Find Academic Supervisors

Ximian Xu (preferred name: Simeon) is a Senior Research Associate in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge , with a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Edinburgh (2020). His research bridges theology with technology, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, Dutch Neo-Calvinism, Karl Barth, and contextual theology in mainland China. Xu’s work explores the intersection of AI and Christian ethics, the role of Reformed theology in contemporary Chinese Christianity, and the ontological implications of technology on human sustainability. Research Interests Theology and Technology (AI, Surveillance) Dutch Neo-Calvinism (Herman Bavinck) Karl Barth Contextual Theology (Reformed in China) Grants and Organisational Roles He received the CAHSS KE Grant for the workshop "Artificial Intelligence and the Christian Churches" and the Alan Turing Institute Postdoctoral Enrichment Award for research on AI in pastoral care. Xu co-founded the Studies in Dutch Neo-Calvinism Series (Chinese) and is a co-editor for its publications. Publications and Awards His recent works include studies on AI’s moral agency, technomoral futures, and Reformed theological frameworks. Xu’s book The Digitalised Image of God: Artificial Intelligence, Liturgy, and Ethics (2024) addresses AI’s theological challenges. He has contributed to journals like Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith and Modern Theology .

• Theology and Technology
• Systematic Theology
• Dutch Neo-Calvinism
• +4 more

Mark Freeman is Professor of Social History and Education in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London, where he has worked since 2014. He also holds a Visiting Professorship at King's College London's Department of History. His academic focus centers on modern British history with specialized expertise in educational history and cultural studies. Freeman's research examines British adult education, youth organizations, and historical pageants through interdisciplinary lenses. His AHRC-funded project 'The Redress of the Past: Historical Pageants in Britain 1905-2016' produced the book Restaging the Past (UCL Press, 2020) and a documentary film. He co-led the 'Reading Aloud in Britain Today' project and chairs the advisory board for the 'Partitions of Identity' research on Bengali communities in Pakistan. His recent publications (2018-2023) reveal consistent thematic focus on historical pageants as cultural phenomena, St Albans' local history, and adult education evolution. These works demonstrate methodological innovation blending archival research with performance studies, highlighting pageants' role in shaping national identity and community memory across twentieth-century Britain. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Major research grants demonstrate sustained funding success: Co-investigator on AHRC-funded 'The Redress of the Past' project (£750k) Co-leader of AHRC-funded 'Reading Aloud in Britain Today' initiative Advisory board chair for AHRC-funded 'Partitions of Identity' study He serves as co-editor of History of Education journal and supervises BA Education Studies dissertations at UCL. Freeman actively contributes to the International Centre for Historical Research in Education and maintains editorial roles with ECNU Review of Education and Spanish journals Tempora and Easpacio, Tempora y Educacion .

• History of Education
• Modern British History
• Social History
• +4 more

Dror Weil is a University Assistant Professor in the History of Early Modern Asia (East Asia and the Islamicate world) at the University of Cambridge. He holds a fellowship at King's College and has held prior positions including a permanent lectureship at King's College London and postdoctoral fellowships at the Max Planck Institute and Berlin Center for the History of Knowledge. His research focuses on textual exchanges between the Islamicate world and China, histories of science and medicine in pre-modern Asia, and book culture. Education includes a BA in East Asian Studies and Economics from Tel Aviv University, an MA in History from National Chengchi University (Taipei), and a PhD from Princeton University (2016). He has received the Thomas Arthur Arnold Fund fellowship (2017) and will serve as a member at the Institute for Advanced Study (2024/2025). His teaching covers early modern Asian history, global early modernity, and material culture. Research interests include cross-cultural knowledge transfer, Mongol Empire histories, and the social history of science. He co-edited Premodern Experience of the Natural World in Translation (2022) and publishes on topics like Chinese-Islamic textual exchanges and the translation of scientific knowledge.

• History of Science
• Cultural History
• Early Modern History
• +3 more

Lars Laamann is a Lecturer at the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, SOAS University of London. His research focuses on the historical interplay between religion, colonialism, and cultural exchange in East Asia, with particular emphasis on Christianity in China and Mongolian religious traditions. He maintains an active research profile as evidenced by his publication record spanning from 1996 to 2025. Dr. Laamann's primary research interests include: The historical development of Christianity in China from the Qing Dynasty to modern times Mongolian religious syncretism and its political implications Protestant and Catholic missionary strategies in Southeast Asia Orthodox Christianity's role in contemporary geopolitical conflicts Colonial-era religious encounters and their sociocultural impacts His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on religious encounters in East Asia, with recent works exploring Orthodox Christianity in conflict zones (Ethiopia/Ukraine), memory studies in Chinese Christianity, and missionary history. The publication trends show increasing attention to comparative religious analysis across different Asian contexts. Dr. Laamann has supervised several doctoral students researching topics including: Qing Dynasty state formation and religious policy (J. Lu) Republican China's communication infrastructure (L.-C. Chen) Cross-cultural encounters in early Qing Empire (W. Kang) Economic transformations in Mongolia (S. Shan) He serves as editor for the Central Asiatic Journal and participates in collaborative research projects examining Orthodox Christianity's political dimensions.

