Matthew Potolsky is Professor of English at the University of Utah, specializing in nineteenth-century literature and literary theory. His career spans from 1998 Lecturer at Harvard University to current University Professorship. He earned a BA in Comparative Literature and Philosophy (1990), followed by MA and PhD in Comparative Literature (1992, 1997) from UC Irvine. Chair of English Department (2013-2016) University Professor (2014-2016) Research focuses on Decadence , Mimesis , Finance-Aesthetics intersections , and Government Secrecy . His work traces connections between financialization and decadent aesthetics, revealing how economic cycles influence artistic production. Key themes include: Decadent anti-realist literary movements Finance capital's cultural impact Decadent counterpublic formations Victorian aesthetic education debates Sublime aesthetics in national security Cosmopolitanism in literary communities Recent publications analyze: Decadent style as financialization rhetoric Reintroduction of verisimilitude theory Decadent responses to financial crises Mimetic labor in artistic production Decadent cosmopolitan counterpublics Historical parallels between financialization and literary decadence
Dr Ann Lewis is Senior Lecturer in French Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, within the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication . Since her appointment in 2008 she has held numerous leadership roles, including Subject Lead for Languages and Linguistics and programme director for several BA and MA programmes. Education: BA Joint Honours in History and French, New College, University of Oxford M.St. in European Literature, University of Oxford PhD in French Literature, Queen Mary, University of London PGC-HE (with distinction), Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Research Interests: Dr Lewis’s scholarship is situated at the intersection of eighteenth-century French literature and visual culture. Her work pursues two complementary strands: the first investigates text–image relations , exploring how eighteenth-century French novels were illustrated, re-imagined and circulated beyond the book through almanacs, extra-illustrated editions and domestic display. The second strand interrogates the representation of prostitution in eighteenth-century France, combining literary analysis with cultural history to illuminate questions of gender, commerce and morality. Both research lines deploy interdisciplinary methodologies that draw on illustration studies, adaptation theory and material bibliography. Publications profile: Across more than two decades, Dr Lewis has produced a monograph, three major edited collections and a series of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters (2004-2021). Her output charts an evolving focus from close readings of illustrated novels toward broader questions of intermediality, adaptation and the social lives of images, culminating in recent work on Rousseau’s Julie as material artefact. Honours & Awards: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, Leverhulme Trust (2009) Ronald Tress Prize, Birkbeck, University of London (2012) Haydn Mason Lecture, British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (2012) Nominated for Aurora Women into Leadership programme, Advance HE (2016) Doctoral supervision & grants: Dr Lewis welcomes proposals in eighteenth-century French literature and culture. She currently co-supervises two doctoral researchers: Miki Jablkowska – “The Reception and Cultural Adaptation of Voltaire in Eighteenth-Century Poland” Kirsten Tambling – “Watteau and Hogarth: Seduction, Space and Time” (awarded 2019) Laboratories, networks & teams: She is Co-founder and Co-convenor of the Birkbeck Eighteenth-Century Research Group , an interdisciplinary forum spanning French, English, History of Art and Comparative Literature. She additionally serves on the steering group of the Illustr4tio international research network devoted to illustration studies and is a member of the executive committee of AUPHF+ (Association of University Professors and Heads of French +).
Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson is a Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University, holding a British Academy Innovation Fellowship (2022-2024). She teaches on the Latin with Classics PGCE course in the School of Education and leads interdisciplinary research projects on oracy, Classics education, and policy engagement. Education: Studied Classics at Oxford, Harvard, and Cambridge. Qualified as a schoolteacher and taught for over a decade before returning to academia. Affiliations: Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies (School of Advanced Study) and Affiliated Researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge. Research Interests: Focuses on Classics education, oracy development, and the intersection of policy and the humanities. Key projects include Shy Bairns Get Nowt (oracy and employability) and Aristotle Beyond the Academy (reception of rhetoric in non-academic contexts). Co-directs the Advocating Classics Education project and chairs the Classics Development Group. Publications: Over 80 articles and books, including Expanding Classics (Routledge, 2023) and Forward with Classics (Bloomsbury, 2018). Recent work emphasizes policy engagement and levelling-up through oracy education. Awards: MBE (2023) for services to education Elected Member of Academia Europaea (2024) Grants and Roles: Chair of the Latin Expert Panel at the UK Department for Education Advisor to All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Classics, Oracy, and Political Literacy Member of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (Vice Chair) Labs and Collaborations: Directs Durham’s Centre for Classics Education Research and EngagementS (CERES). Collaborates with institutions like the AHRC, Leverhulme Trust, and Novus Education to bridge academia and policy.
