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Jørgen Bakke is an Associate Professor in History of Art at the Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies, University of Bergen. His academic work spans classical archaeology, Byzantine studies, and visual culture with a particular focus on ancient Greek art, landscape archaeology, and the cultural history of the Mediterranean region. Bakke has been actively involved in archaeological research in Greece, particularly in the Tegea region of Arcadia. His research interests encompass a broad range of topics in art history and classical studies. Bakke specializes in visual culture of ancient Greece, Byzantine garden traditions, landscape archaeology, and the intersection of art with memory and knowledge representation. His work often bridges disciplines, connecting classical literature with visual analysis and exploring how ancient visual culture functioned within historical and religious contexts. Bakke's research demonstrates particular expertise in the interpretation of ancient texts related to art (ekphrasis), the visual poetics of ancient Greek culture, and the reception of classical themes in later periods. Bakke's scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on Mediterranean cultural landscapes, particularly examining the Tegea region through multiple historical periods from classical antiquity through the Byzantine era and into the Ottoman period. His work shows a progression from early studies on ancient Greek visual culture toward more specialized research on Byzantine visual traditions and garden culture. A notable thread throughout his publications is the examination of how visual culture functions within religious and devotional contexts across different historical periods. His recent work increasingly engages with digital humanities approaches to art historical analysis. Bakke is actively involved in multiple research groups at the University of Bergen, including the Images of Knowledge Research Group, the Antiquity and the Classical Tradition Research Group, and the Literature & Religion Research Group. These affiliations reflect the interdisciplinary nature of his work, which bridges art history, classical studies, religious studies, and literary analysis. His research demonstrates how visual culture serves as a critical lens for understanding historical, religious, and philosophical developments across different eras.

• Art History
• Classical Archaeology
• Byzantine Studies
• +4 more

Rune Svarverud is a Professor at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Oslo. His research spans two major periods in Chinese history: early Chinese philosophy (pre-Qin to Han dynasties) and modern China (post-Opium War cultural encounters). Key research areas include conceptual history, environmental history, political philosophy, and cross-cultural translation studies. Permanent employee since 2004 Head of Department since 2021 Former PhD committee member and research leader (2007-2014) Active in international collaborations with Fudan, Nanjing, Kansai, and Zhejiang Universities His academic work focuses on: History of concepts and textual analysis in Chinese thought Environmental history and terminology evolution in modern China Qing dynasty legal and political philosophy Translation of Western knowledge into Chinese Interactions between Chinese and Western modernity Individualism in 20th-century Chinese society Recent publications examine environmental terminology, cross-cultural scientific translation, and conceptual frameworks in Qing reform. His interdisciplinary approach connects philosophy, law, and environmental studies through historical analysis. Co-edited works on standard languages and cultural communication Contributor to ACTA ORIENTALIA and PNAS Recipient of multiple research grants for Transsustain project

• Chinese Language
• Chinese History
• History of Ideas
• +5 more

Jorunn Økland is a Professor at the University of Oslo, holding dual roles in the Faculty of Theology and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Research. Her research spans ancient Mediterranean material culture, feminist critique of religion, and gender studies. She directs the Norwegian Institute at Athens and has led the Centre for Gender Research (2010–2013). Education: Dr.Theol. from University of Oslo, with classical studies expertise. Key positions include Professor of New Testament at University of Sheffield (2005–2007), and leadership roles in international organizations like the European Association of Biblical Studies (2009–2012). Research focuses on sacred texts, gender theory, and the intersection of religion and cultural memory. Recent work explores populism in Norwegian equality contexts, ancient Greek religion, and spatial theories in gender studies. Active in editorial roles for journals like Journal of the Bible and its Reception and serves on councils such as the Society of Biblical Literature. Awards and honors include leadership in gender research initiatives and academic administration.

