Find Academic Supervisors

Andreas MildnerView profile

Professor

• Harp Performance
• Classical Music
• Music Interpretation
• +2 more

Professor Andreas Mildner, born in 1984, serves as Professor of Harp and Deputy Chair of the University Council at the University of Music Würzburg. He is also the spokesperson for the Harp Department at the institution. Mildner is recognized as one of the most interesting harpists of his generation, known for his "technical brilliance" and "incredibly aesthetic play with timbres." He discovered his passion for the harp at age six and began formal training at 14 in Gisèle Herbet's harp class, with further instruction from Ursula Holliger, Frederique Cambreling, and Marie-Pierre Langlamet. After graduating with honors in 2007, he completed his master class studies in 2009. Mildner has established himself as a much sought-after soloist both in Germany and internationally. His solo debut came at age 17 with the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague, and he has since performed with renowned orchestras including the WDR and SWR Symphony Orchestras and the Bremen Philharmonic. First prize at the 6th International Harp Contest Arpista Ludovico in Madrid Two special prizes for best interpretation of final concertos Bavarian Cultural Prize Bavarian Art Prize Scholarships from multiple prestigious foundations Mildner maintains an active performance schedule, regularly appearing at major music festivals worldwide including the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, Ludwigsburg Palace Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Central Europe Festival, World Harp Congress, Lucerne Festival, and International Harp Festival Rio de Janeiro.

• Machine Learning
• Dynamical Systems
• Optimization
• +3 more

Michael Muehlebach leads the independent Learning and Dynamical Systems research group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tuebingen, Germany. His interdisciplinary work bridges machine learning, dynamical systems theory, and control engineering to develop algorithms for cyber-physical systems with theoretical guarantees and practical implementations. Dr. Muehlebach received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich in 2010 and 2013, specializing in robotics and control systems. He completed his Ph.D. at ETH's Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control under Prof. R. D'Andrea in 2018, followed by postdoctoral research with Prof. Michael I. Jordan at UC Berkeley. His research focuses on constrained optimization, reinforcement learning, and control theory with applications in robotics. He pioneered approaches that express constraints in terms of velocities rather than positions, enabling more efficient optimization algorithms. His work spans theoretical foundations to physical implementations, including the One-Wheel Cubli balancing robot and electromagnetic navigation systems. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward physics-informed machine learning, particularly for robotics applications requiring real-time performance and safety guarantees. Dr. Muehlebach has received numerous prestigious awards: Outstanding D-MAVT Bachelor Award Willi-Studer prize for best Master's degree ETH Medal and HILTI prize for doctoral thesis Branco Weiss Fellowship (2018) Emmy Noether Fellowship (2020) Amazon Fellowship (2024) He actively mentors doctoral researchers including Hao Ma, Melis Ilayda Bal, and Onno Eberhard, with research supported by multiple grants. His group maintains strong collaborations with Bernhard Schölkopf's Empirical Inference group at the Max Planck Institute. The Learning and Dynamical Systems group develops innovative hardware and software platforms, including Floaty (a wind-harnessing flying robot), advanced electromagnetic navigation systems, and data-efficient learning methods for robotic table tennis. Their approach combines rigorous theoretical analysis with practical validation on physical systems, emphasizing the integration of known physical structure into machine learning algorithms to improve sample efficiency and ensure generalization.

• Machine Learning
• Dynamical Systems
• Control Theory
• +4 more

Michael Mühlebach is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, Germany, leading the independent Learning and Dynamical Systems group. His academic journey began at ETH Zurich where he earned his B.Sc. (2010) and M.Sc. (2013) in mechanical engineering, specializing in robotics, systems, and control. He completed his Ph.D. at ETH Zurich in 2018 under Prof. R. D'Andrea, followed by postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley with Prof. Michael I. Jordan. Dr. Mühlebach's research spans machine learning, dynamical systems, control theory, and optimization . His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in robotics, developing methods that incorporate physical constraints and system dynamics into learning frameworks. His group focuses on online learning, physics-informed machine learning, and large-scale optimization for cyber-physical systems, with applications in electromagnetic navigation, robotic table tennis, and energy-efficient flight systems like the shape-changing robot Floaty . His publication record shows a strong focus on constrained optimization, with recent work exploring decision-dependent stochastic optimization, nonlinear feedback, and the theoretical foundations of reinforcement learning. His research integrates perspectives from control theory, dynamical systems, and optimization to develop algorithms with strong theoretical guarantees and practical performance. Outstanding D-MAVT Bachelor Award Willi-Studer prize for best Master's degree ETH Medal and HILTI prize for doctoral thesis Branco Weiss Fellow (2018) Emmy Noether Fellowship (2020) Amazon Fellowship (2024) Dr. Mühlebach actively mentors doctoral researchers and is seeking talented students for PhD and Master's projects. His research group has received funding from multiple prestigious fellowships and maintains collaborations across institutions including ETH Zurich, UC Berkeley, and various Max Planck research units. The group's work spans theoretical developments to practical implementations on robotic systems, demonstrating strong connections between mathematical theory and physical realization.

