Find Academic Supervisors

• Aesthetics
• Literary Studies
• Cultural Heritage
• +3 more

Assoc. Prof. Michal Babiak, CSc. is a leading academic at the Department of Aesthetics, Faculty of Arts, Comenius University in Bratislava , where he has taught since 1991. His roles include teaching History of World Literature , Axiology of Art , and Comparative Art Studies , alongside active involvement in theater and opera direction with over 100 productions across Central/Eastern Europe. Academic Focus : Aesthetics, Slovak cultural identity, and postmodern art International Reach : Collaborations in Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia Education : PhDr. in Slovak Language and Literature (Faculty of Arts, University of Novi Sad, 1985) DrSc. Degree in Aesthetics (Faculty of Arts, Comenius University, 1994) Research Interests span interdisciplinary domains including structuralist/poststructuralist aesthetics , cross-cultural Slovak identity , and historical-semiotic analysis of art . His work explores the interplay between literary traditions and contemporary artistic expressions , particularly in Slovak diaspora contexts. Recent Publications (2017–2019) emphasize theatrical metaphors , Vojvodina cultural heritage , and postmodern Slovak drama , with a focus on memory studies and identity formation in minority communities. Grants : Head of VEGA 1/0456/22: Kontext slovenského umenia a estetiky Leadership Roles : Editorial contributions to key publications like Interpretation of Art Curatorial work in Slovak cultural exhibitions

• Theatre Studies
• Irish Drama
• Intermedial Performance
• +7 more

Anna McMullan is a Professor at the University of Reading, specializing in Theatre Studies and Irish drama. Her research intersects intermedial performance, scenography, and Samuel Beckett's works, with a focus on postcolonial and gender studies in drama. Her scholarly contributions span from the 1990s to 2023, emphasizing Beckett's collaborations with designers like Jocelyn Herbert, the cultural and political dimensions of Irish theatre, and the adaptation of theatrical works across media. Recent publications explore intermedial ecosystems and the remediation of Beckett's canon in digital and performative contexts. McMullan's works analyze historical legacies, embodied performance, and the spatial politics in plays by Brian Friel and Marina Carr. She has co-edited volumes on Beckett's stagings and contemporary performance cultures, reflecting her commitment to documenting theatrical innovation and cultural memory.

Timothy M. HarrisonView profile

Associate Professor

• Critical Theory
• Renaissance and Early Modern Literature
• History of Ideas
• +8 more

Timothy M. Harrison is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Chicago, with affiliations to the John U. Nef Committee on Social Thought and the Philosophy of Religion at the Divinity School. His work bridges literature, philosophy, theology, and science during the early modern period. Education: Ph.D. from University of Toronto (2014) Research Focus: Emergence of consciousness and selfhood in early modern literature, comparative studies of Persian and English poetry, and intersections between literary form and scientific/philosophical concepts. Key Publications: Coming To: Consciousness and Natality in Early Modern England (2020), John Donne's Physics (2024, co-authored), and comparative studies on Bidel of Delhi and Thomas Traherne. Scientific Recognition: Awarded the John Donne Society Award for Distinguished Publication and the Milton Society of America’s Albert C. Labriola Award. Teaching: Offers courses on Shakespeare, Milton, philosophical criticism, and early modern literature, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.

• Ancient Greek Philology
• Attic Drama
• Literary Theory
• +1 more

Andreas G. Markantonatos is a Professor of Ancient Greek Philology at the Department of Philology, University of Peloponnese. He holds a DPhil in Classical Philology from the University of Oxford. His leadership roles include Director of the Laboratory of Rhetoric and Dramatic Art, Vice-President of the Olympic Center for Philosophy and Education, Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, Director of the Graduate Program 'Performing Arts' at the Hellenic Open University, and Supervisor of Training at the Institute of Educational Policy. His research focuses on Ancient Greek Philology, Attic Drama, Literary Theory, and Narratology, with significant contributions to the interpretation of Sophocles, Euripides, and tragic narrative structures. Recent publications explore intersections between theatre, education, politics, and cultural memory. Publications demonstrate sustained engagement with Greek tragedy's narrative techniques, religious dimensions, and socio-political contexts. Key trends include mythological reinterpretation, performance theory, and pedagogical applications of classical texts. He has extensively edited volumes advancing scholarship on Sophocles, Euripides, and Attic drama. Professor Markantonatos directs the Laboratory of Rhetoric and Dramatic Art and leads international research collaborations, including conferences on ancient drama. Future projects include an annotated edition of Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonus and a monograph on Euripides' Heracles .

