Kimberly Stratton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Carleton University within the College of the Humanities. She holds a Ph.D. in the History of Religions in Late Antiquity from Columbia University (2002), following degrees from Barnard College and Harvard University. Her research focuses on religion, violence, and social identity in antiquity, ancient magic, and gender studies. She has authored Naming the Witch: Magic, Ideology, and Stereotype in the Ancient World (2007), which won the F. W. Beare Book Award, and co-edited volumes such as Daughters of Hecate: Women and Magic in Antiquity (2014). Her work examines intersections between religion, power, and identity in Greco-Roman, early Christian, and Rabbinic Jewish contexts. Recent projects include exploring violence and Exodus narratives in early religious identity formation, as seen in her 2017 article in History of Religions . She has presented widely on topics like Roman imperialism and apocalyptic literature at venues such as the Society of Biblical Literature. Her research highlights how ancient societies used religious discourse to construct social boundaries and authority. Awards include recognition from students and scholarly societies for her impactful contributions. Education: B.A. Barnard College (1991), M.T.S. Harvard (1995), Ph.D. Columbia (2002) Affiliations: Canadian Society of Biblical Studies, American Academy of Religion Office: 2A47 Paterson Hall | Email: kim.stratton@carleton.ca
C. Michael Sampson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics at the Faculty of Arts , University of Manitoba . Holding a PhD in Classical Studies (2009) from the University of Michigan, an MA in Classics (2003) from Dalhousie University, and a BA (First Class Honours) in Classics and Early Modern Studies (2001) from the University of King's College, Sampson is a broadly trained philologist specializing in Greek and Latin literature with a focus on poetry, and a papyrologist working on fragmentary texts from Egypt. Research interests: Greek/Latin literature, papyrology, reception studies, Hellenistic literature Current project: The Books of Karanis (interdisciplinary study of Greek literary culture in Egypt) Awards: SSHRC Insight Grant (2021-2025), SSHRC Connections Grant (2020-2022), Community Engagement Award (2018) Editorial roles: Digital Corpus of Literary Papyri, Pylon: Editions and Studies of Ancient Texts Teaching: Courses on Ancient Greek culture, Roman comedy, Euripides, and Archaic poetry
Denis Kozlov is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Dalhousie University, specializing in modern Russian and Soviet history. His academic journey includes a BA from Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University, an MA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a PhD from the University of Toronto. He holds appointments within Dalhousie's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and maintains an active research profile focused on cultural and intellectual transformations in the Soviet Union. His educational background reflects deep engagement with Russian studies: BA: Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University MA: University of Massachusetts Amherst PhD: University of Toronto Kozlov's research centers on Soviet cultural and intellectual history during the post-Stalin era (1953-1991), with particular emphasis on memory practices, reading audiences, and migration. His work examines how Soviet citizens processed historical trauma through literature and media, especially during the Thaw period, and explores transnational migrations from the USSR in the 1970s-1980s. He investigates intersections between literature, society, and historical consciousness, revealing how cultural production shaped Soviet identity and social change. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications shows consistent focus on Soviet cultural history, with dominant themes including reading practices during de-Stalinization, migration as political expression, and memory politics. His methodology combines archival research with cultural analysis, increasingly incorporating transnational perspectives in recent works on Soviet Jewish migration and Eastern European identity. His scholarly recognition includes significant awards: SSHRC Insight Grant (2019-2024) Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship at Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (2010-2011) Harvard University Postdoctoral Fellowships (2008-09) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Teaching Award (2014-2015) Kozlov actively supervises graduate research in Soviet history while securing major grants including SSHRC and NEH funding. His teaching spans introductory surveys to advanced seminars on Soviet Russia and comparative cultural history, with recent courses including HIST 2021F (Soviet Russia) and HIST 3088F (History & Memory Russia and West) for 2024-2025. While no dedicated research labs are mentioned, his collaborative projects like the NEH-funded conference "The Thaw: Soviet Society and Culture during the 1950s and 1960s" demonstrate his role in building scholarly networks. Current work focuses on Soviet migration patterns and their ideological implications.