Bonnie HonigView profile

Professor

• Democratic Theory
• Feminist Theory
• Cultural Studies
• +5 more

Bonnie Honig, Nancy Duke Lewis Professor at Brown University, holds joint appointments in Modern Culture and Media and Political Science , with courtesy roles in Religious Studies and Theater and Performance Studies . Her scholarly work intersects democratic theory , feminist critique , and cultural analysis , examining how inherited political narratives shape collective action. Education: PhD (Johns Hopkins, 1989), MSc (London School of Economics, 11981), BA (Concordia University, 1980) Central to her research is a reexamination of classical texts like Sophocles' Antigone and Euripides' Bacchae to develop agonistic democratic models . Her Antigone, Interrupted (2013) challenges heroic readings of Antigone, proposing instead a collective feminist politics rooted in textual counter-interpretations. Public Things: Democracy in Disrepair (2017) argues for shared objects as democratic orientation devices , while Emergency Politics (2009) analyzes crisis responses beyond Schmittian frameworks. The 2021 dual publications A Feminist Theory of Refusal and Shell Shocked: Feminist Criticism After Trump extend these themes through Trump-era analysis and queer theoretical lenses . Scientific Awards: 2023-24 Guggenheim Fellowship 2012 David Easton Prize 2012 Okin-Young Award 2007-08 American Philosophical Society Fellowship 1994 Scripps Prize Affiliated with the American Bar Foundation and Digital Democracy Group at Simon Fraser University, Honig's teaching spans feminist theory , Politics and Film , and advanced seminars on Arendt . Her Shell Shocked analysis of Trump-era disaster patriarchy connects classical feminist frameworks to contemporary political crises.

• Classical Voice
• Vocal Pedagogy
• Opera Performance
• +3 more

Susanne Moldenhauer is a faculty member at the University of Music Würzburg , specializing in Vocal Music, Opera Performance, and Song Interpretation . She is affiliated with the Department of Vocal Music, Opera School, and Song Interpretation , where she contributes to teaching and advising in classical voice disciplines. Her research and instructional focus centers on classical vocal pedagogy, opera training, and interpretive techniques for art song. She maintains an email contact at susanne.moldenhauer@hfm-wuerzburg.de and offers consultation by appointment.

Diamantis PanagiotopoulosView profile

Professor

• Aegean Bronze Age
• Cultural Interaction in Eastern Mediterranean
• Archaeological Theory
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Diamantis Panagiotopoulos is a Professor of Classical Archaeology at Heidelberg University's Institute of Classical Archaeology, serving as its Managing Director since 2012. His academic foundation includes a doctorate from Heidelberg University (1996) and a habilitation from Salzburg University (2003), both focused on Aegean Bronze Age archaeology. Panagiotopoulos's research explores Aegean Bronze Age societies, with emphasis on seal practices, iconography, cultural interactions, and archaeological landscapes. His work integrates theoretical frameworks with material culture analysis to examine Minoan-Mycenaean administration, transcultural exchanges in the Eastern Mediterranean, and heritage preservation strategies. His publications reflect a strong trajectory toward computational methods in archaeology and interdisciplinary approaches, with recent articles leveraging digital tools for seal analysis and landscape modeling. Earlier works established foundations in ritual studies and cross-cultural encounters. Awards include fellowships from the German Archaeological Institute (DAI), DAAD, and DFG, recognizing his contributions to Bronze Age archaeology. He directs excavations at Koumasa (Crete) and co-leads the Heidelberg Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean Seals.

