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Ronald E Hutton is Professor of History in the Department of History (Historical Studies) at the University of Bristol, specializing in Early Modern Studies. He is a member of the 'Medieval and Early Modern Cluster' at Bristol and holds multiple prestigious fellowships including FBA (Fellow of the British Academy), FLSW (Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales), FSA (Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries), and FRHistS (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society). Hutton is a leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and the global context of witchcraft beliefs. He is recognized as the foremost historian of the ritual year in Britain and of modern paganism. His research interests span the political and religious history of the British Isles (1560-1690), seasonal festivals of the British Isles, and themes in the history of paganism, witchcraft and magic from prehistory to the present. Hutton's extensive publication record includes 142 research outputs comprising 85 journal articles, 29 book chapters, 19 authored books, and 5 conference contributions. His work demonstrates consistent focus on witchcraft, paganism, religious traditions, and British cultural history, with recent publications examining topics like the Wild Hunt legend, pagan survivals in Christianity, and Welsh political and religious history during the revolutionary period. Fellowship of the British Academy (2013) Fellowship of the Learned Society of Wales (2011) Hutton currently supervises twenty-two research students, fifteen of whom are working toward PhD degrees, and welcomes new research proposals in his areas of expertise. His activities include extensive conference participation (15 conference appearances), invited talks (8), advisory work, public talks, and media engagement. He previously led the research project 'THE IMAGE OF THE DRUID IN BRITAIN 1500-2000' (2003-2006) as Principal Investigator.

• Early Modern British History
• Paganism Studies
• Witchcraft History
• +4 more

Professor Katharine Cockin is a leading scholar in Victorian theatre, women's suffrage history, and interdisciplinary literary studies at the University of Essex. She holds the Chair of English Literature in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies (LiFTS). Her research focuses on Ellen Terry and Edith Craig, pioneering figures in theatre and suffrage activism, with major publications including Edith Craig and the Theatres of Art (2017) and the Collected Letters of Ellen Terry (8 vols., 2010–). She leads the AHRC-funded Searching for Theatrical Ancestors and Ellen Terry and Edith Craig Database projects, recognized nationally for their impact on cultural heritage. Education: BA, MA, and PhD in English Literature from the University of Leicester. Her doctoral thesis examined the Pioneer Players theatre society (1911–25). She previously held professorial roles at the University of Hull, where she established interdisciplinary programs in literature and law. Research interests include archival studies, women's suffrage literature, modern literature, and the 'Literary North'. She advises on topics like science fiction and autobiography. Awards include a Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and AHRC Peer Review College membership. Administrative roles at Essex include Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Literary Studies and former Director of Research for LiFTS. Publications span over 50 articles and edited volumes, emphasizing feminist historiography and cultural preservation. Her work bridges academia and public engagement through digital archives and collaborative projects.

• Victorian Theatre
• Women's Suffrage History
• Literature and Law
• +5 more

Loli Kim is a Lecturer on Modern Korea at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford, with a Leverhulme Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2022–2025). She specializes in cross-cultural multimodal analysis of Asian communication systems, particularly Korean cinema, folklore, and representation in media. Education: DPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (2019–2022), University of Oxford Research Focus: Multimodal discourse analysis, foodscaping theory, haenyeo women’s communication Editorial Roles: Assistant Editor of European Journal of Korean Studies; General Editor of 'Foodscaping Asia' series Her work develops the Segmented Film Discourse Representation Structures (SFDRS) methodology for analyzing Korean films' narrative conventions, including violence in revenge cinema and socio-pragmatic dimensions of fashion. She collaborates globally as a visiting lecturer and conference organizer. Kimi’s recent publications examine multimodal translation gaps, cultural representation in children’s literature, and the sociocultural implications of foodscaping. She has delivered keynote talks at institutions including Edinburgh University and SOAS, and co-organizes the Translating Squid Game talks series.

• Asian socio-multimodality
• Korean film analysis
• Cross-cultural communication
• +4 more

Professor Owen Davies is a faculty member at the University of Hertfordshire , affiliated with the History Department at the School of Creative Arts . His research spans witchcraft , magic , supernatural beliefs , and folklore , with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches integrating archaeology, anthropology, and biomedical studies. Key research areas : Witchcraft, Domestic Magic, Medical History, Electrification, Public History. Recent projects : AHRC-funded 'StoryMachine', Leverhulme 'Inner Lives', Wellcome Trust 'Harnessing the Power of the Criminal Corpse', and a new AHRC 3-year study on witch bottles. Selected publications : America Bewitched (2013), The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic (2017), Troubled by Faith (2023). Awards : Funded by AHRC, Wellcome Trust, and Leverhulme Trust. Collaborates with institutions like Museum of London Archaeology and University of Essex. Leads community engagement via the Heritage Hub and 'Electric Generations' exhibition.

