Claire Gilliland is an Assistant Professor at Furman University. Her research focuses on intersections of religion with social issues like race, sexuality, and politics. She examines clergy rhetoric on topics such as white supremacy, LGBTQ inclusion, and racial justice, analyzing how religious leaders navigate conflicts in American society. Education: Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill B.A., Furman University Her work explores themes in political sociology, digital religion, and family studies. Recent publications investigate online congregations' political dynamics and adolescent religiosity's impact on marital choices. Gilliland's scholarship emphasizes how religious institutions address contemporary societal challenges through theological frameworks and practical leadership strategies. Her research trends reflect a focus on marginalized communities and institutional responses to social change. No scientific awards were listed in the provided materials. Advising and grant details are not available in the current data.
Prof. Dr. Dominik Burkard serves as Chair Holder of the Chair of Church History of the Middle Ages and Modern Times within the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Würzburg. Appointed Professor in 2003 and assuming the Chair position in 2006, he maintains an active academic presence with his office located at Bibrastraße 14 in Würzburg. His educational background includes Catholic theology studies at Tübingen and Freiburg i.Br. (1987-1992), followed by dual doctorates in theology from the University of Tübingen (1993) and the Phil.-Theol. University of St. Georgen in Frankfurt a.M. (1998). His habilitation in Medieval and Modern Church History was completed at the University of Münster in 2002. Burkard's research spans multiple critical areas of church history including the Roman Inquisition and Index Congregation, church-state relations, Catholic Enlightenment, and 19th-20th century Catholicism. His scholarly work demonstrates particular expertise in the institutional development of the Church, examining how theological concepts translated into organizational structures and societal engagement throughout history. Recent publications reveal a focus on post-WWII Catholic developments, Vatican II documentation, and regional church history. His publications show consistent scholarly output with significant editorial contributions to major historical works examining the Upper Rhenish Church Province's bicentennial, ecumenical movements of the 1950s, and historical catechism studies. The research demonstrates methodological diversity, combining archival analysis with institutional history approaches. Member of the International Scientific Commission for the Evaluation of the Alois Hudal Estate Member of the steering committee of the Centre for Augustinus Research Scientific Advisory Board member of the Görres Society Scientific Council member of the Catholic Academy in Bavaria Member of the DFG Research Group 2973 on Catholicism in the Federal Republic of Germany Throughout his career, Burkard has held significant administrative roles including Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Humanities (2007-2011), University Ombudsman for humanities and social sciences (2010-2016), and membership in the University Senate and Council. His research has been supported through DFG projects including long-term studies on the Roman Inquisition and more recently through Research Group 2973 examining Catholic identity in post-war Germany. He serves on multiple editorial boards including the 'Roman Quarterly for Christian Antiquity and Church History' and the RJKG. Burkard maintains active involvement with multiple research communities through his membership in the History Association of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart (serving as 1st Chairman since 2020), the Commission for Contemporary History, and as liaison lecturer for the German Business Foundation. His work bridges academic scholarship with practical ecclesiastical engagement.
Mustafa KİSBET serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Basic Islamic Sciences at Kastamonu University's Faculty of Theology since 2012. His academic career includes leadership roles as Department Head (2012-2014) and Deputy Dean (2012-2013). Fluent in Arabic and English, he holds advanced degrees from Marmara University and Uludağ University. His educational background includes: PhD in Basic Islamic Sciences (Uludağ University, 2010) MA in Islamic Law (Marmara University, 1998) BA in Theology (Marmara University, 1994) KİSBET specializes in Islamic contract law with emphasis on agency relationships, consumer protection, and property transactions within Hanafi jurisprudence. His research bridges classical fiqh principles with contemporary commercial challenges, particularly examining defective goods sales, joint ownership structures, and possession transfer in sales contracts. Recent work explores intersections between natural disasters and zakat obligations. His publications show consistent output in Turkish academic journals indexed in TR Dizin, with growing international recognition reflected in Google Scholar metrics (h-index 5). Key contributions focus on Mecelle-based property law, congregational prayer jurisprudence, and Islamic commercial transaction validity. As an academic advisor, he has supervised two master's theses on Hanafi ritual jurisprudence and classical legal texts. His teaching portfolio spans 87 courses including Islamic Law I-IV, Fiqh Methodology, and Comparative Worship Law at undergraduate and graduate levels. He serves as editor for three international Islamic law publications and performs peer review for multiple academic journals.
