultural co-creation in tourism contexts. Expert adviser at the Nordic Expert Group for the Prime Minister's office in Finland Expert Panel member for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Member for the Idea Lab for the Future of Tourism by the Research Council of Norway Professor Lee is actively engaged in several research groups including Sustainable Marketing (SUM), Changing Arctic, and Arctic Innovative Experience Management (ArIEM). She also participates in the project 'Interconnections between Mobilities and Security in a Changing Arctic,' demonstrating her commitment to addressing contemporary challenges in Arctic tourism development.

• East Asian tourism
• Cultural philosophies & nature
• Arctic tourism
• +4 more

Marcus Jacobus Teeuwen is a Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Humanities, specializing in the historical and social dimensions of Japanese religion. His academic work demonstrates deep engagement with the complex interplay between Shinto, Buddhism, and Japanese cultural practices across different historical periods. Professor Teeuwen's research primarily focuses on the history of religion in Japan with particular emphasis on Shinto traditions, social history, and matsuri (festivals). His work explores how religious practices have evolved within Japanese society, examining both medieval and contemporary contexts. He investigates how religious meaning is constructed and maintained through ritual practices, particularly in festival traditions across different regions of Japan. Analysis of Teeuwen's recent publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory examining Japanese religious institutions and practices from historical and anthropological perspectives. His work spans from medieval religious worldviews to contemporary festival traditions, with particular attention to how religious practices adapt to social and political changes. The research demonstrates a methodological approach that combines historical analysis with anthropological observation, particularly evident in his studies of Kyoto's Gion festival across different time periods including during the 2020 pandemic. Professor Teeuwen has established significant collaborative research networks, editing multiple volumes with scholars such as John Breen, Aike P. Rots, and Fabio Rambelli. His work appears in leading journals including Japanese Journal of Religious Studies and Religion, and he has published monographs with prestigious academic presses including Bloomsbury, Routledge, and Columbia University Press. He is actively involved with the research group 'Religious festivals in Asia: Power, aspirations and play,' reflecting his commitment to comparative religious studies. His forthcoming 2025 publications indicate continued scholarly productivity and engagement with medieval Japanese religious practices and contemporary festival traditions.

• History of Religion in Japan
• Shinto
• Buddhism
• +3 more

Koenraad Wellens serves as Associate Professor in China Studies at the Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo, where he has been employed since August 2013. He maintains affiliations with multiple China-focused research programs at the Norwegian Centre for Cultural Studies, having previously led its China Program in 2005. Education Dr.art. from the Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo Major in Chinese Studies and Anthropology from Rijksuniversiteit Ghent (Belgium) and Aarhus University (Denmark) Research Focus His scholarship centers on Social Anthropology in East Asia, with rigorous examination of ethnic minorities (particularly Tibet and Xinjiang), religious politics (Buddhism and folk religion), human rights frameworks, indigenous peoples' rights, and rural development dynamics. Wellens employs dual methodological approaches—anthropological fieldwork and historical/textual analysis—to investigate state-minority relations and policy impacts on local communities. Publication Trends His 2018-2024 publications critically analyze contemporary Chinese political landscapes, including Taiwan's electoral processes, Xinjiang's re-education systems, Sino-Russian geopolitical alliances, and authoritarian populism. These works consistently intersect human rights discourse with ethnic and religious policy analysis, demonstrating his commitment to documenting state surveillance mechanisms and cultural assimilation pressures in modern Asia. Research Engagement Wellens actively contributes to the "Transcendence and Sustainability: Asian Visions with Global Promise" project at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, exploring sustainable development models through Asian philosophical traditions. His teaching portfolio includes Chinese society and culture, modern Chinese religion, and Tibetan studies.

