Andrew Gordon is the Lee and Juliet Folger Fund Professor of History at Harvard University, specializing in modern Japan with a focus on consumer culture, labor history, and comparative studies. He holds a joint appointment in the History Department and has served as Chair of Harvard's History Department (2004-07) and Director of the Reischauer Institute for Japanese Studies (1998-04, 2011-12). His research explores the socio-economic transformation of Japan through works like Fabricating Consumers (2011) and A Modern History of Japan (2013). Education: A.B. (1975) and Ph.D. in History and East Asian Languages (1981) from Harvard University. Prior to Harvard, he taught at Duke University from 1985 to 1995. Research interests include modern Japan's economic and cultural history, labor movements, and cross-cultural analysis. His recent work examines Japan's 'lost decades' (1990s–2000s). Awards include the John King Fairbank Prize and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2014). Grants and advising: Longstanding mentorship in Japanese studies and supervision of doctoral research. Active in interdisciplinary projects combining history with cultural and economic analysis. Labs/Teams: Collaborations through the Reischauer Institute for Japanese Studies and Harvard's History Department networks.
University of California , Santa Barbara (UCSB)United States
Kenneth Hough is a Continuing Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His research focuses on the historical and cultural dimensions of national security and defense technologies, particularly examining how popular media shapes moral perspectives and policy decisions. Key interests include civilian defense strategies against air attack and nuclear warfare, the ethical implications of science fiction narratives, and the cultural evolution of drone warfare. Dr. Hough holds a PhD in History from UCSB, an MA in History from California State University, Fullerton, and a BA in History from Minot State University. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary technological ethics, emphasizing interdisciplinary connections between engineering, history, and societal impact. No specific articles, awards, or grants are listed in the provided text. His academic contributions appear centered on teaching and research in ethics within engineering contexts.
Miranda Brown is a Professor of Chinese Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan, holding dual appointments as the Yi-tsi Mei Feuerwerker Collegiate Professor and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. She has been affiliated with the university since 2002, currently serving as Director of the Honors Program in the College of Letters, Sciences, and Arts. Her research bridges cultural history with culinary and medical traditions in early China, focusing on foodways, mourning rituals, and historical texts. Education details are not explicitly stated in the provided texts, but her academic trajectory is evident through her extensive publications and roles. Her research interests center on the intersection of food, medicine, and culture, particularly in pre-modern China. Notable projects include a forthcoming book on pre-20th-century dairy history in China and co-authorship of A Brief History of Chinese Civilization (2012). She teaches courses such as ASIAN 258: Food and Drink of Asia and mentors graduate students through advanced seminars like ASIAN 535: History of Chinese Science. Her recent articles (2019–2022) explore topics like Mr. Song's Cheeses in Ming-Qing China, transnational food translation challenges, and cultural narratives around Chinese diets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards and grants are not explicitly listed, but her dual professorships reflect institutional recognition. She actively collaborates with students and maintains an engaged social media presence (@Dong_Muda) documenting culinary explorations in China.
Dr. Justine Humphry is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Cultures at the University of Sydney's School of Art, Communication and English, and serves as Deputy Head of School (Research). She holds a BA (Hons 1st) from UTS and a PhD from Western Sydney University. Research focuses on digital media's societal impacts, particularly mobile technologies, homelessness, and urban datafication. Leadership roles include the Smart Publics partnership with University of Glasgow and the Emerging Online Safety Issues project funded by the eSafety Commissioner. Her book 'Homelessness and Mobile Communication: Precariously Connected' synthesizes research on digital access among homeless populations in Australia and the US. Key projects include investigating smart street furniture, robots in public spaces, and online safety education for youth. Dr. Humphry has received awards including the 2022 Vice-Chancellor's Outstanding Teaching and Research Award and the 2019 Sydney-Glasgow Partnership Collaboration Award. She contributes to policy submissions on social media governance and AI ethics.
Laraine Porter is a Senior Lecturer in Film at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Leicester Media School within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media. She is a core member of the Cinema and Television History Centre (CATH) research group, contributing significantly to the study of British cinema history. Her research focuses on British silent cinema, with particular expertise in silent film music, the role of women in early cinema, the transition from silent to sound films in Britain (1929–1932), British film comedy, and cinema exhibition practices. Her work bridges academic scholarship and public engagement through film festivals and archival projects. Her recent publications and presentations explore themes such as female desire in silent cinema, the feminization of film music, the impact of sound technology on women’s voices, and the cultural significance of British silent film comedy. She has contributed to major reference works and edited collections, demonstrating sustained scholarly output. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Laraine Porter supervises PhD students, including Vivienne Chadder and Sandra Frost. She has secured external funding from Arts Council England, EM Media/National Lottery, and Creative England, as well as internal RIF funding for research and the British Silent Film Festival. Her consultancy work includes directing the Broadway Media Centre and curating film festivals, highlighting her leadership in media exhibition and policy. She is actively involved in professional networks, serving on the steering group of the Women’s Film and TV History Network and as a former trustee of MACE and Ridewise Ltd. Her public engagement includes BBC appearances, festival presentations, and media interviews, reinforcing her role as a public scholar in film history.
