Jane Mikkelson is an Assistant Professor at Yale University in the School of Humanities , with a faculty appointment in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations . She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (2019) in a joint program in South Asian Languages and Civilizations and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Specializes in literary and intellectual cultures of South Asia and the Near East Works with classical Persian, Urdu, Arabic, and newer projects in Russian and English Research bridges poetry, philosophy, and geopolitical thought in early modern global contexts Her research explores how imaginative literature enables cross-disciplinary inquiry , focusing on planetary poetics, comparative aesthetics, and the interplay between Persianate literary traditions and European intellectual history. Recent publications analyze the Arabic concept of taste (dhawq) , the geopolitical turn in Persian literary criticism , and the transcultural availability of Avicenna’s philosophy to Persian poets. She co-authored works with Timothy M. Harrison on early modern world literature, emphasizing collaborative comparison between Bidel of Delhi and Thomas Traherne. Her courses include thought experiments , neurodiversity in world literature , and advanced seminars on classical Persian epic, lyric, and prose . She is currently working on a book titled Poetry and New Inquiry in the Early Modern Persianate World , alongside co-authored projects bridging South Asian, Near Eastern, and European cultural studies.
Giancarlo Alfano is Full Professor of Italian Literature at the University of Naples Federico II, where he coordinates the Philology Doctorate. He also participates in the Doctoral College in Texts, Traditions and Cultures of the Book at the Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM). 2005-2014: Associate Professor at Seconda Università di Napoli 2015-2018: Associate Professor at University of Palermo 2018-present: Full Professor at University of Naples Federico II 2018-2024: Senior Member of ERC Project DISCOMPOSE 2019-2023: President of National Scientific Abilitation Commission His research spans Italian literature , comparative literature , and cultural history , with a focus on disaster narratives, Renaissance poetry, and impostor themes. His 15 most recent articles cover disaster communication in early modern Naples, belatedness in Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata , and Renaissance hermeneutics. Edinburgh Gadda Prize (2012) Premio Pino Zac per la Satira Politica (2015) Premio Napoli (2017) He leads post-doctoral funding at University of Naples and SSM, contributes to the interdisciplinary project “Renaissances, Mots et usages d'une catégorie historiographique” , and serves on the FNRS (Belgium) Scientific Commission (SHS-3).
Erki Lind is a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities. His academic career includes roles at the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Institute of Cultural Research, and adjunct positions at Tallinn University of Technology. Lind holds a doctoral degree (2015) and a Research Master's (2009) from the University of Tartu and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, respectively. His research focuses on religious embodiment, perspectivism in Eastern philosophies, and historical missions. Key areas include the body's role in religious practices (Chinese/Indian contexts), trans-cultural mission studies, and interreligious communication. He has led projects like 'Vernacular Interpretations of the Incomprehensible' (2020–2024), funded by the Estonian Research Council. Lind's publications span religious education textbooks, comparative religion studies, and historical analyses. Notable works include Chinese Perspectivism (2014) and The Concept of the Body in Chinese and Indian Bodily Practices (2015 dissertation). Awards include 3rd place in the 2012 National Student Research Competition and 2009 Estonian Academy of Sciences Prize. Affiliations: Estonian Society for the Study of Religions, Estonian Oriental Society Led a 5-year project on folkloristic interpretations of uncertainty Co-authored religious education textbooks and edited volumes on East Asian religiosities in Europe
Dr. Siqi Li is a Professor of Accounting and Department Chair at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and has expertise in accounting information's role in global capital markets, corporate governance, and financial disclosure. Her research appears in top journals like The Accounting Review and Journal of Accounting and Economics . Education includes a B.A. in International Finance from Central University of Finance and Economics (Beijing) and a master's in International Relations from UC San Diego. She serves on editorial boards of major accounting journals and teaches cost and managerial accounting at graduate and undergraduate levels. Her scholarship explores topics such as tax avoidance, IFRS adoption effects, corporate board reforms, and executive compensation. Notable contributions include analyzing the impact of M&A laws on tax strategies and investigating how fair value accounting influences executive incentives. Dr. Li is an Ernst & Young Faculty Research Fellow. Her work highlights cross-border regulatory dynamics, corporate transparency, and the intersection of governance structures with market outcomes.
