Find Academic Supervisors

Matt ThorneView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Creative Writing
• Contemporary Fiction
• Literary Fiction
• +12 more

Matt Thorne is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London. Previously, he held academic positions at Brunel University, where he served as Head of Creative Writing and convenor of the MA in Creative Writing: The Novel. He teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including 'Writing as a Critic: Writing in the World,' which explores the application of English skills in creative industries such as journalism, PR, and curation. Full Name: Matt Thorne Institution: Royal Holloway, University of London School: School of Humanities Department: Department of English Academic Rank: Senior Lecturer Email: matt.thorne@rhul.ac.uk Education: BA in English, University of Cambridge MA in Creative Writing, University of St Andrews (supervised by Douglas Dunn) Matt Thorne's research focuses on contemporary fiction across literary, genre, and commercial forms, with strong interdisciplinary interests in film, popular and avant-garde music, fine art, and criticism. He is particularly interested in how novels interact with other art forms and has explored this through both creative and scholarly work. A founding member of the 'New Puritans' literary movement, he co-edited the anthologies All Hail the New Puritans and Croatian Nights , which advocate for stylistic simplicity and narrative clarity. His academic study of these movements has been featured in The New Puritan Generation , edited by José Francisco Fernández. He also contributed to the Tell-Tales collective led by Courttia Newland, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, and Sharmila Chauhan. The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with creative writing, cultural commentary, and music journalism. These works demonstrate a consistent thematic focus on the intersections between literature and other media, particularly music and digital culture. His fiction often explores contemporary social dynamics, while his non-fiction delves into the mechanics and meanings of artistic creation, especially in popular music. Scientific Awards: The Encore Award For Best Second Novel (1999) – awarded for Eight Minutes Idle Matt Thorne has received commissions for film and television adaptations and continues to work in this field. He has led research projects such as 'Performing Images--Tibor Hajas Brought to Life' and 'Research Engagement with Mobile Storytelling Streaming Platform (High: Augmented Reality)', both of which reflect his interest in innovative storytelling forms. He has advised on collaborative literary projects and mentored emerging writers through workshops in the UK, Paris, and the Czech Republic. His international activities include reading tours in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, and France, as well as appearances at major UK literary festivals. Labs and Teams: Co-founder, New Puritans literary movement Member, Tell-Tales collective Principal Investigator, Mobile Storytelling and Augmented Reality research projects Contributor to international anthologies and interdisciplinary collaborations

Patrick O'NeilView profile

Professor

• Antebellum American History
• Gender Studies
• Political History
• +3 more

Patrick W. O'Neil is a Professor of History at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC, and serves as Chair of the Department of History and Co-Director of Women’s Studies. He is affiliated with the College of Arts, Humanities & Sciences and coordinates Social Studies Education. B.A., Grinnell College M.A., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill His research focuses on pre-Civil War American history, with particular attention to politics, culture, and gender. He is writing a book titled Inventing the American Wedding , which examines the evolution of American wedding traditions during the antebellum period. O'Neil's work often intersects with social history, gender studies, and legal/political developments. His recent articles include analyses of early American political campaigns, the intersection of Christianity and slavery, and the legal implications of the McCullough v. Maryland case. These publications span subfields such as antebellum politics, colonial resistance, and cultural rituals. Distinguished Professor of the Year (Methodist University, 2014) O'Neil advocates for student-led learning, encouraging critical thinking and self-directed exploration in his courses. Outside academia, he enjoys running and follows sports teams like the North Carolina Tar Heels and Nebraska Cornhuskers, alongside interests in the Beatles and barbecue culture.