Aqsa Ijaz is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the Department of Language Studies and teaches the popular course Being Human in South Asia in the Department of Historical Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She is a literary scholar specializing in Persianate literatures and multilingualism, with a focus on classical Persian poetry reception in South Asia. Education: PhD in Islamic Studies (McGill University), MPhil in Translation Studies (G.C. University, Pakistan), BA Hons in English Literature and Philosophy (minor in French). Her research explores the transcultural and temporal resonance of Nizami Ganjavi's Khusrau u Shirin across Persian, Urdu, and Punjabi traditions. She is the architect of the Global Past Research Initiative and serves on the editorial board of The Marginalia Review of Books . Key publications include her monograph Shaping the Language of Love and annotated translations of the 18th-century Persian history The Gift of the Generous and the French graphic novel Majnun and Laila: Songs from Beyond the Grave . Her work intersects premodern manuscript studies, oral performances, lithographs, and modern graphic novels. She teaches Introductory Persian , Urdu , and Punjabi courses while actively translating and performing as a cellist.
Peter O’Brien is an Assistant Professor of Classics in the King’s-Dalhousie Joint Faculty, with formal affiliations at both Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College. Holding degrees from the University of Windsor (BA Hons), Dalhousie (MA), and Boston University (MA, PhD), he has been a faculty member since 2001 after teaching at a Boston private school. Roles: Graduate Coordinator, King’s-Dalhousie Carnegie Professor, Public Orator (2011-present), Vice-President (2017-2021) Editorial: Co-Editor of Mouseion: Journal of the Classical Association of Canada Teaching: Specializes in Virgil, Ovid, Catullus, and late Roman history Research Focus: Literary analysis of Ammianus Marcellinus’ historiography, Virgilian allusions in late antiquity, and Neo-Latin literature with Canadian themes. His work spans classical formation, emotional rhetoric in Jesuit texts, and classical tradition in Atlantic Canada. Publications Trends: 15 recent works (2006-2019) demonstrate expertise in Latin historiography, Virgilian intertextuality, and Neo-Latin studies. Key themes include rhetorical analysis of imperial speeches, classical reception in colonial contexts, and sacred/secular dynamics in historical narratives. Scientific Awards: Recognized for teaching excellence and graduate advising (2006, 2007, 2010). Holds leadership roles in the Classical Association of Canada (Vice-President 2022-2024). Advising & Outreach: Served as graduate coordinator, contributed to Halifax Humanities 101 and Halifax Thinks community programs, and coordinated the Foundation Year Programme at King’s College.
Steven Hijmans is a Professor in the Department of History, Classics, & Religion at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on Roman art and religion, with a particular emphasis on solar symbolism, Mithraic studies, and the intersection of art and religious practices. He holds a PhD and has authored numerous scholarly works analyzing ancient iconography, imperial imagery, and religious syncretism. His work often bridges archaeological evidence with textual analysis to explore cultural, political, and religious dynamics in antiquity. Key research areas include the role of art in religious expression, the evolution of imperial portraiture, and the material culture of Roman cults. His recent publications (2010–2024) address topics ranging from solar deities in Greco-Roman contexts to the reinterpretation of ancient urban spaces. Hijmans is also engaged in interdisciplinary projects examining the reception of classical antiquity in modern scholarship. His academic contributions are marked by meticulous attention to iconographic detail and contextual analysis. He has participated in archaeological fieldwork in Greece and Turkey, contributing to site documentation and interpretation. Hijmans' work is frequently cited in studies of late antique religion, Hellenistic art, and the socio-political dimensions of Roman religious practices.
