Rebecca Herissone is Professor of Musicology at the University of Manchester and a leading scholar in early modern English music. She co-edits the peer-reviewed journal Music & Letters and serves on editorial boards for the Purcell Society, Musica Britannica, and the Complete Works of John Eccles. Her research focuses on seventeenth-century creativity, material culture, and the ontological dimensions of music notation. Key research areas: Early Modern Music, Creativity, Source Study, Notation, Reception Major awards: Diana McVeagh Prize (2015), Westrup Prize (2007) Her recent work includes digital humanities projects on music preservation and critical editions of Purcell's operas. She has pioneered interdisciplinary approaches connecting musicology with drama, art, and literature, and currently leads research on Purcell's posthumous reception in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Her teaching spans music historiography, performance practices, and advanced source analysis.
Dr. Thomas Brodie is an Assistant Professor in 20th Century European History at the Department of History, University of Birmingham. His academic career spans prestigious institutions including Oxford University, University of Leeds, and Jesus College, Oxford before joining Birmingham in 2018. Education: DPhil in History (The University of Oxford, 2014) MSt in Modern British and European History (The University of Oxford, 2010) BA in History (The University of Oxford, 2009) Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2020) Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (University of Birmingham, 2020) Dr. Brodie specializes in Modern European history with particular focus on Germany during the Nazi era and post-war periods. His research examines the intersection of religion, society, and war, with special attention to Catholic communities in Germany during WWII and the subsequent evolution of mourning practices and memory culture. His work combines theological analysis with social and cultural history using previously unused archival materials from church, state, and private collections. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory from examining wartime religious communities to post-war memory practices, showing his evolving scholarly interests in how societies process mass bereavement and construct collective memory. The articles primarily focus on German religious history during and after WWII, with increasing attention to spatial dimensions of mourning and commemoration. Scientific Awards: Runner-up award for the Wiener Library's Fraenkel Prize (2014) AHRC award for doctoral research Hanseatic Scholarship for archival research in Berlin and German cities Dr. Brodie teaches a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses including 'The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich' and 'Life After Death: Culture, Memory and Power in Postwar Europe.' He supervises BA dissertations and welcomes PhD students working on Modern German history or thematic interests in religion, war, and memory in European contexts since 1800. His current research project examines German society's responses to bereavement during WWII and its aftermaths through personal diaries, letters, artistic representations, and war memorials.
Dr Helen Gittos is a Senior Lecturer and Fellow in Medieval History at Balliol College and Brasenose College, University of Oxford. She holds a PhD in early medieval history from Oxford, following an undergraduate degree in English Literature at Newcastle University. Her research focuses on medieval church history, liturgy, and the role of language in religious practices, with expertise in archaeological evidence and textual analysis. She teaches British and European medieval history at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including the MSt and MPhil programs in Medieval History. Her major publications include Liturgy, Architecture and Sacred Places in Anglo-Saxon England (2013) and co-edited volumes on medieval liturgy. Current projects explore the use of English in medieval liturgy and collaborative research on Cerne Abbas’s early medieval history with archaeologists. She leads the Oxford Centre for Early Medieval Britain and Ireland and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Worked in Stone project. Dr Gittos actively supervises DPhil students in areas related to her research, with recent advisees focusing on topics like shrines, liturgical charms, and Anglo-Saxon burial practices. She is also a media commentator, appearing in BBC News and podcasts discussing Anglo-Saxon history and archaeological discoveries.
Dr Melanie Brunner is a Lecturer in Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds, affiliated with the School of History and the Institute for Medieval Studies. She holds a PhD in Medieval Studies from the University of Leeds and an MA in History and English from Universität Augsburg. Her research focuses on late medieval ecclesiastical history, papal administration, and the history of mendicant orders, particularly the Franciscans. She has contributed to major projects like the International Medieval Bibliography and led research networks such as the DFG-Netzwerk Imitation and Stilus Curiae. Her work explores political culture of the Avignon papacy, canon law dynamics, and religious reform movements. Education: PhD (Medieval Studies, University of Leeds), MA (History and English, Universität Augsburg). Professional affiliations include the Ecclesiastical History Society and Mediävistenverband. She supervises doctoral students in areas like Franciscan history, papal politics, and medieval book culture. Current projects include editorial direction of the International Medieval Bibliography and leadership of the MA Medieval Studies program. Research Interests: Late medieval papal governance, mendicant orders' institutional development, theological debates on poverty, and decision-making mechanisms in the Avignon Curia. She examines how theology, law, and political strategy intersected in medieval church administration. Advising & Grants: Supervises 4 current PhD students and has completed 6 theses. Involvement with EU-funded COST Action IS1301 and White Rose Collaboration Fund projects. Collaborates internationally with institutions like the Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften and Universität Zürich. Labs/Teams: Core member of research groups including Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) and Politics, Diplomacy, and International History at Leeds. Active in interdisciplinary medieval studies networks.
