Margarita Núñez Canal is a faculty member at the Faculty of Economics and Business of Universidad Nebrija , affiliated with the EDGE Nebrija Research Group on Entrepreneurship, Digitalization, Growth, and Business Excellence . Her research focuses on entrepreneurship education, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in higher education. Education : PhD from Universidad CEU San Pablo (2015), thesis on entrepreneurial education in Spain within the European context. Recent publications analyze social accelerators in entrepreneurship, algorithmic competence, and hybrid work models. Her work bridges classical rhetoric with modern digital challenges, emphasizing ethical and pedagogical implications. Current projects include the "AlComEdu" holistic approach to digital and algorithmic competence in education, alongside studies on toxic leadership effects and generative learning models in business education.
Dustin Kidd is a Professor of Sociology at Temple University's College of Liberal Arts, where he also serves as Director of General Education in the Office of the Provost. His academic work focuses on stories and storytelling across various cultural forms including art, popular culture, social media, and activism, with particular attention to how issues of identity shape who gets to tell stories in American culture, especially regarding race, class, gender, sexuality, and disability. His research interests span multiple interconnected fields: Popular Culture Studies, examining how media representations shape and reflect social identities Social Media and Digital Identity, investigating how individuals present themselves online Disability Studies, analyzing representation and accessibility in cultural production Art Sociology, exploring the relationship between artistic expression and social structures Media Studies, particularly how gatekeeping institutions influence cultural narratives Kidd's scholarly work reveals consistent themes across his publications, showing an evolving focus from traditional media and popular culture toward digital platforms and their social implications. His early work examined Harry Potter's cultural significance and legislative impacts on artistic expression, while his more recent scholarship addresses social media's role in identity formation, digital communities, and contemporary cultural phenomena. His publications demonstrate expertise in analyzing how power structures operate through cultural production and consumption. As an active public intellectual, Kidd has been featured in numerous media outlets including CNN, The New York Times, CBC Radio, and Business Insider, where he provides sociological perspectives on contemporary cultural phenomena. His commentary often addresses how social media platforms function beyond their intended purposes, as seen in his analysis of LinkedIn being used as an unexpected dating platform. Kidd teaches across the sociology curriculum, offering both undergraduate and graduate courses including: Graduate Seminars: Teaching in Higher Education, Classical Sociological Theory, Contemporary Social Theory, Sociology of Culture, Gender and Sexuality Research Seminar Undergraduate Seminars: Sociology of Popular Culture, Social Entrepreneurship, Development of Sociological Thought, Intellectual Heritage I and II, Demystifying Technology, Ethnicity and the Immigrant Experience, Introduction to Sociology, Media Studies and Production
Uwe Hentschel serves as Associate Professor of Modern German and Comparative Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, Chemnitz University of Technology. Affiliated with TU Chemnitz since 1993 and holding an associate professorship (apl. Prof.) since 2008, he specializes in 18th and 19th-century German literary history with particular expertise in travel literature, Swiss imagery (Philhelvetism), and regional literary studies. He concurrently holds the position of Deputy Chairman of the Berlin Goethe Society. His academic foundation includes: Born 1960 in Zwickau German Studies and Literary Science studies at Leipzig University PhD (1990) on travel literature at the end of the 18th century Habilitation (1999) on 'Mythos Schweiz. Zum deutschen literarischen Philhelvetismus zwischen 1700 und 1850' Senior Assistant position (2000) Hentschel's research centers on cultural and literary history of the Enlightenment and Romantic eras, examining travel writing's role in shaping regional identities, national consciousness, and cross-cultural perceptions. His work explores intersections between geography, literature, and identity formation, with special attention to erotic literature, epistolary culture, and publishing history. He investigates how travel narratives constructed cultural landscapes of regions like Switzerland, the Ore Mountains, Mecklenburg, and Lausitz, revealing evolving German self-perceptions through encounters with foreign spaces. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly engagement with travel literature across two centuries. Recent works focus on regional identity construction through historical travel accounts, examining how 18th and 19th-century writers documented cultural landscapes of Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and Lausitz. This research reveals travel writing's function in documenting cultural transitions, regional particularities, and evolving national consciousness within German-speaking territories. Scientific recognition includes: Long-term editorial collaboration on 'Entstehung von Goethes Werken in Dokumenten' project DFG-funded research on Stefan Heym's 'Ahasver Chronotopos' Organizational leadership for academic conferences including 'memento Stalingrad' Hentschel actively supervises graduate research and contributes to academic governance through the Berlin Goethe Society. His editorial work spans numerous publication series including 'Studien zur Imagologie- und Reiseliteraturforschung' (8 volumes). He maintains significant involvement in research teams focused on Goethe studies and German travel literature historiography. His scholarly activities extend to project leadership in document-based literary research and conference organization, maintaining active participation in national and international academic networks centered on 18th and 19th-century German literature.