• Ancient Mediterranean material culture
• Feminist critique of religion
• Gender and sacred texts
• +5 more

Christine Amadou is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities. Her work is situated within the field of History of Ideas, with a focus on intellectual and cultural history from antiquity to the modern era. Her research interests include classical reception, religious studies, gender and antiquity, medieval thought, biblical translation history, and the transmission of knowledge. She has published on diverse topics such as Saint George, Thecla, Simone Weil, Procopius, Homeric reception in Norway, philhellenism, and the cultural identity embedded in religious translations. Her recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining historical analysis with literary, philosophical, and gender studies approaches. Articles span from Late Antique hagiography to 19th-century Norwegian intellectual history, showing her engagement with both Scandinavian and Mediterranean intellectual traditions. Local Cult, Transforming Miracles, and Global Discourses: Saint George in Lydda Reading Thecla: Holy Women as Transmitters of Knowledge Philhellenism as a Regime of Forgetting: The Norwegian Archaeologist Ingvald Undset and His Report from Greece Simone Weil og "det greske mirakel" Den ukjente historien om keiser Justinian og Theodora Christine Amadou is involved in research groups such as 'Children and Youth in a History of Ideas Perspective' and 'Textual Traditions and Communities in Early Modern Europe.' She has contributed to projects like 'Narrative Hierarchies: Minor Characters in Byzantine and Medieval History Writing.' There is no public information available about her advising of students or research grants. She can be contacted at christine.amadou@ifikk.uio.no and is based in room 603 at the university’s campus in Oslo.

• History of Ideas
• Intellectual History
• Classical Reception
• +7 more

Stian Sundell Torjussen is an Associate Professor at the University of Innlandet , affiliated with the Department of Social Sciences, Religion and Ethics within the Faculty of Education . His primary research interests focus on ancient Greek religion, contemporary Paganism, reception studies, and the role of religion in popular culture. He actively contributes to teacher education programs in religion, philosophy, and ethics. Dr. Torjussen leads the Research Group Formation, Values and Cultural Heritage and serves as the Subject Manager for "Classical religion" at the Great Norwegian Encyclopedia . His work bridges classical religious studies with modern cultural phenomena, such as analyzing ancient myths in video games (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons: Mythic Odysseys of Theros ) and exploring contemporary Hellenic polytheistic practices in North America. His publications span over 15 years, addressing topics like Orphic gold tablets, Etruscan tomb iconography, and the reception of classical motifs in modern media. Recent work includes studies on teacher education ethics and transnational research collaboration through the TRANSPEER project. Though no formal awards are listed, his extensive scholarly output underscores his academic influence in religious and classical studies. Dr. Torjussen’s advising and grants focus on fostering interdisciplinary research and pedagogical innovation. He collaborates internationally, evident in projects like EMERGE (a European university alliance). His academic presence extends to platforms like Cristin , Academia.edu , and ResearchGate .

• Ancient Greek Religion
• Contemporary Paganism
• Reception Studies
• +3 more

Paola D’Andrea is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Classical Reception Studies at the University of Oslo’s Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas. Previously, she held a lectureship in Comparative Literature at NTNU Trondheim (2018–2020), where she taught modules in Literary Theory and supervised student theses. Her research focuses on the intersection of Classical Reception, Neo-Latin studies, and translational practices, particularly in Fascist Italy and 19th-century Scottish literature. Education : - D.Phil. (Classical Languages and Literature), University of Oxford (2016) - MA Modern Humanities (summa cum laude), Università degli Studi di Milano (2010) - BA Humanities (summa cum laude), Università degli Studi di Milano (2007) Research Focus : Her monograph Il latino allo specchio. Riflessi dell’antico nel romanzo di Stendhal (under revision) explores classical influences in French literature. Current projects include the use of Latin in Fascist Italy’s public sphere. Key themes in her work are national identity formation, intertextuality, and the role of antiquity in modern political and literary contexts. Teaching : Expertise spans Classical Languages, Comparative Literature, and Literary Theory. At NTNU, she designed innovative group learning modules combining essay writing and focus groups. Lab/Team : Affiliated with the project New Signs of Antiquity: The Uses of Latin in the Public Culture of Fascist Italy (1922–1943) and the Classical Ages - Research Cluster at UiO.

