Find Academic Supervisors

Isaac L. BleamanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sociolinguistic Variation
• Language Maintenance
• Language Change
• +4 more

Isaac L. Bleaman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, and an affiliate of the Center for Jewish Studies. He also serves as faculty director of the Sociolinguistics Lab at Berkeley (SLaB). His research examines sociolinguistic variation, language maintenance, and language change, with a focus on contemporary Yiddish. Bleaman earned a PhD in Linguistics from New York University (2018), an MA in Linguistics from NYU (2016), an MSt in Yiddish Studies from the University of Oxford (2013), and a BA in Linguistics & Comparative Literature from Stanford University (2012). His current NSF CAREER-funded project develops a corpus of conversational Yiddish from Holocaust survivor testimonies. Research interests span: Phonetic/grammatical variation in Yiddish Computational methods for language analysis Syntactic theory and variation mechanisms Language standardization and maintenance Recent publications focus on computational sociolinguistics, speech synthesis for Yiddish, syntactic variation, and language documentation. His work integrates corpus linguistics, experimental methods, and theoretical frameworks. He directs the Sociolinguistics Lab at Berkeley and develops open-source tools for Yiddish text processing, including keyboard layouts, orthographic normalizers, and syllabification algorithms. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in sociolinguistics and Yiddish studies.

Robert D. HobermanView profile

Professor

• Semitic Linguistics
• Phonology
• Morphology
• +5 more

Robert D. Hoberman is a Professor at Stony Brook University's Department of Linguistics, specializing in Semitic languages including Arabic, Hebrew, and Aramaic. His research focuses on morphology, phonology, and language documentation, particularly documenting endangered Aramaic dialects from Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran. He also examines Maltese and Yiddish, exploring structural changes in contact with Indo-European languages. His work bridges formal linguistic analysis, historical linguistics, and language revitalization. Education: Ph.D. 1983, University of Chicago Research Interests: Semitic linguistics, comparative Semitic studies, phonology/morphology interfaces, language contact phenomena, writing systems, and the documentation of endangered languages. He explores historical patterns through modern spoken varieties and has contributed to understanding pausal forms in Arabic, triradical morphology in Semitic languages, and Maltese's transition from Semitic to Romance structures. Key Contributions: Pioneered fieldwork-based analyses of Modern Aramaic dialects, advanced theoretical models for Semitic phonology/morphology, and critiqued the historical role of Western linguistics in non-Western language study. His publications span encyclopedic entries, edited volumes, and journal articles addressing both theoretical linguistics and descriptive grammar.

• Emotions
• Compassion
• Touch Practices
• +10 more

Francoise Mirguet is an Associate Professor of Hebrew and Near Eastern Cultures at Arizona State University's School of International Letters and Cultures. Her research focuses on emotions in late antique Jewish literature, touch practices in early Judaism, and the intersection of body/embodiment with religious and cultural narratives. She holds a PhD from Université Catholique de Louvain (2007) and has held fellowships at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies. Key academic contributions include her monograph An Early History of Compassion: Emotion and Imagination in Hellenistic Judaism (2017) and numerous articles on biblical interpretation, gender in early Jewish texts, and pseudepigrapha. She co-chairs the 'Emotions and the Biblical World' section of the European Association for Biblical Studies. Teaching specialties include Biblical Hebrew, ancient Jewish literature, and interdisciplinary courses on compassion and emotion history. Her recent research explores tactile interactions in the Hebrew Bible and emotional resistance in Josephus' writings.

• Arabic Linguistics
• Qur'ānic Studies
• Linguistic Analysis
• +5 more

Valeriy Rybalkin is a Professor at the Department of Languages and Literatures of Near and Middle East at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. His career spans over four decades, including part-time roles at multiple Ukrainian institutions and a Fulbright Visiting Professorship at the University of Michigan (2002–2003). He is a leading scholar in Arabic linguistics, Qur'ānic studies, and cross-cultural communication. Ph.D. (1985) and Doctor of Science (2000) in Near Eastern Philology Specializes in Qur'ān translation, Arabic lexicography, and sacred text analysis Led international research projects on historical sources and cultural contexts Rybalkin's research focuses on the linguistic, stylistic, and ideological aspects of sacred texts. His work analyzes Arabic grammatical traditions, intercultural language dynamics, and the evolution of lexicographic practices in the Islamic world. He also investigates the reception of classical Arabic literature in European contexts. His publications include 200+ scholarly works , with recent articles examining Qur'ān exegesis, grammatical governance, and lexical traditions. His research team collaborates across disciplines to study Eastern texts in regional and European frameworks. Scientific Awards : M.Hrushevsky Medal (1992) A.Krymsky Prize (1995) Diploma from Metropolitan George Khadar (2001) Rybalkin has secured multiple grants from ACLS, Tel-Aviv University, and the U.S. Department of State. He leads a research group at the Institute of Oriental Studies, mentoring Ph.D. associate professors and junior scholars in interdisciplinary approaches to Eastern sacred texts.

