Laurie Shannon is the Franklyn Bliss Snyder Professor of English at Northwestern University, with a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. She studies English literature and culture in the long sixteenth century, focusing on the history of ideas in language, stakeholdership, embodiment, and cross-species relations. She serves as convener of The Anne Lister Society and is collaborating with Oxford University Press on a scholarly edition of Anne Lister’s Journal. Education: J.D., Harvard Law School; Ph.D., University of Chicago Shannon’s research explores the political imagination in early modern literature, particularly through friendship (Sovereign Amity: Figures of Friendship in Shakespearean Contexts) and animal studies (The Accommodated Animal: Cosmopolity in Shakespearean Locales). Her current monograph, 'Frailty’s Name: Shakespeare and the Natural History of Human Being,' examines human negative exceptionalism in Renaissance thought and its implications for climate crisis ethics. Her publications span Shakespeare studies, queer theory, environmental humanities, and textual editing. Notable awards include the Elizabeth Dietz Memorial Award, Robert B. Cox Teaching Award, and Dean’s Award for Graduate Mentoring. She has held NEH, ACLS, and Guggenheim fellowships. Scientific Awards: Elizabeth Dietz Memorial Award, Robert B. Cox Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, Dean's Award for Graduate Mentoring, NEH Fellowship, ACLS Fellowship, Guggenheim Fellowship Shannon contributes to the Anne Lister Diary Transcription Project and has served as English Department Chair at Northwestern. Her recent articles focus on Shakespeare’s engagement with natural history, queer cosmology, and animal sovereignty, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach.
Elaine Chun is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin (2007) and an A.B. in Linguistics from Stanford University (1995). Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin (2007); A.B. in Linguistics, Stanford University (1995). Research Interests Dr. Chun specializes in sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology, with a focus on language, race, gender, and sexuality. Her work examines how language practices traverse racial and national boundaries, particularly in contexts like Asian American YouTube commentary, K-pop fandom, and U.S. public spaces. She investigates ideologies of race and gender, collaborative interpretation in social media, and anti-racist strategies. Publication Trends Her recent publications emphasize language in digital media, racial ideologies, and sociocultural identity. Topics include racism in public discourse, transnational social media analysis, racial parody, and the intersection of language with race and gender. Her work spans journals like American Speech , Language in Society , and Discourse & Society .
Lisa Gilman is a Professor of Folklore and English at George Mason University, and the outgoing Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of American Folklore . Her research focuses on refugee arts initiatives, intangible cultural heritage, and the intersections of performance, gender, and politics in global contexts. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Malawi, Turkey, France, and the U.S., emphasizing marginalized communities. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Folklore from Indiana University, followed by roles at the University of Oregon and Mzuzu University (Malawi). Key awards include the Fulbright Teaching/Research Award and Rippey Innovative Teaching Award. She produced the documentary Grounds for Resistance , exploring anti-war activism among U.S. veterans. Her current project, the Dzaleka Art Project , collaborates with refugees in Malawi to document cultural creativity and advocate for visibility. This work has been featured in the Wilson Center and Smithsonian publications. Gilman teaches courses on public humanities, ethnographic fieldwork, and digital storytelling, integrating community engagement with academic rigor. Her publications span topics from African expressive culture to UNESCO policy impacts, with notable books including My Music, My War and co-edited volumes like Africa Every Day . Grants include funding from the Woodrow Wilson Center and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Elisabeth Jean Wood is a Professor of Political Science at Yale University and holds a concurrent professorship at the Santa Fe Institute. Her research focuses on political violence, particularly sexual violence during war, civil war dynamics, and social movements. She is renowned for her work on insurgent transitions in South Africa and El Salvador, as well as her analysis of variation in wartime sexual violence. Wood has authored influential books including Forging Democracy from Below (2000) and Insurgent Collective Action and Civil War in El Salvador (2003). Her recent work examines the Myanmar military's sexual violence against the Rohingya, emphasizing ideological motivations and institutional frameworks. Wood teaches courses on comparative politics, political violence, and qualitative research methods at Yale. She serves on editorial boards for Politics and Society , American Political Science Review , and the Contentious Politics series. Her research emphasizes ethical fieldwork practices and transparency in qualitative studies, addressing challenges in conflict zones. Her work bridges theoretical contributions with policy implications for understanding and preventing conflict-related atrocities.
