Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyUnited States
Mark Baker is a Professor of Linguistics and Cognitive Science at Rutgers University. His work focuses on comparative syntax, linguistic universals, semantic roles, and the study of Amerindian and African languages. He holds the title of Distinguished Professor and maintains an office in Scott Hall. As of 2021, his office hours were by appointment due to sabbatical leave. His research interests include syntactic diversity, its limits, and patterns across languages. Notable themes in his work involve logophoric pronouns, switch-reference mechanisms, and the relationship between case systems and agreement structures. He has contributed to discussions on language typology, formal syntax, and the cognitive foundations of linguistic structures. Baker teaches advanced syntax courses and has published extensively on topics ranging from Panoan languages to theoretical models in generative grammar. His recent articles explore syntactic variation, morphosyntactic alignment, and interdisciplinary connections between linguistics and cognitive science. He serves on editorial boards and has reviewed for journals such as Journal of East Asian Linguistics and Yearbook of Corpus Linguistics and Pragmatics . His work bridges formal linguistic theory with empirical cross-linguistic analysis, emphasizing the interplay between universal grammatical principles and lineage-specific traits.
Minjie Chen is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, serving as Acting Associate Director for Research at the Andlinger Center. He leads the Princeton Power Electronics Lab (PowerLab), which focuses on developing fundamental and novel power electronics solutions for a wide range of applications from mW-scale energy harvesting to MW systems in renewable energy integration. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2015 and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2009. Before joining Princeton as an Assistant Professor in February 2017, he was a postdoctoral associate at MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics. His research spans power electronics, magnetics design, and machine learning applications in energy systems. The PowerLab develops advanced power conversion architectures that enable order-of-magnitude higher power density through high-frequency designs, addressing circuit timing, parasitics, magnetics, and thermal management challenges. Their work targets applications ranging from portable devices to data centers and renewable energy systems. The research group has produced a remarkable series of high-impact publications, with seven IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Prize Papers in seven consecutive years (2016-2023). Their recent work increasingly integrates machine learning techniques with power electronics, exemplified by the MagNet project which redefines how power magnetics are studied and modeled. NSF CAREER Award, 2019 IEEE PELS Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award, 2023 Power of Associations Silver Award from ASAE for MagNet project, 2024 Multiple IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Prize Papers (2016-2023) Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching (2019, 2020) Dr. Chen advises approximately 15 graduate students who have received numerous awards including the IEEE PELS John G. Kassakian Fellowship, Princeton SEAS Honorific Fellowship, and multiple IEEE conference best paper awards. His research is supported by significant grants from NSF, DOE ARPA-E, Princeton Innovation Fund, C3.ai DTI, and industry partners including Intel, Google, and pSemi. The lab's MagNet project has become a major international initiative with a $60,000 prize pool challenge. The PowerLab maintains strong industry connections and has launched several collaborative projects with Intel, Google, and pSemi. Their MagNet project has evolved into an international challenge with participation from over 40 teams worldwide, demonstrating the growing impact of their approach to machine learning for power magnetics modeling.
