Egyptian Cursive Scripts Professors and Supervisors

Mahmoud MousaView profile

Assistant Professor

Heriot-Watt UniversityUnited Kingdom

Dr. Mahmoud Mousa is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science and Programme Director for BSc (Hons) Computer Science programmes at Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus. He holds dual roles as Deputy Director of Undergraduate Studies and Programme Leader in the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at Hertfordshire University and Zagazig University, where he contributed to a cubic satellite (ZUSAT) project with the Egyptian Space Agency. Dr. Mousa earned his PhD from the University of Liverpool, UK. His research focuses on AI applications, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, optimization algorithms, and blockchain-based solutions. Specific interests include robotic arm trajectory optimization, hybrid deep learning models, and energy-efficient automation. He has also explored trust and reputation systems and applied AI to medical imaging and cloud services. His recent work emphasizes bioinspired algorithms (e.g., whale optimization) for robotics and automation, alongside microgrid stability control. He has published over 10 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, with notable contributions to robotic arm optimization and neural network classifiers for EEG signals. His research aligns with UN SDGs related to affordable and clean energy, industry innovation, and sustainable cities. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned. He actively supervises PhD students and contributes to multidisciplinary educational programs bridging technology, science, and arts.

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Elena Luise HertelView profile

Researcher

University of HamburgGermany

Dr. Elena Luise Hertel is an affiliated researcher at the University of Hamburg’s Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC). She holds a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Basel (2024) and specializes in ancient Egyptian cursive scripts (Hieratic, Abnormal Hieratic, Demotic), focusing on materiality, writing across media, and cultural change during Egypt’s Late Bronze and Iron Ages. Her current project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, investigates the use of cursive script on stelae during the Third Intermediate Period. She also serves as Principal Investigator for this project (2025–2027). During her Petra Kappert Fellowship (Oct 2024–Mar 2025), she prepared interdisciplinary collaborations, finalized publications, and established technical frameworks for 3D scanning of stelae inscriptions. Education: PhD in Egyptology, University of Basel (2024); studies in Egyptology in Germany and the Netherlands. Research Focus: Materiality of writing, cultural transitions in ancient Egypt, and stelae inscriptions. Her work bridges archaeological and textual analysis, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to manuscript cultures. Projects & Labs: Leading a project on stelae inscriptions, integrating digital technologies like 3D scanning. Collaborates with scholars across disciplines at CSMC to explore script use beyond traditional media contexts.

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Michael ZachView profile

Associate Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Michael Zach is an Associate Professor at the Department of African Studies, Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies, University of Vienna. His research focuses on Austrian travelers to Northeast Africa in the 19th century, Meroitic Studies, Nubian Studies, and African archaeology. His research interests include: Reconstructing Meroitic civilization through archaeological and textual sources Exploring Austria’s historical involvement in African affairs Analyzing museum archaeology and the provenance of lost Meroitic objects Studying intercultural interactions between Europe and Africa Recent publications highlight themes such as: Meroitic artifact recovery and cultural heritage (2023) Christian Nubian architecture (2022) Meroitic iconography and chronology (2021) Nonnus of Panopolis’ literary duality (2018) He serves as editor for Beiträge zur Sudanforschung and organized the 11th International Conference for Meroitic Studies in Vienna (2008). His work bridges historical exploration with contemporary archaeological practices.

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Akram KhaterView profile

Professor

North Carolina State UniversityUnited States

Dr. Akram Khater is a Professor of History and holds the Khayrallah Chair in Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University, where he also directs the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies. A native of Lebanon (born 1960), he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, followed by M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Berkeley, respectively. His expertise spans Middle East Studies, migration and diaspora, gender, nationalism, religious history, and digital humanities. He has authored influential books like Inventing Home: Emigration, Gender and the Making of a Lebanese Middle Class and edited the International Journal of Middle East Studies . His research often bridges academic scholarship with public engagement, including a PBS documentary on Lebanese communities in North Carolina and major museum exhibitions like The Lebanese in America . Khater has received notable accolades for teaching and research, including awards from NC State and fellowships from the National Humanities Center and Fulbright Foundation. His work critically examines how migration reshapes identity, and how religious and cultural practices evolve in diasporic contexts. Education: B.S., Electrical Engineering, California Polytechnic State University M.A., History, UC Santa Cruz Ph.D., History, UC Berkeley Key Roles: Director, Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies Editor, International Journal of Middle East Studies Grants & Fellowships: National Humanities Center Fellowship (20XX) American Philosophical Society Grant (20XX) Council of American Overseas Research Centers Award Public Engagement: Over 300 public lectures on Middle Eastern history Curator of widely toured exhibitions

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Ursula Verhoeven-van ElsbergenView profile

Professor

University of MainzGermany

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ursula Verhoeven-van Elsbergen is a Senior Research Professor and Head of the Mainz Academy project "Ancient Egyptian Cursive Scripts (AKU)" at the Institute of Ancient Studies | Egyptology , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Her academic career spans leadership roles in DFG-funded projects, international Egyptological associations, and interdisciplinary research initiatives. Her research focuses on Ancient Egyptian scripts , particularly hieroglyphic and hieratic cursive forms , with applications in digital humanities and material culture studies . Key projects include documentation of the Necropolis of Assiut and analysis of the Mammisi of Edfu . She contributes to the academic community through editorial work and international collaboration. Scientific awards include the Gutenberg Research College Fellowship Academy Prize of Rhineland-Palatinate Fondation Michela Schiff Giorgini Prize . She serves on advisory boards like the Central Directorate of the German Archaeological Institute and the review board of the German Research Foundation, with terminated roles such as Deputy Managing Director of the Institute of Ancient Studies and spokesperson for German-speaking Egyptology.

