Jacob Eyferth is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, jointly appointed in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, the Department of History, and the College. His research focuses on the social and cultural history of twentieth-century China, particularly rural communities, gender dynamics, and the intersection of technology and everyday life. Key research themes include the impact of industrialization, collectivization, and revolution on non-elite populations, with an emphasis on rural women's labor and cultural resistance. His current project explores cotton production, clothing, and gender during China's socialist era. Eating Rice from Bamboo Roots (2009) How China Works (2006) Rural Development in Transitional China (2004) He received the 2011 Joseph Levenson Prize for his first book. Eyferth has taught courses on topics such as class inequality, everyday life under socialism, and revolutionary China, and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Oxford, Harvard, and Rutgers.
Hillard von Thiessen is a full Professor of Early Modern History at the Historisches Institut of Universität Rostock, where he has held the chair since Summer Semester 2013. He served as Dean of the Philosophischen Fakultät from Winter Semester 2018/19 to Summer Semester 2022 and was previously acting chair at Universität zu Köln (2007-2012) and Universität Rostock (2012-2013). Currently, he is also a Fellow at the Käte-Hamburger-Kolleg "Einheit und Vielfalt im Recht" at the University of Münster. Professor von Thiessen completed his Magister Artium in 1995 at Freiburg with a thesis on witch hunts in Freiburg (1632-1677), for which he received the Waldseemüllerpreis in 1997. He earned his doctorate in 2001 with research on Capuchin friars as a reform order between confessionalization and everyday culture. In 2007, he completed his habilitation at the University of Bern with a study on cross-border patronage and diplomacy between Spain and the Papal States during Pope Paul V's pontificate (1605-1621). His research focuses on European Early Modern History, particularly international relations, norm competition, corruption and patronage cultures in the pre-modern era, religiosity, and the political culture of Habsburg Spain. His work often employs actor-centered perspectives to examine how individuals navigated complex normative frameworks during the Early Modern period. Recent publications demonstrate his interest in ambiguity as a historical phenomenon and how societies managed competing values and norms. His scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory examining power structures, diplomatic networks, and cultural frameworks in Early Modern Europe, with particular attention to the intersection of religious, political, and social norms. The publications show increasing sophistication in analyzing how ambiguity functioned as a productive force rather than merely a problem to be solved in Early Modern governance and social relations. Waldseemüllerpreis der Universität Freiburg (1997) Professor von Thiessen has supervised numerous doctoral candidates through his habilitation and professorial positions, though specific student names aren't listed in the available documentation. His research has been supported by prestigious grants including the Gerda-Henkel-Stiftung post-doc fellowship, THEORIA Kurt von Fritz Science Program funding from the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ministry, and Swiss National Science Foundation support for collaborative research projects. His current research activities are centered at the Historisches Institut of Universität Rostock, with additional collaborative work through the Käte-Hamburger-Kolleg at the University of Münster, where he explores legal frameworks and norm competition in historical perspective. His ongoing monograph project "Das Zeitalter der Ambiguität" represents a significant contribution to understanding how Early Modern societies managed conflicting norms and values.