• Classical Reception
• Comparative Literature
• Neo-Latin Studies
• +3 more

Reidar Hvalvik is an Adjunct Professor at MF University College of Theology, Religion and Society, contributing as an external academic member. His work bridges theology, religious studies, and art history, focusing on early Christian contexts and interdisciplinary research. He has authored a scientific monograph (2025) and encyclopedia entries, while also publishing technical analyses of biblical texts and their intertextual connections with Greco-Roman literature and art. His research interests span Pauline studies, the New Testament’s Greco-Roman setting, reception history, and the role of art in early Christian communities. He examines topics like Jewish-Christian relations, apocryphal writings, and the theological implications of classical influences on early Christian thought. Across over 146 publications, Hvalvik’s recent articles (2021–2025) highlight trends in analyzing motifs in Christian art, reinterpreting New Testament texts through historical and cultural lenses, and exploring connections between Paul’s writings and classical traditions. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly noted in the text. While no formal advisees or lab affiliations are listed, his external role suggests collaboration with academic teams in theology and biblical studies. His contributions emphasize scholarly synthesis between textual analysis and visual/ artistic expressions of early Christian ideas.

• Paul
• Bible Studies, New Testament
• Apostolic Fathers
• +8 more

Gregory Peter Fewster is a Research Fellow in Antiquity and Early Christian Studies at MF College of Theology, Religion, and Society. His research focuses on ancient Mediterranean religious and textual cultures, particularly authorship, pseudepigraphy, and manuscript interpretation. Currently, he leads a project exploring epistolary forms and textual authorities in Graeco-Roman culture (96-235 CE), culminating in his upcoming monograph The Authentic Paul: Critical Scholarship and the Making of a Christian Book . Previously held SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Toronto's Classics Department and worked at the Royal Ontario Museum cataloging papyri. Education: PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto (2014–2019). Research interests span Pauline epistolary studies, ancient papyrology, and the interplay between material texts and authorial identity. His work bridges textual criticism, manuscript studies, and early Christian literary practices. Publications include contributions to Mouseion , Early Christianity , and New Testament Studies , with a focus on ancient letter collections and their modern reception. He has served as Coordinator of the Bridging Disciplines in Manuscript Studies working group at the Jackman Humanities Institute.

• Ancient Mediterranean Studies
• Religious Textual Cultures
• Pseudepigraphy
• +7 more

Erlend Lavik is Professor at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen, Norway. Specialising in television studies, film history, and digital criticism, he leads research on cinematic television, narrative complexity, and the scholarly video essay. He is a key figure in the study of HBO’s The Wire , which he frames as emblematic of the medium’s “third golden age.” Education 2008 – PhD, Changing Narratives. Five Essays on Hollywood History , University of Bergen 2001 – MA (hovedoppgave), Kjærlighet i seriemonogamiets tidsalder. Romantiske komedier i Hollywood , University of Bergen Research Interests Lavik’s work interrogates the intersection of aesthetics, narrative theory, and media policy. Core themes include: Serial television and long-form storytelling Film and television authorship (showrunner model, copyright aesthetics) Digital criticism and the video essay as scholarly genre Hollywood historiography from classical to post-classical cinema Documentary ethics and truth claims in factual media Publication Trends Across more than 60 publications, Lavik moves fluidly between peer-reviewed journals, academic monographs, trade-press essays, and experimental video essays. Recurrent case studies include The Wire , The Sopranos , Succession , and blockbuster cinema, examined through lenses of narrative complexity, intertextuality, and cultural memory. Selected Public Engagement & Service Chairman of the jury, Best Norwegian Documentary, Bergen International Film Festival 2012 Keynote speaker, Nordic Media Conference, Akureiri 2011; NTNU seminar on video essays 2012 Public lectures at NRK Drama, University of Tromsø, Bergen Public Library, and numerous film clubs Labs, Teams, Collaborations Lavik is affiliated with the research group Film, Television, and Visual Culture at the University of Bergen, where he collaborates on projects concerning production studies, visual aesthetics, and digital distribution. While specific grant numbers are not listed, his sustained output and conference presence indicate ongoing funded research within Norwegian and European media-studies networks.

