Find Academic Supervisors

Zareena GrewalView profile

Associate Professor

• Race and Ethnicity
• Gender Studies
• Religious Studies
• +5 more

Zareena Grewal is an Associate Professor at Yale University, holding appointments in American Studies, Ethnicity, Race, and Migration, and Religious Studies. She is a historical anthropologist and documentary filmmaker whose work examines race, gender, religion, nationalism, and transnationalism in American Muslim communities. Her research traces the intersections of Islamophobia, identity politics, and global religious networks. Grewal has received grants from prestigious institutions like the Fulbright, Wenner-Gren, and Luce Foundations. Her notable works include the book Islam is a Foreign Country: American Muslims and the Global Crisis of Authority (2013), an ethnography of transnational Muslim networks, and the film By the Dawn’s Early Light (2004), which critiques racialized perceptions of Islam. Her forthcoming book, Is the Quran a Good Book? , explores the Quran’s role in American cultural and political discourse. Grewal’s research spans topics such as refugee care in Greece, the legacy of Malcolm X, and pedagogical approaches to anti-racism. Her work frequently engages with issues of Islamophobia, transnational solidarity, and the ethical dimensions of humanitarianism. She has been recognized for bridging academic scholarship with public-facing activism. Awards: Fulbright Foundation Grant, Wenner-Gren Foundation Grant, Luce Foundation Grant Grants: Extensive funding from leading academic foundations Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations on migration, religion, and social justice

Adrian ParkerView profile

Professor

• Quaternary Science
• Geoarchaeology
• Geomorphology
• +7 more

Adrian Parker is a Professor of Geography at Oxford Brookes University's School of Law and Social Sciences. He holds degrees including a DPhil from the University of Oxford. His research focuses on Quaternary science, geoarchaeology, and palaeoecology across the Middle East, North Africa, Southern Africa, and southern England. Key areas include multi-proxy environmental reconstruction using phytoliths, pollen, and geochemistry, with emphasis on understanding human-environment interactions during critical climatic transitions. Dr. Parker leads the Human Origins and Palaeo Environments (HOPE) group within the Centre for Environment and Society (CES). His fieldwork spans UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Lesotho, addressing topics like Holocene socio-ecological systems, Neolithic settlement patterns, and climate change impacts. Recent projects include a £41,900 Ras al-Khaimah-funded geoheritage study and a £1,563 University of Michigan collaboration on phytolith analysis. He teaches modules on Quaternary Environmental Change and Arid Zone Environments. Professional accolades include Fellowships from the Society of Antiquaries, Royal Geographical Society, Royal Anthropological Institute, and Higher Education Academy. His advisory work includes mentoring two active PhD students: Sophie Edwards (hominoid craniodental morphology) and Kira Raith (Quaternary climate-landscape dynamics). Publications span over 40 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Quaternary Science Reviews , Scientific Reports , and Antiquity , with a focus on integrating geological and archaeological evidence to reconstruct past environments and human adaptations. His research bridges archaeology, geology, and environmental science, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding long-term socio-ecological systems.

Jade McGlynnView profile

Researcher

• Memory Politics
• Russian-Ukraine Conflict Analysis
• Propaganda and Media Studies
• +3 more

Dr Jade McGlynn is a Leverhulme Early Career Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. She holds a DPhil in Russian Studies from the University of Oxford and previously lectured in Russian at Oxford. Her work focuses on memory politics, sociopolitical trends in post-Soviet states, and Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. She conducts frequent fieldwork in eastern Ukraine and analyzes Russian propaganda narratives. Education: DPhil in Russian Studies (University of Oxford) MA by Research in Russian and East European Studies (University of Birmingham) BA/MA in Russian and Spanish (University of Oxford) Research Interests: McGlynn explores how historical memory shapes contemporary political dynamics, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. Her work examines: Putin’s regime ideology and its societal sustainability Russian occupation policies in Ukraine Media manipulation and propaganda strategies Identity construction through state-controlled historical narratives Key Contributions: Her 2023 book Memory Makers analyzes how Putin’s regime weaponizes history. McGlynn’s 2024 article Dissecting Putin’s Regime Ideology dissects Russia’s political discourse. She regularly publishes policy papers with institutions like CSIS, addressing urgent geopolitical issues. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Centre for Grand Strategy at King’s, which focuses on historical expertise in statecraft and foreign policy.