Catherine Sama is Professor of Italian & Film Media and Head of the Italian Program at the University of Rhode Island, where she has taught since completing her Ph.D. at Brown University. Her research and teaching integrate Italian literature, cinema, digital humanities, and gender studies, with a particular focus on Venetian women writers and artists of the Enlightenment. Education Ph.D. Italian Studies, Brown University (1995) B.A. French major, Italian minor, University of Virginia (1985) Research Interests Professor Sama’s scholarship centres on early-modern Italian women writers and artists , Italian cinematic history from Neorealism to the present , and the Italian Resistance movement . She is currently developing a limited-series podcast that reconstructs the experiences of women partisans in the Veneto who collaborated with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, drawing on de-classified military documents, private correspondence, and oral histories. Her digital-humanities work explores correspondence networks and online language-learning platforms , aiming to enhance learner autonomy through innovative technologies such as live video exchanges with native speakers. Grants & Awards National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellowship (2014) URI Foundation Teaching Excellence Award (2017) Advising & Grants Although no individual advisees are listed in the provided text, Professor Sama has secured major external funding (NEH, AAUW) and spearheads collaborative digital projects that engage graduate and undergraduate researchers in archival and multimedia work. Labs & Teams She leads the Italian Program at URI and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives that bridge the Department of Modern & Classical Languages and Literatures with Digital Humanities and Gender Studies clusters on campus.
Hywel Dix is Professor in English at Bournemouth University, Faculty of Media and Communication, where he teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including BA English, BA Communication and Media, MA Creative Writing, and supervises doctoral research in English, Creative Writing, and History. He plays a significant leadership role in academic quality assurance as a leading member of the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Group (QAEG), chairing programme reviews across all faculties. He is also the Faculty Lead for TeachBU, supporting staff in achieving Fellowship of AdvanceHE. PhD in English, University of Glamorgan, 2006 MA in Literatures of Conflict, University of York, 2003 BA (Hons) in English, University of Cambridge, 2001 Hywel Dix’s research centers on autofiction, life writing, cultural memory, and the intersection of literature with social and political change . He is a leading international scholar in autofiction, particularly through his edited collection Autofiction in English (2018) and monograph The Late-Career Novelist (2017), which applies Career Construction Theory to literary careers. His recent work explores cultural identity in post-Brexit Britain, as seen in Compatriots or Competitors? (2022) and Autofiction and Cultural Memory (2023). He also investigates the therapeutic potential of creative writing for mental wellbeing. His recent publications (2020–2025) show a strong focus on autofiction, cultural memory, national identity, and narrative theory , with increasing interdisciplinary reach into psychology, education, and political discourse. Articles and books examine Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish writing in the context of Brexit, trauma and colonial memory, and the role of narrative in personal and professional development. Raymond Williams Research Fellowship (University of Glamorgan, 2003) Grant from Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK), 2025 (on Salman Rushdie’s memoirs) Hywel Dix has supervised numerous PhD students and is actively involved in staff development through Action Learning sets and TeachBU. He has secured competitive research grants and leads public engagement projects such as Write Your Future Self and Telling (My) Stories , which explore narrative and wellbeing. His work bridges academic research, pedagogical innovation, and community outreach. He is affiliated with the Centre for Journalism, Culture and Community at Bournemouth University and is a member of professional associations including MeCCSA, the Association for Welsh Writing in English, and the American Comparative Literature Association. He regularly delivers invited lectures and keynotes internationally, including at Goldsmiths, University of London, Bard College Berlin, and UNICAMP, Brazil.