Tahneer OksmanView profile

Associate Professor

• Memoir Studies
• Comics & Visual Culture
• Graphic Memoirs
• +12 more

Tahneer Oksman is Associate Professor in the Department of Writing, Literature, and Language with a joint appointment in Communication and Media Arts at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. She teaches courses in writing, literature, comics, journalism, and feminist theory. She earned her Ph.D. from the CUNY Graduate Center, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research centers on Memoir Studies , Comics and Visual Culture , Jewish American Literature , Feminist Theory , and Writing Studies . She explores how personal narratives—especially graphic memoirs—convey identity, grief, and cultural belonging. Her work often examines how visual form interacts with storytelling, particularly in the context of gender, Jewishness, and trauma. Her recent publications include scholarly books and edited collections that have shaped discourse in comics studies and feminist literary criticism. The most notable is her award-winning co-edited volume The Comics of Julie Doucet and Gabrielle Bell (2019), which won the Comics Studies Society Prize. She has also published in major public venues such as NPR , The Washington Post , The Boston Globe , and Los Angeles Review of Books , where she reviews graphic novels and interviews prominent cartoonists. Her academic and public writings on grief, mentorship, and comics reveal a consistent focus on how personal stories foster connection, ethical reflection, and cultural understanding. She is currently working on a book about grief memoirs and co-editing a special issue of Women’s Studies Quarterly on chronic illness. Winner of the 2020 Comics Studies Society Prize for Best Edited Collection Co-editor, Feminists Reclaim Mentorship: An Anthology (2023), selected as a Jewish Women’s Archive Book Club pick Member, National Book Critics Circle Academic Advisory Board, Jewish Women’s Archive (2021–present) Board of Directors, Gender Justice Caucus, Association of Jewish Studies (2021–2027) Tahneer Oksman mentors emerging scholars and writers, often in collaboration with her mentor Nancy K. Miller. She has advised on research projects, served on academic committees, and contributed to journals and literary magazines as a reader and editor. She has not received specific grant mentions in the text, but her sustained scholarly output and public engagement suggest active funding and institutional support. She leads the Grief Memoir Project and the Mentorship Project , both ongoing research and writing initiatives. She is affiliated with several academic and literary communities, including the MLA Global Jewish Forum (Executive Committee, 2019–2024) and the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute Research Awards Committee. She has delivered lectures at institutions such as the National Library of Israel, Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities, and the Center for Jewish History, demonstrating her international academic presence.

Jennie YoungView profile

Professor

• creative nonfiction
• humor
• feminism
• +2 more

Jennie Young serves as Professor in the Department of Applied Writing & English at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, concurrently holding leadership roles as Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and Director of the Writing Foundations program. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Discourse Studies from Case Western Reserve University Certificate in Satire Writing from The Second City Chicago Research expertise spans: Creative Nonfiction Humor Studies Feminist Theory Applied Rhetoric Educational Methodology

Monique AllewaertView profile

Professor

• 18th- and 19th-Century American Literatures
• Colonial and Postcolonial Theory
• Ecocriticism
• +4 more

Monique Allewaert is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her work bridges literary analysis with political and environmental theory, focusing on colonial and postcolonial contexts in the Western hemisphere. She explores how colonialism shaped personhood, community, and ecological relationships through literary forms. B.A. in English and Political Science, University of California, Irvine M.A. in English, University of California, Santa Barbara Ph.D. in English, Duke University Allewaert’s research uncovers overlooked dimensions of colonial-era personhood and environmental interdependence. Her scholarship connects early American literatures to contemporary ecological thought, emphasizing the plantation complex as a site of ecological and political transformation. She also investigates tropes like the "Plantationocene" and insect-based knowledge systems in colonial contexts. Her publications reveal intersections between environmental catastrophe, colonialism, and literary form. These works span topics from Bartram’s cartographic poetics to Makandal’s semiotics, while her current projects include a study of 18th-19th century Atlantis mythologies and a Sawyer Seminar on environmental and colonial catastrophes. Allewaert’s teaching includes courses on colonial/postcolonial literatures, literature and environment, and seminars on Phillis Wheatley, Edgar Allan Poe, and Herman Melville. She has served on editorial boards for American Literature and Resilience , and her work contributes to debates about ecological personhood and hemispheric American studies frameworks.

• Turkish Literature
• Psychoanalytic Theory
• Narrative Techniques
• +3 more

Seda ÇETİN is a Turkish literature scholar affiliated with Trakya University's Faculty of Letters, Department of Turkish Language and Literature. With a PhD in Turkish Language and Literature, her research focuses on psychoanalytic literary criticism, narrative techniques in Turkish novels, and historical/cultural symbolism in Ottoman and modern Turkish literature. She has published extensively on topics ranging from World War II in Turkish poetry to psychoanalytic interpretations of national identity. Bachelor's (2009): Uludag University, Faculty of Arts and Science, Turkish Language and Literature Non-thesis Master's (2010): Uludag University, Secondary Education Field Teaching Master's (2014): Trakya University, Turkish Language and Literature PhD (2020): Trakya University, Turkish Language and Literature Her research interests bridge psychoanalytic theory with Turkish literary analysis, particularly exploring narrative structures , gender representation , and cultural identity through historical contexts. She has conducted extensive studies on dream symbolism, World War II themes, and the portrayal of cities like Bursa in travel literature. Dr. Çetin has contributed to international books and journals through chapters on topics like Victor Hugo's influence on Ottoman writers , epistolary techniques , and feminist interpretations of Turkish essays . Her work also includes editorial collaborations on academic volumes.