Afroditi AngelopoulouView profile

Assistant Professor

• Greek literature and Poetics
• Athenian Drama
• Performance and Embodiment
• +7 more

Afroditi Angelopoulou is an Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Southern California, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Originally from Greece, she returned to USC after teaching at Dartmouth College for two years as a Visiting Lecturer. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Classics from USC (2017), an MA in Ancient Greek and Latin Literature, and a BA in Philology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Education: Ph.D. in Classics, University of Southern California, 2017 M.A. in Ancient Greek and Latin Literature, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens B.A. in Philology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Dr. Angelopoulou's research focuses on the intersection of embodiment, sensory experience, and ancient Greek literature. Her work explores how physical and sensory dimensions shape dramatic narratives and philosophical thought in classical antiquity. She examines Athenian drama through the lens of performance and embodiment, investigates Plato's theories of sensory perception, and analyzes the relationship between aesthetics and ethics in ancient texts. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges classics with cognitive science, theater studies, and gender theory, creating a unique methodological framework for analyzing ancient literature. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on embodied cognition in ancient Greek literature and philosophy. The articles demonstrate expertise across Greek tragedy (particularly works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides), Greek comedy (especially Aristophanes), and Platonic philosophy. Key themes include sensory studies, affect theory, gesture studies, and the cognitive dimensions of ancient literature, reflecting her innovative approach to understanding how ancient texts engage with physical and sensory experiences. Scientific Awards: Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies Fellow, 2021-2022 Dr. Angelopoulou has established herself as a significant scholar in classical studies with her innovative approach to embodiment and sensory experience in ancient texts. Her first book, 'The Body and the Senses in Greek Tragedy' (Oxford University Press, 2025), represents a major contribution to the field. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, her fellowship at the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies indicates successful competitive funding. Her research connects classical studies with contemporary theoretical frameworks, particularly in cognitive science and performance studies, creating productive interdisciplinary dialogue that expands the methodological toolkit for analyzing ancient literature.

Esther K. ChaeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Acting
• Playwriting
• Asian American Representation in Media
• +4 more

Esther K. Chae serves as Assistant Professor of Acting at the University of Southern California's School of Dramatic Arts, teaching Intermediate Acting, Actor's Instrument, English Language Dubbing, and cross-disciplinary courses for Engineering and Education schools. As an inaugural iPodia Faculty Fellow (2023), she pioneers "learning-through-diversity" pedagogy and borderless classrooms via technology. Her academic foundation includes: MFA in Acting, Yale School of Drama MA in Theater Studies, University of Michigan BA in French Literature, Korea University Chae's creative scholarship interrogates systemic inequities through performance, exemplified by her internationally acclaimed solo play So the Arrow Flies (published bilingually) and TEDx talk "WIBLDD: What If Bruce Lee Didn't Die," which analyzes #HollywoodSoWhite, Yellowface casting, and Asian American media erasure. Her recent VR performance Ae-ri in Otherland merges Eastern/Western linguistic traditions via multilingual ensemble work. Her major recognitions include: Martin Luther King Jr./Cesar Chavez/Rosa Parks Visiting Professorship Asian Pacific Islander American Trailblazer Award Korean Wave (Hallryu) Asia Star Award Inaugural TED Fellow (2009) Chae mentors globally across institutions in Nigeria, Italy, and Korea while consulting for industry giants like Marvel ( Black Panther ) and NBC ( World of Dance ). Her speaker coaching for Google, Sephora, and XPrize bridges performance techniques with corporate communication. The Ae-ri in Otherland project demonstrated innovative global collaboration through VR headsets and Spatial.io, featuring bi-cultural performers navigating linguistic collisions between English, Korean, and Chinese characters.

