Fulvia Sarnelli is a Researcher in Anglo-American Literatures at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale', Department of Literary, Linguistic and Comparative Studies. Her academic appointments include visiting roles at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and adjunct positions at multiple Italian universities. She is an active member of the international research network 'Passaggio a Nord-Ovest'. Her research explores: Asian American literary traditions and identity politics Feminist theory and reproductive justice in cultural discourse Postcolonial interpretations of American literature Representations of race and gender in popular media She has received notable recognitions including the Paolo Zanotti Award (2013) and Sebetia-Ter International Prize (2013) for scholarly contributions. Her teaching encompasses undergraduate and graduate courses on American literature and cultural studies.
Alessandro Secomandi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bergamo's Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures, specializing in Hispanic-American Language and Literature (L-LIN/06). His academic work focuses on the intersections between Hispanic and Italian literary traditions, with particular emphasis on Colombian literature and comparative studies. His research interests center on literary analysis, Hispanic-American literature, comparative literature, and the relationships between Italian and Hispanic literary traditions. Secomandi has produced significant scholarly work examining the influence of Italian writers like Leonardo Sciascia on Colombian authors such as Federico Campbell, and has explored narrative structures in works by authors including Alejo Carpentier, Vincenzo Consolo, Juan Rulfo, and Álvaro Cepeda Samudio. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on literary criticism, narrative techniques, and cross-cultural literary influences. Secomandi's scholarly output reveals patterns of interest in spectrality, religious symbolism, violence representation, and historical narrative as explored through comparative literary analysis. His work often examines how literary devices function across different cultural contexts and historical periods. As an educator, Secomandi teaches courses on Ibero-American Literature, specifically focusing on the Conquest and Colonial Phase. He serves as a co-advisor (correlatore) for master's theses, working alongside Professor Corti who serves as the primary advisor (relatore).
LE THUY HIEN is a Vietnamese academic currently serving as a Researcher at the University of Naples L'Orientale within the Department of Asia, Africa and Mediterranean. She specializes in Vietnamese language, literature, and translation studies, with particular expertise in humor analysis and cultural resistance through literary expression. Her academic work bridges Vietnamese and Italian cultural contexts, focusing on literary translation, visual culture, and linguistic analysis. Her research interests prominently feature Vietnamese literature , with specialization in humor studies and translation challenges between Vietnamese and Italian. She examines how humor functions as cultural resistance, particularly in postcolonial contexts, and analyzes linguistic structures in Vietnamese wordplay. Her work spans literary analysis, visual culture (particularly Dong Ho woodblock prints), and the translation of children's literature. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on Vietnamese humor across different literary forms and historical periods, from traditional ca dao poetry to modern novels like Số Đỏ. The research shows particular attention to how humor serves as social commentary and cultural preservation, with strong emphasis on the challenges of translating culturally-specific humor between Vietnamese and Italian contexts. Premi per le traduzioni dedicati alla diffusione della lingua italiana all'estero (2020) Premi Alma Bacciarini (2011) Dr. HIEN teaches multiple Vietnamese language and literature courses at the University of Naples L'Orientale, including Vietnamese Language I, Vietnamese Language II, and Vietnamese Literature I across both undergraduate and graduate programs. Her teaching spans the Department of Asia, Africa and Mediterranean as well as the Department of Human, Social and Political Sciences, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her work. She previously served as a Contract Professor of Italian language, linguistics, and literature at Hanoi University from 2012-2014, demonstrating her cross-cultural academic engagement.
Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art HistoryItaly
Yasmin Riyahi is a postdoctoral researcher and academic currently holding multiple positions across Italian institutions. She serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art History in the Weddigen Department, an Adjunct Professor at IULM University in Milan teaching 'Museums, Colonialism, Restitutions,' and a Teaching Assistant at Sapienza University of Rome. Her research interests include: Contemporary Palestinian Art in Italy (1970-2009) Postcolonial studies and transcultural exchanges Art-power relationships during Fascism Decolonial practices in museums and public spaces Art criticism in general press Dr. Riyahi earned her Ph.D. from Sapienza University of Rome in 2024 with a thesis on 'Pietro Maria Bardi e la Galleria di Roma.' Her current research project 'Visioning Palestine in Italy' explores Palestinian visual culture reception in Italy across four decades, examining art exhibitions, books, posters, and comics that contributed to Palestinian visual identity. Her professional affiliations include: Postdoctoral work at Bibliotheca Hertziana Teaching at IULM University and Sapienza University Research fellowship at University for Foreigners of Siena Curatorial work at CAMeC in La Spezia Editorial role for 'Studi Culturali' journal Dr. Riyahi's scholarly activities demonstrate strong engagement with Mediterranean cultural exchanges, museum decolonization, and the politics of artistic representation, particularly regarding Palestinian artists in Italian cultural spaces.
Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art HistoryItaly
Dr. Diogo Rodrigues de Barros is a Scientific Assistant at the Bibliotheca Hertziana, Max Planck Institute for Art History in Rome, working in the department of Prof. Dr. Tristan Weddigen. He completed his PhD in Art History at the University of Montreal in 2023, where he previously worked as a lecturer. His academic background includes an M.A. in Social Sciences from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales and a B.A. in History from the University of São Paulo. Dr. de Barros specializes in transnational history of art history, with research focusing on intellectual networks, art criticism, and concepts of crisis in modern art. His work examines connections between discourses on the crisis of modern art and references to crises of democratic culture in post-fascist Italy and Brazil under dictatorship during the 1960s and 1970s. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on Latin American art historiography, cultural diplomacy through UNESCO, and the work of contemporary artists like Voluspa Jarpa and Paulo Nazareth. Dr. de Barros' scholarship spans multiple languages and engages with diverse theoretical frameworks from art history, intellectual history, and political theory. Transnational History of Art History Art criticism in Latin America and Europe Intellectual sociability and network formation Crisis of Modern Art and democratic culture Cultural diplomacy and UNESCO programs Post-dictatorship art and memory studies Dr. de Barros' research demonstrates significant international collaboration, with presentations and publications across North America, Latin America, and Europe. His work bridges art historical scholarship with contemporary political concerns, particularly regarding democracy, cultural identity, and historical memory.
Corradi Federico is a Full Professor of French Literature (FRAN-01/A) at the University of Naples L'Orientale. He previously held positions as Associate Professor at the same university (2015-2024) and at Guglielmo Marconi University. His academic trajectory includes a PhD in French Studies from Sapienza University of Rome (2007) and postdoctoral research at Sorbonne Nouvelle (2009-2010). His research focuses on three primary domains: 17th-century French literature , specializing in La Fontaine's work and the European fable tradition Historical writing and morality in authors like Saint-Réal and La Bruyère Contemporary French fiction , particularly historical novels and classical revivals Recent publications (2023-2024) demonstrate consistent engagement with French literary canon formation, spatial narratives in early modern texts, and psychoanalytic approaches to Baroque literature. Articles frequently examine cross-cultural receptions (French-Italian) and theoretical frameworks like chronotope analysis. He leads multiple research initiatives including: Departmental project 'Jeux d'auteurs' on novelistic structures (2024-present) AUF-funded 'Les ports de la Méditerranée' (2020-present) PRIN collaboration on Shakespeare's Italian sources (2022) As Vice-President of the Société des Amis de Jean de La Fontaine, he co-organizes international conferences and serves on editorial boards for Le Fablier and Annali . He coordinates doctoral programs and teaches graduate courses in French literature and criticism.
Yu-chi Chang is a historian of modern China who will join Vassar College as an Assistant Professor of History in Fall 2024. She holds a PhD from Brown University and undergraduate/master's degrees from National Taiwan University, specializing in premodern and modern Chinese history. Her interdisciplinary research bridges intellectual history, cultural studies, and historical geography. Chang's work examines knowledge production, territorial conceptualization, and state-building in 1930s–1940s China. She analyzes how visual media like maps, textbook illustrations, and historical metaphors (e.g., depicting China as a 'mulberry leaf') shaped public perceptions of sovereignty during periods of foreign aggression. Her approach emphasizes grassroots intellectual movements and the repurposing of historical symbols (such as Song dynasty general Yue Fei) in modern nationalism. Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on spatial imagination and power dynamics. Recent articles explore territorial representation in Republican-era China and epistemic imperialism in paleontological expeditions, utilizing visual analysis and archival research from Taiwan and U.S. collections. Chang is currently developing her dissertation into a book manuscript titled Imagining Sovereignty: Maps and State-Building in Modern China , which investigates Nationalist cartographic projects and the enduring cultural impact of territorial imagery. Her research has been published in journals including Twentieth-Century China and Isis .
Paolo Gheda serves as Associate Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Valle d'Aosta's Department of Economic and Political Sciences, specializing in international and Italian history with emphasis on socio-political and religious institutions. His research spans Northern Irish Troubles, Commonwealth dynamics in Africa (particularly South Africa during Apartheid), Christian Democratic Party figures, and the interplay between civil and ecclesiastical dimensions in national identity formation. PhD in 'Peoples, Cultures and Religious Confessions in the Modern and Contemporary Age' (Catholic University of Milan, 2004) Degree in History of Philosophy (Catholic University of Milan, 1993) His scholarly work examines religious institutions' political roles, border regions' historical development, and European integration processes. Current projects focus on Commonwealth-Africa relations and Christian Democratic intelligence policies. Gheda directs two academic series: 'Chaiers d'Histoire, Politique, Economie' (Emile Chanoux Foundation) and 'Spirituality and Human Promotion' (Rubbettino). His publication trends reveal consistent engagement with ethno-religious conflicts, border studies, and institutional history, particularly examining how religious actors navigate political transitions. Recent works increasingly address post-Apartheid reconciliation and Commonwealth legacy in contemporary African politics. President of SOCINT's Aosta Valley chapter Member of SISSCo's Archives and Libraries Commission University Library Commission member Quality Delegate for Department of Economics and Political Sciences Gheda has advised PhD candidates at University of Bologna and coordinated numerous international conferences on contemporary history topics. His academic leadership includes directing research centers and organizing seminars on European integration, religious history, and border studies. He actively participates in scholarly networks including SISSCo, EuARe, and CIVITAS, with recent engagements focusing on Ukraine-Russia conflict historical contexts and European identity formation.