• Witchcraft
• Magic
• Supernatural Beliefs
• +5 more

Alexandra Walsham is Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Emmanuel College. She previously held roles as Chair of the Faculty of History (2019-2022) and currently serves as President of the Historical Association. Her academic roots include a PhD from Trinity College, Cambridge, following studies at the University of Melbourne and Exeter University. Her research focuses on religious and cultural history of early modern Britain, particularly the Protestant and Catholic Reformations. Key themes include post-Reformation Catholicism, religious tolerance, providence, miracles, the history of the book, and the relationship between religion and landscape. Her work has been supported by grants from the British Academy, AHRC, and the Leverhulme Trust. Walsham has authored award-winning books like Providence in Early Modern England and The Reformation of the Landscape , and edited volumes on topics such as archives, memory, and confessional history. She has delivered prestigious lectures including the Ford Lectures at Oxford (2018) and the Wiles Lectures at Queen’s University Belfast (2024). Her professional service includes editorial roles for Past and Present and the Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History series. She led the AHRC-funded 'Remembering the Reformation' project (2016-2019) and chairs the Early Modern Section of the British Academy. Awarded a CBE in 2017 and an honorary doctorate from Melbourne in 2023, Walsham’s work bridges academic rigor and public engagement, influencing both scholarly discourse and historical education.

• Early Modern British History
• Religious History
• Cultural History
• +5 more

Natasha Carver is a Senior Lecturer at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. Her work focuses on migration, gender, and colonial legacies, particularly in the context of FGM-safeguarding policies and their socio-political impacts. She holds an MSc and PhD, though specific disciplinary details are not provided. Her research critiques policy frameworks that marginalize migrant communities, especially those of Somali heritage in the UK. Her research interests include migratory legal frameworks, gendered and racialized power dynamics, and the intersection of colonial history with contemporary policy. She has conducted extensive studies on the over-surveillance of migrant-heritage families and the epistemological injustices embedded in FGM safeguarding procedures. Her publications highlight systemic issues in UK policies, advocating for evidence-based approaches over exaggerated risk narratives. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and engages with community perspectives to challenge hegemonic discourses in migration and gender studies. While no grants or lab affiliations are explicitly mentioned, her work frequently intersects with legal and healthcare systems.

• Migration Studies
• Gender Studies
• Social Policy
• +4 more

Dr. Noga Ganany serves as University Associate Professor in the Study of Late Imperial China at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge, and holds dual roles as Governing Body Fellow and Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College. Her scholarship centers on cultural history of Ming-Qing China (1400-1900), specializing in literature, religion, and book history with emphasis on print culture's role in religious practices. Education: PhD, Columbia University (2018) Research Focus: Dr. Ganany investigates the interplay between writing and worship in late-Ming hagiographic literature, examining how commercial publishing reshaped reverence for cultural icons and influenced pilgrimage. Her work extends to conceptualizations of death/afterlife through figures like King Yama, bridging literary analysis, religious studies, and historical context with material culture of the book. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2013-2023) reveal consistent engagement with religious narratives in late imperial China, particularly netherworld journeys, hagiographic texts, and tomb art. Her scholarship demonstrates interdisciplinary methodology combining textual analysis with visual/material sources, highlighting print culture's transformative role in religious practices and icon veneration. Academic Leadership: She actively supervises graduate research in late-imperial Chinese literature and religions, currently guiding Ilay Golan's PhD on overseas sailor religious traditions. Dr. Ganany organizes two major sponsored lecture series: 'Book Culture in Buddhism and Beyond' (Glorisun Global Buddhist Network) and the 'Yin-Cheng Distinguished Lecture Series on Buddhism' (Tzu Chi Foundation), fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue in Buddhist studies.

• Late Imperial Chinese History
• Chinese Literature (Ming-Qing)
• Religion in China
• +3 more

Dr. Brigitte Steger is a Senior Lecturer in Modern Japanese Studies at the University of Cambridge, where she serves as a Fellow in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Downing College. She teaches modern Japanese society courses and directs graduate affairs while serving as Secretary of the Degree Committee. MA, MPhil, PhD in Japanese Studies (University of Vienna) Visiting researcher at multiple Japanese universities Co-founder of Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre sub-project Her research focuses on cultural anthropology of Japanese daily life, particularly sleep practices (inemuri), gender dynamics in urban spaces, disaster response rituals, and cleanliness/waste practices. She conceptualizes sleep as socio-cultural performance and examines temporal practices in premodern Japan. Recent publications analyze Heian-era sleep patterns, 2011 tsunami shelter hygiene, and plastic consumption in consumer societies. She leads international research on historical timekeeping and contemporary waste practices. Her edited volumes explore Japanese gender diversity, including 'herbivore boys' and manga girl culture. Scientific awards: Bank Austria Prize (2002) Vorarlberg Science Award (2005) University of Cambridge weekly research contributor She supervises graduate research projects and serves on the European Association for Japanese Studies and Japan Anthropology Workshop councils. Her 2025-26 sabbatical focuses on completing Heian-period sleep research.

