Dr. Frances Smith is an Associate Professor in Film Studies at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities. She holds a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick (2013), an MA in Management from Durham University (2008), and a Master of Modern Languages in French/Italian from Manchester University (2007). Her research focuses on teen cinema, female authorship, Hollywood and European cinema, and gender studies, with current work on Céline Sciamma's Girlhood. She authored Rethinking the Hollywood Teen Movie (2017) and co-edited Refocus: The Films of John Hughes (2021). Teaching includes convening Analysing Film, American Teen Cinema, and Working with Film modules. She has taught Gender and Representation, British Cinema, and Study Skills. Her awards include Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2016). Active in PhD supervision focusing on teen cinema, female authorship, and gender in cinema. Publications span over 25 articles/chapters addressing topics like queer youth representation, transatlantic media comparisons, and directorial authorship in John Hughes and Amy Heckerling films. Research explores intersections of gender, space, and cultural identity in global popular cinema.
John Holmes is Professor of Victorian Literature and Culture at the University of Birmingham, affiliated with the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR). His work bridges literary studies and scientific inquiry, focusing on interdisciplinary connections from 1800 to the present through extensive collaborations with institutions like the Royal Society and major natural history museums across Europe. His academic credentials include a D.Phil. in English Literature from Oxford (2001), an M.A. in Renaissance Studies from Queen Mary and Westfield College, London (1997), and a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Oxford (1994). D.Phil. English Literature, University of Oxford, 2001 M.A. Renaissance Studies, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, 1997 B.A. English Language and Literature, University of Oxford, 1994 Professor Holmes specializes in literature-science intersections, particularly Victorian and modern poetry, Pre-Raphaelite studies, and natural history museums. His current research examines arts architecture within museum spaces and mythic literature's dialogue with evolutionary science. He has authored foundational works on Darwinism in poetry and Pre-Raphaelite scientific engagements while directing major collaborative projects with scientific institutions. Recent publications reveal consistent exploration of poetic form within scientific contexts, with growing emphasis on digital humanities applications and environmental education. His 2023-2024 outputs demonstrate expanded interdisciplinary scope, integrating virtual reality tools for forest education and deepening analysis of myth-science intersections in canonical poetic works. His distinguished honors include: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award (2011) British Society for Literature and Science Book Prize (2018) Chair of the British Society for Literature and Science (2012) Honorary Associate of Oxford University Museum of Natural History (2016) President of the Commission on Science and Literature (2023) Professor Holmes leads significant research initiatives including the AHRC-funded Interdisciplinary Forest Education project (2024) and the long-term 'Building the Book of Nature' study (2015-2023). As an active PhD supervisor, he mentors students in literature-science intersections while maintaining robust public engagement through museum collaborations, media appearances, and educational outreach programs that translate academic research for broader audiences. He directs BIFoR-affiliated initiatives connecting literary scholarship with forest research, partnering with natural history museums in Oxford, London, Berlin, and Vienna to develop interdisciplinary frameworks examining how literary traditions shape environmental understanding and scientific communication.
Laurent Bricault is a Professor of Roman History at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, affiliated with the ERASMUS research team (Reception of Antiquity: Sources, Memory, Issues) under the Heritage, Literature, History (PLH) unit. His academic career spans institutions like the University of Poitiers (Master's 1986), Sorbonne (Doctorate 1994, HDR 2006), and Toulouse (since 2008). He specializes in the history of ancient religions, particularly Egyptian cults in the Roman world, provincial coinage, and Lagid/Roman Egypt. University of Poitiers - Master's in Ancient History (1986) Sorbonne - Doctorate in Egyptology (1994) Sorbonne - Habilitation to Direct Research (2006) Bricault's research explores the diffusion of Isiac cults, religious syncretism, and numismatic evidence for ancient beliefs. His recent publications focus on Mithraic studies, Egyptian deities in the Mediterranean, and domestic religious practices. He organizes international conferences and edits the Bibliotheca Isiaca series, contributing to the understanding of polytheistic traditions. Bricault co-edits the Supplements to the Bibliotheca Isiaca and collaborates on the Roman Provincial Coinage project. He curated the international exhibition Rome and the Mystery of Mithra (2021-2023) and maintains the RICIS online database for Isiac cult inscriptions. His work bridges epigraphy, numismatics, and cultural history to analyze religious networks across the Roman Empire.