Prof. Dr. Asghar Seyed-Gohrab is a leading scholar in Persian and Iranian Studies at Utrecht University’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. His academic career spans over two decades, including roles as Chairman of Persian Studies at Leiden University and Principal Investigator of the ERC-funded 'Beyond Sharia' project examining Sufism’s role in Islamic intellectual history. He holds a PhD from Leiden University and has authored over 50 monographs and edited volumes on Persian poetry, Sufism, and Iranian cultural history. Education: B.A. in English (Vrije Universiteit), M.A. in Persian Studies (Leiden University), PhD (Leiden University) Research Focus: Medieval Persian poetry’s modern political and cultural relevance, Sufi movements, and the interplay between mysticism and state power in Iran. Grants: ERC Advanced Grant (2021), NWO VIDI/VENI (2009-2014), KNAW Fellow (2023). His research highlights how classical Persian poetry shapes modern Iranian identity, including its use in the 1979 Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. He has supervised 43+ students and edited journals like Iranian Studies and Persica .
Stuart Croft is Vice-Chancellor & President of the University of Warwick and Professor of International Security in the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS). Since joining Warwick in 2007 he has served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Arts & Social Sciences), Provost, and since February 2016 as the University’s chief executive, leading 5,500 staff across all disciplines. Education & Career: 18 years at the University of Birmingham, latterly Professor of International Relations and Head of the School of Social Sciences. Appointed Professor of International Security, University of Warwick, January 2007. Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Arts & Social Sciences) 2011-2013. Provost 2013-2016. Vice-Chancellor & President from February 2016. Research Interests: Professor Croft’s scholarship lies at the intersection of security studies and political culture, using constructivist and narrative approaches to analyse how identities and discourses shape security policy. He has published extensively on the War on Terror, NATO transformation, European security governance, and the securitisation of Islam in Britain. His work combines large-scale funded empirical projects with theoretical innovation in International Relations. Publications & Grants Trend: Over the past two decades his output has clustered around three themes—cultural narratives of terrorism and counter-radicalisation, institutional governance of Euro-Atlantic security (NATO/EU), and arms-control regimes—moving from traditional strategic studies toward critical security approaches that foreground identity, discourse and governance. Scientific Awards & Fellowships: Academician, Academy of Social Sciences (2006) Fellow, Royal Society of Arts (2006) International Studies Association – International Security Section Book Award short-list 2007 Doctoral Supervision & Mentoring: He has successfully supervised 21 PhD students at Birmingham and Warwick, examined 25 UK PhDs as external examiner, and currently supervises 6 doctoral researchers. He has mentored 9 ESRC, EU and British Academy post-doctoral fellows. Editorial & Professional Leadership: Editor of the Palgrave ‘New Security Challenges’ book series since 2005; co-editor of Contemporary Security Policy 1989-2004; editorial board member of Critical Studies on Terrorism and Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict . Chair (2009-2011) and President (2011-2013) of the British International Studies Association.
Brian Kwok is an Associate Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Design, where he serves as Programme Leader of BA Communication Design and heads the Information Design Lab. His academic foundation includes an MA in Design from PolyU, complemented by an MA in Visual Culture Studies and MPhil in Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. With over a decade of tenure at PolyU, Kwok co-founded the Information Design Lab in 2011 to advance research in practical design applications. Kwok's research explores the intersection of visual communication, cultural heritage, and urban environments. Primary domains include: Neon Signage Studies : Documentation and semiotic analysis of Hong Kong's vanishing neon landscapes Healthcare Communication : Typographic legibility for medication labeling targeting senior citizens Urban Ethnography : Spatial practices of street vendors and visual narratives in public spaces Cultural Preservation : Archival projects on Hong Kong's typographic heritage and vernacular design His publication corpus (2015-2023) demonstrates consistent focus on Hong Kong's visual culture evolution, with recurring themes: cultural identity in urban signage, typographic accessibility for vulnerable populations, and cinematic representations of urban change. Methodologically, he blends empirical studies (e.g., user testing of medicine labels) with visual semiotics and historical documentation. Awards recognize both scholarly and practical impact: GRF-funded research on neon sign preservation (2023) Arts Go Digital grant for cultural documentation (2021) HKDA Global Design Excellence Award (2017) Outstanding Paper Award for neon signage research (2017) As Lab Leader, Kwok oversees projects including medicine label optimization, wayfinding systems, and the Fading of HK Neon Visual Culture Project. He actively engages with public institutions through roles on the Public Libraries Advisory Committee and as external examiner for academic programs.