Max Cavitch is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, specializing in American literature, psychoanalytic studies, and cinema. He joined Penn in 1999 after earning his B.A. from Yale and Ph.D. from Rutgers. His research spans 19th- and 20th-century literature, African American studies, and interdisciplinary fields like animal studies and gender theory. Cavitch has authored influential works such as *American Elegy* (2007) and co-edited volumes on Whitman and early American studies. He directs Penn's Psychoanalytic Studies program and edits the blog *Psyche on Campus*, honored with the 2022 American Psychoanalytic Association's Excellence in Journalism Award. His teaching includes courses on psychoanalysis, autobiography, and American poetry. Cavitch has held fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, Newcombe Foundation, and others. His recent projects explore world autobiography, psychoanalysis in academia, and the history of 'ashes' as a conceptual and material symbol. Award-winning scholar and educator, Cavitch's work bridges literary criticism with clinical theory, media studies, and transnational frameworks. He advises doctoral students in American literature and affiliated programs, maintaining active collaborations with institutions like the McNeil Center for Early American Studies and the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.
Amina Mama is a Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies at the University of California, Davis, where she contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching. She is also affiliated with the Geography Graduate Group, reflecting her cross-disciplinary academic engagement. Her work is housed in 1209 Hart Hall on the UC Davis campus. Her research focuses on feminist theory, gender and sexuality, and the role of academic inquiry in advancing social justice and community advocacy. She is particularly known for her work in African and postcolonial feminisms, critical race studies, and the politics of knowledge production. Her academic interests bridge gender studies with geographic and socio-political analyses. The available information does not include recent publications, but her scholarly profile suggests a strong emphasis on decolonial feminist thought, gender equity, and activism-oriented research. Her interdisciplinary affiliations indicate collaborative and integrative approaches to scholarship. There are no listed scientific awards in the provided text. Amina Mama advises students through her roles in Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and the Geography Graduate Group. While specific grants are not mentioned, her research focus suggests involvement in projects related to gender justice, feminist activism, and global South scholarship. She likely participates in interdisciplinary research initiatives and community-engaged scholarship. She is associated with the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies program and the Geography Graduate Group, both of which support collaborative research, graduate training, and public scholarship focused on equity and social change.
California State University, Dominguez HillsUnited States
John Vanderhoef serves as Assistant Professor of Film, Television, and Media within the Communications Department at California State University, Dominguez Hills' College of Arts & Humanities. Currently on academic leave for the 2025-2026 year, he maintains an active research profile centered on contemporary media production. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Film and Media Studies (University of California, Santa Barbara) M.A. in Communication (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) B.A. in Communication (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) Professor Vanderhoef's research critically examines media industries through the dual lenses of digital labor and identity politics . His scholarship exposes tensions between corporate structures and creative autonomy, particularly in indie media spaces where romanticized notions of 'passion work' often mask exploitative conditions. His groundbreaking book Passion, Pixels, and Profit establishes him as a leading voice in video game production studies, revealing how neoliberal economics reshapes creative labor in digital entertainment. His teaching portfolio bridges theoretical rigor with practical application through courses like Media Industries and Emerging Media Production. While specific grant details aren't public, his sustained publication record in top-tier journals and university press monographs demonstrates robust research momentum. Students interested in media production cultures should reconnect after his 2025-2026 leave concludes.
Emilio A. Parrado is the Dorothy Swaine Thomas Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Population Studies Center. His research focuses on migration dynamics, particularly Hispanic populations in the U.S., international migration patterns, and social/demographic changes in Latin America. He combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including original survey and ethnographic data. Education: Ph.D. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1997), M.A. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1994), B.A. (Sociology, University of Buenos Aires, 1988). Key research areas include: Migrant health risks and transnational mobility (e.g., HIV/STI patterns at the U.S.-Mexico border) Gendered impacts of migration on labor markets and family structures Demographic transitions and social inequality in Latin America, including post-pandemic labor market shifts in Argentina Recent work emphasizes deportation effects on mental health, regional migration trends to Buenos Aires, and the intersection of immigration policy with fertility and urban development. His Migrante Project focuses on Mexico-U.S. border health observatories. Awards: None explicitly listed. Active in grants related to migrant health and labor studies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Population Studies Center and collaborates with the Latin American and Latino Studies Program at UPenn.
Danielle T. Cooper is an Associate Professor at the University of New Haven , affiliated with the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and the Criminal Justice Department . She also serves as the Director of Research for the Tow Youth Justice Institute and Chair of the Criminal Justice Undergraduate Committee . Education Ph.D. in Criminology, Law, & Society, University of Florida, 2015 M.A. in Criminology, Law, & Society, University of Florida, 2011 B.S. in Justice Systems, Truman State University, 2009 Dr. Cooper’s research focuses on youths and young adults , juvenile justice policy reform , sex offender registration policies , and police-community dynamics . Her work emphasizes restorative justice , systemic equity , and prevention strategies for marginalized communities. Recent publications explore diversion programs , economic impacts of sex offender registries , and media narratives in criminal justice . Her awards highlight contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion , as well as leadership development . Scientific Awards 2019 Faculty of the Year Award 2021 MO-KAN-NE TRIO Achiever Alumni Award 2021 Faculty Excellence in DEI 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Vision Faculty Award 2024 RAND Pardee Fellowship She has secured grants for diversionary services and youth-police relations , and her media commentary addresses youth violence , census participation , and social justice .