Cristina Scherrer-SchaubView profile

Associate Professor

• Buddhist Studies
• Tibetan Manuscripts
• History of Indian Buddhism
• +3 more

Cristina Scherrer-Schaub is an Honorary Professor at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), holding the Chair of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies (part-time). She concurrently served as a Full Professor (Director of Studies) at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris from 1999. Her primary affiliations include the Department of Slavic and South Asian Languages and Civilizations at UNIL and international projects in Tibetology. Education: She earned a degree in Philosophy and Mathematics from the University of Fribourg (1972), followed by a doctorate in Buddhist philology under Prof. Jacques May at UNIL. She mastered multiple languages including Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Pali. Research focuses on ancient Tibetan manuscripts, transmission of Indian Buddhist texts to Central Asia and Tibet, and methodological tools for dating manuscripts. Her fieldwork spans Uzbekistan, Pakistan, China, and Indonesia since 1992. She has edited journals like the Journal Asiatique and held leadership roles, including Secretary General of the International Association of Tibetan Studies (2003–2010) and current President of the International Association of Buddhist Studies. Her articles analyze textual diffusion, scribal practices, and Buddhist art’s role in cultural transmission. She has been pivotal in global Buddhist studies and continues to contribute through collaborative research initiatives.

Marian CounihanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Studies
• Philosophy
• Transdisciplinary Education
• +3 more

Marian Counihan is an Assistant Professor at the University College Groningen, part of the University of Groningen, where she serves as Director of Academic Staff in the Department of Humanities. Her work bridges urban studies, philosophy, and transdisciplinary education. She currently chairs the Board of Examiners at UCG (since 2018) and contributes to advisory roles like Noorderzon & Society. Her research focuses on urban politics, international student activism, and environmental representation through innovative methods like theatre-based learning. She co-leads projects such as 'Acting UP!' and collaborates on initiatives like 'Cities for Talent,' exploring how medium-sized European cities attract global talent. Ancillary activities include research with Maieutic and freelance work. Research interests emphasize sociocultural capital's impact on political engagement, particularly among international students, and the role of performative methods in civic discourse. She has published in journals like International Higher Education and edited volumes on urban philosophy. Her work often intersects with spatial politics, environmental advocacy, and educational innovation. Collaborations include projects with scholars like Wim van Winden (talent cities) and Marijn Wilders (theatre methodologies). Awards: No specific scientific awards listed. Grants and funding details not explicitly stated in provided texts. Advising: No listed advisees, but collaborates extensively on research teams. Lab/Team: Associated with University College Groningen's Humanities Department research groups focused on urban studies and transdisciplinary methods.

C. Lynn CarrView profile

Professor

• Sociology of Religion
• Gender Studies
• Sexuality Studies
• +5 more

C. Lynn Carr is a Professor of Sociology at Seton Hall University, specializing in contemporary identity formations with a focus on religion, gender, and sexuality. She holds a Ph.D. and teaches courses on sociological topics ranging from qualitative methods to American societal structures. Her research examines how individuals navigate religious practices within multicultural contexts, particularly in Jewish Reconstructionist communities and Afro-Cuban Lukumi traditions. Carr has authored two major books: Facing Death Together: Shiva in a Jewish Reconstructionist Community (2023) and A Year in White: Cultural Newcomers to Lukumi and Santería in the U.S. (2016), which explore mourning rituals and religious boundary-crossing respectively. Her scholarly work spans three decades, addressing intersections between gender, sexuality, and identity through qualitative methodologies. Carr has reviewed over 20 books for venues like Reading Religion and H-Net , critically engaging topics such as modern Jewish identity, Orthodox Jewish conversion, and Afro-Caribbean religious practices. Awards include the prestigious Jack Shand Research Grant. Carr’s teaching portfolio includes courses on deviance, race/ethnicity, and social inequalities. While no lab affiliations are explicitly noted, her fieldwork-based research demonstrates deep engagement with community ethnography. Her work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks from social constructionism to emotion sociology with empirical case studies.