• History of Christianity in China
• Mongolian Religious History
• Missionary Studies
• +3 more

Dr. Christian Morgner is a Senior Lecturer in Cultural and Creative Industries at the Sheffield University Management School. He holds a PhD and MA, with expertise in complexity studies, relational sociology, and cultural networks. His research focuses on: Global cultural processes and innovation Diversity and inclusivity in creative industries Network analysis in urban informal settlements Dementia care through arts interventions Media events and translation dynamics Recent publications analyze cultural transformations in Santiago de Chile, relational creativity in Olympic ceremonies, and digital heritage politics in China. He has secured grants including the Rutherford Fellowship and Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science funding. Scientific awards include: Rutherford Fellowship Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Research Fellowship He supervises PhD students and teaches modules on critical theories in cultural and creative industries, marketing, and branding.

• Cultural and Creative Industries
• Social Theory (Niklas Luhmann’s system theory)
• Network Analysis
• +5 more

Christian Hess is an Assistant Professor of Chinese History at Sophia University, Tokyo, since 2012. Previously, he held positions as RCUK Fellow/Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick (2007–2012) and Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006–2007). He specializes in modern Chinese history, urban history, Japanese imperialism, and regional dynamics in Northeast China. His work emphasizes transnational narratives and comparative studies, particularly in East Asian cities and globalization. Education includes a PhD and MA in History from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and a BA in History from UC Davis. Hess’s research focuses on Dalian’s contested history between Chinese, Japanese, and Russian powers (1895–1950), and its transformation under socialist projects. He also explores colonial legacies in East Asia and globalization’s impact on urban spaces through funded ESRC International Network grants. He has been awarded the RCUK Fellowship and has secured grants for collaborative projects. His teaching includes modules like HI168 (The Rise of Modern China: 1895–Present) and HI31Q (Legacies of Colonialism in East Asia). Hess’s current book project and ESRC-funded initiatives highlight interdisciplinary and international collaboration, aiming to advance comparative research agendas in East Asian urban history.

• Modern Chinese History
• Urban History
• Japanese Imperialism
• +3 more

Dr Alexander Chow is a Senior Lecturer in Theology and World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity. He holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Birmingham and has conducted postdoctoral research at Renmin University of China. As co-director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, he specializes in Chinese Christianity, global religious migration, and the intersection of faith with digital culture. His work bridges historical and contemporary studies, emphasizing the role of Chinese diaspora communities in shaping British Christianity. Key roles include co-editing Studies in World Christianity and editing the Liu Institute Series in Chinese Christianities . He chairs the Chinese Christianities Program Unit at the American Academy of Religion. His research focuses on transnational religious identities, the impact of migration on Christian communities, and public theology in multicultural contexts. Notable publications include Chinese Public Theology (Oxford UP, 2018) and Chinese Heritage in British Christianity (SCM Press, 2025), which explores the contributions of British Chinese Christians. Chow’s work addresses themes such as Confucian influences on Chinese theology, the legacy of colonial missions, and digital transformation in religious practice. He actively engages with contemporary issues like climate justice and the ethics of technology, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary and globally oriented scholarship.

• World Christianity
• Chinese Theology
• Religious Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Chris Homewood is an Associate Professor in World Cinemas and German at the University of Leeds' School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. He joined the institution in 2007 after completing his PhD at Leeds, preceded by an MA from the University of Nottingham and a BA from the University of Bangor. As Programme Manager for the MA Film Studies, he oversees postgraduate education in cinematic studies. His research explores three primary domains: German cinematic traditions spanning Weimar era to contemporary Berlin School, with special focus on representations of left-wing terrorism (RAF) and cultural memory of '1968' Popular geopolitics and orientalism , particularly analyzing Hollywood-China relations through frameworks of soft power and neo-colonial discourse Genre theory in World Cinemas , examining transnational narrative patterns and aesthetic developments His publication portfolio (2005-2021) demonstrates consistent focus on German film history, terrorism representation, and cinematic geopolitics, with recent work increasingly examining Sino-Hollywood dynamics. Thematically, his scholarship interrogates how cinema shapes collective memory, negotiates political trauma, and mediates cross-cultural power relations. He has successfully supervised five postgraduate researchers to completion, with projects covering German/Austrian cinema, Gothic horror, music biopics, and gender studies. As co-editor of New Cinemas: Journal of Contemporary Film and advisory board member for Studies in European Cinema , he actively shapes academic discourse. He has organized significant conferences including 'Cinema, Soft Power, and Geopolitical Change' (2017) and the German Screen Studies Network meeting (2014).