Maria Holmgren Troy is a Professor of English and Director of the KuFo research group at Karlstad University, Sweden. She specializes in American literature with focuses on 19th-century fairy tales, Gothic fiction, and science fiction, particularly the works of Octavia Butler. Her research explores themes of cultural memory, kinship, and adaptation in literature and media. She has authored/co-authored major works such as Nordic Gothic (2020) and Making Home: Orphanhood, Kinship, and Cultural Memory in Contemporary American Novels (2014). Troy has held visiting scholar positions at UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and Victoria University of Wellington. Education: PhD in English (American Literature) from Uppsala University (1999), Teaching degree in Swedish, English, and History from University of Gothenburg (1990). Research collaborations include projects funded by the Swedish Research Council and international partnerships with scholars from Linnaeus University, Gothenburg University, and others. Her articles analyze Gothic themes, speculative fiction, and cultural adaptation in works by authors like Butler, Lindqvist, and Somtow. She teaches courses on dystopia, science fiction, and African American women's literature at the MA and PhD levels. Troy serves on academic boards for journals like WiN: The EAAS Women's Network Journal and American Studies in Scandinavia , and has held leadership roles in organizations such as the Nordic Association for American Studies (NAAS). Her recent work emphasizes Octavia Butler's legacy, Nordic Gothic traditions, and interdisciplinary approaches to kinship studies. She actively engages in comparative analyses of literature and media across cultural boundaries, with a focus on transnational Gothic adaptations and postcolonial perspectives.
Marjo Buitelaar is a Professor of Contemporary Islam at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society. Her work focuses on the anthropology of Islam, pilgrimage studies, and migration-related identity formations. She holds academic affiliations including membership in the societal advisory board of the Dutch Institute in Morocco (NIMAR) and serves as a guest lecturer in the Methodology Clinic and Ba minor Moroccan Culture & Society programs. Her research explores everyday religious practices among Muslims in diaspora communities, emphasizing pilgrimage's role in identity construction. Key themes include smartphone-mediated Hajj experiences, moral virtues cultivated through pilgrimage, and transnational connections between Moroccan and Dutch Muslim populations. Methodologically, she employs biographical and dialogical self theory approaches to study intersecting identities in post-migration contexts. Buitelaar's recent publications (2022-2023) analyze pilgrimage narratives from historical and contemporary perspectives, with a focus on youth experiences and digital mediation. Her work bridges anthropological and sociological frameworks to address questions of religious practice, cultural adaptation, and global Muslim communities.
Professor Richard Bussmann is a Professor of Egyptology at the Institute for African Studies and Egyptology, University of Cologne. His office is located at Meister-Ekkehart-Str. 7, first floor, room 1.04 in Cologne, Germany. He has made significant contributions to the field of Egyptology, particularly in the areas of social archaeology of ancient Egypt, urbanism in North-Eastern Africa, and cross-cultural comparison of early complex societies. Professor Bussmann's research focuses on combining Egyptology with social archaeology, anthropology and cultural history. His work revolves around questions of ancient Egyptian society and culture at a local level, using material, visual and written sources to understand long-term transformations in North-Eastern Africa. His chronological focus spans from late prehistory to the New Kingdom (the Bronze Age), though he also examines earlier and later developments. His research includes a book on community shrines of the third millennium, examining how central administration penetrated into local milieus. He is currently writing "The Archaeology of Pharaonic Egypt," which synthesizes discussions of Egyptian society and culture from the Old to the Middle Kingdom. He directs a project on seals and seal impressions from Hierakonpolis to investigate administrative practice in early Egypt and co-directs the archaeological fieldwork project at Zawyet Sultan, exploring life of a local community from prehistory to the present day. Professor Bussmann has published extensively, with recent works including "The archaeology of pharaonic Egypt: society and culture, 2700-1700 BC" (2023) and "Zawyet Sultan: second preliminary report. Excavation season 2022" (2023). His publications demonstrate a strong focus on social structures, urban development, and cultural practices in ancient Egypt, particularly during the Old and Middle Kingdoms. His professional memberships include: Secretary General of the International Association of Egyptologists Full member of the German Archaeological Institute Member of scientific advisory board of the Cairo division of the German Archaeological Institute Speaker of the Association of archaeological institutions in Cologne and Bonn Deputy speaker of the Research Training Group 1878 "Archaeology of premodern economies" Member of the advisory board of the Competence Area IV, University of Cologne Member of the steering committee of the Friends of Egyptology in Cologne "Uschebti e.V." Member of the board of the German Association of Egyptology Professor Bussmann has supervised numerous PhD students, including Anouk Everts, Isabell Steinhardt-Sedlak, Lisa Augner, and others, working on diverse topics ranging from social networks in the Middle Kingdom to economic systems and resource management in ancient Egypt. His teaching focuses on Egyptian archaeology and language, with an emphasis on source critical skills and theoretically informed discussions of ancient Egyptian society and culture.