Emma JonesView profile

Lecturer

• Gender Studies
• Feminist Methodologies
• Decoloniality
• +7 more

Dr Emma Jones is a Lecturer in Education and Gender at the University College London (UCL) Institute of Education (IOE), within the Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment. She holds a PhD from the University of East London, alongside MA and MRes degrees in Education from UCL. Her research focuses on gender, sexuality, and international development, employing feminist epistemologies and decolonial frameworks. She explores how gender knowledge is constructed and excluded in global policies and education systems, with fieldwork at the UN Commission on the Status of Women and in higher education settings. Education: PhD in Education, University of East London (2015–2020) MRes in Education and Social Research Methods, UCL IOE (2013–2015) MA in Education, Gender and International Development, UCL IOE (2011–2013) BSc in Geology and Geography, University of Birmingham PGCE in Geography, University of Birmingham Dr Jones co-founded the IOE Early Career Network (ECN) in 2019, advocating for early-career academics through policy engagement, mentorship initiatives, and community-building. She also co-hosts the Academia et al. podcast, amplifying early-career voices. Her consultancy work includes projects for the Overseas Development Institute (GAGE initiative) and the Global Interagency Security Forum. She teaches feminist methodologies, ethnography, and gender representation in education, leading MA modules and dissertation supervision. Her research emphasizes ethical and post-qualitative approaches, integrating therapeutic support for research teams. Beyond academia, she engages in outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking and hiking, and volunteers in community-building projects.

• Contemporary Art
• Performance Art
• Spatiality
• +3 more

Christelle NICOLAS is a Researcher at the Texts and Cultures Research Center, University of Artois, Arras. Her work bridges contemporary art theory, spatial studies, and educational practices grounded in fieldwork. She holds a PhD in Art Theory from the University of Artois, with a dissertation titled "Working with Space: Space as Terrain, Material, Medium, and Subject of Contemporary Art," supervised by Anne Volvey. Education: PhD in Art Theory, University of Artois (Thesis: "Working with Space: Space as Terrain, Material, Medium, and Subject of Contemporary Art," Dir. Anne Volvey) Her research centers on the interplay between space, place, and memory in contemporary art, with a focus on performance, performativity, and spatiality. She explores how spatial concepts manifest in landscape, inhabiting practices, and arts of memory, often through interdisciplinary lenses combining geography, art theory, and cultural studies. Her work also investigates educational methodologies rooted in field practice, emphasizing experiential learning in art education. Christelle's recent publications and conference presentations reveal a consistent engagement with spatial theory in contemporary art, particularly examining the works of artists like Jonas Mekas and Abraham Poincheval. Her research often intersects American studies, insularity, and human-animal relationships, demonstrating a broad interdisciplinary approach that connects art practice with philosophical and geographical inquiries. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards mentioned in the provided text. While formal PhD or Master's students are not listed, Christelle has actively mentored through workshops and tutorials. At the University of Artois, she led tutorials in cultural geography for third-year students. She has also conducted numerous workshops internationally, including at the Academy of Art in Bratislava and IDBL art school, focusing on research methodologies, performance, and exhibition curation for art students. Christelle collaborates within the Texts and Cultures Research Center and Discontinuités laboratory at University of Artois. She is co-founder of the association "Assembler du Dehors" (2022), dedicated to research-creation in performance and visual arts through site-specific practices. In a creative partnership with scenographer Carolina E. Santo, she develops participatory performances and walking conferences, such as the "Terrain de jeux" project, exploring the relationship between bodies, space, and landscape.

Amira MittermaierView profile

Professor

• Anthropology of religion
• Islam
• Sociocultural Anthropology
• +7 more

Amira Mittermaier is a Professor in the Department for the Study of Religion and Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. With cross-appointments between these departments, she specializes in sociocultural anthropology and religious studies, focusing on modern Islam in Egypt. Her work uniquely bridges textual analysis with ethnographic fieldwork to explore Islamic charity, dream interpretation, and theological inquiry. PhD in socio-cultural anthropology from Columbia University (2006) MA from Columbia University BA (equivalent) from University of Michigan/Eberhard-Karls-Universität Mittermaier’s research examines intersections between Islamic practice and anthropological theory. Key contributions include: " Dreams that Matter " (2011): Explores Egyptian dream interpretation through Islamic reform, psychology, and media " Giving to God " (2019): Analyzes Islamic charity as divine engagement Current project: " 99: A Kaleidoscopic Portrait of God " (forthcoming) Her ethnographic work extends to: Religious afterlives of revolution Divine-human relations in post-Arab Spring contexts Islamic ethics of care through food distribution Anthropological approaches to theological concepts Non-compassionate care models in charity Visual representations of prayer in colonial Algeria Scientific recognition includes: Guggenheim Fellowship (2021) Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars (2014) Four major academic prizes for Dreams that Matter (2011) Jackman Humanities Institute fellowships As an educator, she supervises graduate students in modern/postcolonial Islam, Sufism, and ethnographic methodology. Her "ethnography of God" research continues to redefine theological anthropology through Islamic practices.

