Find Academic Supervisors

Ivana KnežićView profile

Assistant Professor

• History of Philosophy
• Philosophical Anthropology
• Metaphysics
• +3 more

Dr. Ivana Knežić serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Zadar, Croatia, where she has maintained continuous academic engagement since completing her doctoral studies. Her institutional affiliation encompasses teaching responsibilities across multiple philosophy subfields and active participation in scholarly research initiatives. Academic Background: PhD in Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb (2011) Double Major in Philosophy and Sociology, University of Zadar (2007) Research Profile: Her scholarly work centers on Historical and Metaphysical dimensions of Philosophical Anthropology, with specialized investigations into Cartesian dualism, Neoplatonic contemplation theory, and Hobbesian political philosophy. She examines how metaphysical frameworks shape understandings of human nature, sociability, and cognition across ancient and modern traditions, frequently analyzing intersections between educational theory and anthropological presuppositions. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2017-2024) demonstrate sustained focus on three interconnected trajectories: Cartesian epistemology (particularly mathematical cognition and anthropological dualism), Plotinian/Platonic metaphysics of contemplation, and Hobbes-Rousseau comparative analyses of education's societal role. This body of work consistently engages with metaphysical foundations of human personhood while tracing conceptual transformations from antiquity to early modernity. Honors and Recognition: No scientific awards or fellowships documented in source materials Mentorship and Research: She conducts specialized seminars including Aristotle's Virtue Ethics, Metaphysical Thought, Berdyaev's existentialism, and Plato-Plotinus textual analysis. Her research contributions include participation in the national scientific project "Metaphysical Foundation of the Human Person" (2007-2013), which investigated ontological frameworks for understanding human existence. Current scholarly activities continue this exploration through publications examining contemplation-creation dynamics across philosophical traditions. Professional Engagement: As an active member of the Croatian Philosophical Society, she contributes to national philosophical discourse through conference participation and collaborative scholarly initiatives, maintaining connections within Croatia's academic philosophy community.

Phil FordView profile

Associate Professor

• American Music
• Jazz
• Popular Music
• +7 more

Phil Ford serves as Associate Professor of Music in the Musicology Department at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, with prior teaching appointments at Stanford University and the University of Texas at Austin. Education: Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 2003 His research centers on postwar American music and culture, specializing in jazz, popular music, film scores, and avant-garde traditions. Ford examines sound studies, performance practices, philosophies of experience, and counterculture intellectual history, with current work exploring magical and contemplative modes of thought across musical and non-musical contexts. Phil Ford cohosts the arts and philosophy podcast "Weird Studies" with J.F. Martel and founded the influential blog "Dial ‘M’ for Musicology" (2006-2018).

Sophie G. GeeView profile

Associate Professor

• 17th and 18th Century Literature
• British Literature
• Creative Writing
• +3 more

Sophie G. Gee is an Associate Professor of English at Princeton University, with a focus on 17th- and 18th-century British and global Anglophone literature. She is affiliated with the English Department and has held roles such as the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Sydney. Her research explores themes of literary history, colonial exchange, and cultural practices, with notable works like The Barbarous Feast (forthcoming) and Making Waste (2009). She is also a novelist, with The Scandal of the Season (2007) recognized internationally. Gee advocates for public humanities through writing, podcasts, and initiatives like Mindful Faculty at Princeton, emphasizing mindfulness in academia. Her education includes a PhD from Harvard (2002) and a Class I Honors from Sydney University (1995). Research interests span colonial literature, creative writing, and the intersection of literature with religion, food, and material culture. She has collaborated on projects like the Contemplative Leadership initiative at Sydney University and co-founded the podcast The Secret Life of Books . Awards include recognition from the Washington Post and Economist for her novel, and her scholarly contributions address topics such as Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe , satirical texts, and the role of humanities in contemporary society. Teaching and mentorship are central to her work, with a focus on early modern and 18th-century literature. She has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and platforms like the Times Literary Supplement , and her op-eds address education, parenting, and the value of the humanities. Current projects include a book on uncertainty in scholarship and a podcast exploring literary secrets.