Enrique Sanz Giménez-Rico, SJ is a Professor at the Faculty of Theology of Comillas Pontifical University , where he has taught for over two decades. His academic journey includes a Licentiate in Trilingual Biblical Philology (Pontifical University of Salamanca, 1990) Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (Pontifical Biblical Institute, 1997) Doctorate in Theology (Comillas Pontifical University, 2000) . Specializing in Old Testament theology and spirituality , his research focuses on the Theology of the Pentateuch , Theology of the Psalter , and Greek Philology . His recent publications explore themes like prophetic literature , divine mercy , and biblical foundations for environmental ethics , reflecting a synthesis of Hebrew Bible studies and contemporary theological challenges . Scientific contributions include Sexenio Campo 11 accreditation in Philosophy, Philology, and Linguistics (2011-2018) ACAP certification as Professor Doctor of Private University (2007) . Professional roles encompass Rector of Comillas Pontifical University (2021-2024) Dean of Theology and Canon Law Faculties (2015-2021) Director of the Department of Sacred Scripture and Church History (2011-2015) .
Muzaffar Alam is the George V. Bobrinsky Professor at the University of Chicago's South Asian Languages and Civilizations (SALC) , within the Division of the Arts & Humanities. He has taught at UChicago since 2001, following a three-decade tenure at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). His expertise spans Mughal political history, Indo-Islamic culture, and pre-colonial South Asian religious and literary traditions. He is fluent in Persian, Arabic, Urdu, and Hindi, and actively supervises students in medieval South Asian studies. Education: Ph.D. in History, Jawaharlal Nehru University (1976) Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University Research focuses on Mughal governance, Indo-Persian cultural exchange, and textual studies. He has held visiting positions at the Collège de France, Leiden University, and the EHESS (Paris). Courses taught include Mughal India, South Asian Islam, and advanced Urdu/Persian seminars. Publications include seminal works like The Mughal State 1526-1750 and Indo-Persian Travels in the Age of Discovery . His scholarship bridges history, philology, and comparative Islamic studies from an Indian perspective. Labs/Teams: Actively involved with SALC's research initiatives and textual analysis projects. Supervises advanced language studies and historical manuscript work.
Peter Knight is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Manchester , affiliated with the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (English, American Studies & Creative Writing). He focuses on conspiracy theories and cultural approaches to finance , with over two decades of research grants and leadership in major interdisciplinary projects. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG151: United States) Co-editor of Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories His research reconfigures conspiracy theory analysis through cultural lenses, challenging psychological dismissals. Key projects include Everything Is Connected (AHRC, 2016-20) and REDACT (EU CHANSE, 2022-25). Publications span Routledge, Edinburgh UP, and Cambridge UP. Recent work with Clare Birchall and Michael Butter explores coronavirus pandemic conspiracies , while his Reading the Market (2016) examines Gilded Age financial narratives. He co-curated the Show Me the Money exhibition (2014-16), visualizing financial history. Scientific Awards BAAS Book Prize (2017) Peter supervises projects on topics like 19th-20th century American literature , digital conspiracy theories , and financial epistemology . His media commentary (The Conversation, BBC) addresses public understanding of economic and conspiratorial discourse.