• Japanese society
• Cultural anthropology
• Gender studies
• +5 more

Nicholas Mortimer is a Senior Lecturer in Design at Goldsmiths, University of London. He holds an MA in Design Interactions (Royal College of Art, 2013) and a BA in Fine Art Sculpture (University of Brighton, 2005). His work focuses on socially engaged design practices, reimagining historical performance traditions to address contemporary labor and societal issues. As co-founder of Post Workers Theatre (PWT), he explores workers’ theatre and creative resistance through collective writing, performance, and design. His research spans topics like gig economy critiques, housing privatization, and community activism, often blending performance, sound, and participatory methods. Education: MA Design Interactions, Royal College of Art, 2013 BA Fine Art Sculpture, University of Brighton, 2005 Research Interests: Performance as social critique Historical folk traditions and modern labor struggles Community-driven design practices Radical pedagogy and participatory methods Key Projects: Post Workers Theatre : Investigates politically engaged performance, addressing labor inequality through updated workers’ theatre forms. Autohoodening : Critiques Amazon labor practices via a reimagined midwinter ritual. Rave of the Ritualesque : Examines rave culture’s potential for collective resistance. Affiliations: Department of Design, Goldsmiths, University of London IASPIS (Swedish Arts Grants Committee) residency collaborations Labs/Teams: Post Workers Theatre collective Collaborations with institutions like Tate Liverpool, Luleå Arts and Crafts Biennale, and the Maidstone Museum

• Performance Design
• Labor Studies
• Social Activism through Art
• +3 more

Iain Robert Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at King’s College London, specializing in transnational cinemas, cult film studies, and transnational adaptation. He previously held a Senior Lecturer position at the University of Roehampton (2010–2016). His research challenges hegemonic views of cultural globalization by examining how Hollywood films are remade and adapted across cultures. He co-founded the SCMS Transnational Cinemas group and led the AHRC-funded 'Media Across Borders' research network (2012–). Smith holds a PhD and MA in Film Studies (Distinction) from the University of Nottingham and a First-Class MA (Hons) in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of Glasgow. His research interests include Transnational Cinemas post-1945, Global Hollywood, Popular Cinemas of Asia (especially India and Turkey), and Cult/Exploitation Horror Cinema. He co-edited Transnational Film Remakes (2017) and Media Across Borders (2016), and authored The Hollywood Meme (2016). Current projects include a book on global Batman adaptations and a decolonizing critique of cult film studies. Awards: AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker (2018), Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2018) Teaching: Specializes in film history, world cinema, and cult/exploitation cinema. Organized festivals like the Turkish Film Remakes event (2022) and the Turkish Star Wars UK tour (2018). Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and edited volumes, with recent focus on global horror dynamics, decolonizing film studies, and transnational giallo remakes. He serves on editorial boards for Transnational Screens and Intensities: Journal of Cult Media , and founded the 'Remakesploitation Film Club' at The Cinema Museum. His work bridges academic research with public engagement through film screenings and director Q&As.

• Transnational Cinemas
• Global Hollywood
• Cult Cinema Studies
• +5 more

Karl Bell is an Associate Professor in Cultural and Social History at the University of Portsmouth, specializing in supernatural and environmental history, folklore, and Victorian popular culture. He joined in 2007 after teaching at the University of East Anglia. Co-director, Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures Co-Principal Investigator, 'From Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green' (Lloyd’s Register-funded, 2025-2031) Former director, Supernatural Cities project (2016-2022) Education: PhD in History, University of East Anglia (2007) MA in Modern History, Birkbeck College, University of London (2001) BA Hons in Modern History, Anglia Ruskin University (1992) His research explores the relationship between modernity, enchantment, and the Gothic, with a focus on coastal environments, psychogeography, and the revival of folklore in contemporary culture. He has authored books like the award-winning The Legend of Spring-heeled Jack and The Magical Imagination . Recent publications examine maritime haunting, urban Gothic mindscapes, and the evolution of supernatural narratives. His work bridges historical analysis with literary and cultural studies, emphasizing affective landscapes and storytelling. Scientific Awards: Outstanding PhD Supervisor Award, University of Portsmouth (2017) He has secured AHRC funding for 'Lost Voices: Spiritualism in the First World War' (2017) and leads the Lloyd’s Register-funded 'From Sail to Steam' project (2025-2031). As founder of Portsmouth Darkfest (2016-2021), he fostered academic-creative collaborations and developed the Portsmyth app. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including the MA Victorian Gothic distance learning program, and serves on editorial boards of Revenant and Coastal Studies and Society .