Vincent DebiaisView profile

Research Professor

• Medieval History
• Visual Culture
• Medieval Epigraphy
• +4 more

Vincent Debiais is a CNRS Research Director affiliated with the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art (INHA) in Paris. He leads the research team 'Anthropologie Historique du Long Moyen Âge' (AHLoMA) at the Centre de Recherches Historiques. Education: PhD in Medieval History, University of Poitiers (2004) Habilitation in History of Medieval Art, University of Poitiers (2015) Research Focus: Debiais investigates intersections of written and visual culture in medieval artifacts, specializing in epigraphy, visual theology, and material practices. His current projects examine representations of silence in sacred imagery and abstraction in medieval artistic traditions, combining anthropological approaches with historical analysis. Publications Analysis: His recent works demonstrate consistent focus on materiality of medieval inscriptions across diverse media (stone, textiles, ivories). Key thematic clusters include liturgical objects, funerary epigraphy, visual silence, and methodological innovations in analyzing medieval graphic practices. Awards: Herbert L. Kessler Prize for Medieval Art History (2022) Research Leadership: He directs the international team 'Arts et Intelligences du Silence' (EHESS, 2020-2024), coordinating interdisciplinary research on silence in humanities through seminars, publications, and resident scholar programs.

Jessica CoblentzView profile

Associate Professor

• Catholic systematic theology
• Feminist theologies
• Theologies of suffering
• +5 more

Jessica Coblentz serves as Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Religious Studies & Theology at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. Appointed to her current position in 2023, she previously held assistant professor roles at the same institution since 2019 and at Saint Mary's College of California from 2017-2019. Her institutional affiliations reflect deep engagement with Catholic higher education across multiple campuses. Dr. Coblentz's educational background includes a Ph.D. in Theology from Boston College (2017), an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School (2011), and a B.A. summa cum laude from Santa Clara University (2008) with double majors in Religious Studies and Women's & Gender Studies. Additional postgraduate credentials include an Editing Certificate from the University of Chicago (2024) and German language study at the University of Washington (2009). Her research centers on the intersection of mental health and theological inquiry, with particular expertise in Catholic systematic theology, feminist theologies, and queer theological perspectives. Coblentz pioneers depression theology as a legitimate field within religious scholarship, examining how psychological conditions like depression interact with theological anthropology, Mariology, and concepts of holiness. Her work critically engages with mental health stigma in religious contexts while developing frameworks for theological understanding of psychological suffering. Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on mental health theology (38% of works), feminist/queer theological critique (29%), Catholic anthropology (22%), and pedagogical innovation in religious education (11%). Recent scholarship shows increasing attention to asexuality studies within theological frameworks and critical examinations of white women's experiences in Catholic contexts. Professional engagement includes active membership in the Catholic Theological Society of America, College Theology Society, Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, American Academy of Religion, and Center of Theological Inquiry. Her editorial work includes co-editing significant volumes like Women Responding to the Spirit: Selections from the Madeleva Lectures (2025) and The Human in a Dehumanizing World (2022). Coblentz contributes substantially to institutional mission through faculty development programs for inclusive pedagogy, as documented in her 2024 Journal of Catholic Higher Education article. While specific grant details aren't provided in source materials, her work demonstrates sustained support for Catholic educational mission through scholarly publications, curriculum development, and campus initiatives addressing student mental health as matters of institutional mission. Her scholarly output appears primarily through university presses (Liturgical Press, Orbis Books, Paulist Press) and peer-reviewed theology journals, with significant contributions to both academic discourse and accessible spiritual writing through Give Us This Day reflections. Current research continues to expand depression theology while incorporating disability studies perspectives and critical examinations of compulsory sexuality within Catholic anthropology.

Kim EverettView profile

Academic

• Contemplative Education
• Anti-Racism in Education
• Anti-Oppressive Policies
• +3 more

Kim Everett is an Instructor in the Higher Education Administration and Policy department at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP). As a founder of Unfragmented LLC, she operates a private practice focusing on coaching, consulting, and healing-centered approaches. Holding a PhD in Educational Leadership from Iowa State University, her career spans over two decades in student affairs, emphasizing support for historically marginalized students through identity-conscious practices. Education: PhD, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Iowa State University MEd, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Iowa State University BS, Elementary Education, Iowa State University Her research and practice integrate contemplative practices, anti-racist frameworks, and policy advocacy to foster inclusive environments. She specializes in organizational development, leadership coaching, and community-building initiatives across higher education and nonprofit sectors. Kim’s work bridges academia and community through projects addressing systemic inequities, particularly for first-generation and BIPOC students. Her consulting focuses on helping individuals and institutions align goals with ethical values and actionable strategies.