Plamen Atanassov is a Chancellor’s Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a joint appointment in Materials Science and Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine . His work focuses on developing advanced electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage systems. Department: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Academic Rank: Professor (Chancellor’s Professor honorific) Research Themes: Electrocatalysis, Bio-electrocatalysis, Fuel Cells, Energy Harvesting Research Interests: Prof. Atanassov specializes in non-platinum and platinum-based electrocatalysts for fuel cells, bio-inspired energy systems , and carbon dioxide valorization technologies . His group has pioneered: Atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts Novel synthesis methods for durable electrocatalysts Machine learning-guided fuel cell optimization Electrochemical ammonia and urea production Hydrogen evolution reaction with non-precious metals Scientific Contributions: With over 380 peer-reviewed papers (101 h-index), 50 issued US patents , and 35+ PhD students advised , his work bridges fundamental electrochemistry and industrial-scale energy solutions. Recent publications emphasize catalyst durability under realistic conditions, CO2 reduction, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Dr. Luke Fleming is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on comparative linguistic anthropology, particularly the typology of honorific systems, kinship-related linguistic avoidance practices, and sociolinguistic dynamics in indigenous and small-scale societies. He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and led numerous research projects funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and international institutions. Teaching responsibilities include courses on sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, and language and culture. He supervises graduate students engaged in interdisciplinary research spanning from Sri Lanka to the Amazon basin. Current projects investigate honorific pronoun systems across Theravada Buddhist communities and Tamil language usage in South Asia. Lead researcher for SSHRC-funded projects studying honorific systems and small-scale sociolinguistics Published in Journal of Linguistic Anthropology , Language in Society , and Anthropological Linguistics Advisor to 9 graduate students since 2018 Research networks include collaborative projects with Patagonian language speakers and ongoing comparative studies linking Southeast Asian honorifics to African avoidance practices. His forthcoming book On Speaking Terms examines kinship-related linguistic avoidance worldwide. Active in program development for interdisciplinary anthropology degrees, contributing to 15 academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Karina Gibert is a Full Professor at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), specifically at the Faculty of Computer Science of Barcelona (FIB) in the Department of Statistics and Operations Research. With a permanent teaching position since 1990, she contributes to research and education with a focus on Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Explainable AI, and Ethics in AI. Full Professor, UPC (since 1990) PhD in Informatics Engineering Postgraduate in Higher Education Teaching Director and co-founder of IDEAI research center Dean of the Official Professional College on Informatics Engineering of Catalonia Active in bridging the gender gap in STEAM through multiple initiatives Her research focuses on extracting strategic knowledge from data and intelligent systems with ethical and explainable perspectives. She has led various projects including Diet4You for personalized diets, INSESS-COVID19 for social vulnerability analysis, Top Rosies Talent for female AI development, and ciutadanIA for AI culture promotion. Her work spans health, environment, sustainability, tourism, and social technology applications. As an editor of Environmental Modeling and Software journal and active academic, she contributes to international conferences, working groups, and research collaborations. Her service includes membership on various ethics and AI strategy committees and advisory boards. Women Tech Award 2023 National Informatics Engineering Award in Digital Dissemination 2022 Ada Byron Award 2022 Honorific Mention of Creu Casas award 2021 donaTIC 2018 Award Finalist at AMETIC Awards 2021 Finalist of European Social Services Awards 2021
Yoshiko Matsumoto is the Yamato Ichihashi Professor in Japanese History and Civilization and Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Linguistics. She has been a faculty member at Stanford since 1992, progressing from Assistant Professor to her current distinguished position. Matsumoto also serves as coordinator of the Japanese Language Program and has held significant administrative roles including Chair of the Department of Asian Languages (2003-2005) and Interim Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (2016). Matsumoto earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley (1989), following M.A. degrees in Linguistics from UC Berkeley and General and Applied Linguistics from the University of Tsukuba, an M.I.A. in American Studies from the University of Tsukuba, and a B.A. in English Language & Literature from Japan Women's University. Professor Matsumoto's research focuses on linguistic pragmatics from cross-linguistic perspectives, with particular expertise in Japanese language. Her work spans structural and sociocultural aspects of language in use, including noun-modifying clause constructions, honorifics, discourse markers, and the intersection of language with gender and aging. She has pioneered research on conversational narratives of older adults, examining how ordinary framing strategies help individuals navigate difficult experiences. Her current projects explore intergenerational communication through haiku, communicative abilities of people with dementia, and noun-modifying constructions across Eurasian languages. Matsumoto's scholarship consistently bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications for understanding human communication in diverse social contexts. Matsumoto's recent publications reveal a growing focus on practical applications of linguistic research for social benefit, particularly in intergenerational communication and dementia care. Her work increasingly integrates arts-based approaches, especially haiku poetry, to bridge generational divides and enhance communication with elderly populations. The research shows a consistent trajectory from theoretical linguistic frameworks toward applied, human-centered language studies that address real-world challenges in aging societies, with particular attention to how ordinary language practices help individuals navigate life transitions and difficult experiences. Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching, School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University (2000) Richard E. Guggenhime Faculty Scholar, Stanford University (2000-2003) Violet Andrews Whittier Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2019-2020) Faculty Research Fellow, Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research (2014-2015) Research Fellow, Japan Foundation (2002) Internal Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2005-2006) Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities, Stanford University (2009-2011) Professor Matsumoto has mentored numerous students through her teaching in Japanese language and linguistics courses, including specialized offerings on language and aging, points in Japanese grammar, and haiku-based communication. Her research has been supported by prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Japan Foundation, and Stanford's Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities. She has served on multiple editorial boards including the Journal of Pragmatics since 1992, demonstrating long-standing leadership in her field. Matsumoto has also advised students through individual studies and thesis projects in East Asian Languages and Cultures. Matsumoto leads several collaborative research initiatives including the 'Sharing Conversations' project which examines intergenerational communication through haiku, and research on communicative abilities of people with dementia. Her work often involves interdisciplinary teams spanning linguistics, gerontology, and creative arts, with fieldwork conducted in both Japan and the United States. The 'Noun-Modifying Constructions in Languages of Eurasia' project represents a major international collaboration examining linguistic structures across cultural boundaries. She also directs the 'Language, Old Age and Gender in Japan' project supported by the Stanford University/Japan Foundation, and the 'Difficult Conversations Continue: Memories of the 3.11 Disaster and Bereavement Narratives' project focused on post-disaster communication.
Dr. Mona Tokarek LaFosse serves as Assistant Professor of New Testament and Sacred Literature Studies (Teaching Stream) at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Divinity through a joint appointment at Emmanuel College and Victoria College. She teaches across undergraduate, basic-degree, and graduate programs at Victoria University, specializing in New Testament studies and early Christian history through interdisciplinary lenses. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto's Department for the Study of Religion (2011), MA in Religion and Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University (2001), Honors BA in Anthropology from the University of Waterloo (1998), and Biblical Studies certificate from Columbia Bible College (1994). She previously taught at Martin Luther University College, Wilfrid Laurier University, Huron University College, and the University of Toronto. Dr. LaFosse approaches New Testament scholarship through cultural anthropology, storytelling theory, and age studies. Her research examines early Christian communities through the lens of age structure, intergenerational dynamics, and oral storytelling practices. She explores how life course stages shaped social relationships in the ancient Mediterranean, particularly focusing on 1 Timothy's treatment of age hierarchies. Her innovative teaching methodology emphasizes 'embodied story'—integrating performance and physical engagement with texts influenced by Indigenous storytelling traditions. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on aging in early Christianity, with 2024 articles examining age demographics and comparative gerontology. She also maintains active scholarship in oral tradition studies, particularly regarding the Gospel of Mark and Shepherd of Hermas, while contributing to academic discourse through society leadership and book reviews. Dr. LaFosse holds significant leadership roles including current service on the Canadian Society for Patristic Studies Nominating Committee (2025–26) and co-chairing the Society of Biblical Literature's Social-Scientific Criticism of the New Testament section (2025–27). She actively participates in the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies, Society of Biblical Literature, and KW Biblical Colloquium. Her distinctive teaching portfolio includes innovative courses like 'Zombies, the Bible and the End of the World' and 'Gospel of Mark as Embodied Story,' reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary engagement with biblical texts through contemporary cultural frameworks and physical performance.
Peter Backhaus is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Education, Tokyo. He is affiliated with the Graduate School of Education and Faculty of International Research and Education, contributing to both academic and societal contexts through interdisciplinary research. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Germany ResearchGate profile verified via institutional email His research focuses on Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, Stylistics, and Linguistic Landscapes , with a strong emphasis on multilingualism in Japanese public spaces and communication dynamics in eldercare facilities. Key themes include institutional interactions, language policy, and discourse analysis. Recent publications like “Magica Spellings” (2025) and “Care Communication” (2017) highlight his expertise in language contact, policy, and healthcare discourse. His work has been cited over 3,699 times (Google Scholar), with an h-index of 13. 2018 Waseda Research Award recipient for outstanding scholarly contributions He has led research projects funded by JSPS, including studies on Japanese spam language (2013-2016) and immigrant language policies (2008-2010). His teaching portfolio at Waseda University includes courses in English linguistics, sociolinguistics, and communication studies.