• Classical Archaeology
• Art History
• Visual Culture of Antiquity
• +3 more

Dr. Alexander Heinemann is a Lecturer and curator at the University of Tübingen's Institute of Classical Archaeology. Previously, he held a lecturer position at Freiburg University (2006-2017) and participated in archaeological projects across Turkey, Greece, and Italy. His work centers on Roman state monuments, visual narratives, and classical reception studies. PhD in Classical Archaeology (Heidelberg, 2003) Magister Artium in Classical Archaeology (Heidelberg, 1999) Research focuses include Roman Imperial topography , Greek vase painting , and visual culture analysis . His monograph on Dionysian imagery and co-edited volumes on symposion culture and visual narration highlight interdisciplinary approaches. Recent publications analyze Roman imperial iconography, Hellenistic ivory art, and Dante's archaeological engagement. Key themes involve political symbolism , ritual practices , and artifact contextualization . Traveling Fellow, German Archaeological Institute (2004/5) Gerda Henkel Foundation Fellow (2003/4) Active in public outreach through exhibitions like 'Vom Trinken und Bechern' and collaborative editorial projects, he serves as co-founder of das Rollpodest platform for archaeological collections.

Marc SiegelView profile

Professor

• Queer Studies
• Experimental Film
• Moving Image Art
• +3 more

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Marc Siegel has been Professor of Film Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since October 2020. He is based at the Institute for Film, Theatre, Media and Cultural Studies and also serves as artistic director of ZOOM – Labor Ludwig Schönherr . In parallel, he works as a freelance curator for international film festivals, museums and galleries, and is a founding member of the Berlin-based artist collective CHEAP . Education & Qualification: Although the provided text does not enumerate earlier degrees, Siegel’s title “Dr.” and his appointment as “Universitäts-Professor” indicate the completion of doctoral and post-doctoral qualifications. Research Interests: Siegel’s scholarship is situated at the intersection of queer studies , experimental film , and moving-image art/performance . He interrogates how cinema and related media articulate questions of sexuality, gender, race and anti-Semitism, often employing archival, curatorial and critical methods to foreground marginalized histories and aesthetics. His forthcoming monograph A Gossip of Images (Duke University Press) crystallizes these concerns. Publications & Trends: Across more than two decades Siegel has produced a consistent body of work that re-reads canonical avant-gardists (Warhol, Jack Smith, Werner Schroeter) and contemporary queer media alike. Recent essays expand into digital dissemination, camp temporalities, and the politics of ageing bodies, evidencing a trajectory from close textual analysis toward broader cultural critique. Scientific Awards & Distinctions: Member, Academy of the Arts of the World , Cologne Advisory Board, Forum Expanded , Berlinale Principal Investigator, AHRC-UK funded project “Serge Daney and Queer Cinephilia” (2018-2021) Research Grants & Collaborative Projects: DFG Graduate School “Configurations of Film” (GRK 2279), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main – associate researcher Swiss National Science Foundation project “Moving in Every Direction” , Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – associate researcher Laboratories & Teams: As artistic director of ZOOM – Labor Ludwig Schönherr Siegel mentors experimental media practices; he also co-founded the artist collective CHEAP , which produces queer interventions in urban and digital space.

Anna BonifaziView profile

Professor

• Discourse Analysis
• Pragmatics
• Cognitive Linguistics
• +4 more

Prof. Anna Bonifazi holds a Professorship in Discourse Studies at the Department of Linguistics, University of Cologne. Her research spans Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics, Cognitive Linguistics, and Multimodal Communication with a focus on Ancient Greek Linguistics and Oral Epic traditions. She investigates phenomena like anaphoric cohesion in long texts, multimodal storytelling in film and oral traditions, and ancient Greek particles' discursive functions. Her work explores how multimodal elements (e.g., visual, musical, gestural) interact in communication, particularly analyzing films (e.g., mystery genres), ancient texts (e.g., Homeric epics), and South Slavic oral narratives. She examines cross-modal iconicity, viewpoint blending, and the cognitive underpinnings of discourse structures. Recent publications address topics like anaphoric strategies in crime stories and syntactic patterns in ancient Greek conversational frameworks. Prof. Bonifazi's research often bridges classical philology and modern cognitive theories, emphasizing embodied cognition and the interplay between language and other semiotic systems. She collaborates internationally on projects involving gesture analysis in storytelling and ancient papyrological studies. Her interdisciplinary work integrates linguistics with musicology, film studies, and cognitive science. Administratively, she oversees the Discourse Studies research group at Cologne and mentors assistants like Dr. Sandra Debreslioska and Madeleine Frings. Her lab focuses on multimodal discourse analysis using experimental and corpus-based methods.