Theo BlackView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Acting
• Directing
• Public Speaking
• +3 more

Theo Black serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Performing and Media Arts department at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. He teaches courses in acting, directing, and public speaking, with a specialized focus on practice-based eco-performance work. His educational background includes: M.F.A. from the Academy for Classical Acting B.A. in Dramatic Art from U.C. Berkeley Professor Black's research centers at the intersection of performing arts and environmental studies. His work spans Shakespeare performance studies, public speaking pedagogy, and eco-performance with particular emphasis on environmental justice. He collaborates extensively with Cornell's Environment & Sustainability program and Cornell Botanic Gardens, while maintaining partnerships with Stanford, UNR-Lake Tahoe's Sustainability Certificate program, and UC Merced. His practice-based research cultivates communication and performance skills to bridge scientific and communal understandings of environmental issues on local and global scales. Notable creative projects include "Eco-Macbeth: Nature Fights Back" and "BIOphelia: A Performance-Infused Scholarship Symposium." He participates in Earth Day programming through "Shakespeare in Yosemite," adapting Shakespeare plays with scientific and cultural specificity. As a communication coach featured on coachtheoblack.com, Black works with diverse clients from Cornell graduate students to corporate executives. His workshops for the English Ph.D. program have transformed students' presentation skills for academic interviews. Testimonials from faculty like Jenny C. Mann (Cornell Professor of English) describe his sessions as "electrifying" that transform students' "sense of their bodies, voices, and general presence." Black maintains active community partnerships with Footprints' climate action camps and Raeflower Holistics, serving as communication coach and community partner respectively, extending his performance-based approaches to environmental communication beyond the academy.

Jacob Gallagher-RossView profile

Associate Professor

• Modern and contemporary drama
• Digital performance
• Media theory
• +7 more

Jacob Gallagher-Ross is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of English & Drama at the University of Toronto Mississauga, with a graduate faculty appointment at the Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies. His research bridges modern/contemporary theatre, digital performance, media theory, and dramaturgy. He has contributed extensively to journals like Theatre Survey , TDR , and Contemporary Theatre Review , earning accolades such as the Vera Mowry Roberts Award and the American Society for Theater Research’s Collaborative Research Award. He co-edited three special issues of Theater journal focused on digital performance and surveillance, and served as a dramaturg at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Hons. BA, University of Toronto MFA, Yale University School of Drama DFA, Yale University School of Drama His research explores the intersection of theatre, digital media, and surveillance, with a current project examining interface theatre. He is a content consultant for Crash Course: Theater and Drama , a fifty-episode series on theatre history, and collaborates with the Big Art Group on their first comprehensive book. His publications span analyses of avant-garde traditions, digital dramaturgies, and the evolution of spectatorship in technological eras. The trends in his recent work highlight a sustained engagement with digital performance, media theory, and experimental practices. Articles like Interface Theatre: Watching Ourselves Disappear (2024) and Digital Feelings (2016) underscore his focus on how technology mediates theatrical expression and audience interaction, while collaborations on Spectatorship in an Age of Surveillance (2018) reveal his interest in ethical and social dimensions of contemporary performance. Vera Mowry Roberts Award (2016) for Mediating the Method Collaborative Research Award (2016) for Spectatorship in an Age of Surveillance Gallagher-Ross has held significant roles in academic administration as Chair of English & Drama at UTM and served as a dramaturg at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, working on productions like The Tempest with Christopher Plummer. He has also contributed over 120 reviews to the Village Voice and other US national publications, cementing his influence in theatre criticism and dramaturgical practice.