Dr David Grumett is a Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity. He holds a BA(Hons), MPhil, and PhD, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). His research focuses on theology, ethics, and philosophy, with particular attention to themes like sacramental theology, animal welfare, and historical theologians such as Henri de Lubac and Teilhard de Chardin. **Education**: BA(Hons) MPhil PhD SFHEA **Responsibilities**: Convener, Divinity Research Ethics Committee Academic cohort lead for Philosophy and Theology External roles include Assessor at the Office for Students and membership in the AHRC Peer Review College His work bridges theological theory with practical ethics, including animal ethics and liturgical studies. He has published extensively on sacramental theology, biblical interpretation, and contemporary ethical issues in Christianity.
Dr. Melanie Brunner is a Lecturer in Medieval Studies at the School of History, University of Leeds, and has served as Editorial Director of the International Medieval Bibliography since October 2024. She studied at the University of Augsburg and the University of Edinburgh before completing her part-time PhD at the University of Leeds (2006). Her roles at Leeds include Project Editor of the IMB (2007–present) and teaching in Medieval Studies (2013–present). Education MA in Medieval History, Modern History, and English Language, University of Augsburg PhD in Medieval Studies, University of Leeds (part-time) Melanie's research focuses on late medieval ecclesiastical and religious history, particularly the intersections of theology, canon law, and papal administration. Her work explores the mendicant orders (especially Franciscans), voluntary poverty, religious reform, and papal court dynamics in Avignon (1305–1378). She has contributed to collaborative projects such as Imitation: Mechanismen eines kulturellen Prinzips im Mittelalter (DFG-funded) and Stilus Curiae (DFG), and previously participated in the EU COST Action New Communities of Interpretation . Her recent publications analyze decision-making in the Avignon papal curia, Franciscan polemics, and ecclesiastical authority structures. She supervises PhD students in areas including mendicant orders, bishop administration, and medieval religious discourse, often in co-supervision with colleagues.
Professor Alison G. Salvesen (University of Oxford, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies) is a leading scholar in Early Judaism and Christianity, affiliated with the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies and Mansfield College. Her work bridges textual criticism, translation history, and reception studies. Current Projects: Hexapla Institute Executive Committee (electronic database of Origen's Old Testament), monograph on Jacob of Edessa (d. 708 CE) Teaching: Septuagint studies, Patristic texts, Textual criticism, Syriac literature Specializing in ancient Hebrew Bible interpretations, she examines Greek (Septuagint), Aramaic (Targums), Syriac (Peshitta), and Latin (Vulgate) traditions. Her research spans rabbinic Judaism and early Christian exegesis. Scientific leadership includes co-editing major reference works and directing the Polonsky Fellowship. Current DPhil students include Joel Bell, Yael Krämer, and Paul Ulishney. Key grants/awards: Polonsky Fellow in Early Judaism and Christianity
John H. Arnold is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of King's College. Educated at the University of York (BA History, D.Phil Medieval Studies), his academic career includes positions at University of East Anglia and Birkbeck, University of London before joining Cambridge in 2016. He holds editorial roles at Cultural and Social History, Past & Present, and directs publication series at both York Medieval Press and Cambridge University Press. Arnold's research centers on medieval religious culture, particularly lay belief, heresy, inquisition, and the history of gender. His monograph 'The Making of Lay Religion in Southern France' (2024) exemplifies this focus. Current projects investigate the social history of confession and the repression of usury. Analysis of Arnold's 15 most recent publications reveals consistent engagement with medieval religious dissent and belief systems. Key themes include: reinterpretations of heresy trials (2019), sensory dimensions of faith (2018), historiographic debates about Catharism (2016), and methodological examinations of archival sources (2022). His work frequently employs theoretical frameworks from sociology and philosophy to reinterpret medieval religious conflict. Arnold maintains active research networks through editorial leadership and supervision. His Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought series promotes innovative scholarship in medieval history.