• Social Anthropology
• Revolutionary Politics
• Migrant Aspirations
• +3 more

Dr. Charlotte Al Khalili is a Research Fellow at the University of Sussex's School of Global Studies, specializing in social anthropology with a focus on Syrian revolutionary politics, displacement, and migratory aspirations. Her work spans ethnographic analysis of post-conflict subjectivity, religious imagination, and cross-border solidarity movements. Current research: Leverhulme-funded project on Syrian migratory aspirations after revolutionary defeat Past projects: LabEx HaStec study on predestination/martyrdom, genealogy of non-violence in Syria Research Interests: She investigates how revolutions reshape time perception and lifeworlds, analyzing Syrian displacement through lenses of waiting, memory, and contested hospitality. Her work connects Syrian-Turkish border dynamics with broader anthropological theories of subjectivity. Scientific Awards: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (Anthropology) Grants: Principal investigator for 'Pursuing a Good Life: Syrian Migratory Aspirations after the Defeated Revolution' (LEVERHULME TRUST, 2022-2026).

Camille PeugnyView profile

Professor

• Social stratification
• Inequality
• Work and social classes
• +5 more

Camille Peugny is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), where he has been teaching since September 2018. He serves as the Director of the PRINTEMPS laboratory and is a Co-manager of SOSI DEMAIN. Additionally, he acts as a Scientific Advisor to France Stratégie. His academic journey includes being a Lecturer at Paris 8 University and researcher at CRESPPA-CSU from 2009 to 2018, and he completed his Sociology thesis at Sciences Po in 2007 under the direction of Alain Chenu. Professor Peugny teaches several courses including "Ages and Generations in Europe" (Master 1 Sociology), "Sociology of Education" (L2), and "Questionnaire survey" (L2). His research primarily focuses on social stratification and inequality, work and social classes, and youth and generations. He has directed special journal issues including "Emploi, travail, environnement : l'heure des transitions" (Travail et Emploi, 2023) and "Repenser les inégalités entre les générations" (Revue française de sociologie, 2013). His research output demonstrates a consistent focus on social inequality, with particular attention to intergenerational mobility, employment polarization in Europe, and the social conditions of marginalized workers. Recent work has increasingly addressed environmental concerns among different age groups and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth. His publications reveal methodological diversity spanning quantitative analysis of European datasets, qualitative fieldwork among cleaning women, and theoretical contributions to understanding social reproduction. Director of PRINTEMPS laboratory Scientific Advisor to France Stratégie Co-manager of SOSI DEMAIN Professor Peugny's academic leadership extends to directing significant research projects on employment polarization across European countries and conducting field studies on the working conditions of cleaning women employed by personal services companies. He has supervised numerous research initiatives examining social stratification, political participation among working classes, and intergenerational inequality. As Director of the PRINTEMPS laboratory, Professor Peugny oversees a research environment focused on social inequality, stratification, and mobility.

• Geoarchaeology
• Paleolithic Archaeology
• Archaeological Micromorphology
• +5 more

Christopher Miller is a Professor of Geoarchaeology at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen (since 2016) and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Institute for Archaeological Sciences (since 2013). He previously served as Junior Professor of Geoarchaeology (2010-2016) and Acting Head of the Archaeometry Division (2013-2015). His research focuses on site formation processes, archaeological micromorphology, and the role of fire in human evolution, with a particular emphasis on Paleolithic cave sites. Education: PhD (2010): Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Dissertation on Paleolithic cave sites' formation processes and settlement dynamics MSc (2004-2006): University of Maine, Thesis on geoarchaeological settings in the eastern US BA (2000-2004): Boston University, Dual degree in Archaeology and Earth Science Research interests include: Micromorphological analysis of archaeological sediments Geochemical tracing of Paleolithic sites Reconstruction of prehistoric human-environment interactions Development of novel microanalytical techniques for archaeological contexts His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to site formation processes, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the application of clumped isotope thermometry in archaeological contexts. He has conducted fieldwork in South Africa, Italy, Germany, and the Levant, focusing on cave systems and open-air sites. As an academic leader, he oversees the Geoarchaeology research group and collaborates with international teams on projects such as the Neolithic Movila lui Deciov settlement and the Swabian Jura Paleolithic sites. His work bridges geochemistry, archaeology, and environmental science to unravel the complexities of human adaptation in prehistoric environments.