Alexander SamsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Early Modern History
• Colonial History of the Americas
• Anglo-Spanish Relations
• +3 more

Alexander Samson serves as a Reader in Early Modern Studies at University College London, directing both the Centre for Early Modern Exchanges and the Centre for Editing Lives and Letters while running the Golden Age and Renaissance Research Seminar. His institutional roles position him at the forefront of interdisciplinary research on early modern cultural and historical intersections between England and Spain. Samson's research centers on early colonial history of the Americas, Anglo-Spanish intercultural interactions, and early modern English/Spanish drama. His monograph Mary and Philip: The Marriage of Tudor England and Habsburg Spain (Manchester University Press) critically examines the cultural and political ramifications of the 1554 royal marriage. His scholarship consistently explores how historical events manifest in literary production, particularly regarding religious identity, translation practices, and representations of power in theater. Analysis of his recent publications reveals sustained engagement with Spanish Golden Age literature, colonial encounters, and transnational cultural flows. His work demonstrates particular interest in theatrical representations of monarchy, religious conversion dynamics, and cross-border textual exchanges during Europe's formative global age. Methodologically, he bridges historical and literary analysis while incorporating digital humanities approaches. His notable recognition includes: RSA's Digital Innovation Award for the Archaeology of Reading project While specific advising activities remain undocumented in available sources, Samson's leadership of major research centers indicates significant mentorship through collaborative projects. His centers facilitate international scholarly exchange and provide infrastructure for emerging researchers in early modern studies, though explicit grant details are not provided in the source material. Samson directs UCL's Centre for Early Modern Exchanges and Centre for Editing Lives and Letters, which function as interdisciplinary hubs for digital and traditional scholarship. The Archaeology of Reading project—recipient of the RSA Digital Innovation Award—exemplifies his commitment to innovative methodologies for reconstructing historical reading practices through manuscript annotation analysis.

• Voice Performance
• Opera
• Music Education
• +3 more

Allison Sanders serves as an Instructor of Voice in the Division of Music within Samford University's School of the Arts and concurrently holds an adjunct professor position at Miles College teaching voice. Her career bridges academic instruction with an active professional performance schedule across major opera companies and symphony orchestras. She earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she performed principal roles including Dido in Dido and Aeneas , Elettra in Idomeneo , and Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra . Her research and performance interests focus on Voice Performance, Opera, and Music Education, with specialization in dramatic soprano repertoire spanning baroque to contemporary works. Notable performances include the title role in Joplin's Treemonisha (New York City Opera), Ruth in Pirates of Penzance (Opera Birmingham), and orchestral collaborations with the Alabama Symphony, Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, and Chautauqua Orchestra. She actively explores works by diverse composers, recently starring in Opera Birmingham's one-woman production Driving While Black . As an educator, Ms. Sanders mentors voice students at both institutions, emphasizing technical mastery and interpretive artistry through private instruction and coaching. Her teaching integrates professional performance experience with vocal pedagogy principles.

Barbara HenryView profile

Associate Professor

• 20th Century Russian Literature
• Theatre and Drama Studies
• Modern Yiddish Literature
• +5 more

Barbara Henry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Washington, affiliated with the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies. Her research and teaching focus on 20th-century Russian and Yiddish literature, theatre, and drama, with a particular emphasis on cross-cultural exchanges. Education: D. Phil., University of Oxford (1998) Her scholarly work explores the intersections of Russian and Yiddish theatrical traditions, including co-editing Inventing the Modern Yiddish Stage and authoring Rewriting Russia: Jacob Gordin’s Yiddish Drama . She has published extensively on topics like Tolstoy’s influence on Yiddish theatre and avant-garde experimentation in Russian modernism. Recent lectures include So Why Yiddish? (2012), highlighting her engagement with Jewish cultural studies. Her publications span from 1995 to 2012, reflecting a long-standing focus on diaspora narratives, adaptation, and the socio-political dimensions of theatre.