School for Advanced Studies in the Social SciencesFrance
Dinah Ribard is a Director of Studies at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), working within the Centre de Recherches Historiques (CRH). She serves as Center Director for the GRIHL (Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur l'histoire du libéralisme) research group. Her academic career has been dedicated to the historical study of work, intellectual practices, and cultural production from the early modern period through the 19th century. Ribard completed her thesis in December 2000 at the University of Paris III - Sorbonne Nouvelle under the direction of Alain Viala, entitled "Live Tell Think. Research on the literary status of the philosopher: the Lives of philosophers in France 1650-1766." She was formerly a student at the École Normale Supérieure (Ulm) and holds a degree in Modern Literature. Prior to her position at EHESS, she served as an ATER (Attaché Temporaire d'Enseignement et de Recherche) at Paris III University from 1999 to 2001 and taught at Lycée Jacques-Feyder in Epinay sur Seine from 2001 to 2003. Ribard's research focuses on the history of work from multiple perspectives - examining both intellectual work (1600-1900) and material labor. She investigates how work has been conceptualized, narrated, and institutionalized throughout history. Her work explores the relationship between knowledge production and labor, analyzing how different professions and social statuses have shaped intellectual and cultural practices. She examines the historical construction of disciplines, professions, and social classifications, with particular attention to how writing practices intersect with work identities. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the relationship between writing, work, and social identity across the early modern and modern periods. Ribard's scholarship demonstrates how textual practices were embedded in specific work contexts, from artisanal workshops to academic institutions. Her work shows how literary forms were used to construct professional identities and how writing practices served as forms of political action. She has made significant contributions to understanding the historical relationship between intellectual labor and material production. Ribard has published extensively, including the notable 2023 book "Le Menuisier de Nevers. Poésie ouvrière, fait littéraire et classes sociales (XVIIe-XIXe siècle)" which examines how working-class poetry was historically constructed and marginalized. Her scholarship challenges traditional literary classifications and reveals how social categories have been historically produced through cultural practices. As Director of Studies at EHESS, Ribard supervises doctoral students and contributes to the academic training of historians. She co-responsible for the Grihl seminar and teaches courses at EHESS on topics including "Writings of the Past. Literature and History: Methods, Theories, Fields" and "History and stories of work." Her teaching reflects her research interests in the intersection of literary practices, historical methodology, and social analysis. Within the CRH, Ribard is affiliated with the GRIHL research group, which focuses on the interdisciplinary history of liberalism. Her work bridges historical, literary, and sociological approaches to understanding the development of social and intellectual categories. Through her research, teaching, and institutional leadership, Ribard has made significant contributions to the historical understanding of work, knowledge production, and cultural classification.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Dr Tanya Harmer is a Lecturer in the Department of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She is a leading scholar in Latin American Cold War history, with a focus on Chile, transnational revolutionary movements, and gender politics. She is closely associated with the LSE’s Latin America and Caribbean Centre (LACC) and convenes the Latin America-Europe Cold War Research Network. BA, University of Leeds MA and PhD, London School of Economics and Political Science Dr Harmer specializes in the international and transnational dimensions of Cold War struggles in Latin America. Her research emphasizes the global dynamics of revolutionary movements, particularly in Chile and their connections to Cuba and broader solidarity networks. She explores themes such as women and gender in revolutionary politics, exile, resistance, and inter-American diplomacy. Her work bridges diplomatic, social, and cultural history to offer a nuanced understanding of the Cold War beyond superpower confrontation. Her recent publications include the acclaimed biography Beatriz Allende: A Revolutionary Life in Cold War Latin America (2020) and the co-edited volume Toward a Global History of Latin America’s Revolutionary Left (2021). Her articles examine topics such as the 'Cuban Question,' Kissinger’s diplomacy in Latin America, and transnational militant networks. Her research consistently highlights the agency of Latin American actors and the interconnectedness of regional and global histories. Luciano Tomassini International Relations Book Award (2013) LSE Major Review Teaching Prize (2014) Student-led Teaching Excellence Award for Research Support and Guidance (2015) LSE Excellence in Education Award (2016–17, 2019–20) British Academy Newton Mobility Award (2015) Michael Dockrill Memorial Thesis Prize (supervised student, 2021) Dr Harmer supervises PhD students working on twentieth-century Latin American history and has directed the MA in History programme at LSE. She has received grants from the British Academy to support international collaborative research and has organized major conferences on the global history of Latin America’s revolutionary left. She has held visiting teaching positions at Columbia University and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where she was appointed Visiting Professor in 2023. She is actively involved in public engagement, having contributed to BBC Newsnight, Jacobin Magazine, and the Historias podcast. She also leads educational initiatives such as the 'Diversifying the Curriculum' project at LSE and has hosted interdisciplinary workshops on memory and resistance.