Jonathan H. Grossman is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he has been since 2013. He earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania (1996) and a B.A. in English and Religious Studies from Brown University (1989). Education: Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania (1996) M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania (1993) B.A., English & Religious Studies, Brown University (1989) Research Interests focus on the intersection of 19th-century British literature, standardization history, and narrative theory. His work examines how transportation networks, legal systems, and technological infrastructures reshaped Victorian perceptions of time, space, and community. Recent projects include analyzing metrology’s role in literary form and global transport’s narrative implications. Publications highlight his expertise in Dickens studies and Victorian systems. Notable works include Charles Dickens’s Networks: Public Transport and the Novel (Oxford, 2012) and The Art of Alibi (Johns Hopkins, 2002). His 2025 article on screw thread standardization in Technology and Culture extends his interdisciplinary analysis. Scientific Awards include the UCLA Senate Distinguished Teaching Award (2013–14) and recognition in The Best American Essays (2005) for his essay 'Alibis'. He has secured multiple UCLA Senate grants for digital humanities initiatives like Cruikshank’s Eye and Yellowback Cover Art . Professional Service spans editorial roles as Co-Editor of Nineteenth-Century Literature (2011–present) and leadership in the Dickens Project. He mentors graduate students, serves on departmental committees, and contributes to academic publishing workshops and conferences.
Robert R. Edwards serves as the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Pennsylvania State University within the College of the Liberal Arts. His office is located in Burrowes Building, where he maintains regular office hours including scheduled appointments for Fall 2025. As a distinguished scholar in medieval literary studies, Professor Edwards has established himself as a leading authority on Chaucer, medieval drama, and book history. Professor Edwards specializes in Book History and Textual Studies with particular expertise in Medieval Literature. His research focuses on Chaucer studies, continental and Latin literary relations, and authorship in trilingual England. His scholarly approach integrates historical context with literary analysis, examining how medieval writers engaged with classical traditions while developing innovative narrative forms. His work reveals the complex interplay between textual production, cultural identity, and literary innovation in the medieval period. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly productivity spanning several decades, with significant contributions to understanding medieval literary theory, authorship concepts, and cross-cultural literary relations. His works show an evolving trajectory from foundational studies of medieval poetics to more nuanced examinations of specific authors and textual traditions, particularly focusing on how medieval writers negotiated classical heritage with contemporary cultural concerns. Professor Edwards has edited significant works including John Lydgate's writings and essay collections on medieval love, desire, and sexuality. His scholarly editing demonstrates commitment to making primary medieval texts accessible while providing critical frameworks for contemporary interpretation. His research continues to influence how scholars understand the development of literary consciousness in the medieval period.
Professor Andrew Klevan is a leading scholar in film aesthetics and close cinematic analysis, holding a professorial position at the University of Oxford's Faculty of English and serving as a Non-tutorial Fellow at St Anne's College. His work focuses on film form, performance, critical methodology, and pedagogy, advocating for detailed close analysis as a core practice in film studies. Research interests include the interplay between film medium and narrative structure, particularly exploring 'undramatic' forms that capture mundane experiences. He has authored monographs on film performance (e.g., Barbara Stanwyck studies), aesthetic evaluation frameworks, and the philosophy of film criticism. Recent work critiques theoretical approaches in film studies and develops 'ordinary language film studies' to emphasize practical criticism over abstract theory. Publications span over two decades, with notable contributions to journals like Movie , Film-Philosophy , and Aesthetic Investigations . His edited collection The Language and Style of Film Criticism (with Alex Clayton) remains influential in critical discourse. Teaching focuses on advanced film analysis and methodology. No formal academic awards are listed, though his contributions to film scholarship are widely recognized. He supervises Master’s and DPhil students in film studies, emphasizing close textual analysis and critical writing. His academic affiliations include the St Anne's College community and the broader Oxford film studies network.
Dr Bence Bardos is a Lecturer in Media Production & Digital Content Creation at City, University of London, affiliated with the School of Communication & Creativity and the Department of Media, Culture and Society. He holds a PhD and MA in Media and Film from the University of Kent and has previously taught at the University of Kent and Kodolányi János University in Budapest. His research centers on digital participatory cultures, focusing on remix culture, online memes, parody, transmedia storytelling, and the cultural meanings embedded in internet phenomena. He explores how digital communities reinterpret media through irony, humor, and transformation, particularly in fandoms like Shrek and horror forms such as creepypasta. His upcoming publications examine ironic Shrek fandom, the communicative role of the Pepe the Frog meme, and the nostalgic linkage between 2000s Cartoon Network and online horror. These works reflect a broader interest in how digital platforms reshape narrative, identity, and cultural memory. Dr Bardos is also an active media practitioner, with experience as a television editor, video producer, and filmmaker. His creative works have been recognized at international short film festivals. He is passionate about fiction filmmaking, microbudget cinema, and experimental or 'weird' films. PhD in Media Studies, University of Kent (2018–2023) MA in Film with Practice, University of Kent (2016–2017) BA in Film, University of Kent (2013–2016) He has delivered papers at the ECREA European Communication Conference and the Two Decades of Shrek Online Symposium. His interdisciplinary background bridges media theory, film practice, and digital culture, informing both his teaching and research.