Blair Hoxby is Professor of English at Stanford University's School of Humanities and Sciences, where he has taught since 2007. Previously, he served as Associate Professor of History and Literature at Harvard University (2005-2007) and Associate Professor of English at Yale University (2003-2005), where he began as Assistant Professor in 1998. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in English from Yale University (1998), an M.Phil. in English Studies from the University of Oxford (1990), and an A.B. in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University (1988). Hoxby's research focuses on literature and culture from 1500 to 1800, with particular emphasis on tragedy theory, Milton studies, and the intersection of literature and economics. His notable works include What Was Tragedy? Theory and the Early Modern Canon (2015) and Mammon's Music: Literature and Economics in the Age of Milton (2002). He argues that early modern tragedy differed significantly from contemporary understandings of the genre, with passions rather than deeds or character serving as the keys to early modern tragic performance. Hoxby's recent scholarly output reveals a consistent engagement with early modern theatrical practices, particularly tragedy and opera. His work demonstrates sophisticated interdisciplinary approaches, connecting literary analysis with historical context, economic theory, and performance studies. He has made significant contributions to understanding how commercial culture shaped literary production and how theatrical conventions evolved across national boundaries in Europe. Scientific Awards and Honors Internal Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2009-2010) Morse Fellowship, Juilliard School (2001-2002) Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Prize, Yale University (2001) John Addison Porter Prize, Yale University (1999) Rhodes Scholarship, University of Oxford (1988-1990) Hoxby has supervised numerous doctoral students and served in various administrative roles at Stanford, including Director of Undergraduate Studies (2011-2014) and Director of Graduate Admissions (2008-2011). His teaching portfolio includes courses on English poetry from the Renaissance to Romanticism, tragedy and tragic theory from Aristotle to the present, theater history, and performance theory. Currently, he teaches courses such as Court Theater from Shakespeare to Mozart and Introduction to English II: From Milton to the Romantics . Hoxby maintains active scholarly engagement through committee memberships, including the Executive Committee of the Milton Society of America (2009-2013) and service as a referee for major academic presses including Oxford University Press and the University of Pennsylvania Press.
Ramón Soneira Martínez is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Austrian Archaeological Institute's Department of Classical Studies. He holds a Degree in History from the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) with a focus on Ancient History, a Master's degree in Religious Studies, and a PhD in Religious Studies from the Max-Weber-Kolleg of the University of Erfurt (Germany) and the University of Graz (Austria). His academic career centers on interdisciplinary approaches to ancient religious phenomena. Education : Bachelor's Degree in History (Ancient History focus), Complutense University of Madrid Master's Degree in Religious Studies Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies, Max-Weber-Kolleg (University of Erfurt) and University of Graz Research Interests : Ramón specializes in Ancient History of Religion, Theory and Methodology of Religious Studies, Religious Deviance, and Atheism in the ancient Mediterranean. His work explores unbelief narratives, sacred spatial practices, and biopolitical dimensions of religious systems in Greco-Roman contexts. Publication Trends : His recent scholarship (2020–2025) examines atheistic positions in Classical Athens, interdisciplinary frameworks for analyzing ancient religion, biopolitical dimensions of marriage, and ecological interpretations of sacred landscapes. These works frequently engage with Platonic philosophy, pre-Socratic thought, and comparative methodologies across Mediterranean civilizations. Current Research Projects : Doubt and religion in the ancient Mediterranean: A comparative analysis of unbelief narratives Lodging/Living in a Sacred Context: Investigating spatial dynamics of religious environments
Lynn S. Meskill is a Professor at Toulouse Jean-Jaurès University, affiliated with the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS). Her academic work bridges literature, history of ideas, and translation, with a strong focus on early modern British culture. She teaches Medieval and Early Modern Literature and Translation. Her research interests include: 16th and 17th Century Theatre Stuart and Caroline Court Masque History of the Book History of Ideas Translation Studies Authorship in Early Modernity Ben Jonson and Shakespearean Drama Her publications reveal a deep engagement with themes of authorship, fame, religious symbolism, and cultural representation in Renaissance literature. She frequently explores the intersections of performance, politics, and print culture, particularly in court masques and tragedies. Her work often combines literary analysis with intellectual and cultural history. Her scholarly contributions include a monograph on Ben Jonson and numerous articles in leading journals such as Huntington Library Quarterly and English Studies . She has also contributed chapters to authoritative handbooks and translated significant works in print culture. She has supervised doctoral research and holds an HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches), qualifying her to direct research in France. While no specific grants are listed, her involvement in structured research axes at CAS suggests active participation in collaborative projects. Lynn S. Meskill is a core member of the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS), contributing to its seminars, research programs (such as AXIS 1–3), and academic events. The center fosters interdisciplinary research in Anglophone cultures, and she plays a vital role in its scholarly community.