Morgan Wait is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow Level I in the School of History at University College Dublin. She is currently working on the ERC-funded DIASPORA project, focusing on the history of drug use in late 20th-century Ireland. Her research centers on social history, with a strong emphasis on media, gender, and sexuality in modern Ireland. Education: PhD in History, Trinity College Dublin (2022) M.Phil in Modern Irish History, Trinity College Dublin BA in History, English, and Political Science, Salisbury University Her research interests lie at the intersection of media history and gender studies, particularly in the context of Irish public broadcasting. She has published extensively on women’s programming at Teilifís Éireann and institutional practices such as the marriage bar. Her work reconstructs marginalized media narratives using archival and press sources. Morgan’s recent publications show a consistent focus on Irish television history, gender representation, and cultural policy. Her articles analyze programming content, institutional discrimination, and public discourse, reflecting a deep engagement with both academic and public history. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Morgan has contributed to significant research projects and is currently working on a forthcoming monograph, Rediscovering Women in Early Irish Television , under contract with Liverpool University Press. While no formal advisees are listed, her collaborative publications indicate active participation in scholarly networks. She is affiliated with the DIASPORA research team at UCD and contributes to public scholarship through RTÉ Brainstorm and online academic blogs.
Jeremy Brown is a Professor in the Department of History at Simon Fraser University. He specializes in the social and political history of the People’s Republic of China, with a focus on urban-rural dynamics, Maoist-era policies, and the Tiananmen protests. His research integrates oral histories and grassroots sources to challenge state-centric narratives. Brown earned his PhD from the University of California, San Diego (2008), and has held editorial roles for Cambridge Studies in the History of the People’s Republic of China (2014–2021). He is a recipient of the SFU Excellence in Teaching Award (2017) and multiple SSHRC grants. His books include June Fourth: The Tiananmen Protests and Beijing Massacre of 1989 (2021) and Maoism at the Grassroots (2015). He currently supervises graduate students in Asian history and oral history. Education: PhD in History, UC San Diego (2008); Language training at Harbin Institute of Technology (1997) and Tsinghua University (2000–2001). Key Research Themes: Maoist ideology, urban-rural divides, Cultural Revolution, memory studies, and political repression. Grants: SSHRC Standard Research Grant (2010–2013), Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship (2014–2015). His work often examines everyday life under Maoism, including resistance to state policies, grassroots agency, and the legacies of trauma in modern China. Brown is also active in teaching innovation, such as using Wikipedia to engage students with contested historical events.
School for Advanced Studies in the Social SciencesFrance
Judith Lyon-Caen is Director of Studies at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) and a member of the Center for Historical Research (CRH), where she leads the Interdisciplinary Research Group on the History of Literature (GRIHL). Based in Paris at 54, boulevard Raspail, she specializes in the intersection of literature and history, with particular focus on 19th century France and Holocaust historiography. Former student of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (B/L 1992) History graduate (1995) Lecturer at EHESS (2007-2018) Director of studies at EHESS-CRH since 2018 Doctoral thesis (2002): 'Readings and uses of the novel in France, from 1830 to the advent of the Second Empire' (under Alain Corbin) Accreditation to direct research (2019): 'Making history with literature' Judith Lyon-Caen's research focuses on the social and political uses of literature in 19th century France, experiences of social mobility, and the history of social observation. She has made significant contributions to Holocaust historiography, particularly examining literary testimony in early Shoah documentation. Her work bridges literary studies and historical methodology, exploring how literature functions as both historical source and analytical tool across different historical periods from the 19th century to contemporary testimonies. Her recent publications reveal a clear intellectual trajectory from 19th century French literary history toward Holocaust studies, demonstrating how her methodological approach to literature as historical evidence has evolved to address questions of testimony and memory. This evolution reflects a deepening engagement with how historical experience is mediated through literary forms across different historical contexts, particularly in Eastern European Jewish communities during and after the Holocaust. Judith Lyon-Caen actively participates in research teams and academic networks, particularly through the GRIHL (Interdisciplinary Research Group on the History of Literature) and HHS (History and Historiography of the Holocaust). She co-organizes research workshops and seminars, including the GRIHL 'Autumn School in History and Literature' for master's and doctoral students. Her collaborative work with scholars across Europe and North America demonstrates the international scope of her research impact, particularly in Polish-French academic exchanges on Holocaust studies and literary history.