Arvindan Thekkadath is an Indo-Franco-Canadian pianist and Professor of English at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. He is also pursuing a Ph.D. in performance titled “A Critical Analysis of the Russian and French Piano Schools in the Era of Globalization.” Studied under Nelson Delle-Vigne, Marian Rybicki, and Daniel Blumenthal Artistic director for recording projects and Artist-in-Residence at Bell’Arte Foundation Active in masterclasses and international competition juries His research focuses on piano pedagogy, classical performance traditions, and the impact of globalization on musical education. Awards include the Alfred Roussel scholarship. He has performed at venues such as La Salle Cortot, the Chopin Institute in Poland, and the Scriabin Museum in Moscow.
Haruo Shirane is the Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University. He serves as Faculty Director of the Donald Keene Center and has been on leave for the Spring 2020 semester. His academic career spans decades of research in premodern and early modern Japanese literature, media studies, and cultural analysis. BA: Columbia College (1974) MA: University of Michigan (1977) PhD: Columbia University (1983) Shirane's research explores the intersections of Japanese literature , print culture , performance , and visual media . His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, focusing on manuscript traditions, vocality, and cultural memory. Recent projects analyze the social periphery's role in shaping literary practices and the evolution of natural imagery across Japan's cultural history. His publications include pioneering studies on The Tale of Genji , medieval folklore, and anthologies of classical and early modern Japanese literature. Key themes involve genre hybridity , media transitions , and transnational reception . Notable edited volumes are Monsters, Animals, and Other Worlds (2018) and Cambridge History of Japanese Literature (2015). Scientific Awards Kadokawa Genyoshi Prize Ishida Hakyo Prize Ueno Satsuki Memorial Prize (2010) Fulbright Fellowship National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grant Shirane has secured multiple grants from the Japan Foundation, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), and Hakuhodo Corporation. His pedagogical contributions include foundational texts on classical Japanese grammar and reading practices.
Dr. Frisbee Sheffield is a Fellow in Classics at Downing College and a University Associate Professor in Classics at the University of Cambridge. Her academic work centers on Greek philosophy, with a focus on ethics, moral psychology, aesthetics, politics, and the reception of ancient Greek philosophy—particularly in the writings of Hannah Arendt. University of Cambridge - Associate Professor in Classics Downing College - Fellow in Classics Sheffield's research explores the intersections of Platonic ethics, political philosophy, and aesthetic theory. Her work also investigates the philosophical underpinnings of friendship, desire, and virtue in classical texts, alongside their modern interpretations. Recent publications emphasize Platonic dialogues like the Symposium , Gorgias , and Phaedrus , with a growing focus on bridging ancient thought with contemporary political theory. Sheffield’s edited works include The Routledge Companion to Ancient Philosophy (2013) and contributions to critical editions of Plato’s works. Her current projects include a book-length study of Plato’s Phaedrus and critical analyses of Socratic concepts in Arendt’s philosophy.
Alice Niemeyer is a Professor at the Algebra Teaching and Research Area of RWTH Aachen University , specializing in computational algebra, finite group theory, and interdisciplinary applications in civil engineering. She has co-authored over 30 publications in journals like PNAS Nexus , Linear Algebra and Its Applications , and International Journal of Solids and Structures , with recent work bridging abstract algebra and topological interlocking concrete systems. Research Interests : Finite groups, matrix decomposition algorithms, combinatorial design, and applications to sustainable construction. Key Collaborators : Cheryl Praeger, Tomasz Popiel, Wilhelm Plesken, Daniel Robertz, Reymond Akpanya. Notable Grants : Funding from the Simons Foundation for computational algebra research. Awards : No explicit awards mentioned in the provided text.
Theodora Skipitares is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Art and Design Education at the School of Art, Pratt Institute. A visual artist and theater director with over 25 years of experience, she creates interdisciplinary works that blend puppetry, performance, visual arts, and social commentary. Her research interests span multiple domains: Puppetry as a medium for social and political commentary Exploration of historical themes through performance Greek tragedy and its contemporary relevance Site-specific installations addressing social issues Interdisciplinary collaborations combining visual arts, music, film, and theater Eugenics and medical history narrative exploration Professor Skipitares' artistic output reveals consistent engagement with social justice issues, historical narratives, and innovative theatrical forms. Her recent works focus on Greek themes and adaptations of classical texts, while maintaining her signature use of puppetry as a central theatrical element. She has developed a distinctive approach where puppet figures' "innocence and purity" make them "especially effective in illuminating social and political issues." Her artistic achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Guggenheim Fellowship Fulbright Fellowship (including work in India 1999-2000) Rockefeller Fellowship UNIMA Citation for Excellence in Puppetry American Theater Wing Design Award New York Innovative Theater Awards for "Iphigenia" Named among the 10 best plays of the year by The New York Times (twice) Multiple grants from NEA, NYFA, and UNIMA Professor Skipitares has established herself as a significant figure in contemporary performance art through international collaborations and site-specific projects that address pressing social issues. Her work with diverse populations, including projects at Rikers Island prison and with homeless communities at Gibb Mansion, demonstrates her commitment to art as a tool for social change. She has collaborated with prominent composers including Virgil Moorefield, Bobby Previte, Scott Johnson, and Sxip Shirey, creating works that integrate live music, film, video, and documentary texts into her distinctive performance style.