Thomas J. Stipanowich is the William H. Webster Chair in Dispute Resolution and Professor of Law at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, where he also serves as a faculty member of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, consistently ranked as the top academic dispute resolution program in the United States. He teaches courses in negotiation theory and practice, mediation, arbitration practice and advocacy, international commercial arbitration, and international dispute resolution. Professor Stipanowich received his J.D. from the University of Illinois in 1980, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, following his M. Arch (1976) and B.S. (1974, highest honors) from the same institution. His academic journey began at the University of Kentucky College of Law where he served as William L. Matthews Professor of Law from 1984 to 2001 before joining Pepperdine University. Professor Stipanowich is a leading scholar in dispute resolution, with particular expertise in arbitration, mediation, and mixed-mode dispute resolution processes. His research spans commercial arbitration, international dispute resolution, construction law conflicts, and historical perspectives on conflict management including his work on Abraham Lincoln as a negotiator. His scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, influencing both academic discourse and professional practice in the field. His extensive publication record demonstrates evolving trends in dispute resolution, with recent work focusing on mixed-mode processes (Med-Arb, Arb-Med), the international evolution of mediation, and empirical studies of commercial arbitration practices. His scholarship increasingly integrates historical perspectives with contemporary dispute resolution challenges, as evidenced by his work on Lincoln's approach to conflict management. Professor Stipanowich has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to the field: CPR Institute's First Prize for Professional Articles (1987 and 2009) D'Alemberte/Raven Award from the ABA Section on Dispute Resolution (2008) CPR Institute's James F. Henry Award for distinguished contributions to dispute resolution (2016) Distinguished Law Professor honorific title from National Law University, Delhi (2017) Randolph Lowry Award from the Southern California Mediation Association (2011) Companionship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers Founding Fellow of the American College of Commercial Arbitrators As an experienced practitioner, Professor Stipanowich has served as President and CEO of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR Institute) from 2001 to 2006, where he expanded the organization's global presence and initiated several key programs. He has advised on major rule revisions including the Uniform Arbitration Act and the Uniform Mediation Act, and was the chief drafter of the Consumer Due Process Protocol. His empirical studies of corporate counsel, arbitrators, and mediators have significantly influenced understanding of current trends in commercial dispute resolution. Professor Stipanowich is actively involved with several professional organizations, serving on the Executive Committee of the International Task Force on Mixed Mode Dispute Resolution Processes, as an advisor on the ALI Restatement of U.S. Law on International Arbitration, and on the Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Center. His work with the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution has been instrumental in maintaining its position as the nation's leading academic program in dispute resolution.
Elvira Maria Correia Fortunato is a full Professor at the Department of Materials Science, NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA FCT), and a pioneering researcher in transparent electronics and sustainable materials. She served as Vice-Dean of NOVA University (2017-2022), Director of the Associated Laboratory of the Institute of Nanomaterials, Nanofabrication and Nanomodelling (1998-2022), and Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal (2022-2024). Education: Degree in Physics and Materials Engineering (1987) – NOVA FCT PhD in Materials Engineering: Microelectronics and Optoelectronics (1995) – NOVA FCT Research Interests: Her work focuses on transparent electronics , flexible and printed electronics , microelectronics , nanomaterials , and biomedical applications of nanotechnology. She is a trailblazer in sustainable electronics, having developed the world’s first paper transistor and led groundbreaking projects like INVISIBLE and DIGISMART , both funded by the European Research Council (ERC). Scientific Awards & Honors: Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique (2010) Blaise Pascal Medal (2016) Czochralski Prize (2017) Pessoa Prize (2020) Horizon Impact Prize (2020) World Federation of Engineering Organizations GREE Award (2020) Strait of Magellan Prize (2020) Innovation in Materials Prize – FEMS (2021) Human Rights Prize – Portuguese Parliament (2021) Portugal's Women's Leadership Award (2021) IUMRS-Frontier Materials Scientists Award (2021) Gold Medal – Portuguese Order of Engineers (2021) 2023 Career and Recognition Award – Portuguese Materials Society Trusted Personality of the Year – Reader’s Digest (2024) Most Influential Women in Portugal – Revista Executiva (2024) Leadership & Service: She has been a member of the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (2015-2020), the Luso-American Foundation Board of Trustees (2014-2022), and the Chancellery of the Honorific Orders of Portugal since 2010. She is an elected member of the Engineering Academy, European Science Academy, Lisbon Science Academy, and Europaea Academy. Labs & Teams: She led the Associated Laboratory of the Institute of Nanomaterials, Nanofabrication and Nanomodelling for over two decades and has coordinated numerous national and international projects, including initiatives promoting gender equality in academia through the SPEAR project.