Heidi R. Lewis is the David and Lucile Packard Professor of Feminist & Gender Studies at Colorado College. She serves as President of the National Women's Studies Association (2023-25) and Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Bibliography in Women's & Gender Studies. Her research focuses on Black Feminisms, Hip Hop discourse, and Critical Media Studies, with a current project challenging narratives around Mumble Rap's authenticity. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University and has taught interdisciplinary courses including Hip Hop & Feminism and Critical Media Studies. Education: Ph.D., American Studies, Purdue University (2011) M.A., English Literature, Ohio University (2005) B.A., English Studies, Robert Morris University (2003) Research Interests: Lewis interrogates intersections of race, gender, and media through projects like her forthcoming book on Mumble Rap and a documentary on her experiences during the crack cocaine epidemic. She employs discourse analysis to challenge dominant narratives in Hip Hop and feminist theory, emphasizing marginalized voices and transnational collaborations. Service & Leadership: As Director of Feminist & Gender Studies, Lewis secured funding for new faculty lines, student programs, and community partnerships. Nationally, she co-created the #FemSTEMSymposium to bridge feminist inquiry and STEM fields. Her service prioritizes equity, including roles on promotion committees and external reviews for academic centers. Community Engagement: Lewis collaborates with organizations like the Kampagne für Opfer Rassistischer Polizeigewalt and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Her work extends beyond academia through public talks, media contributions, and initiatives like the Marsha P. Johnson Professorship.
Ken Mello is an Associate Professor of Religion at Southwestern University, specializing in Native American and Indigenous religious studies. His expertise includes contemporary Indigenous identity, sacred space, gender/sexuality studies, and non-textual religious traditions. He employs an 'integrated approach' combining interdisciplinary methods (history, anthropology, sociology) and direct community engagement to teach and research indigenous traditions. Education: PhD from UC Santa Barbara (2003), MAs from University of Arizona (1996) and Colgate University (1994), BA from Colgate (1992). His research focuses on urban Native American religious identity, religion-place intersections, and future projects include material culture revival, Native American music, and religion-sports connections. Courses cross-list with Environmental Studies, Feminist Studies, Race/Ethnicity Studies, and LABS to foster interdisciplinary learning.
Nadia E. Brown is a Professor of Government and Director of the Women's and Gender Studies Program at Georgetown University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University and specializes in intersectional analyses of Black women’s politics, legislative studies, and identity politics. Her work emphasizes holistic approaches to understanding race, gender, and their intersections in political systems. Dr. Brown leads the #MeTooPoliSci Collective, focusing on eradicating sexual harassment in political science, and co-PIs a million-dollar NSF grant addressing systemic issues in the discipline. She is editor of Politics, Groups and Identities and contributes to The Monkey Cage blog. Her research spans Black women’s legislative representation, digital activism, and feminist methodologies, with award-winning books including Sisters in the Statehouse and Sister Style . Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, Rutgers University Key Affiliations: African American Studies Program, #MeTooPoliSci Collective Research Methods: Case studies, ethnography, interviews Her advocacy extends beyond academia, influencing public discourse on racial justice and gender equity through media engagement and policy-focused scholarship.
Donald R. Davis, Jr. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts. With a PhD from the same institution, he has established himself as a leading scholar in Hindu law and Dharmaśāstra studies. His work bridges religious studies, legal history, and South Asian studies, making significant contributions to our understanding of law and religion in medieval India. Davis earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, where he has built his academic career. His scholarly journey has been deeply rooted in the study of Sanskrit legal traditions and their intersection with religious practice. Professor Davis's primary research concerns the interaction of law and religion in medieval India. He examines both historical evidence for law and legal practice through inscriptions and regional language documents, as well as the Dharmaśāstra tradition as a system of religious law and jurisprudence. His work situates Sanskrit normative texts within historical contexts while exploring their conceptual frameworks. He maintains the Resource Library for Dharmaśāstra Studies and has published extensively on Hindu law, including books such as The Spirit of Hindu Law (2010) and The Dharma of Business (2017). Davis's recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on the intersection of law, religion, and ethics in Hindu tradition. His work explores caste, conservatism, marital ethics, and the historical development of legal thought in India. He frequently draws comparative connections between Hindu legal traditions and other religious legal systems, contributing to broader conversations in legal anthropology and comparative religious law. Professor Davis actively supervises graduate students interested in Dharmaśāstra traditions and their relevance to law, religion, history, politics, and economics in India. He encourages students with broader interests in comparative religious law (Jewish law, Islamic law, Roman law, etc.) and works with those studying various aspects of Hinduism and classical religions in India, particularly in normative and "mainstream" areas such as Vedānta, Pūrva-Mīmāṃsā, Epics, and Purāṇas.