Lulu Xinyue Yuan is a Lecturer in the Department of Art History at the University of California, Davis, contributing to the academic mission within the College of Letters and Science. She is currently completing her doctoral studies as a Ph.D. candidate in Visual Studies at the University of California, Irvine. Education: Ph.D. candidate, Program in Visual Studies, University of California, Irvine M.A. (with distinction), History of Art and Archaeology, University of London B.A., Liberal Arts, Sun Yat-sen University Her research focuses on modern Chinese art and visual culture within a global framework, exploring themes such as transnationalism, mobility, wartime modernism, spatial experience, and the interplay between art and emerging media technologies. She situates Chinese artistic practices within broader international dialogues, emphasizing cross-cultural encounters and historical interconnectedness. While no publications are listed in the current profile, her research trajectory suggests engagement with interdisciplinary methodologies linking art history, media studies, and cultural theory. Scientific Awards: She has not advised any named students at this stage, and there is no mention of grant funding or laboratory/team affiliations in the available information. Her academic trajectory reflects a strong foundation for future contributions to the field of global modern art history. Labs and Teams: There is no information available regarding participation in specific research labs or collaborative teams.
Jillian Holt is a Senior Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. She holds a PhD in Practice-led Research (2015), a Master of Design in Multimedia Design (2005), and brings over two decades of professional experience as a film editor across feature films, documentaries, and television. She has held leadership roles including Academic Leader and Course Director for the Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours), and has significantly contributed to the internationalization of Swinburne’s film programs through CILECT and ASPERA affiliations. Her research centers on the intersection of creative practice, phenomenology, and pedagogy in film editing. Key interests include intuition in editing, embodied cognition, rhythm, and the teaching of creativity in postproduction. She has developed influential educational resources such as The Art of Editing: Australian Screen Editors Discuss Creativity in Editing . The recent publications reflect a consistent focus on creative editing, documentary storytelling, and pedagogical innovation. Her works span academic articles, creative documentaries, and thesis-based practice research, highlighting a blend of scholarly and artistic contributions in screen and digital media. Scientific Awards: Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award, Swinburne University of Technology (2007) Supervision and Grants: She is actively co-supervising multiple PhD candidates on topics involving cultural identity, Indigenous research, and community-based documentaries. She has secured competitive grants, including a 2022–2023 research contract with the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association for a documentary project celebrating multicultural communities. Professional Engagement: She has held leadership roles in the Australian Screen Editors Guild (ASE), and served on committees for ASPERA and CILECT, reinforcing her national and international impact in film education and practice.
Professor Melanie Swalwell is a leading scholar in digital media heritage at Swinburne University of Technology, affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. She leads the Digital Heritage Lab and is Principal Investigator on multiple Australian Research Council (ARC) projects focused on preserving digital games and media art. Her work bridges academia, cultural institutions (such as ACMI and RMIT), and the public through exhibitions, policy reports, and media engagement. Her research interests include digital preservation, media archaeology, videogame history, and the cultural significance of obsolete computing technologies. She explores how complex digital artifacts—like 1980s and 1990s Australian videogames and interactive media artworks—can be conserved, accessed, and studied using emulation and digital infrastructure. Her work emphasizes community, national identity, and vernacular digital practices. Her recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in digital heritage, focusing on emulation (EaaSi), archival methodologies, and the cultural history of home computing. Themes include the democratization of digital creation, the fragility of born-digital works, and collaborative preservation across GLAM sectors. She has published with MIT Press, Palgrave, and Routledge, and her book Homebrew Gaming and the Beginnings of Vernacular Digitality is a foundational text in the field. ARC Future Fellow (2014–2018) Lead on multiple ARC Linkage and LIEF projects including 'Play It Again' and 'Archiving Australian Media Arts' Chair of SIGCIS (Special Interest Group for Computers, Information and Society) She supervises doctoral and master’s students in areas such as media art conservation, hardware hacking, and cross-cultural computing history. Her grants involve partnerships with national institutions to build emulation infrastructure and train heritage professionals. She also manages the Digital Heritage Lab, which houses vintage computing systems for research and preservation.
Rebecca Ross is Programme Director of Graphic Communication Design at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. She holds a PhD in History & Theory of Architecture and Urbanism from Harvard, an MSc from UCL, and an MFA from Yale. Her academic appointments include positions at Harvard, NYU, and Yale. Research interests span: Graphic/communication design and urban media Interaction of images/media/data with urban environments Addressing systems and location-based media Graphic design as knowledge practice Alternative academic publishing formats Publications focus on urban media, spatial representation, and design research methodologies, with recurring themes of public engagement, digital mediation of urban experience, and critical analysis of technology corporations. Awards include: Honorary Senior Research Associate at UCL (2016-2019, 2024-2027) Supervision includes 5+ PhD students researching urban communication, spatial bureaucracy, and design practices. Developed the MA 'Communicating Complexity' program. Professional activities include grant assessment for AHRC and promotion reviews for international institutions. Co-founded Urban Pamphleteer publication with UCL Urban Lab and created the public installation London is Changing .