Christopher M. Chinn is a Professor of Classics at Pomona College since 2007, specializing in Augustan and Imperial Roman poetry. He teaches Latin and Greek languages alongside translation courses like Ancient Epic and Introduction to the Greeks and Romans . Research Focus: Roman poetry, ecocriticism, art-text relationships Key Contributions: Studies on Statius, Pliny, and intertextual analysis His work bridges visual art analysis with literary interpretation, particularly in Flavian-era texts. Recent publications address environmental themes in ancient Mediterranean literature and the evolution of ekphrastic techniques. Scientific Awards & Honors Jim Greenfield Dissertation Fellowship (University of Washington, 2001-2002) Downing-Pomona Exchange Fellow (2009) Pomona College Summer Research Grant (2011) His teaching includes advanced language courses and senior seminars on classical studies, reflecting his commitment to both pedagogy and research in ancient literature.
Joey Williams is a Lecturer of Classics and Letters at the University of Oklahoma's Department of Classics and Letters. He specializes in Roman material culture, ancient colonialism, and landscapes of conflict/surveillance. Educated at the University at Buffalo (Ph.D. Mediterranean Archaeology), University of Arizona (M.A. Classical Archaeology), and Hendrix College (B.A. Anthropology/History), he has taught globally in the US, Switzerland, Portugal, and Italy. Ph.D.: Mediterranean Archaeology, University at Buffalo M.A.: Classical Archaeology, University of Arizona B.A.: Anthropology & History, Hendrix College His research focuses on Roman surveillance mechanisms in Portugal's Central Alentejo region, ceramic production, and the socio-cultural role of fish sauce. Active in fieldwork, he co-directs an archaeological excavation in Redondo, Portugal since 2010, and leads projects in Ostia Antica and Lugnano, Italy. His upcoming Ficulle project accepts OU student applications. Recent publications include a 2017 monograph on Roman surveillance and a 2022 chapter analyzing colonial landscapes through tower enclosures. His work intersects archaeology with imperialism studies, emphasizing material evidence of power dynamics. No academic awards are explicitly mentioned. Current projects involve legacy data analysis from Ostia Antica and pottery studies in Lugnano. Teaching includes Latin language courses, classical mythology, and advanced archaeology seminars.
İbrahim Dağılma is a Lecturer in Zaza Language and Literature at Bingöl University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences since 2013. He holds a Master's (2017) and PhD (2021) in Zaza Language and Literature from Bingöl University's Living Languages Institute. He previously served as a Turkish Language teacher in the Ministry of National Education and authored/co-authored Zazaki textbooks for grades 5-8 published by MEB between 2018-2019. He currently chairs the Zaza Language and Literature department and teaches courses like Modern Zaza Literature and Comparative Literary Analysis. Education: Bachelor's in Turkish Education, Dicle University (1997) Uncompleted Journalism studies at Istanbul University (2010) Master's and PhD in Zaza Studies (2017-2021) Research focuses on Zaza language preservation, modern literary movements, folklore documentation, and comparative studies between Zaza and other languages. He has published 11 books including 'Edebiyato Modern ê Zazaki' and 'Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan', and frequently presents at international conferences on topics like Zaza cultural identity and migration narratives. His recent academic work explores linguistic comparisons between Zaza and Farsi, analysis of traditional Zaza texts, and the role of folklore in educational materials. He has advised 18 undergraduate theses and participated in numerous thesis juries. His research has been published in refereed journals like Bingöl Araştırmalar Dergisi and The Journal of Mesopotamian Studies.
Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson is a Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University, holding a British Academy Innovation Fellowship (2022-2024). She teaches on the Latin with Classics PGCE course in the School of Education and leads interdisciplinary research projects on oracy, Classics education, and policy engagement. Education: Studied Classics at Oxford, Harvard, and Cambridge. Qualified as a schoolteacher and taught for over a decade before returning to academia. Affiliations: Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies (School of Advanced Study) and Affiliated Researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge. Research Interests: Focuses on Classics education, oracy development, and the intersection of policy and the humanities. Key projects include Shy Bairns Get Nowt (oracy and employability) and Aristotle Beyond the Academy (reception of rhetoric in non-academic contexts). Co-directs the Advocating Classics Education project and chairs the Classics Development Group. Publications: Over 80 articles and books, including Expanding Classics (Routledge, 2023) and Forward with Classics (Bloomsbury, 2018). Recent work emphasizes policy engagement and levelling-up through oracy education. Awards: MBE (2023) for services to education Elected Member of Academia Europaea (2024) Grants and Roles: Chair of the Latin Expert Panel at the UK Department for Education Advisor to All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Classics, Oracy, and Political Literacy Member of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (Vice Chair) Labs and Collaborations: Directs Durham’s Centre for Classics Education Research and EngagementS (CERES). Collaborates with institutions like the AHRC, Leverhulme Trust, and Novus Education to bridge academia and policy.
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUnited States
James J. O’Hara is the George L. Paddison Professor of Latin at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His academic journey includes a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He has held significant roles, such as Department Chair (2003-2007), Director of Graduate Studies, and President of the Vergilian Society. His research focuses on Greek and Latin poetry, with a special emphasis on the Augustan period, epic, didactic literature, and satire. Education highlights include studies at the College of the Holy Cross (A.B., 1981) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 1986). He taught at Wesleyan University before joining UNC in 2001, where he has contributed extensively to teaching and scholarship. Research interests span Latin poetry, particularly Vergil, Catullus, Lucretius, and Ovid. Notable works include Death and the Optimistic Prophecy in Vergil’s Aeneid (1990), True Names: Vergil and the Alexandrian Tradition of Etymological Wordplay (1996), and Inconsistency in Roman Epic (2007). Current projects explore teaching authority in didactic and satirical works. Publications include over 40 articles and book reviews, with a focus on Vergilian studies, Lucretian analysis, and classical pedagogy. Recent lectures address topics like Aeneid Book 8 and Horace’s Ars Poetica . Grants/Awards: James Gilmore Fletcher Whitton Faculty Fellowship (2012), Loeb Classical Library Fellowship (2015-2016), SUTASA Teaching Award (2013). Students: Directed 15+ M.A. and Ph.D. theses, including works on Lucan, Lucretius, and Vergilian reception. Labs/Teams: Collaborative projects include the Focus-Hackett Aeneid commentary series and editorial work for Vergilius . Active in professional organizations like the Vergilian Society and Classical Association of the Middle West and South.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Kirk Sanders is an Associate Professor split between the Departments of Classics and Philosophy at the University of Illinois. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from the Joint Classics-Philosophy Program at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on Hellenistic philosophy and Xenophon's Socratic writings, with notable contributions including co-editing Epicurus and the Epicurean Tradition (2011) and ongoing projects on Xenophon's texts. His work bridges classical philology, philosophical analysis, and historical context. Education: PhD in Philosophy (UT Austin) Research interests include Hellenistic philosophical traditions, Socratic literature, and ancient Greek language structures. His recent publications explore Roman Epicureanism and textual analysis of classical works like Xenophon's Apology . Publications include contributions to Mnemosyne , Illinois Classical Studies , and edited volumes. Sanders also serves as an editor for peer-reviewed journals and maintains affiliations with the Center for Hellenic Studies. His current projects involve translating and commenting on Xenophon's Socratic writings, combining philological rigor with philosophical interpretation.