Yatziv-Malibert Il-IlView profile

Professor

• Linguistics
• Modern Hebrew
• Corpus linguistics
• +5 more

Yatziv-Malibert Il-Il is a University Professor at INALCO, focusing on Hebrew and Jewish Studies. They serve as Co-Director of the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies since April 2022 and hold administrative responsibilities as Deputy Vice-President for European Affairs. Research expertise includes: Modern Hebrew linguistics Syntactic and discourse analysis Oral linguistics Contrastive linguistics Active in educational innovation as Responsible for distance Hebrew language diplomas (DL1 and DL2) As part of the CERMOM research team , their work bridges linguistic theory with practical applications in Hebrew language studies. They operate within the Discipline 15 framework that includes Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Hebrew languages.

• Judeo-Islamic Studies
• Medieval History
• Hebrew Literature
• +7 more

Ross Brann is the Milton R. Konvitz Professor of Judeo-Islamic Studies and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow at Cornell University. He has taught in the Department of Near Eastern Studies since 1986 and served as its chair for nineteen years. His academic journey includes studies at the University of California-Berkeley, Hebrew University-Jerusalem, New York University, and the American University in Cairo. Education: University of California-Berkeley Hebrew University-Jerusalem New York University American University in Cairo Brann’s research focuses on the intersection of medieval Jewish and Islamic cultures, particularly in Al-Andalus. His work examines Hebrew poetry in Muslim Spain, representations of Muslims and Jews in Islamic Spain, and the dynamics of translation and multilingualism in premodern Islamic societies. He explores how Jewish communities navigated their roles in Islamicate civilizations, including theological writings, legal codes, and literary exchanges. His publications include Moses Maimonides: A Very Short Introduction (2025) and Iberian Moorings: Al-Andalus and Sefarad and the Tropes of Exceptionalism (2021). His recent articles analyze Hebrew poetics, medieval translingualism, and Jewish perceptions of Muslims in historical contexts. Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship Center for Advanced Judaic Studies (University of Pennsylvania) Fellowship Frankel Center (University of Michigan) Fellowship Elected Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America (2023) Brann teaches courses such as Jewish-Muslim Relations, Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His academic leadership includes directing the Jewish Studies Program and co-chairing the West Campus House System Council, reflecting his commitment to both research and institutional service.

• Biblical Studies
• Dead Sea Scrolls Research
• Hebrew Language History
• +4 more

Harald Samuel is a Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen since 2024. He previously held the Departmental Lecturer in Classical Hebrew role at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford (2021-2023), and served as Deputy Chair of History and Religious History of Israel and its Environment at the University of Leipzig (2020-2021). His academic career spans research and teaching roles since 2012, with a habilitation thesis on Linguistic Dating methods in Old Testament studies. Education: Dr. theol. (2012) from Georg-August-University Göttingen with a dissertation on Levi and Levites in Second Temple Literature Research Focus: Dead Sea Scrolls, Hexateuch Composition, Hebrew Language History, and Literary Analysis His publications and projects emphasize textual transitions in biblical corpora, linguistic methodologies, and comparative studies of authority structures. Recent work includes co-editing the Book-Seams in the Hexateuch series and participating in international academic societies like the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and European Association of Biblical Studies (EABS). He serves on editorial boards for the Journal of Biblical Literature (since 2023) and Journal of Hebrew Scriptures (since 2020). Academic Leadership: Chair of the SBL Book of Deuteronomy Unit (2018–2023), former Chair of EABS Law and Narrative Research Group (2013–2017) Collaborations: Involved in DFG projects and transnational research with institutions like the University of Haifa

Mark MeyerView profile

Professor

• Biblical Studies
• Ancient Near Eastern Languages
• Semitic Linguistics
• +3 more

Dr. Mark Meyer is a Professor and Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies program at the School of Bible & Ministry. He holds a PhD in Semitic Languages and Literature from The Catholic University of America. His expertise lies in biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), Ancient Near Eastern cultures, and linguistic analysis of ancient texts. He teaches courses such as OT Backgrounds, OT Exegesis, and Advanced Biblical Research. His work bridges engineering and theology, reflecting his background in electrical engineering and ministry. Education: PhD: Semitic Languages & Literature, Catholic University of America M.Div.: Capital Bible Seminary M.S.: Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University B.S.: Electrical Engineering, North Carolina State University Dr. Meyer’s research focuses on revitalizing biblical languages for modern scholarship. His publications include a translation of Exodus from the Syriac Peshitta and a linguistic study of Aramaic genitive constructions. He actively serves local churches and international congregations, emphasizing practical ministry skills alongside academic rigor. His door remains open to students seeking mentorship, embodying his belief that faith and scholarship are inseparable.