Michael Rauhut is a Professor at the University of Agder where he leads the PhD specialization in popular music performance and represents subject teachers within scientific disciplines at the Department of Rhythmic Music . His academic work focuses on popular music studies and musicology, with supervisory responsibilities for master's and doctoral candidates. Rauhut's research explores the intersection of music, politics, and society, with particular emphasis on: Popular music history in socialist contexts (especially the GDR) Cultural transfer during the Cold War Blues, rock, and jazz as forms of cultural expression Youth cultures and music under authoritarian systems Church-state dynamics in musical expression His work demonstrates how music functioned as both state propaganda and vehicle for dissent. Analysis of Rauhut's publications reveals consistent focus on: Cultural mechanisms in socialist states (75% of recent works) Transnational music exchanges across the Iron Curtain Archival methodologies for reconstructing musical histories Identity formation through popular music State censorship and artistic resistance strategies His documentary filmography expands these themes into visual media. As PhD supervisor, Rauhut guides research in popular music performance and musicology. His extensive conference participation includes keynote addresses in Germany, USA, Georgia, and Ukraine, covering topics from blues reception to music's role in political revolutions.
Alexei Yurchak is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on Soviet and post-Soviet societies, with particular attention to cultural practices, political transformations, and the intersection of history and anthropology. He is renowned for his work on late socialism, the collapse of the USSR, and the cultural legacies of Soviet ideology. Yurchak’s scholarship bridges anthropology, history, and political theory, exploring themes such as parody, memory, and the paradoxes of power in authoritarian systems. Key contributions include his book Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More: The Last Soviet Generation , which examines the cultural identity of the final generation raised under Soviet rule. His research also delves into post-Soviet Russia’s political dynamics, ethnographic analyses of systemic change, and the role of cultural forms like music, art, and media in shaping societal narratives. His articles span topics from Soviet music culture and the aesthetics of parody to contemporary Russian politics. He critiques the interplay between ideology and everyday life, emphasizing how cultural practices reveal deeper political and social structures. Yurchak’s interdisciplinary approach has positioned him as a leading scholar in postsocialist studies and critical anthropology.
Zsuzsánna D. Babos is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Research on Adult Education and Knowledge Management under Eötvös Loránd University. Her work focuses on adult education, labor market dynamics, and social participation mechanisms. She leads the New Challenges in the Labour Market Research Group , exploring contemporary workforce trends and skill development strategies. Research interests include analyzing volunteering behavior among youth, institutional program design for civic engagement, and the intersection of higher education with societal roles. Her publications span practical guides for program implementation to critical analyses of generational social participation patterns. Contact details include email babos.zsuzsanna@ppk.elte.hu and office location at Kazinczy u. 23-27 in Budapest. Office hours require appointment via email.
David Imhoof is Professor of History at Susquehanna University and serves as the NCAA Division III Faculty Athletic Representative. He has twice chaired the History Department (2006-2015, 2020-2023) and directed the Global Opportunities (GO) Austria study abroad program since 2010. His research focuses on cultural and political history in 20th-century Germany with particular emphasis on Göttingen between the World Wars. Education : Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Austin, B.A. in History and Liberal Arts from Trinity University. Imhoof's research explores how cultural practices like sports, music festivals, and film shaped political integration in Weimar and Nazi Germany. His current projects include a biography of a Nazi mayor and a history of Germany's 20th-century recording industry. He has published extensively on topics ranging from the Total Work of Art concept to sound studies in German contexts. His recent publications form trends in cultural history, media studies, and political integration analysis. These works examine how music, sports, and film served as vectors for both traditional values and ideological transformation during Germany's turbulent 20th century. Scientific Awards : Multiple Susquehanna Research Grants, DAAD Fellowship, Nachtegall Junior Scholar Award, and Presidential Scholar at Trinity University. Imhoof advises senior theses and independent study projects. He has led assessment reforms in Susquehanna's history department and coordinated over $3,500 in donor campaigns. As director of GO Austria, he develops international curricula and faculty training programs. He co-founded Susquehanna's Holocaust-Genocide Studies Group (2000-2014) and leads a rock band Faculty Lounge with fellow professors. His service includes NCAA representation, university strategic planning, and organizing academic events ranging from opera performances to Holocaust survivor talks.