Nicola JürgensenView profile

Professor

• Clarinet Performance
• Chamber Music
• Orchestral Performance
• +5 more

Prof. Nicola Jürgensen is a distinguished German clarinetist and Professor of Clarinet at Faculty 1 of Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany. She also serves as Dean of Faculty 1 and is a Confidential Lecturer for the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. Her career seamlessly integrates performance, education, and artistic leadership. She is the Artistic Director of WDR 3 Campus Concerts and a board member of the Folkwang University Foundation. Professor of Clarinet, Folkwang University of the Arts (2018–present) Dean, Faculty 1 Artistic Director, WDR 3 Campus Concerts Board of Directors, Folkwang University Foundation Principal Clarinet (former), WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne (2001–2018) Regular coach, German National Youth Orchestra (2020–present) Nicola Jürgensen's research and artistic interests center on clarinet performance, chamber music, and contemporary repertoire. She is deeply committed to historical performance practice, evidenced by her recordings on basset clarinet, and to expanding the global reach of classical music through international masterclasses and festivals. Her work bridges traditional European repertoire and modern experimental works, including performances in avant-garde operatic productions. She has collaborated with leading orchestras and ensembles worldwide, from Berlin and Leipzig to New York, Bangkok, and Auckland. Her recent artistic output reveals a strong focus on rediscovered works (e.g., Wilms' concerto), contemporary compositions (e.g., Kancheli, Zwilich), and cross-cultural collaborations (e.g., German Masters Music Festival in Thailand). She emphasizes pedagogical innovation and performance excellence, mentoring students who now hold principal roles in Germany’s top orchestras. Her recordings and performances consistently highlight expressive depth, technical mastery, and scholarly engagement with historical instruments and arrangements. Scientific and Artistic Awards: Mozart Prize, Wiesbaden Mozart Society German Music Competition Soloists' Prize (1999) Germany Radio Promotion Prize (2002) Nicola Jürgensen has been instrumental in guiding numerous students into prestigious orchestral positions and leads the ensemble 'Folkwang Clarinets' with her students. She holds multiple leadership roles in academic and artistic institutions and continues to perform as a guest principal clarinetist with major orchestras like the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. Her involvement in grants and funding appears indirect through institutional roles and festival organization. She is actively involved with several artistic initiatives, including the 'Spannungen' festival, WDR 3 Campus Concerts, and international masterclass programs. Her ensemble collaborations and educational outreach reflect a sustained commitment to excellence, innovation, and accessibility in classical music.

Anja Müller-WoodView profile

Professor

• Early Modern English Literature
• 19th-20th Century English Literature
• Narratology
• +6 more

Prof. Anja Müller-Wood holds a Professorship in English Literature at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2003. She earned her Ph.D. (1995) from Philipps-Universität Marburg and completed her Habilitation (2002) at the University of Trier. Her research focuses on early modern English literature (16th-17th centuries), 19th-20th century English literature, and interdisciplinary fields like narratology, stylistics, and literary linguistics. She teaches advanced BA/MA courses on these topics and co-leads core modules like 'Introduction to Literary Studies' and 'Colloquium' for literature and education students. Her work explores intersections between literature and cultural identity, particularly in post-Reformation religious dynamics and narrative form. She actively supervises theses aligned with her research areas. Her recent publications include analyses of Jacobean drama, cognitive approaches to narrative, and studies on Angela Carter and Ian McEwan. She serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Literary Linguistics and maintains academic profiles on ResearchGate and academia.edu. Research emphasizes cognitive narratology, examining how literary forms interact with human cognitive processes. She also investigates transnational cultural exchanges in early modern and modern British literature, blending historical analysis with contemporary theoretical frameworks.

Sören LaueView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning
• Optimization Algorithms
• GPU Computing
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Sören Laue is a Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Hamburg's Department of Informatics. His research focuses on optimization algorithms, machine learning frameworks, and high-performance computing. He leads the Machine Learning research group and developed the GENO optimization framework and the Matrix Calculus toolset. His work emphasizes GPU acceleration, tensor operations, and scalable solutions for classical machine learning problems. Projects: GENO solver (Python-based optimization), Matrix Calculus (derivative computation), and SQL-based tensor operations. Key Research Themes: Optimization frameworks, GPU computing, neural network scalability, and algorithm design. Selected recent publications highlight contributions to tensor calculus benchmarks, GPU-optimized machine learning pipelines, and novel optimization methods. His work bridges theoretical foundations and practical software tools for the machine learning community.