• Folklore Studies
• Cultural Anthropology
• Religious Studies
• +3 more

Ülo Valk is a Professor of Estonian and Comparative Folklore at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, leading the Department of Estonian and Comparative Folklore. He holds a PhD in Folklore (1994) and has held academic roles since 1986, including visiting professorships at Berkeley and Pennsylvania. His research focuses on folklore, vernacular religion, genre theory, and cultural anthropology. Administrative roles include Head of the Institute of Cultural Research (2016–2018) and President of the International Society for Folk Narrative Research (2005–2009). He has received prestigious awards like the Richard Dorson Memorial Lecture and the Tartu Medal. His work explores topics such as belief narratives, supernatural folklore, and cross-cultural religious practices. Education: PhD in Folklore (University of Tartu, 1994); MA in Estonian Philology (1993). Academic service includes editorial roles for journals like Numen and Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics . Research projects include studies on vernacular knowledge, sacred natural sites, and folklore's role in societal discourse. Over 295 publications span academic articles, books, and edited volumes, emphasizing folklore's intersection with religion, culture, and identity.

Ahlam ChemlaliView profile

Research Fellow

• Migration and Border Management
• Gender and Violence
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
• +7 more

Ahlam Chemlali is a Research Fellow at Aalborg University's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities , specifically within the Department of Politics and Society . She is affiliated with the Global Politics & Diversity Centre for the study of coercion and accountability and teaches at Global Refugee Studies (GRS) with a focus on borders, transit, violence, and gender. Her research explores the politics and practices of border violence in European migration politics, emphasizing how externalization of EU border control to North Africa generates everyday violence affecting gendered experiences. She conducts unique ethnographic studies on West African migrant women in Tunisian and Libyan borderlands. Projects: Leads 'Everyday Violence in the Borderlands' and contributes to 'Unpacking Confined Lives' (2025–2029) and 'Women on the Move' (2019–2022). Geographic Focus: North Africa (Tunisia, Libya), EU Southern Borders, West Africa. Methodology: Ethnographic fieldwork, qualitative analysis, policy critique. Her recent publications in journals like Geopolitics and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies analyze topics such as felt externalisation, gendered stuckness, and EU borderland practices. She received the EliteForsk Rejsestipendie (2023) and has contributed to 62 press/media appearances critiquing EU migration policies. Chemlali engages in public talks, workshops, and consultancy, emphasizing the human cost of EU policies in North Africa and advocating for systemic change in migration management.

• Digital Anthropology
• Data Justice
• Environmental Data Politics
• +3 more

Tone Walford (they/them) is an Associate Professor in Anthropology at University College London's Department of Anthropology. Their work bridges anthropology with digital studies, environmental science, and justice frameworks, focusing on how digital data transforms social and cultural practices globally. Walford's research explores the effects of exponential digital data growth on social and cultural imaginaries. Their doctoral fieldwork examined climate scientists and technicians in the Brazilian Amazon, tracing relationships between scientific digitization practices and their social-political effects. Current research investigates data politics in international observational science and how concepts like 'person,' 'environment,' and 'ownership' are reconfigured in informational landscapes traversing the gaps between expert and civic, neoliberal and grassroots, natural and artificial domains. Walford's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly engagement from 2012 through 2024. Their work reveals evolving themes from Amazonian climate science practices to broader theoretical frameworks for understanding data's societal role. Recent publications like 'The Sage Handbook of Data and Society' (2024) and 'Map, Territory, and Everything in Between' (2024) show continued focus on how data shapes territorial politics and environmental governance, particularly examining data justice across different communities worldwide. As an academic collaborator, Walford has worked extensively across disciplines including environmental science, physics, and data science. Their edited volume 'Lineages and Advancements in Material Culture Studies' (2020) showcases commitment to innovative methodological frameworks that address human experiences requiring new analytical approaches, including digital objects, infrastructure, data, and medical materiality.