Mark Mazower is the Ira D. Wallach Professor of History at Columbia University, where he has established himself as a leading historian specializing in modern Greece, 20th-century Europe, and international history. He also serves as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Director of the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris, which brings together scholars with leading artists, writers, composers and filmmakers from around the world to foster innovative interdisciplinary collaboration. His educational background includes a D.Phil. from Oxford University (1988), an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University (1983), and a B.A. from Oxford University (1981). This strong academic foundation has positioned him as a preeminent historian with expertise spanning multiple historical periods and geographical regions. Mazower's research focuses on modern Greek history, 20th-century European history, and international history, with recent work examining the historical evolution of the Greek islands over the very long term. His scholarship bridges academic rigor with public engagement, as he frequently contributes commentary on international affairs and book reviews to major publications including the Financial Times , The Nation , the London Review of Books , and the New York Review of Books . In 2016, he expanded his public engagement through the film Techniques of the Body , a meditation on the refugee crisis in Greek history created with director Constantine Giannaris. His publications reveal a consistent focus on understanding the complex interplay between national histories and broader international frameworks. Mazower's work often examines how local experiences intersect with global forces, particularly in the context of war, occupation, state formation, and the development of international institutions. His approach combines deep archival research with conceptual innovation, making significant contributions to our understanding of European history, Greek history, and international relations. Mazower's scholarly achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Gennadius Prize (2023) Honorary Citizenship from the Republic of Greece (2022) Fellow of the British Academy (2019) D. Litt., honoris causa , Catholic University of Leuven (2019) D. Litt., honoris causa , University of Athens (2015) Dido Sotiriou Award of the Hellenic Authors Society (2012) Society of Columbia Graduates Great Teacher Award (2011) Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Hitler's Empire: Trilling Award and LA Times Book Prize for History (2009) Salonica, City of Ghosts: Duff Cooper Prize (2005) As an educator at Columbia University, Mazower has mentored numerous students in the Department of History, guiding research in modern European history, Greek history, and international history. His leadership extends to directing the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris, which has received significant funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to support interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and creative artists from around the world. At the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination, Mazower has created a unique intellectual environment where historians work alongside artists, writers, and filmmakers to explore new approaches to understanding complex historical and contemporary issues. This innovative space reflects his commitment to bridging academic scholarship with creative expression and public engagement, fostering dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to address pressing global challenges.