• German cinema
• Cultural memory of terrorism
• Popular geopolitics
• +7 more

Ellan Lincoln-Hyde is a Lecturer in Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinarity at King’s College London’s Department of Interdisciplinary Humanities (Faculty of Arts & Humanities). They hold a doctoral studentship from Bloomsbury College and were a Yenching Academy Scholar (2017–2019). Their research focuses on music nationalism, Indo-Pacific digital cultures, and intersectional studies (gender, disability, queer theory). Research highlights include analyzing Western classical music dissemination in early 20th century China through a queer/feminist lens, and examining colonial frameworks in religious music historiography. They’ve received the Royal Anthropological Institute’s Emslie Horniman Grant and organize events like the 2024 ‘Sound, Music, and Climate Change in Spiritual Communities’ conference. Professional roles: Senior Blog Editor (SOAS History Blog), former Co-Director of Asia’s largest all-paid academic conference (Yenching Global Symposium 2017–2018) Performance background: Producer/stage manager for opera, theatre, and international events; founder of charity concert series ‘From the Con to Kabul’ (2012–2016) benefiting Afghan Youth Orchestra

• Music Nationalism
• Indo-Pacific Digital Cultures
• Gender Studies
• +6 more

Dr. Carl Kilcourse is a Lecturer in East Asian History at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in Chinese cultural history with a focus on the intersection of Christianity, revolutionary ideologies, and cross-cultural encounters in 19th- and 20th-century China. He holds a PhD from the University of Manchester (2013) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017). His research emphasizes how foreign belief systems like Christianity and Communism were localized through vernacular texts such as translated Bibles. Education: PhD History, University of Manchester (2013) MA History, University of Manchester (2009) BA (Hons) Religions and Theology, University of Manchester (2008) Research Interests: History of Christianity in China Chinese revolutionary ideologies and rebellions (e.g., Taiping Rebellion) Sino-Western religious and political interactions Role of language and vernacular texts in cultural transmission Research Outputs: Taiping Theology (2016): Analyzes the Taiping Rebellion’s localized Christian identity through translated texts. Current project: Examines Taiping rebels’ interactions with Protestant missionaries in Nanjing, focusing on religious and political conflicts. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017) Advising & Resources: Supervises postgraduate students in Chinese cultural history and Christianity in China. Possesses access to original documents on the Taiping Rebellion and Protestant missions.

• Chinese Cultural History
• History of Christianity in China
• Revolutionary Ideologies
• +3 more

Kerry Pimblott is a Lecturer in International History at the University of Manchester, specializing in modern U.S. history with a focus on urban history, labor movements, theology, and African diaspora studies. She earned her B.A. in American Studies at King's College London and her PhD in History at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her research examines the intersections of race, class, and radical activism, particularly through the lens of Black Power movements and transnational religious networks. Key contributions include her book *Faith in Black Power: Religion, Race, and Resistance in Cairo, Illinois* (2017), which re-examines the role of religion in the Black Power Movement. Current projects explore global dimensions of Black Power, including activist travel and transnational religious institutions. Pimblott has held fellowships from the Dorothy G. Quinn Foundation, Illinois Historic Preservation Society, and the Center for Democracy in a Multiracial Society. She co-leads an AHRC-funded project on Black Power in the UK and is a founding member of the University of Manchester's Race, Roots & Resistance Collective, advocating for anti-racist and decolonial practices in academia. Her recent work critiques security practices in universities and challenges state violence against marginalized communities. Pimblott’s publications span book reviews, policy reports (e.g., on Taser use by police), and interdisciplinary analyses of social movements. Her research is driven by community-based methodologies and a commitment to fostering diverse academic pipelines.