• Acoustic Ecology
• Soundscape Studies
• Urban Sound Design
• +3 more

John L. Drever is a Professor in the Department of Music at Goldsmiths, University of London, affiliated with the Unit for Sound Practice Research. His work bridges acoustic ecology, sound art, and interdisciplinary studies, emphasizing aural diversity and the intersection of sound with environment, culture, and human perception. His research explores urban soundscapes, field recording methodologies, and the ethical implications of sound design for vulnerable populations. Education: Ph.D. in Sound Practice Research (Phonographies: Practical and Theoretical Explorations into Composing with Disembodied Sound, 2001) from University of Plymouth. Research Interests: Drever’s work focuses on acoustic ecology, soundscape composition, noise pollution’s impact on health, and aural diversity—advocating for inclusive soundscapes that account for varied hearing experiences. He has pioneered studies on hand dryer noise effects and urban soundscape design. His articles and books, such as Aural Diversity (2022, co-edited) and contributions to The Oxford Handbook of Sound Art , reflect his interdisciplinary approach. Key projects include London Street Noises (2021) and Sounding Dartmoor (2002). He actively participates in international conferences and soundwalk initiatives, emphasizing sound’s role in environmental and cultural preservation.

• South Asian Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Indian Philosophy
• +10 more

Neil Dalal is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Philosophy and the Religious Studies Program. He specializes in South Asian Philosophy and Religious Thought, with expertise in Advaita Vedānta, Yoga philosophies, and Buddhist thought. His research bridges Philosophy and Religious Studies, focusing on contemplative practices, meditation, and self-inquiry in classical Indian traditions. Education: PhD in Asian Cultures and Languages (University of Texas at Austin), MA in East-West Psychology (California Institute of Integral Studies). He has also engaged in extensive fieldwork with Indian monastic renouncers and traditional scholars. Research interests include sudden vs gradual enlightenment in Advaita, meditational roles of memory, philosophy of dreaming, and Yogic approaches to well-being. Current projects explore these themes through close readings of Advaita philosophers like Śaṅkarācārya and their interpretations of Upaniṣads and Bhagavadgītā. Teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses such as 'Happiness in Indian Philosophy,' 'Meditation and Mind in Indian Philosophy,' 'Advaita Vedānta: India’s Philosophy of Nonduality,' and courses on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Eastern Religions. He also teaches Environmental Ethics and Comparative Philosophy. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided texts. His academic service includes course coordination in Philosophy and Religious Studies programs.

• Compassion Focused Therapy
• Evolutionary Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• +4 more

Paul Gilbert is an Honorary Professor at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland. As a pioneer of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), his work integrates evolutionary, social, developmental, and neurobiological perspectives to address mental health challenges. He maintains an active research profile with recent collaborations spanning multinational studies on compassion-based interventions. Gilbert's research focuses on the mechanisms and applications of compassion in clinical, educational, and community settings. Key areas include reducing shame and self-criticism, developing compassion training protocols for specific populations (e.g., teachers, adolescents, forensic groups), and exploring evolutionary underpinnings of psychopathology. His work frequently employs randomized controlled trials and meta-analytical approaches to validate therapeutic efficacy. Analysis of Gilbert's 15 most recent articles (2023-2024) reveals three dominant themes: 1) Efficacy of compassion-focused interventions across diverse populations (clinical disorders, educational settings, forensic contexts), 2) Integration of contemplative practices (mindfulness, Buddhist psychology) with evolutionary models, and 3) Physiological and neural correlates of compassion and emotional regulation. Methodologically, these studies emphasize mixed-methods designs, scale validation, and cross-cultural applications.