Bill MongelliView profile

Lecturer

• Prison Libraries
• Law Libraries
• Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
• +7 more

Bill Mongelli is a Lecturer at San José State University's School of Information, where he has taught the course Prison Library Management since 2001. He is based at MCI-Norfolk in Massachusetts, where he has served as a librarian since 1991, and brings extensive real-world experience in correctional librarianship to his academic role. His teaching spans both face-to-face and online formats, and includes full-semester and intensive summer offerings. He has also organized student tours at multiple correctional facilities to enhance experiential learning. Bill earned his MLS from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986 and a BA in Creative Writing from California University of Pennsylvania in 1982. His academic journey began with a prison library internship at SCI-Pittsburgh, which launched his career in correctional education and library services. His research and professional interests focus on the unique challenges and opportunities within prison libraries, including intellectual freedom, censorship, collections development for incarcerated populations, and the role of libraries in rehabilitation. He emphasizes transformative programming such as legal research training, moral development seminars (e.g., ABLE MINDS and CHARACTER ), and bibliotherapy. His work bridges theory and practice, advocating for the library as an agent of change in correctional environments. His publications explore themes such as legal access for prisoners, moral education through literature (e.g., using Tolkien), and the culture of prison librarianship. The articles demonstrate a consistent focus on empowerment, rehabilitation, and ethical library service in secure settings. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Accepted into Project SET (2016), a professional learning cohort for information professionals Organized educational prison tours for SJSU students at MCI-Norfolk, Chino, Frontera, and San Luis Obispo Presented at national and regional conferences including ALA, CECA, MLA, and NEFLA Developed public-access continuing education content for Simmons College and ALA Bill has advised and delivered professional training through webinars and workshops. He has secured grant funding, notably the 2015 LSTA project on laughter-based stress reduction in prisons. He currently collaborates with folklorist Dr. Claire Schmidt on studying occupational humor in prison libraries as a form of soft power. His work consistently emphasizes innovation, advocacy, and the humanizing role of libraries in the criminal justice system. He has led multiple long-term programs at MCI-Norfolk, including law clerk training (since 1987), the ABLE MINDS behavioral seminar (since 2005), and the CHARACTER course (since 2007). These initiatives reflect his commitment to rehabilitative education and personal development within the prison environment.

• Linguistics
• Intercultural Communication
• Text Linguistics
• +4 more

Prof. Canan Şenöz Ayata is a full-time Professor at Istanbul University's Faculty of Literature, Department of German Language and Literature. She has held progressive academic positions since 1990—starting as a Research Assistant, advancing to Assistant Professor (2001–2006), Associate Professor (2007–2014), and Professor (2014–present). Her educational background includes a PhD (1999) and MA (1992) from Istanbul University in German Language and Literature, alongside undergraduate studies in the same field (1989). Her research bridges Linguistics , Intercultural Communication , and German Literature , with emphasis on text linguistics, cross-cultural analysis, and multimodality. She examines scientific texts, advertisements, films, and literary translations through comparative German-Turkish frameworks, exploring cultural identity, multilingualism, and academic discourse. Publications focus on intercultural text analysis, spanning film studies (e.g., multilingualism in Almanya – Willkommen in Deutschland ), advertising stereotypes, academic writing conventions, and sustainable science communication. Her work integrates linguistic theory with cultural critique. Prof. Ayata actively advises graduate students, supervising 6 PhD and Master's theses on topics like exile literature and multimodal text analysis. She secured grants including DAAD scholarships and led international projects (e.g., Perspektiven der deutsch-türkischen Germanistik ). As Erasmus Institutional Coordinator, she enhances academic mobility. Editorial roles include leadership at Turkish German Studies , and she organizes conferences like Texts in Intercultural Communication .