• Cultural Anthropology
• Folklore Studies
• Japanese Literature
• +4 more

Osamu Wada is an Associate Professor at Waseda University's School of Culture, Media and Society , specializing in Cultural Anthropology , Folklore Studies , and History of Japanese Drama . His work bridges Japanese Literature and Traditional Performing Arts , focusing on the transmission of Edo-period cultural practices. Degree: Master of Arts in Japanese Literature (Waseda University) Sub-affiliations: Global Education Center Research Interests include: Aesthetics of traditional Japanese arts and their semiotic significance Historical spread of Edo-period stage entertainments across regional Japan Digital archiving of Bunraku (puppet theater) and local Joruri (narrative chanting) Comparative studies of rice cultivation rituals in Tsushima and Bali Mask traditions in Southwest Chinese Nuo-xi and their cultural substrata Notable grants and research projects include long-term JSPS funding for documenting Edo-period cultural transmission (2001-2006), as well as cross-disciplinary studies on rice field societies in East Asia (2002-2003) and Chinese mask traditions (1999-2003). His teaching responsibilities span graduate and undergraduate courses on History of Japanese Dramatic Arts , Digital Content Technology , and Cultural Body Studies , where he explores embodiment in traditional performance. His publications reveal a focus on regional theatrical preservation (Kabuki, Bunraku, Bon Odori), visual documentation through actor prints, and interdisciplinary approaches to cultural transmission. Collaborative efforts with Chinese scholars and Waseda's Theater Museum underline his commitment to global cultural preservation and digital humanities .

• English Literature
• Shakespeare Studies
• Elizabethan Drama
• +2 more

Tetsuhito Motoyama is a Professor at the School of Law, with a career spanning Japanese Shakespearean adaptations, Elizabethan drama, and intercultural theatre studies. His research explores how Shakespeare's works reflect and reshape cultural identities in Japan, emphasizing adaptations that transcend 'indigenous' frameworks. PhD in Comparative Culture (International Christian University) MA in Shakespeare Studies (University of Birmingham) His fields of interest include Shakespeare pedagogy for law students, early modern English theatre networks, and digital humanities methodologies. He leads the JSPS-funded project A Brave New World for Japanese Shakespeare Adaptations , focusing on translation's role in expanding Shakespearean scholarship. Co-organizer of 2022 international conference "Found in Translation" Past part-time lecturer at Keio, Waseda, and Meiji Universities Motoyama's publications analyze Japanese adaptations of King Lear , the Folger Shakespeare Library's educational outreach, and the intersection of performance, politics, and cultural memory in Shakespearean contexts.

• English literature
• Shakespeare Studies
• Early Modern Drama
• +4 more

Yu Umemiya is an Associate Professor at Waseda University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, specializing in English literature with a focus on Shakespeare, textual studies, and intercultural adaptation. He holds degrees from Waseda University (BA, MA, PhD) and the University of Birmingham (MA in Shakespeare Studies). Current positions: Associate Professor (2025-present) Past roles: Part-time Lecturer at multiple Japanese universities His research explores Shakespeare's works through textual analysis, adaptation studies, and performance theory. He examines how translations and cross-cultural interpretations reshape dramatic elements, particularly in Macbeth and The Tempest . Key publication trends include: Early Modern drama textual evolution Censorship mechanisms in Elizabethan theater Intercultural translation strategies Performance pedagogy innovations Professional engagements: Executive Committee member of The Japan Society of English Usage and Style Editorial committee roles Member of British Shakespeare Association

Gregory VovosView profile

Lecturer

• Dramatic Writing
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting
• +4 more

Gregory Vovos is a Lecturer in the Department of Theater at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), where he contributes to undergraduate and graduate programs including the MFA in Acting. He holds an MFA in Playwriting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a BA in English from The Ohio State University. Vovos balances his academic role with a Senior Writer position at American Greetings. Education: MFA in Playwriting, University of Nevada/Las Vegas BA in English, The Ohio State University As a playwright, screenwriter, and director, Vovos focuses on Dramatic Writing , creating works that explore complex social issues like addiction and youth challenges. His plays have been translated globally and published by major theater publishers. Notable Awards: Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in Playwriting (twice) Cleveland Public Theatre Nord Playwriting Fellow (2016) Cleveland Theatre Collective Best Directing Award Vovos’ works have premiered at institutions like Dobama Theatre and been recognized by the Cleveland Critics Circle Awards and The Plain Dealer as Best New Play by a Local Playwright. His 15 plays for the Willoughby Fine Arts Association’s Theatre for Healthy Living Program have been staged in high schools, detention centers, and youth prisons.