Paul T Nimmo is Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Aberdeen, holding the historic King's Chair (1620). He previously served as Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at Edinburgh and a post-doctoral Research Assistant at Cambridge. Affiliated with the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History Founding Co-Director, Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology Senior Editor, International Journal of Systematic Theology English-Language Editor, Karl Barth Translation Seminar (Princeton Theological Seminary) His research spans systematic theology, Reformed tradition, and ecumenical dialogue. Key focuses include Karl Barth's sacramentology, Friedrich Schleiermacher's soteriology, and Scottish church history. His Templeton Award-winning work explores theological ethics and doctrinal coherence. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses on Christian theology, sacramental theology, and Karl Barth. He is an ordained elder in the Church of Scotland and Vice-Convenor of its Theological Forum.
David Parrott is a Professor of Early Modern European History at New College, University of Oxford, and serves as Penry Williams Fellow, Tutor in History, and Precentor. He holds a MA (M.A. DPhil Oxf) and completed his BA and DPhil in History at Oxford (Christ Church and Wolfson College) before joining the University of York as a lecturer. Returning to New College in 1992, he specializes in teaching European history between 1500-1700, with a focus on France, Italy, and political/military/cultural themes. His courses include historiography, methodology, and specialized topics like the Thirty Years' War and early modern court culture. His research focuses on 17th-century France and Northern Italy, particularly military history, mercenaries, and private military organizations. Current work explores France’s mid-17th-century crisis. He has published extensively on early modern warfare, including Richelieu’s Army (2001) and The Business of War (2012). No scientific awards are listed, though his scholarly contributions are significant. His teaching and research highlight interdisciplinary approaches to military and political history. While no grants or advising activities are detailed here, his academic roles emphasize mentorship through tutorials and college governance. He contributes to New College’s academic and chapel life as a Tutor and Precentor.
Professor Johannes Zachhuber holds a professorship in Historical and Systematic Theology at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Theology and Religion. His research focuses on modern and postmodern theology, the Continental tradition of philosophy of religion (Kant, Schleiermacher, Hegel), theology of late antiquity, 19th-century theology, religion and politics, and theories of secularization. He examines theological institutions' role in shaping modern discourse while addressing contemporary debates on secularity. His scholarly work bridges historical theology with systematic inquiry, analyzing figures like Schleiermacher, Gregory of Nyssa, and Baur. Recent publications include studies on early Christian cosmology, Schleiermacher’s theology, and Baur’s historicist approach. He critiques secularization narratives and explores patristic thought’s philosophical dimensions. Publications span monographs, edited volumes, and reviews, reflecting his interdisciplinary engagement with theology’s historical and philosophical foundations. He contributes to debates on theology’s role in modern academia and society, emphasizing the interplay between historical context and theological reflection.
Caroline Goodson is a Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of King’s College. She holds a dual affiliation with the American Academy in Rome as the Andrew H. Mellon Humanities Professor (2024-2026). Her work bridges history, archaeology, and material culture studies, focusing on early medieval Mediterranean polities and urban dynamics. Education: BFA from Rhode Island School of Design (1997), PhD in Art History and Archaeology from Columbia University (2004). Prior to Cambridge, she taught at Birkbeck College, University of London (2005–2017). Research interests include urban archaeology, medieval power structures, and the interplay between material culture and political authority. She has led excavations at sites like Villa Magna in Italy and authored influential works on papal urbanism and medieval garden spaces. Recent publications include Cultivating the City in Early Medieval Italy (2021) and edited volumes such as Graphic Signs of Identity, Faith, and Power (2017). Her current work explores environmental impacts on medieval urban life. Awardee of the Rome Prize (2003) and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2010), she serves on editorial boards for Speculum and Oxford Studies in Medieval European History .