Dr. Artur Hamryszczak is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Church Archives, Libraries and Museums (ABMK) at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL). Holding a doctorate in humanities (history, 2014), he specializes in Polish Catholic archival practices, religious guilds, and cultural heritage preservation. Education: PhD in History (2014, KUL) MA in History (2002, KUL) His research focuses on church archives , biographical museum studies , and historical source analysis , particularly from the 18th–20th centuries. Recent publications examine the Resurrectionist Archive in Rome, Stefan Wyszyński museums , and photographic preservation in diocesan collections. Notable awards include the Rector's Award (2019, 2018) for research contributions. He manages projects like Archives of the Lutsk Diocese – Digital Edition and Development of Scientific Journals under Ministry of Education grants. Scientific Leadership: Organized conferences on church photography and biographical museums Coordinated digitization initiatives for historical documents
Peggy Goertzen is the Director/Archivist of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS, a position she has held since 1992. She holds a B.A. in English from Tabor College (1992) and has extensive professional experience in archival work, including roles as a Research Assistant at the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies and Fresno Pacific University. Her research focuses on Mennonite history, migration, and cultural preservation, with notable publications on Mennonite Brethren missions, Tabor College’s history, and community archives. She teaches courses such as English Composition, ESL, and Folklore of Family and Culture. Goertzen’s scholarly contributions include编撰 historical indexes, documenting Mennonite settlements, and preserving religious and cultural heritage. Her presentations span topics like Mennonite immigration patterns, ethnic clothing, and historical sites. She actively serves in roles like past president of the Hillsboro Historical Society and member of the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board. Her work bridges archival scholarship with community education and historical outreach.
Dr. Joseph Herl is Professor of Music at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he teaches music history, world music, theory, liturgy, hymnody, and church music. He also holds a concurrent appointment as Research Professor at the University of Illinois School of Music, directing the Hymn Tune Index. His academic leadership spans research, teaching, and editorial scholarship in Lutheran music traditions. Herl earned a B.A. in music from Concordia College, Bronxville; an M.M. in organ performance from the University of North Texas; and a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he contributed to The Hymn Tune Index under Nicholas Temperley and conducted Fulbright-funded research in Germany. His research focuses on the historical development of Lutheran worship, particularly the transition from choral to congregational music, the role of children in liturgy, Gregorian chant in early Lutheranism, and the roots of contemporary worship. He promotes church music that deeply instills Scripture in worshipers. While no traditional journal articles are listed, his scholarly impact is evident in major publications such as Worship Wars in Early Lutheranism and the Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns , both grounded in extensive primary source research and shaping modern hymnological understanding. Roland Bainton Prize (2005) Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Concordia University (2018) Honorary Doctorate, Concordia Seminary (2022) Dr. Herl mentors students in the Church Music program, preparing them for rostered ministry in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He has received significant recognition and grants, including a Fulbright research grant and ongoing support for the Hymn Tune Index. His work bridges academic scholarship and practical church music leadership. He is actively involved in liturgical music as organist at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln and as a composer whose works are published by leading houses including Concordia Publishing House, Oxford University Press, and MorningStar Music Publishers. His editorial leadership in the Companion to the Hymns involved reconstructing the historical provenance of every hymn element, setting a new standard in hymnal scholarship.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman CANER is a Turkish academic specializing in Islamic Law and Jurisprudence. He currently serves as a full-time Doctor Academician at Ahi Evran University's Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Department of Fundamental Islamic Sciences. From 2022-2025, he also held the position of Dean Assistant at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. Education: BA in Theology, Marmara University (1993-1998) MSc in Fundamental Islamic Sciences, Bingöl University (2012-2014) PhD in Islamic Law, Fırat University (2015-2019) His research focuses on Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh Usul) , with specific interests in legal contradictions, abrogation theory, and ethical dilemmas in medical practices. He has published 9 TR Dizin-indexed articles and authored two books, including Tacüddin Es-Sübki'nin Usul Anlayışı (2019). Recent publications analyze topics like aesthetic surgeries in Islamic law, Ibn Taymiyyah's legal disputes, and historical responses to Mongol invasions. His work bridges classical Islamic legal theory with contemporary social and medical issues. As of 2024, his academic metrics include 16 total publications, 2 citations, and an h-index of 1.