• Television Studies
• Film History
• Film and TV Analysis
• +3 more

Erik Tonning serves as Professor of English within the Faculty of Teacher Education at NLA University College, Bergen. His academic profile bridges teacher education, English literature, and theological studies, with extensive expertise spanning Biblical scholarship, religious education, and modernist literary analysis. The institution's Norwegian context informs his cross-disciplinary approach to pedagogy and cultural studies. Tonning's research centers on the intersection of modernism and Christianity, particularly through the lens of Samuel Beckett's works. His scholarship examines theological concepts within modernist literature—including nominalism, hidden divinity, and apocalyptic themes—while engaging deeply with archival methodologies. He investigates how Christian frameworks influence modernist aesthetics, tragedy, and historical consciousness across transatlantic contexts. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2014-2024) reveals consistent thematic threads: the theological dimensions of modernist writers (Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, David Jones), the material history of modernist archives, and the mediation of modernism through radio and mass communication. His work demonstrates increasing focus on archival theory and the re-evaluation of modernist correspondences since 2021. No scientific awards are documented in the source materials. Information regarding student supervision, research grants, laboratory facilities, or collaborative teams remains unspecified in the provided texts.

• English Literature
• Modernist Studies
• Christianity and Literature
• +3 more

Randi Lise Davenport is a Professor of Spanish Literature at the Department of Language and Culture, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Teacher Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. She has been employed at UiT since 2009 and holds a PhD in Spanish Literature from the University of Oslo. Her academic work bridges Spanish Golden Age literature with Nordic cultural contexts, bringing a unique Arctic perspective to the study of early modern Spanish literature. Davenport's research interests focus on Spanish women writers in early modern times, Mariana de Carvajal's baroque novel, Miguel de Cervantes' last work Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda , the stories of Pietro Querini's shipwreck on Røst in 1432, Teresa of Avila's autobiography, Francisco de Quevedo's satires, and the representation of northern regions in Spanish Golden Age literature. She leads the research network SKIMT (Skrivende kvinner i middelalder og tidlig moderne tid) since 2020. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on Cervantes' Persiles , particularly examining female characters, narrative structures, and the northern elements in this final work. She also explores connections between Spanish literature and Nordic contexts, including Mariana de Carvajal's narrative techniques and Spanish women writers' educational access. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining literary analysis with historical, cultural, and gender studies perspectives. Davenport is an active member of international scholarly communities, serving on the boards of the Asociación de Cervantistas (since 2018) and the Asociación Internacional Siglo de Oro (2017-2020, 2020-2023). She participates in the FemPhil research group, Center for Arctic Humanities, and Creating the New North initiatives at UiT. At UiT, Davenport teaches courses including SPA-2114 Women's Voices in Spanish-Language Culture, SPA-1110 Introduction to Spanish and Latin American History, SPA-1111 Introduction to Spanish-Language Literature, SPA-2111 Central Works in Spanish-Language Literature, SPA-3113 Cultural Transfers in Spanish-Language Literature, SPA-3114 Central Themes from the Spanish Golden Age/Cervantes' Don Quijote, and SPA-3190 Special Subject in Spanish Literary Studies.

• Spanish Literature
• Cervantes Studies
• Early Modern Women Writers
• +7 more

Reidar Aasgaard is Professor of the History of Ideas at the University of Oslo since 2009. He has held various academic roles including Project Manager at the Norwegian Bible Society (2008-2009) and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo (1998-2008). His current work focuses on the intersection of antiquity, cultural history, and contemporary popular culture. Education Dr. theol., Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, 1999 Doctoral Fellowship, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, 1993-1998 Cand. theol., Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, 1982 Cand. mag., Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo, 1979 Aasgaard's research spans multiple disciplines: Early Christianity (textual analysis, apocryphal writings), History of Childhood (from antiquity to modern Scandinavia), New Testament Studies (linguistic and theological analysis), and Popular Culture (particularly Bob Dylan's cultural impact). His work bridges classical philology with contemporary cultural studies. His recent publications show a thematic focus on: Biblical childhood representations Translation methodology Augustinian thought Scandinavian hymnology Religious identity formation Popular music analysis He leads the research group Children and Youth in a History of Ideas Perspective and has completed projects like "Tiny Voices from the Past: New Perspectives on Childhood in Early Europe" (2013-2017). Aasgaard teaches courses on Augustine, Late Antiquity, Bob Dylan, and the historical Jesus figure.

