Find Academic Supervisors

Rahim ShayeganView profile

Professor

• Ancient Iranian History
• Iranian Philology
• Cultural Exchange Studies
• +3 more

M. Rahim Shayegan is a prominent scholar in Iranian and Near Eastern studies, specializing in Old and Middle Iranian philology, Achaemenid-Sasanian history, and Greco-Roman-Iranian cultural interactions. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Göttingen and Sorbonne. His work bridges philology, epigraphy, and historical analysis to explore ancient political ideologies, religious traditions, and cross-cultural exchanges. Education: PhD, Iranian Philology & Ancient History, Harvard University MA, Iranian Philology, Sorbonne University BA, Philosophy & Comparative Philology, University of Cologne Research Interests: Iranian epigraphy and royal inscriptions Political dynamics of pre-Islamic Iranian empires Greco-Roman and Iranian cultural dialogues Zoroastrianism and ancient Near Eastern religions His publications include seminal works like Arsacids and Sasanians: Political Ideology in Post-Hellenistic Persia (2011) and Cyrus the Great: Life and Lore (2019). He has held prestigious fellowships at the Guggenheim Foundation and is a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Awards: Ehsan Yarshater Book Award (2012) Academia Europaea Membership (2019–) Courses Taught: Achaemenid Civilization Sasanian History Old Persian Cuneiform Zoroastrianism and Ancient Religions

Martin Willis MonroeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ancient Middle Eastern History
• Cuneiform Studies
• Astronomy and Astrology in Mesopotamia
• +3 more

Martin Willis Monroe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of New Brunswick. His research focuses on the ancient Middle East, particularly cuneiform cultures, with an emphasis on the history of scholarly knowledge in Babylonian and Assyrian societies. He specializes in Mesopotamian astronomy and astrology, as well as quantitative approaches to historical data. Dr. Monroe holds a PhD in Assyriology from Brown University (2016), an MPhil and BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (2008, 2007). Previously, he served as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate at the University of British Columbia (2016–2023). His current projects include the publication of his Hellenistic astrology research under contract with Brill, titled Celestial Schemata: A Series of Astrological Tables from Seleucid Babylonia , and his role as associate director of the Database of Religious History , a global initiative to quantitatively analyze religious and cultural data. He has contributed to excavations at the Neo-Assyrian site of Tušhan in southeastern Turkey and advocates for responsible qualitative-to-quantitative data conversion in historical scholarship. Dr. Monroe’s research bridges traditional philological approaches with digital humanities, focusing on topics such as cuneiform astral diagrams, the intersection of ‘scientific’ and ‘religious’ texts in antiquity, and the application of computational methods to undeciphered scripts. He teaches courses on ancient civilizations, Near Eastern history, and archaeology.

Jay CrisostomoView profile

Associate Professor

• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Sociolinguistics
• Cuneiform Cultures
• +5 more

Jay Crisostomo is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan's Department of Ancient Near Eastern Civilization and Languages and Civilizations within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He holds the George G. Cameron Professorship. His research focuses on the languages and intellectual histories of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform cultures, with emphases on sociolinguistics, multilingualism, translation, and scribal practices. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 2014. Teaching encompasses courses on ancient Middle Eastern history, languages, and cultures, including 'Science and Technology in the Ancient Middle East' and 'Madness, Medicine, and Magic in the Middle East.' He also teaches on sport history and language in the ancient Mediterranean. As Director of Graduate Studies, he supports MES program students, advising prospective PhD candidates in ancient Middle East history/Assyriology. Research highlights include his book Translation as Scholarship: Language, Writing, and Bilingual Education in Ancient Babylonia and ongoing projects on the 3,000-year history of Sumerian language use, Babylonian scholars, and Sumerian-Akkadian linguistic contact. Current efforts involve editing 150 lexical tablets in Germany's collections. His work bridges ancient textual analysis with broader themes in cultural transmission and knowledge systems. He collaborates on critical editions of cuneiform texts and maintains affiliations with international research networks. Contactable via cjcrisos@umich.edu, his office is located at 202 South Thayer Street, Ann Arbor.