Michael J. Sandel is a Professor of Government at Harvard University, renowned for his work in political philosophy and public ethics. His scholarship explores justice, democracy, market morality, and the ethical implications of biotechnology, reaching global audiences through his televised course Justice and BBC series The Public Philosopher . B.A., Brandeis University (1975) D.Phil., Oxford University (1981) as a Rhodes Scholar His research interrogates the moral limits of markets, genetic engineering, and the erosion of civic virtue in modern democracies. Notable works include What Money Can’t Buy (2012), which critiques market society, and The Case Against Perfection (2007), addressing biotechnology’s ethical challenges. Princess of Asturias Award in Social Sciences (2018) Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Rhodes Scholarship As a public intellectual, Sandel has lectured globally at venues like St. Paul’s Cathedral and Seoul’s Olympic Stadium, engaging debates on corruption, climate ethics, and intergenerational justice. His Tech Ethics course examines AI and social media’s moral dimensions.
Dr. Arndt-Walter Emmerich is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Hertfordshire and an active researcher in the fields of religious diversity, Muslim-Jewish relations, and urban ethnography. He is currently involved in the international research project ENCOUNTERS, which investigates Jewish-Muslim encounters in urban Europe. His academic journey includes postdoctoral fellowships at Heidelberg University’s Max-Weber-Institute of Sociology and the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity (MPI-MMG). He holds a DPhil and MPhil from the University of Oxford and a BA in Sociology from the University of Essex. Education: DPhil and MPhil (Oxford), BA (Essex) Current Affiliation: University of Hertfordshire (Lecturer in Sociology) Research Projects: ENCOUNTERS, Changing Structures of Islamic Authority, Dis/trusted Partners Former Positions: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Heidelberg), Research Fellow (MPI-MMG), Postdoctoral Research Officer (Oxford) Emmerich's research focuses on the sociology of religion, particularly how Muslim and Jewish communities interact in urban Europe. He employs ethnographic methods to study symbolic boundary work, interfaith dialogue, and grassroots integration in neighborhoods like Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel. His work challenges essentialist views of religious identity by showing how shared minority experiences, local solidarity, and business networks foster coexistence beyond formal interfaith structures. His publication record includes a monograph, Islamic Movements in India: Moderation and its Discontents (Routledge, 2020), and numerous peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Comparative Studies in Society and History , Politics and Religion , Social Compass , and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies . His research has been featured in international media including BBC, Al Jazeera, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and Deutsche Welle. His recent articles explore topics such as Jewish-Muslim friendship networks, language use in mosques, Salafism in Germany, and the symbolic politics of urban renewal. Key Themes: Symbolic boundaries, intergenerational solidarity, minority alliances, urban conviviality, religious governance Methodology: Ethnography, discourse analysis, comparative case studies Geographic Focus: Germany, UK, India, urban Europe Emmerich also contributes to public discourse through blogs and podcasts, writing for platforms such as LSE Religion and Global Society, SozBlog, and Qantara.de. He is a guest researcher at the Max Planck Institute and affiliated with the Jewish-Muslim educational organization Maimonides in Mainz. His work bridges academic research and societal engagement, emphasizing the importance of long-term, grassroots relationships in fostering social cohesion in diverse urban environments. Scientific and Public Engagement: Regular contributor to public debates on religious diversity and integration Podcast appearances on Bayerischer Rundfunk and hr2 Kultur Media commentary in major outlets including Süddeutsche Zeitung and Times of India Active participant in interdisciplinary research networks across Europe Dr. Emmerich advises no formal students yet but is deeply involved in mentoring through collaborative research and public scholarship. His work continues to shape understanding of how religious communities negotiate identity, difference, and belonging in contemporary multicultural societies.
Maria Clara Lilia Medina is a Lecturer at the University of Gothenburg 's School of Global Studies , specializing in Gender Studies , Political Power , and Latin American Social Movements . Her work often intersects historical analysis with contemporary gender politics , particularly in Argentina and Chile. She has published extensively on topics like the #NiUnaMenos movement, hegemonic masculinity , and indigenous land rights . Research Interests : Gender in Latin American politics, social resistance, historical narratives, cultural resource management. Email : maria.medina@globalstudies.gu.se Recent work trends include a focus on collective resistance (via #NiUnaMenos ), media representation of female leaders , and indigenous rights . Her publications span from feminist theory to archaeological studies in Argentina.