Charles Denroche is Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at the University of Westminster, based in the School of Humanities within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His interdisciplinary career combines bioscience (Magdalen College, Oxford) with advanced linguistics (PhD UCL-IOE, PGDip Westminster, PGCE TESOL IOE), and extensive professional experience as translator, lexicographer and language educator. Education & Training MA in Bioscience – Magdalen College, University of Oxford PhD in Education (Linguistics) – UCL Institute of Education, University of London Post-Graduate Diploma in Linguistics – University of Westminster PGCE TESOL – UCL Institute of Education Certificate in English Phonology – International Phonetic Association Studies in Italian Language & Literature – University of Florence Studies in Germanistik & Anglistik – Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf Research Interests Denroche’s work centres on how meaning is made through language. His research integrates cognitive linguistics , semiotics and translation studies to explore the roles of metaphor and metonymy in discourse, multimodal communication and pedagogy. He is particularly interested in the cognitive processes that underlie figurative language, the interface between grammar and semantics, and how these insights can inform translator training and language education. Current projects extend his theory of metonymic processing to literary translation collaboration and the analysis of visual and multimodal texts, aiming to bridge theoretical linguistics with practical applications in education and professional practice. Recent Publications & Trends Over the past decade Denroche has produced a coherent body of work that moves from foundational theory-building—most notably the 2015 monograph Metonymy and Language —to innovative methodological applications such as using drawing as a research tool for metaphor-led discourse analysis. Across 15 key outputs (2011-2024), the research trajectory shows a consistent focus on metaphtonymy (the interplay of metaphor and metonymy) at text level and on developing practical frameworks for translators, educators and discourse analysts. Honours & Awards Award of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2008) – Westminster Exchange, University of Westminster Doctoral Supervision & Grants Denroche currently supervises one active doctoral researcher (MPhil/PhD) investigating metaphor in Arabic urban literature. He welcomes applications from prospective postgraduate students in the areas of figurative language, semiotics/multimodality, discourse analysis and translation/interpreting studies. Professional Memberships & Service International Association for Cognitive Semiotics (IACS) Researching and Applying Metaphor (RaAM) External examiner for Birkbeck, University of Hertfordshire, UCL Institute of Education Reviewer for American Journal of Semiotics , Journal of Pragmatics , Language and Cognition , Cognitive Linguistics Studies , Metaphor and the Social World
Assoc. Prof. USAME İHTİYAR holds the position of Associate Professor at Bingöl Üniversitesi's Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, specifically in the Arapça Mütercim ve Tercümanlık Anabilim Dalı. He previously held roles at Damascus University and Bilad Al Sham Üniversitesi, transitioning to Bingöl Üniversitesi in 2013. His academic journey includes a PhD from Damascus University (2004) focusing on Sicilian Arabic poetry and a career spanning over three decades in academic administration and editorial roles. Education: B.A. (1987-1991), M.A. (1998), and Ph.D. (2004) in Arabic Language and Literature from Damascus University. Academic titles include Doktor Öğretim Üyesi (2006-2011), Doçent (2006–present), and multiple international editorial board memberships. Research interests center on classical Arabic poetry, Islamic literary criticism, Andalusian literature, and Arabic language pedagogy. He has advised over 30 graduate students and authored/co-authored books on topics like Sicilian Arabic poetry, tasavvuf (Sufi) literature, and translation studies. His work appears in journals such as Şarkiyat Mecmuası and Fırat Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi, with a focus on Quranic linguistics and medieval Arabic texts. Professional activities include editorial roles for Diyanet Arapça İlmi Dergisi (2019–2022) and membership in international academic committees like the Katar Üniversitesi's Postgraduate Academic Board. His contributions span editorial leadership, conference participations, and authoring textbooks on Arabic grammar and rhetoric. Notable works include Siciliya Şiirleri Antolojisi (2016) and Modern Tasavvuf Şiirinde Manevi Değerler (2022). His research bridges classical Arabic literary traditions with contemporary pedagogical challenges in teaching Arabic as a second language.