Elizabeth Bernstein is a Professor of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Professor of Sociology at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she has been a faculty member since September 2002. Her work bridges sociological theory with feminist analysis, focusing on the intersections of gender, sexuality, and political economy. Bernstein directs significant research initiatives including the Gender Justice and Neoliberal Transformations Working Group, a transnational collaboration among thirteen scholars examining gender justice in contemporary global contexts. She is currently developing a new book project titled "Imagining Immunity: Precarious Bodies and the Governance of Gendered Dis-ease," which explores immunological metaphors in understanding bodily risk and suffering. B.A., University of California, Berkeley M.A., University of California, Berkeley Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley Professor Bernstein's research focuses on the political economy of the body, gender, and sexuality, with particular attention to sexual commerce, sex trafficking, and neoliberal governance. Her work employs ethnographic methods to examine how intimate relations become sites of economic exchange and political regulation. She investigates how concepts of authenticity, freedom, and rights are mobilized in debates about sexual commerce and trafficking. Bernstein's scholarship critically engages with feminist theory, carceral politics, and transnational governance frameworks, challenging conventional approaches to sex work and trafficking that often reinforce punitive systems rather than advancing gender justice. Analysis of Bernstein's scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory examining the intersections of gender, sexuality, and political economy within neoliberal frameworks. Her work demonstrates increasing attention to transnational governance mechanisms and their impact on intimate relations and bodily autonomy. A notable trend is her critical examination of how anti-trafficking campaigns often employ carceral logic that undermines feminist goals of gender justice. Her scholarship consistently challenges binary frameworks that position sex work solely as exploitation or liberation, instead analyzing the complex economic, political, and social dynamics that shape sexual commerce globally. Bernstein's research has received significant recognition through prestigious awards including: Distinguished Book Award, American Sociological Association, Sociology of Sexualities Section (2020) for "Brokered Subjects" Honorable Mention, Society for the Study of Social Problems Global Division Book Award (2019) Norbert Elias Prize, Norbert Elias Foundation (2009) Distinguished Book Award, American Sociological Association, Sex and Gender Section (2009) Her work has also been supported by major funding organizations including the Institute for Advanced Study, National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, AAUW, and Mellon Foundation. As a principal investigator along with Janet Jakobsen for the Gender Justice and Neoliberal Transformations Working Group, Bernstein leads a significant collaborative research initiative sponsored by the Barnard Center for Research on Women. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained support from major research institutions, reflecting the significance of her work in gender studies and sociology. While specific student advisees aren't listed in the available materials, her role as a full professor at Barnard College indicates extensive mentorship of undergraduate and likely graduate students in Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Sociology. Bernstein co-leads the Gender Justice and Neoliberal Transformations Working Group, a collaboration among thirteen scholars working transnationally on questions of gender justice. This initiative represents a significant research collective examining how neoliberal policies reshape gender relations globally. Her work with the Barnard Center for Research on Women provides institutional support for this transnational feminist research network, facilitating scholarly exchange and collaborative publication projects that advance critical perspectives on gender, sexuality, and political economy.
Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase is an Associate Professor of Chinese and Japanese at Vassar College since 2003. Her research focuses on Japanese women’s literature, girls’ magazine culture, and manga, with a particular interest in integrating popular media into language education. She teaches courses such as 'Japanese Popular Culture and Literature' and 'The Gothic and the Supernatural in Japanese Literature.' Dr. Dollase holds a PhD in comparative literature (Japanese and American) from Purdue University (2003), an MA from Illinois State University, and a BA/MA from Baika Women’s College. She authored *Age of Shojo: The Emergence, Evolution and Power of Japanese Girls’ Magazine Fiction* (2019) and has contributed to numerous edited volumes and refereed journals. Her work spans topics like child abuse depictions in manga, sex education in historical fiction, and queer reinterpretations of classic narratives. She co-edited *Women’s Voices in Manga* (2024) and *Manga!: Visual Pop-Culture in ARTS Education* (2020). Her research bridges literary analysis with cultural studies, emphasizing the intersection of gender, media, and education. Dr. Dollase has been featured in media discussions about Japanese literary icons like Nobuko Yoshiya. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary programs in Asian Studies, Media Studies, and Women’s, Feminist, and Queer Studies at Vassar.