Professor Joshua S. Mostow is a scholar of pre-modern Japanese literature and art, specializing in text-image relationships, Heian-period studies, and gendered cultural constructions. He holds a professorship at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Asian Studies (Faculty of Arts), where he also serves as Acting Director of Language Programs. Mostow earned his doctorate in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at International Christian University (Tokyo), Université de Paris, and Gakushuin University. His career includes visiting roles at institutions like Heidelberg University and the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on intersections of literature and visual arts, particularly in Japanese pre-modern contexts. Key interests include the ideological construction of the Heian period, women’s writing traditions, and the role of sexuality in cultural identity. Major works include *Courtly Visions: The Ise Stories and the Politics of Cultural Appropriation* (2014) and *Pictures of the Heart: The Hyakunin Isshu in Word and Image* (1996). He has received prestigious awards such as the Japan Foreign Minister’s Commendation (2017) and induction into the Royal Society of Canada (2015). Mostow has authored/co-authored over 20 books, edited volumes, and numerous articles across Japanese literature, art history, and cultural studies. His work spans medieval commentaries, Edo-period print culture, and modern reception histories. He frequently lectures internationally on topics like gender representation in classical texts and the visual legacy of *The Tale of Genji*. Grants and fellowships include support from the Sainsbury Institute, Japan Foundation, and SSHRC (Canada). His contributions to Japanese studies include co-editing *The Columbia Companion to Modern East Asian Literature* (2003) and curating exhibitions on Rinpa aesthetics and Edo-period shunga. Scholarly activities further include invited lectures at institutions worldwide and participation in major international conferences.
Ian McAdam is a Professor in the English Department at the University of Lethbridge, where he has taught early modern English literature and introductory courses since 1995. His scholarship focuses on Renaissance drama, particularly Shakespeare and Marlowe, with institutional recognition through the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award. His educational trajectory includes: BA (English, Honors) from the University of Victoria MA (English) from the University of Toronto PhD (English) from Dalhousie University (thesis on Christopher Marlowe) McAdam's research centers on early modern masculinity, examining how Reformation theology shaped gender identity and how magic functioned as a cultural discourse. He employs psychoanalytic frameworks to analyze self-fashioning in Shakespeare, Milton, and Jacobean drama, while exploring intersections with witchcraft, religious psychology, and seventeenth-century poetry. His expertise spans textual analysis, historical theology, and gender theory within Renaissance contexts. His publication history (1995–2015) reveals evolving scholarly priorities: initial work on Marlowe's identity construction expanded into comparative studies of magic across playwrights (Jonson, Greene), then matured into theological examinations of masculinity in Shakespeare and Milton. Recurring themes include religious conflict in domestic tragedies, satirical treatments of alchemy, and the psychological dimensions of gender performance. Key honors include: Roma Gill Award (Second-place, 1999-2000) for The Irony of Identity University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teaching Award (2009) McAdam has authored two monographs: The Irony of Identity: Self and Imagination in the Drama of Christopher Marlowe (1999) and Magic and Masculinity in Early Modern English Drama (2009). His extensive article corpus demonstrates rigorous engagement with primary texts and theoretical frameworks, consistently advancing understandings of gender, religion, and power in Renaissance literature.