Shen-Shyang Ho is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rowan University's College of Science & Mathematics. His work spans machine learning, data mining, and edge computing with applications in urban mobility, precision agriculture, and data privacy. He leads NSF-funded research projects on dynamic graph analysis and spatiotemporal anomaly detection. Ph.D. in Computer Science, George Mason University Post-Doctoral Associate, Caltech & NASA JPL B.S. in Mathematics with Computational Science, National University of Singapore Research expertise includes graph-based machine learning, conformal prediction, cooperative inference, and privacy-preserving ML. Current work focuses on federated learning for edge devices and anomaly detection in evolving systems. He has developed tools like SplitTracer for cooperative inference evaluation and ParkGauge for urban mobility monitoring. Recent publications highlight his contributions to 2026 Pattern Recognition journal (martingale-based graph analysis), 2025 IEEE ICAIC conference (blockchain gas optimization), and 2024 ACM SAC symposium (shared mobility systems). His work integrates machine learning with real-world constraints across energy grids, transportation, and agricultural technology. NSF Grant (2022) for Dynamic Graph Anomaly Detection NSF Grant (2018) for Spatiotemporal Analysis Google Scholar Classic Paper Recognition (2017) for 2006 Radar Micro-Doppler Study Professional memberships include the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). His teaching portfolio ranges from introductory programming to advanced ML courses. He previously held positions at Nanyang Technological University before joining Rowan in 2016.
Professor Emma Rees serves as Professor of Literature and Gender Studies at the University of Chester's Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, where she directs the Institute of Gender Studies and leads the MRes Gender Studies program. With over fifteen years of academic service at the university (promoted to Professor in August 2015 after serving as Senior Lecturer from 2005-2015), she brings extensive leadership experience including six years as Deputy Head of Department. Her academic profile reflects a deep commitment to inclusive, intersectional feminist scholarship across disciplinary boundaries. Professor Rees's research spans multiple interconnected fields with primary expertise in: Gender studies and feminist theory Literature and gender analysis Gender and visual art interpretation Film and cultural studies Early modern literature Interdisciplinary approaches to embodiment Equality and diversity initiatives in Higher Education Her scholarly trajectory reveals a consistent evolution from early modern literary studies toward broader cultural analyses of gender and embodiment. A significant portion of her work engages with feminist perspectives on the body, exploring how literature, art, and culture construct and challenge gendered bodily experiences. Her publications demonstrate increasing incorporation of intersectional approaches that consider how gender intersects with other identity markers and social structures, particularly evident in her recent book "Margaret Cavendish" (2024) and "The Routledge Companion to Gender, Sexuality, and Culture" (2022). As an educator and supervisor, Professor Rees has developed innovative approaches to student transition into higher education, evidenced by her research on pre-induction social networking. Her teaching portfolio includes Gender studies, Feminist theory, Literature and gender, Gender and visual art, Film and cultural studies, and Early modern literature, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to gender scholarship. Professor Rees directs the University of Chester's Institute of Gender Studies, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary gender research across the university. The institute supports collaborative projects, hosts events, and facilitates knowledge exchange between academic researchers, community organizations, and policymakers interested in gender issues. Her extensive community engagement includes regular contributions as a book reviewer, columnist, and media expert on gender-related topics.
Vicky Angelaki is a Professor at Mid Sweden University’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences since January 2020. With 15 years of full-time academic experience in the UK (University of Reading, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University), she specializes in interdisciplinary literary and theatre studies, focusing on societal/political intersections, environmental humanities, cultural sociology, and contemporary British drama. BA (Hons) English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2003) MA Drama & Theatre, Royal Holloway (2005) PhD Drama & Theatre, Royal Holloway (2009) Her research explores theatre’s role in addressing climate crisis , digital environments, and sociopolitical issues. Recent projects include Performing Interspaces: Social Fluidities in Contemporary Theatre (RJ-funded monograph, 2022) and co-editing the Palgrave Macmillan series Adaptation in Theatre and Performance . She leads the Political Literatures research network at Mid Sweden University. Recent publications and presentations analyze environmental dystopias , gendered geopolitics in classical adaptations, and pandemic-era theatre pedagogy. Her work synthesizes ecocritical frameworks with performance studies, emphasizing interdisciplinary methodologies and international collaboration . RJ Sabbatical Grant (2022) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2018) She teaches courses on Literature and Crisis , Contemporary Anglophone Theatre , and Political Literatures , supervising PhD candidates in collaboration with the University of Reading. Professional affiliations include the European Theatre Research Network, International Federation for Theatre Research, and assessment roles for Uppsala University’s KoF24 research evaluation.