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Sylvie DonnatView profile

Professor

University of LilleFrance

Sylvie Donnat is a Professor in the History Department of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Lille. She specializes in Egyptology with a focus on the history, language, and archaeology of ancient Egypt. Her academic work is associated with UMR 8164 - HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND LITERATURE OF THE ANCIENT WORLDS, a research laboratory dedicated to the study of ancient civilizations. Dr. Donnat's research focuses on several key areas within Egyptology: Religious anthropology of ancient Egypt Hieratic papyrology (study of ancient Egyptian cursive script) Iatromagic texts (medical and magical texts from ancient Egypt) History of writing practices in ancient Egypt Her recent scholarly contributions demonstrate a strong focus on New Kingdom Egyptian texts and Karnak Temple studies. Dr. Donnat's work often involves detailed analysis of hieratic script and the interpretation of religious and medical-magical texts from ancient Egypt, contributing significantly to our understanding of writing practices and religious beliefs in ancient Egyptian society. Dr. Donnat maintains her office at E1.15, Building E, Pont de Bois Campus at the University of Lille, where she conducts her research and teaching activities in Egyptology.

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Fredrik Norland HagenView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Fredrik Norland Hagen is a Professor in the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen, where he has been employed since 2009 (as Associate Professor until 2017). His research centers on the socio-economic history of Egypt during the Second Millennium BC, including the Middle and New Kingdoms, with additional focus on ancient Egyptian literature and writing culture. Current projects include preparing an archive from the mortuary temple of Thutmose III at Thebes for publication through the Spanish-Egyptian excavation project (directed by Myriam Seco Alvarez), where the ostraca volume was published in 2021 and papyrus volume is in preparation. He also co-edits a Cambridge University Press volume on Ancient Egyptian Tomb Construction stemming from the Velux-sponsored project he directed from 2015-2019. His research portfolio spans Ancient Egyptian History, Socio-economic History, Hieratic Script, and Funerary Architecture, analyzing primary sources like ostraca and papyri to explore administrative practices, workforce dynamics, and material culture of writing. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on New Kingdom documentation systems and archaeological contexts. Professor Hagen has directed significant grant-funded projects including the Velux Foundation's Tomb Construction in Ancient Egypt (c. 1500-1000 BC): Infrastructure and Economy initiative. His international collaborations feature partnerships with Spanish, French, and UK institutions through excavation projects and multi-authored volumes.

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Richard JasnowView profile

Professor

Johns Hopkins UniversityUnited States

Richard Jasnow is a Professor of Egyptology and Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and has held prior roles as a faculty member at the Universität Würzburg’s Institut für Ägyptologie and as a senior epigrapher/associate director at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago’s Epigraphic Survey. His research focuses on Demotic Egyptian—a cursive script used from 750 B.C. to 450 A.D.—with emphasis on Late Period literary texts, legal documents, and economic records. Jasnow’s work bridges textual analysis and archaeological context, contributing to understanding Egypt’s cultural and administrative practices during this era. Prior professional roles include leadership in epigraphic documentation, reflecting his expertise in preserving and interpreting ancient texts. His affiliations include the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute and the Archaeological Museum at JHU, though specific grants or labs are not detailed in available texts.

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Tabitha KrausView profile

Lecturer

University of MainzGermany

Tabitha Kraus MA (AKU) is a Lecturer and researcher at the Department of Egyptology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU Mainz). She holds a Master's degree in Egyptology (2019) and a Bachelor's degree (2015) from the same university, with thesis topics focusing on hieratic script analysis and Egyptian iconography. Her research focuses on Hieratic graphetics , particularly the [BIRDS] sign category , and rock graffiti iconography . She has contributed to the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz's "Ancient Egyptian Cursive Scripts" project since 2017 and leads lectures in the "Studying 50Plus" program. Her work bridges digital humanities with traditional Egyptological methods. Tabitha Kraus is part of the "Egyptology goes to school" initiative and has presented at international conferences like the 7ème Académie hiératique (2023) and Graffiti Quest (2023). She has interned at the State Museum of Egyptian Art Munich and the British Museum London.

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Sandrine VuilleumierView profile

Professor

University of BaselSwitzerland

Prof. Dr. Sandrine Vuilleumier holds the Faculty of Humanities professorship at the University of Basel Department of Classical Studies , specializing in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Egyptian religious practices and textual materiality. Her work examines Evolution of Osirian cult rituals in multicultural Ptolemaic contexts Paleographic analysis of hieroglyphic-hieratic script transitions Funerary composition practices in Greco-Roman Thebes Recent publications investigate cursive hieroglyph adaptations in scribal practices and theological shifts in local goddess worship at Deir el-Medina. She leads ongoing projects on Greco-Roman period burials and serves as Principal Investigator for the Au-delà des texts and Deir el-Medina initiatives. Her email is sandrine.vuilleumier@unibas.ch .

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