• Urban History
• Labor History
• Theology and Religious History
• +3 more

Niki J.P. Alsford serves as Professor of Anthropology and Human Geography at the University of Central Lancashire, where he also directs the Institutes for the Study of the Asia Pacific (ISAP) and the Institute for Area and Migration Studies (AMIS). He maintains significant external affiliations as a Research Associate at the Centre of Taiwan Studies at SOAS, University of London, and as an Associate Member of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. His research spans Taiwan Studies, Korean Studies, and broader Asia Pacific Studies with particular focus on historical transitions, colonial influences, and contemporary political dynamics. Alsford's work challenges conventional historical narratives, notably in his book 'Transitions to Modernity in Taiwan' which examines the 1895 petition where Taiwanese 'notables' appealed to the British government to incorporate Taiwan as a protectorate, revealing a more complex historical trajectory than the standard narrative of Japanese colonial modernization. His publication record shows consistent interdisciplinary scholarship bridging anthropology, history, and political science. Recent works (2021-2022) address topics including Tzu-Chi and the 'Moonies,' population movements among Taiwan's indigenous peoples, and historical diplomatic missions between Britain and China. His analysis of North Korean politics, particularly regarding the Trump-Kim summit and Olympic diplomacy, demonstrates engagement with contemporary geopolitical issues. As Director of the Northern Institute of Taiwan Studies (NorITS) launched in 2018, Alsford has expanded the boundaries of Taiwan Studies as an academic discipline. His work frequently employs transnational historical methods, examining how local developments in Taiwan and Korea connect with broader regional and global processes, particularly through his research on British treaty-port communities and early Western interactions with East Asia.

• Asia Pacific Studies
• Taiwan Studies
• East Asian Studies
• +7 more

Dr. Leping Mou is a Lecturer in Postsecondary Education at the University of Glasgow's School of Education. Their research focuses on comparative international education, sociology of education, and student development. Previously held positions include roles at the University of Toronto and York University in Canada, as well as institutions in China. Dr. Mou holds a PhD from OISE at the University of Toronto. Education Background: PhD in Higher Education and Comparative International Development Education (OISE/University of Toronto), MA in Educational Leadership (OISE/University of Toronto), BA/MA from Shandong University/Shanghai International Studies University. Research emphasizes three key areas: 1) Impact of socio-political factors on higher education institutions, 2) Cultural traditions' influence on pedagogy, and 3) Mixed-methods evaluation of higher education outcomes. Active in editorial roles for Journal of Further and Higher Education and Studies in Higher Education . Recent publications explore liberal arts education in East Asia, TVET institutions' role in sustainability, and pandemic responses in global universities. Grants include SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023) and ACLS/AVDS funding for civic education research (2024-25). Supervising PhD students on topics like Chinese academic well-being and Deweyan educational thought. Teaches courses on educational research methodology and modern educational theory.

• Postsecondary Education
• Comparative International Education
• Sociology of Education
• +4 more

Dr. Zhe Gao serves as a Senior Lecturer in Religion and Translation at the University of Stirling within the Division of Literature and Languages, where he has been employed since 2017. He is affiliated with the Centre for Interpreting, Translation and Intercultural Studies at Stirling (CITIS). His educational background includes: B.Ec. in International Economic and Trade (2003) from Renmin University of China M.Phil. in Religious Studies (2005) from Renmin University of China M.A. in Christian Studies (2006) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Ph.D. in Religious Studies (2010) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Prior to joining the University of Stirling, Dr. Gao taught at Minzu University of China. Dr. Gao's research is fundamentally interdisciplinary, operating at the intersection of Christian theology, translation studies, hermeneutics, economics, and cultural analysis. His early scholarly work focused on the translatability of Christianity into Chinese culture as a major participant in the Movement of Sino-Christian Studies, approaching all Christian research as translation activities—including linguistic translations of English Christian literature into Chinese, reinterpretations of Christian messages within Chinese contexts, and inter-faith dialogue through comparative theology. His recent research has evolved to examine the history of 'religion' as a modern category within Chinese intellectual and political narratives since its introduction to China in the late 19th century. Dr. Gao has published the book 'Co-creation and Gift: A Critical Study of Theologies of Work' (2015), which critically examines post-Reformation theological approaches to human work and proposes a theo-economics of work centered on the concept of 'gift.' He has also translated four English academic books into Chinese and co-translated several additional works.

• Religious Studies
• Christianity in Chinese Context
• Translation Studies
• +7 more

Thoralf Klein is a Professor in Chinese and Global History, specializing in China's global relations over the past 200 years. He holds a Dr. Phil from the University of Freiburg (2000) and a Dr. Habil from the University of Erfurt (2007). He was a Fellow at the University of Konstanz (2007/08). Currently, he serves as a review editor at H-Soz-u-Kult and on the advisory board of the journal Globalgeschichte/Global History. His research focuses on imperialism, religion, media, and Sino-German/African relations. Education: Dr. Phil, University of Freiburg, 2000 Dr. Habil, University of Erfurt, 2007 Research Interests: History of religion (Christianity, political religion) Imperialism, colonialism, postcolonialism Transcultural studies, media history Representation of China in the West Sino-German and Sino-African relations Recent articles highlight themes like the Boxer War’s media representation, global modernity, and religious-political dynamics in modern China. Klein’s work bridges cultural and global historiography, emphasizing cross-border interactions. Labs/Teams: Engaged with H-Soz-u-Kult and Global History networks, fostering transcultural dialogue in historical scholarship.

• Chinese History
• Global History
• Imperialism and Colonialism
• +7 more