Paul Portner is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts and a B.A. from Princeton University. His research focuses on semantics and pragmatics, particularly their interfaces with syntax, exploring topics such as verbal mood, speaker-addressee relations, and modality. He has led NSF-funded projects on clause types and gradable modal expressions, collaborating with researchers like Raffaella Zanuttini and Aynat Rubinstein. His book Mood (2018) and numerous articles in journals like Natural Language Semantics and Language reflect his contributions to formal semantics and pragmatics. Current projects include studies on speech style and politeness, and a book under contract with Oxford University Press. Portner teaches courses such as Semantics and Pragmatics and frequently participates in summer schools globally. Education : - Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Massachusetts - B.A. in Linguistics, Princeton University Research Interests : - Syntax-semantics interface - Modality and mood systems - Pragmatics of discourse - Cross-linguistic variation in speech styles Funded Projects : - NSF BCS-0234278: 'Clause Types: Form and Force in Grammatical Theory' (with Zanuttini and Pak) - NSF BCS-1053038: 'The Semantics of Gradable Modal Expressions' (with Katz, Herburger, and Rubinstein) Advising & Grants : - No formal student advisees listed in the provided materials. - Collaborations with international scholars in computational linguistics and formal semantics. Labs/Teams : - Active participation in interdisciplinary research groups at Georgetown and global institutions, focusing on mood systems and linguistic pragmatics.
Dr. Harper B. Keenan is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Education, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. He previously held a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford Graduate School of Education and earned his PhD in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford in 2019. His research focuses on critical trans pedagogies, anti-racist queer and trans education, and the intersection of colonialism, race, and gender in schools. Institution: University of British Columbia Department: Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Dr. Keenan’s work interrogates how adults teach children to navigate oppressive systems while creating spaces for transformative inquiry. He advocates for pedagogies that embrace children’s curiosity about topics like colonialism, gender, and violence, emphasizing classroom environments that foster self-directed learning and critical engagement. His recent publications explore trans worker safety in PK-12 schools, methodological innovations rooted in transgender experiences, and the reimagining of curriculum to challenge binary norms. Key trends in Dr. Keenan’s scholarship include: Centering trans and queer epistemologies in educational research Critiquing standardized testing and colonial narratives in elementary education Developing anti-racist, decolonial approaches to teaching history Advocating for gender-neutral honorifics and inclusive language Dr. Keenan’s awards include the Robert Quartermain Professorship of Gender and Sexuality Research in Education and a 2022 NAEd/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship . He maintains active collaborations with trans educators and scholars, including co-authoring policy briefs and participating in national dialogues on transgender justice in schools.