Erik Kwakkel is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, School of Information , specializing in the History of the Book , Codicology , and Digital Humanities . His research examines premodern communication systems, focusing on manuscript design, marginalia, and knowledge dissemination before print culture. Director, UBC iSchool (2020–present) Member, Comité International de Paléographie Latine (CIPL) Active in digitization projects and outreach through medievalbooks.nl blog and social media His research bridges material culture with digital innovation, analyzing medieval parchment reuse, manuscript fragments in early-modern bindings, and collaborative book production networks in Paris. He pioneered framed fragment storage at UBC for safer pedagogical use of delicate materials. Selected Publications include Books Before Print (2018), Medicine at Monte Cassino (2019), and The European Book in the Twelfth Century (2018). His media impact spans BBC World Service , CNN , and Smithsonian Magazine . Awards & Recognition : International expert on medieval manuscripts Buzzfeed's '8 Book Historians Killing It Online' (2014) CIPL Membership
Professor Margriet Haagsma is a Classical Archaeologist at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts , holding a PhD from the University of Groningen and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge. She specializes in Mediterranean Archaeology, particularly domestic space and urbanism in Ancient Greece. Her research focuses on the archaeology of Thessaly, co-directing excavations at Kastro Kallithea with Sophia Karapanou since 2001. Previously, she served as director of the Netherlands Institute at Athens (1993–2001). She currently leads the Future of the Past initiative with Pam Willoughby and chairs the SSHRC Committee 5A. Education: PhD and MA: University of Groningen MPhil: University of Cambridge Research Interests: Domestic Archaeology Ancient Urbanism Regional Identity in Greece Archaeological Method and Theory Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, such as the Central Achaia Phthiotis Survey (CAPS) and the Kastro Kallithea Archaeological Project (KKAP) . She has authored over 40 publications, including studies on Hellenistic husbandry practices and ethnic constructs in Achaia Phthiotis. Awards: McCalla Professorship (2014) Helena Fracchia Award for International Teaching (2021) Teaching: Graduate courses on Archaeological Theory and Greek City Planning Supervised over 20 graduate students Haagsma serves on numerous committees, including the University of Alberta's Research Committee and the Canadian Institute in Greece. Her research integrates fieldwork, isotopic analysis, and historical geography to explore ancient socio-economic dynamics and regional identities.
James Chlup is an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba , where he teaches in the Department of Classics within the Faculty of Arts . His academic career spans multiple institutions, having earned a PhD in Latin from Durham University, an MA in Ancient History from Dalhousie University, and a BA (Honours) in Classics from the University of New Brunswick. Specializes in Roman history (Middle to Late Republic, 250-30 BCE) Research focuses on Greek/Latin historiography, military manuals, and biographical traditions Currently working on a commentary of Plutarch's Life of Crassus and related articles on Frontinus, Appian, and Roman decapitation practices Chlup's publications reveal particular interest in ancient military theory, exempla tradition, and intertextual relationships between Plutarch's Lives. He has co-edited volumes on Greek and Roman military manuals while maintaining active research into Roman imperialism and its literary representations. His work frequently bridges classical texts with contemporary political theory frameworks. As a member of the Department of Classics, Chlup teaches diverse courses spanning: Greek and Roman mythology Ancient history surveys Latin language instruction (beginner to advanced) Specialized seminars on Roman Republic topics
Melanie Racette-Campbell is an Associate Professor in the Classics Department at the University of Winnipeg. Her research focuses on gender and sexuality in Roman literature, Latin literature of the late Republic and early Empire, classical reception in Renaissance and modern culture, and the city of Rome. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Saskatchewan and a PhD from the University of Toronto. Her work bridges textual analysis with historical and cultural context, examining themes like patronage, slavery, and gendered roles in Roman elegy. She has published extensively on Propertius’ poetry, exploring concepts like fides (faith/loyalty), marriage contracts, and women’s agency in ancient texts. Recent publications include analyses of masculinity in Augustan-era literature and embodied identities in Roman elegy. Racette-Campbell’s research also engages with material culture, such as papyri records, to reconstruct economic practices in antiquity. She is involved in academic initiatives like the New Directions in Classics VIII conference and contributes to undergraduate and graduate teaching in classical studies.
Martin Revermann is a Professor at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Department of Classics and the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies. He holds positions at the Schwarz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and the Centre for Comparative Literature. Ph.D., Oxford University M.A., LMU Munich (distinction) Staatsexamen, LMU Munich (distinction) His research spans ancient Greek drama, translation studies, Bertolt Brecht, Greek religion, and the cultural history of science. He integrates Classics, Theatre Studies, and Comparative Literature in exploring performance criticism, reception studies, and theatrical theory. Recent publications focus on Greek drama’s reception across centuries, Brecht’s engagement with classical tragedy, and translation practices. His work has been recognized with awards like the Humboldt Prize and Gaisford Prizes. Humboldt Prize Gaisford Dissertation Prize Rhodes Scholar Desmond Morton Research Excellence Award Revermann supervises doctoral students in Classics and Theatre Studies, with completed theses on topics like Aristophanic adaptations, Greek tragedy reception, and choral reinterpretations. He also contributes to graduate pedagogy through initiatives like the Graduate Student Learning workshop.