• History of Ideas
• Early Christianity
• New Testament Studies
• +8 more

Rasmus Vangshardt is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Literature, Area Studies and European Languages (ILoS) within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Oslo. His research spans multiple literary traditions with a particular focus on Early Modern European literature, philosophical dimensions of literature, and theological intersections with literary works. His research interests include Early Modern Europe; Philosophy and Literature; Theology and Literature; German-Nordic Literary Culture c. 1900; Comparative Literature; Spanish Literature; German Literature; and English Literature. Vangshardt's work often explores the theatrum mundi concept across different historical periods and cultural contexts, examining how literary works engage with philosophical and theological frameworks. Vangshardt has recently published his monograph Pedro Calderón de la Barca and the World Theatre in Early Modern Europe: The Theatrum Mundi of Celebration (De Gruyter/MiP 2024), which represents a significant contribution to Early Modern literary studies. His research output demonstrates consistent engagement with Spanish Golden Age literature, particularly Calderón de la Barca, while maintaining a comparative perspective that connects Spanish, German, and Nordic literary traditions. Book: Pedro Calderón de la Barca and the World Theatre in Early Modern Europe: The Theatrum Mundi of Celebration (2024) Book: Livets febrile hemmeligheder. Et litterært slægtskab mellem Henrik Pontoppidan og Thomas Mann (2017) Edited Volume: HISTORIES. Early Modern Historical Drama 1550-1650 (forthcoming) Edited Volume: Polyfemos. Festschrift in Honour of Christian Høgel (2024) Vangshardt's scholarly activities extend to international conferences, with recent presentations at institutions including University of Oxford, UCL London, and the Renaissance Society of America. His work bridges historical literary analysis with contemporary theoretical concerns, particularly regarding crisis narratives, theatrical metaphors, and historical consciousness in Early Modern literature.

• Early Modern Literature
• Comparative Literature
• Philosophy and Literature
• +7 more

Vibeke Roggen is an Associate Professor emerita at the University of Oslo's Department of Classics, specializing in Neo-Latin studies, textual criticism, and Latin grammar. Her academic career includes leadership roles as Chair of Norway's National Council for Greek and Latin (2007–2011) and director of a cooperative project between Oslo and Azerbaijan University of Languages (2008–2013). Her research spans multiple Neo-Latin domains including the transmission of Catullus, analysis of Petrarch's Africa , and pedagogical approaches to classical languages. She maintains active engagement in public scholarship through initiatives like NRK Radio's 'Den lille latinskolen' program. Publication analysis reveals sustained focus on Latin linguistics and historical transmission, with recent works including comprehensive Latin grammars (2022) and dictionaries (2015). Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent exploration of language evolution, cross-cultural linguistic connections, and pedagogical applications of classical studies across different historical periods.

• Neo-Latin
• Textual Criticism
• Latin Grammar
• +3 more

Christian Janss is Professor of German Literature at the University of Oslo's Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages. His research explores German literature, poetry, modernism, and religious themes, with special focus on Henrik Ibsen and textual criticism. Research interests include German literature , poetic forms , and religious intersections in literature , with publications spanning Holocaust studies, modernist literature, and comparative analysis of Scandinavian-German literary connections. Recent articles examine Holocaust poetry, friendship in literature, and religious utopias in modernist works. His scholarly output shows consistent focus on German literary modernism and Scandinavian-German cultural exchange . He teaches courses on German literature from 1900-present, literary translation, and genre studies, while supervising graduate students in German literature and translation studies.

• German Literature
• Poetry
• Modernism
• +5 more