• Contemporary Japanese Literature
• Literature and Globalization
• Transcultural Literature (Ekkyō Bungaku)
• +6 more

Francesco Eugenio Barbieri is a tenured Researcher in Japanese language and literature at the University of Bergamo (Department of Languages, Literatures and Foreign Cultures). He holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Bologna with a dissertation on literary theory, and previously served as a postdoctoral researcher at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies through a JSPS grant . Current teaching: Japanese Language II (Linguistics & Translation), 54 hours Former teaching: Japanese Literature at University of Catania (Ragusa campus) and University of Turin Research focuses on contemporary Japanese literature's intersection with globalization, including: Ecocritical readings of Yōko Tawada's works Transcultural literature (ekkyō bungaku) Global urban space representation Comparative approaches to Japanese-Italian literary connections Food and embodiment in transnational narratives Publications trend toward global-local tensions in postmodern Japanese fiction, with particular emphasis on Yōko Tawada's translingual works and ecocritical responses to environmental disasters. His 2023 monograph explores urban space dynamics across contemporary Japanese authors. Scientific achievements : JSPS Research Grant (2014-2016) Two research grants at University of Turin (2010s) Advising : Supervises final theses on topics including Japanese urban literature Ecocriticism in Japanese fiction Transcultural narratives Food studies in Japanese texts Comparative literature approaches Labs & Teams : Collaborates with international research networks and provides students access to a Moodle platform with thesis resources, bureaucratic guides, and seminar materials for final project preparation.

• New Turkish Literature
• Turkish Poetry
• Ecocriticism
• +4 more

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maksut YİĞİTBAŞ serves as a full-time faculty member at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Turkish Language and Literature since 2009. His academic leadership includes roles as Institute Deputy Director (2017-present) and former Department Chair (2015-2018). His educational background features: PhD in New Turkish Literature (2006), Atatürk University Institute of Social Sciences MA in Modern Turkish Literature (1999), Atatürk University BA in Turkish Language and Literature (1995), Atatürk University YİĞİTBAŞ specializes in New Turkish Literature with particular emphasis on ecocritical approaches, narrative theory, and literary criticism. His research examines environmental perspectives in Turkish short stories, evolutionary dynamics of poetic traditions, and institutional frameworks of literary production. Recent work demonstrates sophisticated integration of ecological theory with textual analysis, particularly in studies of Deli Yeşil Hikâyeleri and multi-generational narrative traditions. His publication portfolio reveals consistent scholarly output across three decades, with notable recent contributions to: Eco-critical literary analysis (2023) Modern Turkish poetry traditions (2023) Cultural institution studies (2023) Ottoman literary journalism (2018) YİĞİTBAŞ actively mentors graduate researchers with 17 theses supervised (10 doctoral, 7 master's) on diverse topics including: Eco-critical readings in Turkish novels Anxiety manifestations in 1923-1950 Turkish literature Caucasian representations in Turkish fiction Humor and irony in Republican-era poetry His research infrastructure includes two funded projects: 'Bir Rind'in Yaşlanma Sendromu' (2017, Principal Investigator) 'Türk Dünyası Ortak Metinleri Antolojisi' (2017-2018, Researcher)

Christoph JürgensenView profile

Professor

• Modern German Literature
• Literature Communication
• Contemporary Literature
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Christoph Jürgensen holds the Professorship for Modern German Literature and Literature Communication at the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies , Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg. His work bridges modern German literature , literature communication , and pop music culture , with a focus on contemporary German literature , ecocriticism , and paratextual studies . Research Themes: 18th–20th century German literature, literary business, material ecocriticism, paratexts, and pop music intersections. Projects: "Cover Stories", "Title Practices", and "Wolf Haas' Literature" collaborations; co-editor of the Günter Grass Handbook (2025). Events: Organized workshops on Deutschrap, hosted readings with authors like Lutz Seiler, and curated student projects such as the Rezensöhnchen journal. Publications span edited volumes on contemporary poetry, pop cultural analysis, and literary theory. His March 2025 lecture on "Gunter Gabriel's Pop Aesthetics" and involvement in the 2022 International Summer University highlight his active academic engagement.

DIACONU Ioana AndreaView profile

Lecturer

• Translation Studies
• Intercultural Communication
• German Language Teaching

Dr. Ioana Andrea Diaconu is a Lecturer at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics within the Faculty of Letters at Transilvania University of Brașov. Her academic career focuses on translation studies, intercultural communication, and German language pedagogy, with extensive publications analyzing cultural intersections in postmodern literature and visual media. Academic Rank: Lecturer Department: Theoretical and Applied Linguistics University: Transilvania University of Brașov Research Interests: Dr. Diaconu specializes in translation studies , examining paratextual elements like footnotes in literary translations. Her work explores intercultural communication through political cartoons and television thrillers, analyzing stereotypes and cross-cultural representation. She also focuses on German language teaching , developing methodologies for integrating literature into language education. Publication Trends: Her scholarly output spans 2009-2022, with recent works addressing 20th-century German essays, postmodern cultural intersections, and the use of body language in visual narratives. The majority of her articles examine the intersection of language, culture, and political history through interdisciplinary lenses.