Lorenzo DiTommaso serves as Professor in the Department of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, Montreal, where he has progressed from Assistant Professor (2004) to full Professor (2013), including service as Department Chair. His academic home encompasses Jewish Studies and Christianity programs, with biennial teaching of the graduate religion and popular culture seminar. Ph.D. in Religious Studies, McMaster University (2002) Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University Divinity School (2001-03) NEH Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Saint Louis University (2003-04) DiTommaso's research constitutes a comprehensive exploration of apocalyptic speculation across temporal and cultural boundaries, from ancient Near Eastern traditions to contemporary digital media. His work uniquely bridges textual scholarship on biblical apocrypha and medieval manuscripts with cutting-edge analysis of apocalyptic expression in video games, anime, and popular music. The intellectual scope spans apocalyptic historiography , manuscript studies , apocalyptic and millenarian movements , and religion in contemporary media , with distinctive expertise in Japanese cultural intersections. His methodological approach combines rigorous textual analysis with interdisciplinary cultural theory, particularly examining how apocalyptic frameworks shape human responses to crisis across historical periods. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced shift toward contemporary apocalyptic manifestations, with nearly half of his 2021-2024 output focusing on digital media, video games, and modern cultural phenomena. Simultaneously, he maintains deep engagement with medieval manuscript traditions and early Jewish-Christian apocalyptic literature, demonstrating remarkable versatility across historical periods. The thematic through-line remains apocalyptic determinism versus human agency , examined through diverse lenses from ancient prophecy to interactive gaming environments. Bibliographical Society of America - Pine Tree Foundation Fellowship in Hispanic Bibliography (2019) Nicky Carpenter Fellow in Manuscript Studies Marilyn Hollinshead Visiting Scholar (2023) Research Fellow at Herzog August Bibliothek (2024) DiTommaso has supervised over 20 graduate students since 2019 across diverse apocalyptic topics including disability studies in biblical interpretation, Satanism in virtual communities, and environmental apocalypse in radical movements. His research has been continuously supported by four major SSHRC grants (2004-07, 2007-11, 2011-16, 2018-24), supplemented by specialized fellowships at premier manuscript repositories including the Vatican Film Library, Herzog August Bibliothek, and special collections at Michigan State and Minnesota universities. He co-organizes the biennial 'Through a Glass Darkly' Symposium on Apocalyptic with Colin McAllister, now in its eighth year, rotating between Colorado Springs and Montreal. The 'Through a Glass Darkly' symposium serves as his primary collaborative platform, fostering international scholarly exchange on apocalyptic themes. He maintains active research partnerships with institutions including the Enoch Seminar and Azrieli Institute for Israel Studies, while leveraging special collections access at major libraries for manuscript-based projects. Current work on apocalyptic comic art involves collaboration with special collections at Michigan State and Minnesota universities, demonstrating his commitment to bridging traditional textual scholarship with contemporary cultural analysis.
Jeff Mitscherling is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Guelph, specializing in phenomenology, hermeneutics, ancient philosophy, and aesthetics. His research explores the intersection of realist phenomenology with cognitive science, particularly through the works of Aristotle and early phenomenologists like Ingarden and Reinach. He holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A.), McMaster University (M.A.), and the University of Guelph (Ph.D.). His research interests include the ontological foundations of Aristotle's philosophy, intentional being, and the historical development of cognitive concepts. He has published extensively on topics such as the nature of art, literary criticism, and Platonic dialogues. Notable works include Aesthetic Genesis (2010) and The Image of a Second Sun (2009), which critically engage with classical and modern philosophical frameworks. His scholarly contributions span hermeneutic theory, ancient philosophy, and the philosophy of art. Though no awards are explicitly listed, his prolific publication record reflects significant academic impact. His teaching and research emphasize interdisciplinary dialogue between historical philosophy and contemporary cognitive inquiry.