Jeffrey Colon is a full-time Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law since 1994, teaching specialized courses including International Tax, Corporate Tax, Partnership Tax, Taxation of Derivatives, Corporations, and Corporate Finance. His academic affiliations encompass current faculty duties at Fordham, past visiting professorships at Fundação Getúlio Vargas Law School (São Paulo) lecturing on tax treaties, adjunct roles at Cardozo School of Law, and the Katherine A. Ryan Distinguished Visiting Professorship at St. Mary's University (Institute on World Legal Problems) in Innsbruck, Austria. Education includes: BA from Yale College JD from Yale Law School LLM in Taxation from Georgetown Law School His research critically examines tax jurisdictional shifts for individuals and assets, cross-border taxation of derivatives and stock options, and modern financial vehicle taxation. Recent scholarship focuses on ETFs and mutual funds, analyzing in-kind redemption flaws and conflicts between tax-exempt/taxable shareholders. This work bridges theoretical tax policy with practical international finance challenges, emphasizing coherence in U.S. tax frameworks for global mobility and investment. Publication trends reveal sustained expertise in international tax complexities, with 1991-2007 articles covering Soviet tax reforms, expatriation rules, and securities lending. Post-2014 works pivot to ETFs (2017, 2023) and mutual fund structures (2014, 2016), exposing systemic vulnerabilities in current tax regimes for pooled investment vehicles. His scholarship consistently addresses treaty conflicts and jurisdictional gaps in global finance. No scientific awards are documented in the provided text; his Katherine A. Ryan title denotes a visiting appointment rather than an honorific award. While the text confirms his extensive publication record and prior legal practice, it omits details on graduate student advising, research grants, or laboratory affiliations. His professional trajectory emphasizes practical tax law experience directly informing scholarly analysis of financial product regulation.
Christian Mann is Professor and Chair of Ancient History at the Historical Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Mannheim. He has been in this position since 2011, following research and teaching roles at Freiburg, Frankfurt, Brown University, Konstanz, and Basel. He earned his PhD in 1999 with a thesis on the political significance of athletes in early Greek polis formation and completed his habilitation in 2005 on demagogues in democratic Athens. His research spans Greek and Roman history, with a focus on ancient sports (MAFAS project), political culture, populism, and the social roles of athletes. He examines how ancient athletic competitions functioned as mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion, and draws parallels between classical demagoguery and modern populism. His recent work includes a 2023–2024 Opus Magnum scholarship from the Volkswagen Foundation to write Greek Athletes: A Social History . He is co-editor of KLIO and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Gerda Henkel Foundation. His publications from 1998 to 2024 cover topics such as gladiatorial games, equestrian competitions, democratic theory, and religious aspects of sport. His recent articles reveal a strong trend in analyzing athletic competitions as social institutions intertwined with politics, religion, and identity. He frequently employs epigraphic and literary sources to explore honor systems, talent promotion, and cross-cultural comparisons, particularly between Greek, Roman, and Jewish traditions. Opus Magnum scholarship, Volkswagen Foundation (2023/24) Christian Mann has supervised academic projects and interdisciplinary seminars, such as the Mannheim Hall of Antiquities (2016) and a seminar on Karl Popper’s Open Society (2019). He has received external research funding, notably the Opus Magnum grant, supporting extended scholarly writing. There is no public list of his advisees in the provided text. He leads the MAFAS (Mannheim Research Focus on Ancient Sports) initiative, which investigates the sociopolitical dimensions of athletic competition in antiquity. His chair fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, as seen in joint seminars with colleagues from other departments.
Sunil Bhatt is an Associate Professor of Teaching specializing in Hindi-Urdu language instruction within the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Arts. With a background in Comparative Linguistics and experience teaching South Asian languages across multiple continents, he brings a unique perspective to language education. His research focuses on linguistics, particularly Hindi-Urdu language teaching, sociolinguistics, and language acquisition. He has published extensively on topics including honorifics in Hindi, bilingual situations in India, and the integration of Bollywood culture in language instruction. His work demonstrates a commitment to understanding the complex sociopolitical dimensions of language teaching in South Asian contexts. Bhatt's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on pedagogical approaches to Hindi-Urdu instruction, with emphasis on heritage learners, pandemic-era teaching adaptations, and the relationship between language and cultural identity. His research spans theoretical linguistics, applied language teaching, and sociolinguistic analysis of language communities. As an educator, he teaches foundational and advanced courses including Introductory Hindi-Urdu, Sufi and Bhakti Devotional Literatures, and Introduction to Hindi Film, demonstrating his integration of language instruction with cultural studies. His scholarly contributions extend beyond traditional publications to include textbooks, edited volumes, and digital learning resources that have significantly impacted Hindi-Urdu language pedagogy internationally.