Arthur Weststeijn is an Assistant Professor in Political History at Utrecht University, specializing in the history of the Dutch Republic and its colonial empire, the history and contemporary politics of Italy, and the history of Spain and Latin America. He is affiliated with the Department of History and Art History within the Humanities faculty and is part of the Research Institute for History and Art History, focusing on International and Political History. Dr. Weststeijn's educational background includes: PhD in History, European University Institute, Florence (2010) RMA in History, European University Institute, Florence (2006) MA in Philosophy, University of Amsterdam (2005) MA in History, University of Amsterdam (2004) Erasmus Exchange, Universidad de Sevilla (2000-2001) His research focuses on the intellectual history of power, particularly examining ideas that express and contest political authority through two main themes: colonialism (how ideas have shaped European colonialism and resistance against it) and republicanism (how resistance to autocratic rule has given rise to ideas of liberty, citizenship, and democracy). His work spans early-modern Dutch colonialism, anticolonial thought, the history of democracy, and connections between ancient and modern forms of settler colonialism. He has published extensively on early modern republicanism, the political uses of classical heritage, and the making of modern Italy. Weststeijn's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersections between political thought, colonial history, and republican theory. His work often examines how historical ideas continue to shape contemporary political discourse, particularly regarding democracy, citizenship, and colonial legacies. He frequently engages with both European and transatlantic intellectual traditions, showing particular expertise in Dutch and Italian political thought. His notable awards and fellowships include: Fellow, Huntington Library, San Marino, California (Summer 2022) Fellow, John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island (Spring 2019) Director of Historical Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (2011-2017) Dr. Weststeijn has served as a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions including the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and University of Padua. He frequently appears as an expert commentator on Italian culture and politics in Dutch media and maintains an active public intellectual presence. He is involved in multiple research initiatives including the IOS research themes on Contesting Governance, Futures of Democracy, and Longtermism and Institutional Change. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists, classicists, and scholars from various humanities disciplines.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
M. Rahim Shayegan is a prominent scholar in Iranian and Near Eastern studies, specializing in Old and Middle Iranian philology, Achaemenid-Sasanian history, and Greco-Roman-Iranian cultural interactions. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Göttingen and Sorbonne. His work bridges philology, epigraphy, and historical analysis to explore ancient political ideologies, religious traditions, and cross-cultural exchanges. Education: PhD, Iranian Philology & Ancient History, Harvard University MA, Iranian Philology, Sorbonne University BA, Philosophy & Comparative Philology, University of Cologne Research Interests: Iranian epigraphy and royal inscriptions Political dynamics of pre-Islamic Iranian empires Greco-Roman and Iranian cultural dialogues Zoroastrianism and ancient Near Eastern religions His publications include seminal works like Arsacids and Sasanians: Political Ideology in Post-Hellenistic Persia (2011) and Cyrus the Great: Life and Lore (2019). He has held prestigious fellowships at the Guggenheim Foundation and is a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Awards: Ehsan Yarshater Book Award (2012) Academia Europaea Membership (2019–) Courses Taught: Achaemenid Civilization Sasanian History Old Persian Cuneiform Zoroastrianism and Ancient Religions
Martin Willis Monroe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of New Brunswick. His research focuses on the ancient Middle East, particularly cuneiform cultures, with an emphasis on the history of scholarly knowledge in Babylonian and Assyrian societies. He specializes in Mesopotamian astronomy and astrology, as well as quantitative approaches to historical data. Dr. Monroe holds a PhD in Assyriology from Brown University (2016), an MPhil and BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (2008, 2007). Previously, he served as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate at the University of British Columbia (2016–2023). His current projects include the publication of his Hellenistic astrology research under contract with Brill, titled Celestial Schemata: A Series of Astrological Tables from Seleucid Babylonia , and his role as associate director of the Database of Religious History , a global initiative to quantitatively analyze religious and cultural data. He has contributed to excavations at the Neo-Assyrian site of Tušhan in southeastern Turkey and advocates for responsible qualitative-to-quantitative data conversion in historical scholarship. Dr. Monroe’s research bridges traditional philological approaches with digital humanities, focusing on topics such as cuneiform astral diagrams, the intersection of ‘scientific’ and ‘religious’ texts in antiquity, and the application of computational methods to undeciphered scripts. He teaches courses on ancient civilizations, Near Eastern history, and archaeology.