• Supernatural History
• Environmental History
• Folklore
• +5 more

Dr. Dan White is a Senior Lecturer in Musicology at the Department of Media, Humanities and the Arts, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Huddersfield. His research focuses on fantasy worldbuilding through music in film, theme parks, and transmedia contexts. As a member of the Centre for Research in Music and its Technologies, he explores cinematic sound design and audience emotional engagement with musical motifs. Specializes in fantasy film music analysis Expert in diegetic/non-diegetic sound dynamics Investigates nostalgia through musical cues Recent publications examine Harry Potter's musical universe, Jurassic Park's sonic environments, and Amazon's Rings of Power TV adaptations. His work contributes to understanding how music shapes immersive fictional worlds across multiple media platforms.

• Musicology
• Film Music
• Fantasy Worldbuilding
• +3 more

Dr. Maggie Webster is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Religion at Edge Hill University since 2005, specializing in Religious Education and the study of contemporary witchcraft and paganisms. She holds a PhD from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David titled Becoming Witch: Creating and Confirming Faith Traditions within Social Networking Spaces , which explores digital-age religious identity formation. Education Background: PhD in Paganisms (2013–2021) MA in Religious Education (University College London, 1998–2001) B.ED in Theology and Religious Studies with QTS (University of Chester, 1995) Research Interests: Focus on witchcraft, digital ethnography, religious identities online, and alternative spiritualities. Active in academic conferences (e.g., Brno, Salzburg, Athens) and has published three books: Teaching Primary Religious Education (2010), Creative Activities for EAL Pupils (2011), and Teaching the Primary Foundation Subjects (2015). Professional Roles: Current Course Lead for BA Religion and Secondary Religious Education with QTS. External Examiner at University of Central Lancashire (2021–2024) and York St John University (2019–2024). Key Contributions: Monograph forthcoming on her PhD work (2025), and articles analyzing witchcraft in media and education. Advocates for accurate representation of religious practices in public discourse.

• Paganisms
• Witchcraft
• Contemporary Witchcraft
• +5 more

Dr Bence Bardos is a Lecturer in Media Production & Digital Content Creation at City, University of London, affiliated with the School of Communication & Creativity and the Department of Media, Culture and Society. He holds a PhD and MA in Media and Film from the University of Kent and has previously taught at the University of Kent and Kodolányi János University in Budapest. His research centers on digital participatory cultures, focusing on remix culture, online memes, parody, transmedia storytelling, and the cultural meanings embedded in internet phenomena. He explores how digital communities reinterpret media through irony, humor, and transformation, particularly in fandoms like Shrek and horror forms such as creepypasta. His upcoming publications examine ironic Shrek fandom, the communicative role of the Pepe the Frog meme, and the nostalgic linkage between 2000s Cartoon Network and online horror. These works reflect a broader interest in how digital platforms reshape narrative, identity, and cultural memory. Dr Bardos is also an active media practitioner, with experience as a television editor, video producer, and filmmaker. His creative works have been recognized at international short film festivals. He is passionate about fiction filmmaking, microbudget cinema, and experimental or 'weird' films. PhD in Media Studies, University of Kent (2018–2023) MA in Film with Practice, University of Kent (2016–2017) BA in Film, University of Kent (2013–2016) He has delivered papers at the ECREA European Communication Conference and the Two Decades of Shrek Online Symposium. His interdisciplinary background bridges media theory, film practice, and digital culture, informing both his teaching and research.

• Media Studies
• Digital Participatory Cultures
• Remix Culture
• +13 more

Professor Rachel V Harrison is a leading academic in Thai Cultural Studies at SOAS University of London. Her work bridges cinema, modern literature, postcolonial theory, and gender studies, with a focus on Thailand and mainland Southeast Asia. She also contributes to medical humanities and public engagement, particularly in Northeast Thailand (Isan) and Laos. Education: BA and PhD from the University of London. Roles: Professor of Thai Cultural Studies, Steering Committee Member of MA Cultural Studies. Research Interests : Cultural studies, cinema, and gender analysis intersect with themes of Orientalism, cultural difference, and literary criticism. Her work explores medical humanities and the comparative study of Southeast Asian literatures. She emphasizes the interplay between traditional and modern elements in Thai cultural production. Recent Publications : Harrison’s scholarship spans Thai cinema, postcolonial identity, and healthcare access for sex workers. Her 2025 article Entangled Worlds, Situated Knowledge highlights cultural context in global-local dynamics. Earlier works examine folk legends, masculinities, and eroticism in Thai literature. PhD Supervision : She has guided students on topics like Thai literature, diasporic identities, Burmese women’s writings, and Thai cinema’s gender representations. Collaborations : Frequent collaborations with scholars in medical humanities and Southeast Asian studies, including co-authoring on bullying in medicine and cultural engagement.

• Cultural Studies
• Cinema
• Modern Literature
• +7 more