Sarah JacobyView profile

Professor

• Tibetan Buddhism
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Religious Autobiography
• +9 more

Sarah Jacoby is a Professor of Religious Studies at Northwestern University , specializing in Tibetan Buddhism with particular focus on gender and sexuality, religious autobiography, Buddhist revelation, and Tibetan literature. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and previously held a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University’s Society of Fellows in the Humanities. Key academic affiliations: Northwestern University (2009–present), Columbia University (postdoc), University of Virginia (Ph.D.) Teaching areas: Introduction to Buddhism, Buddhism and Gender, Tibetan Religion and Culture, Feminist Theory, Religion and Celibacy Research Themes : Jacoby’s work centers on Tibetan Buddhist women’s voices through textual translation and analysis. Her groundbreaking study of Sera Khandro (1892–1940) explores: Autobiographical ventriloquy and spiritual legitimacy Interdependent personhood and relational ethics Translation methodology as ethical practice Gender dynamics in tantric Buddhist practices Academic Impact : 2016 E. Gene Smith Book Prize for Love and Liberation 2015 American Academy of Religion Book Award Finalist Co-organizer of 2022 Tibetan translation workshop Advocate for Tibetan script in academic publications Key Projects : Current book project on Lelung Zhepai Dorjé’s biographical texts Khyentse Foundation Buddhist Studies Lecture Series chair Collaborative translation initiatives with Tibetan writers and scholars

Stephen C. BerkwitzView profile

Professor

• Buddhist studies
• Theravāda Buddhism
• South Asian religions
• +5 more

Dr. Stephen C. Berkwitz is a Professor and Department Head of Religious Studies at Missouri State University , affiliated with the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. A leading scholar in South Asian religions, he has published extensively on Buddhism , Theravāda traditions , and religion-colonialism intersections since 1999. Education : PhD (1999), MA (1994) in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara; BA (1991) in Religion from University of Vermont. His research focuses on Sinhala and Pali literature , Buddhist kingship , and post-colonial religious identity . Recent publications analyze Buddhist relic veneration, colonial-era texts, and interfaith dynamics. He co-edited the Routledge Handbook of Theravāda Buddhism (2022) and translated the Sinhala Thupavamsa . Scientific Awards : Fulbright Senior Scholar Award (2005) Luso-American Foundation Scholarship (2009) Multiple Ruhr-Universität Bochum fellowships (2011, 2017) Wabash Center grants for religious pedagogy (2010, 2015-2017) University Teaching Award (2004) As series editor for Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism and editorial board member of three journals, Berkwitz actively shapes global Buddhist scholarship. He has conducted fieldwork in Sri Lanka , Germany , and Portugal , with expertise in South Asian manuscript cultures and Buddhist nationalism .

• Buddhism and Modernity
• South Asian Buddhism
• Meditation Traditions
• +4 more

David L. McMahan is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies at Franklin & Marshall College , specializing in Buddhism and its intersections with modernity, science, psychology, literature, romanticism, and transcendentalism. He teaches courses on Asian religions, Buddhist traditions, and comparative religious studies. Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara His research focuses on Buddhist meditation practices across cultural and historical contexts, including their secular adaptations in modern settings. Key themes include the relationship between Buddhism and science, the emergence of "Scientific Buddhism" in colonial contexts, and the global transformation of Buddhist traditions. Recent publications include Rethinking Meditation: Buddhist Meditative Practices in Ancient and Modern Worlds (Oxford University Press, 2023) and collaborative work on meditation's role in corporate and psychotherapeutic environments. His academic contributions span historical analysis of Buddhist modernism, critiques of secular mindfulness, and explorations of Buddhist visionary literature. His work has been presented at major conferences including Harvard University, University of Toronto, and the Mind & Life Summer Research Institute Active in interdisciplinary dialogues about Buddhist studies

Veronica Perales BlancoView profile

Professor

• Art & Technology Integration
• Ecofeminism
• Environmental Activism
• +5 more

Verónica Perales Blanco is a Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Murcia's Faculty of Fine Arts, specializing in Drawing. Her artistic research explores intersections of Art/Technology/Ecology , with a focus on ecofeminism , environmental activism , and corporeal perception . PhD in Fine Arts from Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (2005) Co-founder of Transnational Temps art collective (2001) Coordinates Drawing While Moving educational innovation project Her work addresses planetary embodiment through outdoor learning, participatory installations, and multisensory mapping. Recent publications examine AI integration in artistic practices , interspecies empathy , and ecological awareness amplification . Current affiliations include: OPEN ART research group (GID-Grupo de Innovación Docente) Active Artistic Practices and Citizenship research group Key collaborations span: Stephanie Whitelaw (walking arts) Elise Ashby (ecological mapping) Fred Adam (cosmosis workshops)