Katarzyna Marciniak is Professor and Department Chair of Media Arts & Culture at Occidental College, appointed in 2019 after serving as Distinguished Visiting Professor during the 2019-20 academic year. Her office is located in Weingart 112 with regular office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Her academic credentials include: Master of Arts from the University of Lodz Master of Arts from the University of Montana Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oregon Professor Marciniak's research interrogates the aesthetics and politics of transnational visual cultures, with rigorous focus on representations of foreignness, immigration, national (un)belonging, and border zones as sites of contention. She integrates feminist theory, refugee studies, and postsocialist media analysis—particularly regarding Eastern European cultures—to examine how visual media construct identities in contexts of displacement. Her pedagogical innovations emphasize ethics in teaching trauma cinema and creating transnational classrooms that engage critically with migration narratives. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive scholarly trajectory centered on refugee cinema, transnational visual representation, and socialist/post-socialist cultural studies. Her work consistently applies feminist and ethical frameworks to dissect cinematic mediation of migration, border politics, and cultural alienation, while pioneering pedagogical approaches for teaching difficult subjects through film. Her distinguished recognition includes: 2025 Linda and Todd White Teaching Prize Modern Language Association Florence Howe Award for Outstanding Feminist Scholarship (2010) for her article 'Pedagogy of Anxiety' in Signs While the source text does not specify graduate student mentorship or research grants, Professor Marciniak's prolific scholarly output and editorial leadership demonstrate active academic community engagement. She serves as Lead Editor for Palgrave's Global Cinema series and has co-edited five major volumes including The Oxford Handbook of Communist Visual Cultures (Oxford University Press). Her authored monographs include Alienhood: Citizenship, Exile, and The Logic of Difference (University of Minnesota Press) and Streets of Crocodiles: Photography, Media, and Postsocialist Landscapes in Poland (Intellect/University of Chicago Press). Her forthcoming co-authored book Refugee Cinema with Bruce Bennett (Lancaster University) is scheduled for Oxford University Press publication in 2025.
Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyUnited States
Melissa Feinberg is a Professor of History at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she has been a faculty member since 2008. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and specializes in modern Eastern European history, with particular focus on Czechoslovakia, gender history, Cold War politics, and human rights. Her work examines political culture, feminism, and everyday experiences under communist regimes. Research Focus: Her scholarship centers on gender equality debates in interwar Central Europe, truth politics during Stalinism, and the societal transformations under communism. She employs ordinary voices to analyze historical change, with recurring themes including: Gender citizenship in democratic and socialist systems Cold War propaganda and information warfare Emotions as political tools Post-1989 legacies of communism Publication Trends: Feinberg's 15 most recent works (2017-2025) predominantly explore Eastern Europe's communist era through lenses of gender, dissent, and daily life. Her 2022 book Communism in Eastern Europe reexamines socialist governance through civilian experiences, while earlier works like Curtain of Lies (2017) analyze truth manipulation during Stalinism. Recurrent keywords include Cold War propaganda, women's activism, state surveillance, and post-socialist transition. Teaching: Regularly teaches undergraduate courses on 20th Century Europe, Communism, Human Rights, and Cold War seminars. Graduate instruction includes Women's/Gender History and Eastern European studies.
Professor Panikos Panayi is Professor of European History at De Montfort University's School of Humanities, where he has worked since 1990 and held a personal Chair since 1999. His extensive academic career has focused on migration history, ethnic relations, and European history, making significant contributions to our understanding of how immigrants have shaped societies, particularly in Britain and London. Professor Panayi's research interests encompass the history of immigration and interethnic relations, the history of food, the First World War, German history, the history of London, and the history of the Cypriot people. His work consistently examines how migration has been fundamental to the economic, social, political, and cultural development of societies, with a particular focus on Britain and London as case studies. He approaches his research through detailed historical analysis combined with contemporary relevance, often highlighting how historical patterns of migration and integration inform current debates. His publications reveal a consistent focus on migration history, particularly examining how immigrants have shaped British society. A central theme across his work is the argument that London's development as a global city has been inextricably linked to immigration patterns spanning two millennia. His research demonstrates how migrants have contributed to London's economy, culture, and social fabric, from Roman invaders to contemporary European Union citizens, acting as cheap labor, contributing to the financial sector, establishing curry houses, and influencing football clubs. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Research funding from prestigious organizations including the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, Gerda Henkel Foundation, Leventis Foundation, and Leverhulme Trust Professor Panayi actively supervises PhD students, currently guiding research on topics including 'Sedition and State Overwatch: Radicalism, Racial Politics and Britain's Black Communities' and 'The Burger in Britain: A Symbol of Americana.' His externally funded research projects have examined subjects such as 'The Cypriot Peasant,' 'Real Londoners: Immigration and the Making of London,' and 'Knockaloe in Local, National and Global Context.' He serves as reviews editor of 'Immigrants and Minorities' and is a member of the international editorial board of the 'Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History.'