Prof. Dr. Omer Faruk Erdogan is a faculty member in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Sciences at Dumlupınar University's Faculty of Theology. He holds a PhD in Islamic Philosophy from Ankara University (2014) and has served as a professor since 2025, previously as an associate professor (2019-2025) and lecturer (2014-2019). His academic career includes roles such as Vice Dean (2021), Department Head (2021-2024), and coordinator for the Mevlana Exchange Program. His research focuses on Islamic Philosophy, Logic, and Theology, with notable work analyzing Avicenna and Ghazali's philosophical debates. He has authored over 49 publications, including books like Tehâfüt and Its Tradition (2024) and Islamic Philosophy (2023). His research explores ontological debates, theological-philosophical interactions, and medieval Islamic thought. Key projects include studies on mental health and religious perspectives, and interdisciplinary approaches to pandemic-era social sciences. Awards and scholarships: none listed. He advises on numerous theses and contributes to academic teams via editorial roles and conference presentations.
Renata Deskoska is a Full-Time Professor at the Faculty of Law ‘Justinian First’ in Skopje , part of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje . She holds a position in the Department of Constitutional Law and Political System and teaches courses such as Constitutional Law, Human Rights, and Rights of National Minorities across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Her research focuses on constitutionalism, human rights, and the interplay between political systems and legal frameworks in North Macedonia and beyond. Her work examines themes like populist transformations of constitutional law, sustainability in governance, and legal responses to crises such as the pandemic. She has contributed to debates on judicial independence, parliamentary dynamics, and the role of constitutional courts. Her recent publications emphasize contemporary legal challenges, including the balance between executive power and democratic legitimacy. Deskoska has been actively involved in academic and policy initiatives related to European integration, language policies, and minority rights. Her research often bridges theoretical constitutional concepts with practical legal reforms, reflecting her commitment to fostering democratic institutions and human rights protection in transitional contexts. She is based at Office 64, reachable via email at renata@pf.ukim.edu.mk , and holds office hours Tuesdays/Thursdays 12-14.
Henrik Nilsson is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Education at Linnaeus University, Sweden. His work focuses on multicultural education contexts, school leadership, and organizational challenges in socially diverse educational settings. He holds a PhD in Education and actively collaborates with municipalities and the Swedish National Agency for Education on policy implementation. Research Groups: Center for Cultural Sociology, Center for Educational Leadership Key Projects: Seed project on addressing racism in teacher education programs His research investigates how schools navigate ethnic and social diversity, focusing on leadership practices, school improvement processes, and intercultural competence development in teacher training. He has published extensively on topics like immigrant incorporation,pedagogy in multicultural schools, and educational governance structures.
Evangelos Albanidis is a Professor at Democritus University of Thrace (Department of Physical Education and Sport Science). He specializes in the History of Physical Education and Sports, with a focus on ancient Greek athletics, Olympic studies, and sport's sociopolitical roles. He teaches courses like Sports Sociology and History of Physical Education. His research explores ancient Greek sport practices, Byzantine therapeutic uses of exercise, and modern Olympic Games' historical contexts. He has supervised multiple doctoral and postgraduate theses, including works on Greek athletics during dictatorships and ancient Macedonian games. He served as President of the European Committee for the History of Sport (2013-2017) and President of the Greek Academy of Physical Education (2017-2019). Albanidis has been an invited speaker at global conferences in India, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, discussing topics like ancient Olympic symbolism and racism in modern sport. He contributed to editorial boards of journals like European Studies of Sports History and Scientific of Dance. His 15 most recent articles (2015-2024) cover militarization of sports during Greek dictatorships, therapeutic sport uses in Byzantium, and ancient Macedonian Olympic variations. He has also written on wrestling traditions in Thrace and political uses of sport during the Greek Civil War.
C. Kavin Rowe is the George Washington Ivey Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Vice Dean for Faculty at Duke Divinity School, Duke University. His academic career includes roles as Assistant Professor (2006–2011), Associate Professor (2011–2016), and Professor (2016–present). He holds a B.A. from Wake Forest University, M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. from Duke University. Rowe’s research focuses on New Testament studies, particularly Luke-Acts, Pauline epistles, and the intersection of Stoic philosophy with early Christian ethics. His notable works include World Upside Down (2009), One True Life (2016), and Christianity's Surprise (2020). Recent volumes Method, Context, and Meaning in New Testament Studies (2024) and Studies in Luke, Acts, and Paul (2024) highlight his ongoing contributions. Awarded the John Templeton Prize for Theological Promise and a Lilly Faculty Fellowship, he has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and serves on editorial boards. His teaching spans New Testament theology, moral philosophy, and the 'Good Life' interdisciplinary course series.