Professor Steven J Reid is a leading scholar in Early Modern Scottish History and Culture at the University of Glasgow , where he has held a professorship since at least 2023. His work bridges intellectual, political, and religious history from c.1450 to c.1650, with a focus on James VI and Mary Queen of Scots . A prolific editor and author, he contributes to major academic series and institutions like the Hunterian Art Gallery. Research Interests Intellectual, political, and religious history of Scotland Jacobean Scotland and Renaissance/Reformation dynamics Latin literature and its cultural role Andrew Melville's educational reforms Key Publications The Early Life of James VI (2023) on royal minority Co-edited volume on The Afterlife of Mary Queen of Scots (2024) Studies in Neo-Latin poetry and educational history Contributions to Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism (2021) Projects & Grants Co-investigator on RSE-funded Mary Queen of Scots memorialization project AHRC support for Bridging the Continental Divide (2012-2015) Leverhulme Trust international network participant Fulbright Scholars Award at Yale Divinity School (2012) Teaching History 1A: Scotland’s Millennium Special Subject: The Reign of James VI (1578-1603) Module: The Life and Afterlife of Mary, Queen of Scots
Professor Benjamin Ziemann of the University of Sheffield , holds a Ph.D. and Habilitation from German institutions. His research spans Modern German History, with a focus on the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany , labor movements, and anti-nuclear pacifism . He has received grants from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation , British Academy , and others. His work includes a definitive biography of Martin Niemöller , analyzing themes like antisemitism , nationalism , and postwar moral reckoning . He has authored and edited seminal texts such as The Oxford Handbook of the Weimar Republic and co-edits journals like Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft . Research Interests : Social history of German workers in WWI, Weimar/Nazi political culture, religious movements. Teaching : Imperial Germany (1871-1918), Weimar Republic, Gender and Violence in WWI. Supervision : PhD on German army combat, refugee camps in postwar Germany, Catholic discourses on war/peace. Public Engagement : Frequent lecturer in Europe, Japan, USA; media appearances in Deutschlandfunk and rbb Kulturradio .
Dr. Leonardo Franchi serves as a Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith at the University of Glasgow's School of Education. He is an internationally recognized scholar in Catholic education, holding significant editorial roles including Series Editor for both Catholic Education Globally - Challenges and Opportunities (Springer) and Education and Integral Human Development (Catholic University of America Press). In September 2024, he was appointed co-convenor of the Scottish Catholic Historical Association and maintains an active role as Executive Member of the Association of Catholic Institutes of Education. Franchi's educational background includes a Master of Arts (Hons), Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Master of Education, Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice, and a PhD. His academic journey reflects both theoretical depth and practical teaching experience in educational settings. His research interests center on Catholic education with particular focus on religious education, teacher formation, and the integration of liberal arts in higher education. Franchi has made significant scholarly contributions through the Reclaiming the Piazza series and numerous publications exploring how Catholic educational philosophy can address contemporary challenges while maintaining theological integrity. His work consistently examines the intersection of faith, culture, and educational practice, with increasing attention to character formation, intercultural dialogue, and the application of Catholic social teaching to educational policy. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory examining Catholic educational identity in pluralistic contexts, with growing emphasis on character formation, teacher professional identity, and the integration of Catholic intellectual tradition with contemporary educational challenges. His 2023-2025 work shows increased focus on Scottish Catholic educational history, the application of papal encyclicals to educational practice, and the role of music and arts in religious formation. Series Editor for Catholic Education Globally - Challenges and Opportunities (Springer) Series Editor for Education and Integral Human Development (Catholic University of America Press) Co-convenor of Scottish Catholic Historical Association (since 2024) Executive Member of Association of Catholic Institutes of Education (since 2016) Academic Adviser to Academic Advisory Forum for Religious Education Reform in England and Wales (2019-2022) Franchi actively supervises doctoral students on diverse topics including professional identity of Catholic school teachers, music and religious education, Jesuit educational charism, and solidarity in Jesuit higher education. His supervision portfolio demonstrates his commitment to both theoretical exploration and practical application in religious educational contexts. He has received grant funding, including £10,000 from Porticus UK to support academics from developing countries attending the ACISE 2018 conference. Franchi also serves on multiple editorial boards including Review of Religious Education, Formation and Theology, and Studia Pedagogica Ignatiana. His professional activities extend to international presentations, with keynotes at institutions including Australian Institute of Theological Education and Radboud University, demonstrating his global influence in Catholic educational discourse. Franchi also serves as Director of Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust in Lancaster and holds a 0.5 FTE position as Professor of Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