• Social Anthropology
• Buddhism
• Human Rights
• +5 more

Silje Lyngar Einarsen is an Associate Professor at MF University College of Theology, Religion and Society, specializing in the History of Religion and Sanskrit. She serves as Administrative Manager for Classical/Oriental Languages and teaches courses such as Sanskrit, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Her research focuses on Indian religions, Sanskrit philology, yoga studies, and mythopolitics in South Asia. Education: PhD in Religious Studies, Aarhus University (2020) MA in Religious Studies with Sanskrit, Aarhus University (2014) BA in Religious Studies with Buddhism and Sanskrit, University of Oslo (2009) Research Interests: Dr. Einarsen explores Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Sanskrit texts, yoga’s philosophical roots, and the socio-political dimensions of religious narratives. Her work includes studies on festivals like Navarātri in Benares and the role of Sanskrit in contemporary political discourse. Highlighted Projects: Mythopolitics in South Asia: The Lifetimes of Powerful Stories (Research Council of Norway-funded project, 2020–2023) Co-author of The Main Work on Hatha Yoga: Svātmārāma’s Haṭhapradīpikā (2022) Awards: Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Research Council of Norway (2020–2023) Teaching & Outreach: She manages courses such as Sanskrit 1 & 2 and organizes study programs in Kathmandu and Oxford. She also participated in public exhibitions like Our Sacred Spaces and lectures on Sanskrit’s political uses in modern India.

• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Sanskrit Philology
• +5 more

Munkhnaran Bayarlkhagva is a Doctoral Research Fellow at an institution affiliated with the domain 'mf.no', though the formal university name is not explicitly stated in the provided text. Their research focuses on cultural memory and religious revival in Mongolia, with expertise in historical international relations, Inner Asia, Mongolian Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. No academic awards, grants, or supervised students are mentioned in the text. Their institutional affiliation lacks details beyond the domain 'mf.no', and no specific department or college name is provided.

• Historical International Relations
• Inner Asia
• Mongolian Buddhism
• +3 more

Associate Professor Dagmar Dahl is affiliated with Finnmark University College, Norway . Her research focuses on intersections between sports and religious studies , particularly examining ethical frameworks in Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism through the lens of modern athletics. She explores how Olympic ideology relates to religious principles and contributes to intercultural dialogue. Academic Rank: Associate Professor Institution: Finnmark University College Key Research Themes include: Comparative analysis of religious ethics in sports Deconstructing pseudo-religious elements in Olympism Cultural adaptation of athletic practices in non-Western contexts Existential and philosophical dimensions of sports participation Publications address: Interreligious sports ethics (2004) Religious symbolism in athletic discourse (2005) Protestant work ethic and sports performance (2008) Gender dynamics in Islamic sports practices (2011) Her work emphasizes ethical legitimacy in athletics through religious perspectives, advocating for critical reflection on doping, commercialization, and political instrumentalization of sports. She argues for maintaining human dignity as central to both athletic and religious systems.

• Sports Ethics
• Religious Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +2 more

Nhung LU ROTS is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oslo's Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages (IKOS). Her research focuses on the intersection of Buddhist practices, environmental humanities, and development studies in the Mekong Delta. She examines how religious communities respond to climate change through traditional ecological knowledge systems and environmental activism. Her academic projects include the Transcendence and Sustainability initiative and the Whales of Power research group. Notable publications explore Hòa Hảo Buddhism's role in net-zero plastic waste efforts, Buddhist healing practices linked to herbal medicine, and the sociocultural dimensions of environmental crises in Vietnam. Her work bridges anthropology, environmental science, and economics, with a focus on ethnographic fieldwork in diverse Mekong Delta communities. Current research emphasizes sustainable water management strategies rooted in indigenous knowledge systems.

• Environmental Humanities
• Development Studies
• Development Economics
• +3 more

Sven Markus Bretfeld is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), located at Låven, Dragvoll campus. His research focuses on South and Central Asian religious history, particularly Theravada Buddhism, systematics of religious studies, and intra-religious non-conformity. He teaches courses such as RVI2160 (Between Science and Spirituality), RVI1040 (Religions of South Asia), and RVI2135 (Science and Religion). His work examines transnational religious dynamics, including conspiracy narratives in Sri Lankan Buddhism, the later spread of Buddhism in Tibet, and the role of monastic historiography. Bretfeld has delivered lectures at prestigious institutions including the University of Austin, SOAS (London), and the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. Notable outreach activities include presentations on the Dalai Lama phenomenon and transnational Theravada studies. Publications span monographs, academic chapters, and conference papers exploring Buddhist sectarianism, material culture, and historical transmission. His 2022 Routledge chapter on Mahavihara historiography and 2019 Oxford chapter on Theravada Buddhism exemplify his deep engagement with textual and historical analysis.

• South and Central Asian Religious History
• Buddhism
• Systematics of Religious Studies
• +3 more