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Nikolaus Müllner is a researcher at the Institute of Safety and Risk Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work centers on nuclear safety, reactor technology, risk assessment, and thermal-hydraulic modeling, particularly for VVER-type reactors. He actively contributes to international nuclear safety discourse through conferences and peer review. His research interests include nuclear reactor safety, severe accident analysis, licensing of small modular reactors, best estimate plus uncertainty (BEPU) methods, and environmental impact assessments in nuclear contexts. He applies simulation tools like RELAP5, MELCOR, and SCDAPSIM to analyze accident scenarios and validate safety systems. His expertise spans both technical and policy aspects of nuclear energy. Müllner has delivered numerous lectures at international conferences such as NURETH, ICONE, and IAEA events, focusing on topics like core damage frequency, station blackout scenarios, and aging management. His recent publications reflect a trend toward integrating technical safety analysis with regulatory and societal considerations, particularly in European contexts. He has served as a reviewer for journals including Energy Strategy Reviews , Progress in Nuclear Energy , and International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction , contributing to the scientific quality of research in energy and risk domains. Supervision and Community Engagement: Supervised master’s theses on topics such as small modular reactor safety, RELAP5 modeling, and environmental aspects of nuclear licensing. Active in international research networks like INRAG (International Nuclear Risk Assessment Group). Engaged in public knowledge transfer through lectures and media contributions on nuclear policy and safety. Laboratories and Research Groups: While not explicitly tied to a specific lab, his work is closely associated with nuclear simulation and risk assessment frameworks, likely involving collaboration with experimental facilities such as the PSB-VVER test facility. His research is conducted within the interdisciplinary environment of BOKU’s Safety and Risk Sciences department.
Arianna ROTONDO is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at the University of Catania, specializing in the History of Christianity and Churches (HIST-04/B). She is currently a Visiting Professor at Ghent University, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy – Department of Literary Studies, from November 2024 to April 2025. Her research spans early Christian history, gender in religious contexts, patristics, late antique Christianity, and the reception of biblical texts. She has led and participated in numerous national and international research projects, including PRIN, FIRB, and ANR-DFG collaborations. Her research interests include: History of Christianity Gender and Religion in Antiquity Patristic Literature Religious Authority and Canon Formation Reception of the Septuagint Biblical Interpretation and Hermeneutics Religion and Cultural History Her recent publications and projects reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach, merging theology, history, literature, and cultural studies. Key themes include the semantics of violence and healing in sacred texts, religious responses to emergencies, and the role of women in early Christian communities. Her work often explores the intersection of religion with politics, identity, and narrative. She has supervised numerous theses on topics ranging from feminist theology and queer Christianity to the history of religious movements, saints, and biblical interpretation. Her academic service includes leadership roles in research units and collaboration with institutions across Europe and North America. Her scientific contributions are recognized through active participation in major research consortia such as THEOPOESIE and Jenseits des Kanons. She is also deeply engaged in public scholarship, examining contemporary religious phenomena such as online liturgies during the pandemic and religious coexistence in the Mediterranean. She advises a wide range of students and leads research on: Feminist and queer theologies Christianity in Sicilian culture Patristic and medieval religious thought Religion and media Historiography of Christian movements
Emilio Carnevali is an Associate Professor of Political Economy at the University of Salerno (Italy) , with affiliations as a Professor of Macroeconomics at Northumbria University in the UK. His research focuses on international trade wars , fiscal policy , balance of payments , and the economic impact of social media . Research Trends: Recent work analyzes Donald Trump's protectionist policies , China's currency strategy , and European fiscal frameworks . His publications bridge political economy and evolutionary economic modeling . Advising & Grants: No specific students or grants listed. Collaborates on peer-reviewed working papers with scholars like Giovanni Carnazza and Matteo Sommacal. Public Engagement: Regularly contributes to Micromega.net and Sbilanciamoci.info , discussing US elections , German economic fragility , and European fiscal reforms .
Jenny Andersson is Professor at Uppsala University's Department of History of Science and Ideas and affiliated with the Centre d'études européennes et comparées de Sciences Po as a CNRS research professor on leave. Her work bridges history of ideas , social theory , and futures studies , with a focus on neoliberalism , political ideologies , and temporal governance . Academic Appointments : Professor (Uppsala University, 2021–present), CNRS Research Professor (on leave) Research Themes : Historical epistemology of futures, ideological shifts in welfare states, techno-political imaginaries, neoliberalism in Nordic contexts Recent Publications : 2024 article on future knowledge in European Journal of Social Theory, 2023 works on libertarianism and welfare state critique, 2018 monograph The Future of the World (Oxford University Press) Projects : Leadership in Neoliberalism in the Nordics research programme (Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, 2019–2023)