Milad AbediView profile

Lecturer

• Historical Linguistics
• Language Contact
• Ancient Iranian Languages
• +4 more

Milad Abedi is a PhD candidate in Linguistics at the University of Zurich and Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO), Paris, focusing on the cultural history of Sino-Iranian lexical contacts. He has taught Zoroastrian Middle Persian and Middle Iranian languages at the University of Zurich while conducting research on topics including language contact mechanisms and historical Persian grammar. PhD in Linguistics (2020–Present), University of Zurich & INALCO, Paris MA in Ancient Languages and Cultures of Iran (2015–2019), Allameh Tabataba'i University (Highest Distinction) BSc in Cellular-Molecular Biology (2010–2015), Islamic Azad University His research spans ancient Iranian language contact (Elamite-Iranian, Sino-Iranian, Arabic-Iranian), historical grammar of Persian, and Classical Persian literature. He has published on topics such as kinship term evolution, cuneiform epigraphy, and metonymic phrases in Achaemenid Elamite. Recent publications highlight his focus on lexical diffusion across Eurasia, with key works on donkey terminology in cross-cultural contexts and the origins of felt words in Iranian languages. His collaborative research with Wolfgang Behr and Samira Müller demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining linguistics and archaeology. 2021 Travel grant, University of Zurich 2016 Travel grant, Allameh Tabataba'i University 2016 Top student award, Allameh Tabataba'i University As a Lecturer at the University of Zurich, he has taught courses on Zoroastrian Middle Persian and historical linguistics. His digital humanities expertise includes ELAN software, GIS, and SQL for language documentation.

• Assyriology
• Cuneiform Studies
• Babylonian Religion
• +3 more

Professor Andrew George is a distinguished scholar at SOAS, University of London, affiliated with the School of History, Religions and Philosophies. With over four decades of academic contributions from 1979 to 2021, he has established himself as a leading authority in Assyriology and ancient Mesopotamian studies. His work primarily focuses on cuneiform texts, Babylonian religion, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, making significant contributions to our understanding of ancient Near Eastern civilizations. George's research interests span a wide range of topics in ancient Mesopotamian studies. He specializes in the analysis of cuneiform tablets, Babylonian cosmogony, religious knowledge transmission, and ancient literary traditions. His work often bridges disciplines, connecting Assyriology with religious studies, history, and comparative literature. George has particular expertise in Old Babylonian texts, including school exercises, letters, and literary compositions like the Epic of Gilgamesh. An analysis of George's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on primary source material from ancient Mesopotamia. His work demonstrates exceptional philological skill in textual criticism and historical analysis of cuneiform documents. George frequently collaborates with international scholars and institutions, working with important collections like the Schøyen Collection and the academic papers of W. G. Lambert (1926-2011). His research shows particular strength in connecting textual evidence with broader historical and cultural contexts of ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Specializes in cuneiform tablet analysis and interpretation Expert in Old Babylonian and Standard Babylonian literary traditions Focuses on religious knowledge transmission in ancient societies Works extensively with previously unpublished materials from major collections

Ryan Keith ShostedView profile

Professor

• Phonetics
• Phonology
• Historical Linguistics
• +6 more

Prof. Ryan Keith Shosted is a full-time tenured Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , affiliated with the Department of Linguistics , Spanish and Portuguese , American Indian Studies Program , Beckman Institute , Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies , Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies , and Center for African Studies . He serves as Director of the Program in Translation and Interpreting Studies and leads the Chin-Woo Kim Phonetics Laboratory . Education: Ph.D. , Linguistics, University of California, Berkeley (2006) M.A. , Linguistics, University of California, Berkeley (2003) B.A. , Linguistics, Brigham Young University (2000) Shosted's research focuses on the intersection of phonetics , phonology , and historical linguistics . He pioneered the application of ultrafast dynamic MRI to study the vocal tract's physiological-acoustic mapping in diverse languages, including Hittite cuneiform , Deseret Alphabet , and endangered languages like Q'anjob'al. His work spans speech production modeling , nasalization mechanisms , and cross-linguistic articulatory analysis . The 15 most recent publications demonstrate his leadership in dynamic speech imaging , phonetic-aerodynamic modeling , and historical sound change analysis . Key trends include advanced MRI techniques for speech study, phonetic universals , and historical writing systems as tools for linguistic reconstruction. Scientific Awards: Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2021) Dean's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2021) Arnold O. Beckman Award (2009, 2010) Jacob K. Javits Fellowship (2001-2005) Shosted's grant portfolio includes NSF funding for nasalization research (BCS-1651197, BCS-1121780) and NIH collaboration (1R01DE027989-01A1) on cleft palate speech. He has directed 12 graduate students and taught courses ranging from Hittite language to quantitative phonetic methods . The Chin-Woo Kim Phonetics Laboratory , under his directorship since 2007, expanded in 2010 to include articulatory phonetics facilities with EPG, ultrasound, and MRI analysis capabilities. He continues to lead Beckman Institute collaborations in speech imaging technology.