Marieke DhontView profile

Lecturer

• Second Temple Judaism
• Old Testament
• Textual Criticism
• +9 more

Marieke Dhont is a scholar affiliated with the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge , with a focus on Second Temple Judaism, Septuagint studies, and Hellenistic textual criticism. She holds a joint doctorate in Theology (UC Louvain) and Religious Studies (KU Leuven) and has held prestigious fellowships including the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship and Center for Hellenic Studies Fellowship . Her academic roles include Director of Studies in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion (TRPR) at Gonville & Caius College and PG Tutor at Girton College. PhD in Theology (UC Louvain) and Religious Studies (KU Leuven, 2016) Masters in Classics and Cultural Studies (KU Leuven) Her research examines the intersection of Greek language, Jewish identity, and literary traditions in antiquity, analyzing texts like the Septuagint and Eupolemus. She challenges assumptions about linguistic proficiency in Hellenistic Judaism and explores multilingualism in Palestine. Her recent work on Jewish-Greek historiography and post-classical Greek redefines integration patterns of Jews in the Hellenistic world. Key awards include: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018-2021) Center for Hellenic Studies Fellowship (2021-2022) FWF Esprit Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022-2027) Dr Dhont currently works at Paris Lodron University Salzburg while maintaining Cambridge affiliations. Her publications span Septuagint philology, translation theory, and ancient scribal practices, with a focus on stylistic features and cultural context.

Maria Maddalena ColasuonnoView profile

Researcher

• Sociolinguistics
• Arabic Language and Linguistics
• Semitic languages
• +5 more

Maria Maddalena Colasuonno is a Researcher at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale', affiliated with the School of Asia, Africa and Mediterranean Studies. Her work focuses on sociolinguistics, Semitic languages, and Hebrew linguistics with particular emphasis on Judeo-Italian dialects and Biblical Hebrew syntax. She contributes to Prof. Nili Samet's research project on Late Biblical Hebrew Syntax, analyzing syntactic features through comparative and diachronic approaches. Research interests: Sociolinguistics, Arabic and Hebrew linguistics, comparative Semitic studies, Judeo-Italian dialectology. Key projects: Co-authoring entries for the Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics, studying diglossia in Biblical Hebrew, and investigating Modern Hebrew's sociolinguistic terminology. Her publications challenge traditional assumptions about linguistic variation (e.g., diglossia in Biblical Hebrew) and explore morpho-syntactic innovations in Modern Hebrew's technolect. She has also examined the sociolinguistic legacy of Aron TERRACINI through Judeo-Italian studies. Current collaborations include the Late Biblical Hebrew Syntax project at Tel Aviv University, aiming to catalog syntactic features with biblical and extrabiblical examples.

Rosa María Herrera GarcíaView profile

Researcher

• Latin Philology
• Isidore of Seville's Etymologies
• History of Aristotelianism
• +5 more

Rosa María Herrera García is a researcher associated with the Pontifical University of Salamanca under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences . Her work focuses on Latin Philology , Isidore of Seville's Etymologies , and the History of Aristotelianism in religious contexts. Her research delves into Biblical Exegesis , Medieval Theology , and Translation Theory , particularly examining how cultural and religious texts sustain tradition through successive generations. Key projects include analyzing syntactic structures in religious texts and exploring the role of Sacred Scripture in evangelical preaching. She has contributed to understanding superstition and religion in Roman society via Isidore's writings, and her work on Valerius of Bierzo investigates the term saeculum in theological discourse.