Hermine MayView profile

Academic

• Opera Performance
• Vocal Music
• Classical Music
• +3 more

Hermine May is a Romanian-born mezzo-soprano and faculty member at the University of Music and Drama in Rostock since 2020. She has established herself internationally through performances in dramatic opera repertoire, notably portraying roles like Carmen, Amneris, and Ortrud at prestigious venues such as La Scala di Milano and opera houses in Copenhagen and Shanghai. Her artistic collaborations include work with renowned conductors like Zubin Mehta, Raffael Frühbeck de Burgos, and Teodor Currentzis. She has achieved significant success on the concert platform, performing works by Mahler, Verdi, Brahms, and Wagner. Specializes in dramatic mezzo-soprano roles Active in international opera and concert stages Teaches vocal performance at the university level Collaborated with major orchestras and conductors

Thomas BlankView profile

Professor

• Ancient Cultural History
• Greek History
• Roman History
• +6 more

Thomas Blank is a Professor of Ancient Cultural History at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) since August 2016, affiliated with the Department of History. Previously, he held positions as Junior Professor of Greek History at Saarland University (2013-2016) and served as Acting Chair of Ancient History at the University of Münster (2019-2020). His academic trajectory includes research assistantships in Tübingen and Mainz. Education: Dr. phil. in Ancient History (summa cum laude) from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2012) State Examination in History, Latin, and Greek from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2007) Undergraduate studies in History, Latin, and Greek at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2001-2007) Research Focus: Blank's work centers on ancient rhetoric's intersection with political philosophy (especially in Classical Athens), Roman religious practices, and cultural communication mechanisms. He investigates how social 'third spaces' form through religious secrecy, neighborly relations, and theatrical performance. Current projects include urban foreignness studies and the cultural role of Graeco-Roman rhetoric. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles demonstrate consistent focus on Isocratean rhetoric, political communication in Athenian/Roman contexts, and reception of antiquity in modern media. Methodologically, they blend historical analysis with literary criticism and cultural theory, frequently examining power dynamics through rhetorical frameworks. Awards & Fellowships: Research Scholarship from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2008-2010) Study Grant from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2002-2007) Academic Leadership: Blank directs doctoral candidates in projects ranging from Athenian legal systems to Ptolemaic athletic competitions. He leads the DFG-funded graduate program 'Urban Difference' and co-leads subprojects in the LOEWE Center 'DynaRel' and MSCA-DN 'TheSPIS'. As liaison lecturer for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung since 2015, he mentors scholarship recipients. Professional Engagement: Secretary General of the International Society for the History of Rhetoric (ISHR) and founding president of Societas Isocratica. He has held administrative roles including Managing Director of JGU's History Department (2022-2023) and serves on multiple academic committees.

• Art History
• Digital Aesthetics
• Media Theory
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Nina Zschocke is Professor of Art History with a focus on 'Digital Aesthetics' at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG Karlsruhe) since April 2024. Previously, she served as senior research associate and lecturer at the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich until 2023, and as a research associate at the Institute of Art History at the University of Zurich from 2005. She maintains strong connections with the ZKM | Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe through collaborative projects and lecture series. Her educational background includes studies in art history, ethnology, and classical archaeology at the University of Cologne, where she earned her doctorate in 2004 with a dissertation on 'irritation' in art reception. She furthered her academic work as a DFG visiting scholar at University College London and Columbia University in New York. Zschocke's research centers on the intersection of art history, digital aesthetics, and materiality, with particular emphasis on how computational processes reshape artistic production and reception. Her work explores the material dimensions of digital media, algorithmic authority, and unconventional computing paradigms. She investigates how traditional art historical frameworks can be adapted to address contemporary digital practices and the physical manifestations of computational processes in artistic contexts. Her publications and symposia reveal consistent engagement with digital materiality, examining how digital processes manifest in physical form and how traditional art historical methods apply to contemporary computational practices. Recent work focuses on 'unconventional computing' - exploring alternative physical substrates for computation beyond standard silicon-based systems, and questioning the dominant paradigms of digital technology. Zschocke has organized numerous significant academic events including the 'Conversations on Art and Media' lecture series (2025), 'Dirty Computers' seminar week (2024), 'Digital Matters Symposium' (2024), and the long-running 'Don18 - Conversations on Art and Architecture' (2006-2022). These events demonstrate her commitment to creating interdisciplinary dialogue platforms that bridge art, architecture, media theory, and computational practices. Her academic leadership extends to doctoral program development, having co-designed the SNSF doctoral program 'ProDoc Art&Science' (2008-2014) and the 'Doctoral Program in the History and Theory of Architecture' at ETH Zurich (2012-2015). She has taught at multiple institutions including the University of Fribourg, Bremen University of the Arts, and Bern University of the Arts, establishing herself as a significant figure in European art and media theory education.