• Social Sciences
• Education and Educational Research
• Elementary School Education
• +1 more

Assoc. Prof. YASİN ÖZKARA is an academic in the Faculty of Education at Akdeniz University , specializing in Primary Education . His work focuses on Turkish language instruction, narrative writing, and pedagogical strategies for elementary education. PhD in Classroom Teaching from Gazi University (2002-2007) MA in Classroom Teaching from Selcuk University (2000-2002) BSc in Classroom Teaching from Selcuk University (1995-1999) Research interests include analytical writing models , reading comprehension , creative writing strategies , and literacy assessment . His work examines readability in Turkish textbooks, punctuation skills, and the Montessori method in early literacy. He has also investigated humor integration in Turkish teaching and self-perception in primary students. Key publication trends include applications of the 6+1 Analytical Writing Model , story mapping techniques , and self-regulated learning strategies in primary classrooms. He has supervised 13 postgraduate theses on topics like reading motivation and creative writing. Author of 2 books (2009, 2018) Contributor to 36 WoS-indexed publications Peer reviewer for journals like Journal of Eurasian Language Education Former roles include Director of Serik Gülsün-Süleyman Süral Vocational School (2012-2016) and Head of Turkish Language Department (2009-2016). He holds a B2 Upper Intermediate proficiency in English.

• contemporary Italian poetry
• Literature and Cinema
• literature and music
• +19 more

Tommaso Pomilio is an Associate Professor at the Department of Modern Literature and Culture, Sapienza University of Rome. He specializes in contemporary Italian writings (from Symbolism to hypercontemporary) with a focus on intersections between literature and other artistic fields such as cinema, music, and visual arts. He teaches modules including Italian Literature and Music and Contemporary Italian Literature , delivered across Master's and three-year degree courses. Research Interests Interdisciplinary Encounters: Literature & Cinema, Literature & Music 20th-century Movements: Modernism, Avant-garde, Neo-avant-garde, Scapigliatura, Postmodernism Critical Traditions: Militant Criticism, Humor, Neorealism Key Authors: Italo Calvino, Edward Sanguineti, Luigi Malerba, Giorgio Manganelli Pomilio's publications reflect these interests, with recent works exploring literary modernity, heterotopia, cinematic narratives, and satirical traditions. He curates monographic issues and critical editions, including studies on Walter Pedullà's sixty-year critical legacy and Giorgio Manganelli's unpublished texts. His teaching integrates digital platforms like Google Classroom and Zoom for remote sessions, emphasizing accessibility and real-time updates for students.

Derek J. RoyerView profile

Associate Professor

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Vision Science
• +3 more

Derek J. Royer serves as Associate Professor of Biology and Chair of the Department of Biology at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) within the School of Natural and Social Sciences. He joined ETBU after extensive biomedical research experience at the National Institutes of Health, Duke University School of Medicine, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. His academic credentials include: B.S. in Biochemistry from Oklahoma Baptist University (2011) Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2016) Dr. Royer's research program centers on Immunology , Microbiology , and Vision Science , with specialized focus on herpes simplex virus (HSV) ocular pathogenesis, corneal immunology, and vaccine development. His work employs molecular and cellular approaches to dissect host-pathogen interactions in ocular tissues, particularly investigating complement system dynamics, T cell responses, and innate immune mechanisms in HSV-1 infection models. He integrates Christian faith with scientific inquiry, viewing biological systems as reflections of divine creation. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2018-2022) reveals concentrated investigation into ocular HSV-1 infection mechanisms, corneal immunopathology, and novel vaccine strategies. Key thematic threads include CD4+/CD8+ T cell regulation in viral clearance, complement-mediated neuroinflammation, and live-attenuated vaccine efficacy without neutralizing antibodies. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in mucosal immunity models and neural-immune interactions in ocular disease. Dr. Royer has received multiple research awards though specific honors remain unnamed in source materials. His educational philosophy emphasizes scientific reasoning development while connecting biological concepts to broader existential purpose through Christian theology. As department chair and educator, he mentors undergraduate researchers and integrates frontline research experience into curriculum design. His prior appointments at major research institutions indicate substantial grant-writing experience and collaborative science leadership, though specific funding sources aren't detailed. Current work likely involves undergraduate research teams investigating ocular immunology at ETBU.