Jonathan TenneyView profile

Lecturer

• Assyriology
• Cuneiform Studies
• Ancient Near Eastern History
• +7 more

Dr Jonathan Tenney is a University Lecturer in Assyriology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow at Jesus College. He serves as Curator of Works of Art and Director of Studies in Archaeology at Jesus College. His research focuses on Mesopotamian archaeology, cuneiform studies, and socio-political institutions of ancient Babylonian and Kassite periods. BA, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania PhD, University of Chicago Tenney employs philology and social science methodologies to analyze cuneiform tablets and archaeological evidence from Mesopotamia (modern Iraq, Iran, and Syria). His academic interests include: Cuneiform (Akkadian and Sumerian languages) Historical demography of Mesopotamia Settlement patterns and environmental interactions Comparative slavery systems Religious and political ideologies His publication record (2022–2009) spans topics like: Kassite administrative systems Babylonian population dynamics Cuneiform documentation of servile labor Urban development in Mesopotamian cities Socio-economic structures in ancient Near East Religious-political integration in Babylonia Key research themes include materiality of bureaucratic records and epistemological methodologies in Assyriology. Outstanding Dissertation Prize by The American Academic Research Institute in Iraq (2009) Tenney is currently on sabbatical (2025/26) but remains available for consultancy. His work intersects with the Department of Archaeology’s research themes on Environment, Landscapes and Settlement, Material Culture, and Rethinking Complexity. He contributes to teaching in Assyriology, Mesopotamian Languages, and socio-political archaeology.

• Ancient Near Eastern History
• Ancient Historiography
• History of Empires
• +4 more

Univ.-Prof. Robert Rollinger is a full professor at the University of Innsbruck’s Department of Ancient History and Oriental Studies. He holds academic degrees from the Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, including a M.A. (1989), PhD (1993), and Habilitation (1999). His research focuses on the interconnections between the Aegean and Ancient Near East, Achaemenid history, and global historiography. Rollinger has held prestigious positions such as editor of journals like Nikephoros and Ancient History Bulletin , and is a member of institutions including the Academia Europaea and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Research Interests Contacts between Aegean and Near Eastern worlds Ancient Near Eastern historiography Empire studies (especially Achaemenid Persia) Global and entangled history approaches Awards Dr. Seibert-Preis (1995) Preis des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (1998) Wissenschaftspreis des Österreichischen Olympischen Comités (1999) Ausonius-Preis (2023) He leads major projects like the NAWA Chair on Achaemenid-Roman empire comparisons and chairs the Austrian Academy’s “Transformation Processes and Empire” commission. His work emphasizes cross-cultural connections and imperial legacies in antiquity.