Ingrid Pearson serves as Historical Clarinet Professor and Senior Academic Tutor at the Royal College of Music (RCM), where she has been a faculty member since 2005. Her career bridges historical performance practice with scholarly research, focusing on single-reed organology, music historiography, and conservatoire pedagogy. University of Sydney (BMus, Dip Ed) University of Sheffield (PhD in performance practice) Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL) Licentiate in Music (LMusA) Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Honorary Associate of the Royal College of Music (HonRCM) Pearson's research explores historical and contemporary performance practices through musical iconography, organology, and historiography. She has pioneered studies on clarinet reed positioning in historical contexts and microtonal performance challenges. Her scholarly output spans analyses of 18th–19th century single-reed instruments, Mozart's operatic instrumentation, and 20th-century British wind players' listening experiences. Notable collaborations include recordings with English Baroque Soloists and research on Robert Kahn's chamber works. Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) grant for 19-tone microtonality Galpin Society grant for Neapolitan clarinet study She contributes to international period ensembles (English Baroque Soloists, The English Concert, etc.) and maintains active doctoral supervision at RCM. Her work appears in multiple languages, with Chinese, German, and Spanish translations of her research.
Dr. Juliana M. Pistorius is a music historian affiliated with the University College London (UCL) Institute of Advanced Studies as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Global Postdoctoral Fellow . Her research interrogates the intersections of Western art music, coloniality, and racial politics, particularly in postcolonial contexts. PhD, University of Oxford (2018) Leverhulme Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Huddersfield (2018-2021) Founding member, Black Opera Research Network (BORN) Reviews Editor, Cambridge Opera Journal Her current project, Beyond Boycott: Musical Internationalism and the Making of Race in Apartheid South Africa , analyzes how classical musicians' participation in apartheid-era South Africa reinforced racial hierarchies. This work builds on her monograph Postcolonial Opera: William Kentridge and the Unbounded Work of Art (forthcoming, 2025), which examines Kentridge's operatic experiments as decolonial narratives. Their research spans interdisciplinary analyses of opera as a colonial tool, cultural resistance in apartheid-era performances, and the ethical paradoxes of music's role in empire-building. Key themes include civic empowerment, racial profiling, and the enduring legacies of colonial soft power in artistic practice. Scientific Awards Leverhulme Postdoctoral Fellowship Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Global Postdoctoral Fellowship Pistorius is a founding member of the Black Opera Research Network (BORN) , contributes to Cambridge Opera Journal , and collaborates with institutions in South Africa, including the University of the Witwatersrand during her MSCA fellowship's outgoing phase.
Thomas Schulze is a Professor of Singing at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) , serving as a Principal Study Vocal and German Repertoire Tutor within the School of Vocal Studies and Opera. His career spans roles as a light lyric tenor in Koblenz, performances at prestigious venues like the Gaertnerplatztheatre Munich and Deutsche Oper Berlin, and collaborations with renowned conductors including Wolfgang Sawallisch and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Academic Role: Professor of Singing Specializations: Lieder recitals, Evangelist performances Key Collaborations: Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna, Paris festivals His research interests align with vocal pedagogy and Germanic classical music traditions. He has been recognized with the O E Hasse prize from the Academy of Arts Berlin.
Barbara Kowalzig is an Associate Professor of Classics and History at New York University's College of Arts & Science, specializing in ancient Greek religious and cultural history within the broader Mediterranean context. Her research integrates sociology of music and performance with economic transformations in antiquity. She has held prestigious fellowships at institutions including the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Stanford Humanities Center, and Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. Her academic leadership includes serving as Director of Graduate Studies in Classics at NYU. Key research areas include: Religion and anthropology of ancient Greece Music and performance in antiquity Social and economic history of the Mediterranean Cognitive aspects of ancient religions Comparative approaches to pre-modern societies Intercultural Mediterranean dynamics Her recent publications analyze religious-economic networks, dithyramb's role in social change, and maritime cultural interactions, reflecting her interdisciplinary methodology. Scientific awards include the Conington Prize and Hellenic Foundation Prize for doctoral work. She teaches courses spanning Greek history, ethics in ancient economies, and Mediterranean drama.