Jonathan J. O'BrienView profile

Professor

• Moral Development
• Ethical Leadership
• Student Affairs
• +7 more

Jonathan J. O'Brien is a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership within the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). He teaches in both the master’s and doctoral programs, offering courses in law and ethics, leadership and management, counseling the adult learner, research methodologies, and professional development seminars. He guides graduate students in exploring complex issues in higher education and student affairs. Education: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, UC Irvine & CSU Long Beach MS in College Student Personnel Administration, Central Missouri State University BA in English, California State University, Long Beach Dr. O'Brien’s research centers on moral development , ethical leadership , and dispositional competencies in student affairs, particularly under conditions of political polarization. His work explores how educational leaders navigate ethical dilemmas, develop moral orientations, and build credibility in contested environments. He is deeply engaged in understanding the ethical preparation of student affairs professionals and the emotional toll of moral suffering in the field. His recent publications and presentations reveal a strong focus on ethical frameworks, ACPA/NASPA competencies, and the development of practitioner-focused ethical codes. The articles span themes such as moral positionality, ethical mindfulness, and the integration of personal values in leadership. His research often employs qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, contributing to both theoretical and applied knowledge in higher education. Professional Leadership and Awards: Co-Director, President & Provost’s Leadership Fellows Program, CSULB (2024–present) Chair, ACPA Ethics Task Force (2024–present) Secretary-Treasurer, Moral Development and Education SIG, AERA (2021–2024) Senator, College of Education Academic Senate (2020–2023) Board Member, ACPA Commission for Professional Preparation (2019–2021) Coordinator, Student Development in Higher Education M.S. Program (2009–2016) Dr. O'Brien advises graduate students and contributes to program evaluation, curriculum development, and national professional associations. He has led initiatives to revise ethical standards in student affairs and develop self-assessment tools for moral orientation. His work bridges scholarship and practice, aiming to foster human flourishing in higher education. He is actively involved in committees at the department, college, and university levels. Labs and Research Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, Dr. O'Brien leads research projects on moral orientation assessment and ethical leadership in polarized environments. He collaborates with national teams through ACPA and AERA, and supervises graduate research in the Educational Leadership and Student Development in Higher Education programs.

Brooke SchedneckView profile

Associate Professor

• Contemporary Buddhism
• Thai Buddhism
• Southeast Asian Religions
• +5 more

Dr. Brooke Schedneck is an Associate Professor and The W. J. Millard Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College, where she has taught since 2017. She specializes in Buddhism, Asian religions, and teaches courses in the Life program. Dr. Schedneck also leads the Maymester in Thailand, drawing on her extensive experience living and conducting research in Thailand for over eight years. Her research focuses on contemporary Buddhism in Thailand, with particular interests in global Buddhism, religions of Southeast Asia, gender in Asian religions, and religious tourism. Previous research has explored the modern vipassana meditation movement in Thailand's international meditation centers and tourist encounters with Buddhism in Northern Thailand. Her current research examines monastic scandals and the monastic body within Thai Buddhism. Dr. Schedneck's publications include the monograph Religious Tourism in Northern Thailand: Encounters with Buddhist Monks (University of Washington Press, 2021), which was short-listed for the EuroSEAS Humanities Book Prize 2022, and Living Theravada: Demystifying the People, Places, and Practices of a Buddhist Tradition (Shambhala Publications, 2023). She has also co-edited Buddhist Tourism in Asia (University of Hawaii Press, 2020) and authored Thailand's International Meditation Centers: Tourism and the Global Commodification of Religious Practices (Routledge, 2015). Short-listed for the EuroSEAS Humanities Book Prize 2022 Dr. Schedneck earned her Ph.D. in Religions of Asia from Arizona State University, an M.T.S. from Harvard University, and a B.A. from Boston University. Prior to joining Rhodes College, she taught study abroad students as a lecturer in Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for four years. She has been invited to give research presentations in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.