Annette ZgollView profile

Professor

• Mythology
• Comparative Mythology
• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Annette Zgoll is a Professor at the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies , Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, and a member of the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen (2010–present). She co-directs the interdisciplinary Collegium Mythologicum (2011–present) and leads the DFG Research Group 2064 STRATA (2016–present), focusing on mythological stratification and cross-cultural storytelling. Her research spans comparative mythology, hylistic theory, and the interplay between myth, ritual, and cultural transmission. Director of the Collegium Mythologicum (2011–present) Principal Investigator for DFG STRATA Research Group (2020–present) Editorial roles in the Mythological Studies series (De Gruyter, 2019–present) Her research interests include: myth as a polymorphous and polystratic Erzählstoff (narrative material), stratification analysis of mythological traditions, and hylistic methods for reconstructing myth variants across texts, images, and rituals. She specializes in comparative studies of Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman myths, particularly those involving celestial descent, underworld journeys, and divine-human interactions. Recent scientific awards include the Peregrinus Prize (2023) for innovative mythological research. She has organized international conferences like the First International Early Career Researchers’ Conference on New Approaches to Myths (2023) and co-edited volumes such as Was vom Himmel kommt (2021), analyzing sky-origin myths across ancient Mediterranean cultures. Teaching includes courses on Hittite language, comparative myth studies, and interdisciplinarity. She collaborates with institutions like Oxford University and the University of Helsinki, and her lab/team activities involve the Collegium Mythologicum and DFG STRATA Group , advancing transmedia and cross-cultural myth analysis.

Marc Van De MieroopView profile

Professor

• Ancient Near Eastern History
• Socio-Economic History
• Political History
• +5 more

Marc Van De Mieroop, the Miriam Champion Professor of History at Columbia University, is a leading scholar in ancient Near Eastern history. He directs Columbia’s Center for the Ancient Mediterranean and serves as Founding Editor of the Journal of Ancient Near Eastern History . His research spans socio-economic and political history, historical methodology, and intellectual traditions of the ancient world. Ph.D., Yale University (1983) M.A., Yale University (1980) B.A., Katholieke Universiteit (1978) Van De Mieroop’s work explores the intellectual history of ancient Babylonia, its epistemological systems, and cross-cultural influences on Greece and the biblical world. His publications, including over 100 articles and books, examine topics like cuneiform documentation, ancient economic practices, and historiographical methods. His recent publications (2015-2023) focus on Babylonian epistemology, global historical frameworks, and administrative systems in Mesopotamia. These works highlight connections between ancient Near Eastern thought and later philosophical traditions while emphasizing the role of writing in resisting imperial control. Guggenheim Fellow (2013-14) ACLS Fellow (2016-17) Van De Mieroop’s academic contributions include translating and editing critical texts such as The Invention of Cuneiform and Uruk: The First City . His research has been supported by prestigious fellowships, and his books have been translated into multiple languages, including Chinese, Turkish, and Polish.

Timothy P. HarrisonView profile

Professor

• Near Eastern Archaeology
• Bronze and Iron Age Levant
• Early Urbanism
• +3 more

Timothy P. Harrison is a Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and the Faculty of Arts and Science. He has conducted over 35 years of field research in the Middle East, focusing on the Levant's Bronze and Iron Ages. His work centers on early complex societies, urbanism, archaeological theory, and ceramic analysis. Harrison directs the Tayinat Archaeological Project in Turkey and leads the CRANE Project, an international consortium studying the Orontes Watershed. Education: PhD from the University of Chicago. He served as ASOR President (2008-2013) and Chair of the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (2011-2022). His research emphasizes regional collaboration and integrates computational methods with traditional archaeology. Research interests include the socio-political dynamics of early urban centers, material culture analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches to reconstructing ancient lifeways. His publications analyze settlements like Tell Tayinat and Madaba, addressing environmental crises, trade networks, and historical inflection points. Leadership roles include Co-Chair of the Humanities Chairs Group (2014-2016) and directorships of major archaeological projects. His work bridges field excavation with theoretical frameworks, offering insights into ancient governance and cultural identity.