Ivan MiroshnikovView profile

Associate Professor

• Biblical Studies
• Coptic Studies
• Early Christianity
• +4 more

Ivan Miroshnikov serves as a Docent (Associate Professor) in the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki, specializing in Biblical Studies with a focus on Coptic literature and early Christian texts. His research bridges theological inquiry and philological analysis of ancient manuscripts. His research interests center on Coptic Studies , particularly Sahidic, Bohairic, and Fayyumic dialects, examining textual fluidity in apocryphal works and the intersection of Platonism with early Christian thought. He investigates manuscript transmission, linguistic evolution in biblical texts, and the reception history of hagiographic traditions like the Martyrdom of George. His publication trends reveal deep engagement with Coptic manuscript analysis (2018-2024), including paleographic studies of Bohairic Bible versions and critical editions of fragmentary texts. Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining textual criticism, philosophy, and cultural history. Miroshnikov actively participates in academic collaboration through major research projects. As a key contributor to the Academy of Finland-funded Centre of Excellence in Reason and Religious Recognition Research (2014-2019) and The Publication of the Coptic Manuscripts of the Ilves Collection (2016-2020), he demonstrates sustained involvement in team-based scholarship. His scholarly activities include organizing international seminars on Bohairic manuscripts, presenting at major conferences, and developing educational resources for Coptic language study. Current work focuses on expanding critical editions of Coptic biblical and apocryphal texts while analyzing philosophical influences on early Christian literature.

Roy HellerView profile

Professor

• Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
• Biblical Hebrew
• Biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax
• +4 more

Roy Heller is a Professor of Old Testament at Southern Methodist University , where he also holds the Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor title and serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Religious Studies . His work bridges biblical scholarship, linguistic analysis, and literary criticism. Education: Ph.D. from Yale University (1998), S.T.M. (1991) and M.Div. (1990) from Yale University Divinity School, B.S. from Houston Baptist University (1986). Roy Heller’s research focuses on Biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax , Narrative Criticism , and Rhetorical Criticism , with a particular emphasis on Prophecy and Ambiguity in Literary Texts within the Hebrew Bible. His publications explore the intersection of language, storytelling, and theological interpretation in ancient texts. Heller’s academic output reveals a consistent exploration of prophetic literature , narrative structures , and linguistic frameworks in the Old Testament. His work often applies literary theory to biblical texts, analyzing character dynamics and theological themes. Scientific Awards: Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor As Director of the Graduate Program in Religious Studies, Heller mentors advanced students in biblical scholarship. His teaching includes Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and Biblical Hebrew , reflecting his expertise in both linguistic and literary dimensions of sacred texts.

Bruce WellsView profile

Associate Professor

• Hebrew Bible
• Ancient Near East
• Biblical Law
• +6 more

Bruce Wells is an Associate Professor and Chair of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also serves as MES & MELC GSC. He earned his PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 and has established himself as a leading scholar in biblical law and ancient Near Eastern legal systems. Wells specializes in the legal ideas and traditions of the Pentateuch and the legal system of the Neo-Babylonian period. His scholarship focuses on how legal documents, economic records, and administrative texts from the ancient Near East provide crucial context for understanding biblical legal traditions. His work examines litigation, marriage and divorce, sexual relations, slavery, judicial authority, and the nature of biblical law within its broader cultural environment. His research reveals significant connections between biblical legal traditions and contemporary Near Eastern legal practices, particularly in the Neo-Babylonian period. Wells' publications demonstrate how comparative analysis of cuneiform legal texts with biblical materials provides new insights into longstanding interpretive problems. His work spans textual analysis, legal history, and the social contexts of ancient law. Wells has taught numerous courses including Bible in Hebrew, Debating Genesis, Exegetical Seminar: Hebrew Bible, Law/Justice in the Bible, and The Ancient Middle East. His teaching reflects his interdisciplinary approach, bridging religious studies, ancient history, and legal scholarship. As an active scholar, Wells continues to publish significant works that reshape our understanding of biblical law within its ancient context, with his most recent contribution being The Cambridge Companion to Law in the Hebrew Bible (2024) which he edited.

Jillian RossView profile

Associate Professor

• Book of Judges
• Inner Biblical Allusions
• Women's Ministry

Dr. Jillian Ross is an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Liberty Theological Seminary, Liberty University. She joined the faculty in 2016 and was appointed Director of the Biblical Language Programs in 2017. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, an M.Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.S. from Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Prior to her current role, she taught mathematics in Christian schools and served as an adjunct instructor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School during her doctoral studies. Her research focuses on the Old Testament, with specialized interests in the Book of Judges, inner biblical allusions, and women's ministry. She explores themes of divine-human interaction, narrative typology, and theological patterns in ancient texts. Her work frequently employs literary analysis and historical-critical methods to examine scriptural narratives. Ross's publications span books, peer-reviewed articles, essays, and study Bible contributions, predominantly centered on Judges and Pentateuchal connections. Her 2023 monograph analyzes allusions within Judges, while her journal articles investigate linguistic, theological, and intertextual dimensions of biblical stories. Her writings reflect consistent emphasis on narrative criticism, Hebrew linguistics, and the theological implications of Israelite history. No scientific awards, grants, or supervised students are mentioned in the source material. She leads the Biblical Language Programs at Liberty, indicating administrative involvement in curriculum development for Hebrew and related studies.