Stephen J. TinneyView profile

Associate Professor

• Sumerian language
• Sumerian literature
• Sumerian culture
• +3 more

Stephen J. Tinney is Clark Research Associate Professor of Assyriology (Sumerian) at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. He also serves as Deputy Director of the Penn Museum, Associate Curator of the Babylonian Section, and director of the Pennsylvania Sumerian Dictionary Project. Education BA in Assyriology from Cambridge University PhD in Assyriology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Research Interests Sumerian language, literature, and culture Digital analysis and publication of Sumerian texts Cuneiform language preservation and computational tools Leadership and Projects Director of the Pennsylvania Sumerian Dictionary Project (ePSD) since joining Penn in 1991 Primary contributor to the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (based at UCLA) Curatorial responsibilities for the Penn Museum's Babylonian Section

• Biblical Theology
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• Aramaic Literature
• +5 more

Rev. Prof. Dr. Hab. Henryk Drawnel is a leading scholar in biblical theology and Qumran studies at the Institute of Biblical Studies, Faculty of Theology, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. His work bridges Second Temple Judaism with Aramaic literature, focusing on Enochic texts and their Mesopotamian influences. Education: Studied at Salesian seminaries in Cracow and Cremisan, Israel; Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome); École Biblique (Jerusalem); Harvard Divinity School. His research centers on Aramaic manuscripts from Qumran, particularly the Book of Enoch and Levi Document , examining intersections with Mesopotamian astronomy, priestly education, and apocalyptic traditions. Key projects include critical editions of 4Q201-212 Enoch fragments and Mesopotamian influences on Jewish angelology. Recent publications (2025–2010) analyze literary structures of Enochic texts, lunar calculations, and Fallen Angels' theology. His 2011 monograph on the Aramaic Astronomical Book earned the Minister of Science award. Scientific Awards: Bronze Cross of Merit (2021) Minister of Education and Science Award (2021) KUL Internal Award for Top Publications Minister of Science and Higher Education Prize (2011) Drawnel's editorial roles include Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha and Biblical Annals . He has organized major conferences, such as the 2017 Qumran Scrolls 70th Anniversary Symposium.

• Cultural History of the Ancient Near East
• Religious History of the Ancient Near East
• Mesopotamian Deities
• +1 more

Wiebke Meinhold is a Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Philology at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Humanities. Her career spans key roles in Assyriology, including scientific collaborations at institutions like the University of Geneva and Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. Education: MA in Assyriology, Semitic Studies, and Greek from Heidelberg and Leiden (2001) Doctorate: University of Leipzig (2006) Research focuses on cultural and religious history of the Ancient Near East, with specific attention to Mesopotamian deities, legal traditions, and social structures. Her work includes analysis of cuneiform legal texts from Nippur and studies on temple economies. Recent publications emphasize inheritance practices across Old Babylonian cities and the socio-economic role of prebends. She contributes to academic discourse through editorial work and participation in international conferences. Organizations: Member of Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft (DOG) and International Association for Assyriology (IAA) In university governance, she holds leadership roles as Executive Director of the Institute for Ancient Near Eastern Cultures (2021-2023, 2025+) and Equality Commissioner in the Faculty of Humanities (2025+).

Andrew PottorfView profile

Teaching Professor

• Assyriology
• Mesopotamian Archaeology
• Ancient Near Eastern Languages
• +4 more

Andrew Pottorf serves as a Teaching Associate in Assyriology at the University of Cambridge's Department of Archaeology, where he specializes in social structures of ancient Mesopotamia with particular focus on the Ur III period (ca. 2110-2003 BCE). His academic appointment falls under the Faculty of Human, Social, and Political Science. Dr. Pottorf's research concentrates on: Socio-political organization of ancient Mesopotamian societies Assyriology and Mesopotamian Languages Epigraphy & Paleography of cuneiform texts The muškēnum and UN-il2 social categories as intermediate statuses between slavery and full citizenship Economic and legal systems of third-millennium BCE Mesopotamia His recent publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining nuanced social stratification in ancient Mesopotamia, challenging traditional binary models of social status. His work demonstrates how groups like the muškēnū functioned as 'settled outsiders' requiring protection from rulers, occupying a precarious position between citizens and slaves. His textual analyses of Ur III administrative documents reveal how these groups were typically conscripted for full-time agricultural and animal husbandry work without the economic flexibility of citizen-class individuals. Dr. Pottorf actively contributes to academic discourse, having presented 'The lives and work of the serflike UN-IL2 in the Ur III period' at the 68th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale workshop 'Beyond Slavery and Freedom in the Ancient Near East' at the University of Leiden in July 2023. His research connects with broader departmental themes including Heritage Studies and Material Culture research at Cambridge.