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Professor Philip Armstrong is a distinguished academic and poet at the University of Canterbury, where he has served in the English Department within the Faculty of Arts since February 1998. His work bridges scholarly research and creative practice, establishing him as a significant voice in contemporary literary studies and poetry. PhD in Critical and Cultural Theory, University of Wales (1992-1995) MA(Hons), University of Auckland (1990-1991) Armstrong's research centers on literary representations of the natural world, with particular expertise in human-animal studies, Shakespearean scholarship, and environmental humanities. His interdisciplinary approach connects literary theory with ecological concerns, examining how cultural narratives shape our relationship with non-human entities. His scholarly publications span from analyses of Shakespeare to contemporary explorations of human-animal relations, including his acclaimed book Sheep (2016) and the forthcoming Disturbing Nature in Narrative Literature (2025). As a creative writer, Armstrong has published two award-winning poetry collections: Sinking Lessons (2020), which won the Kathleen Grattan Award for Poetry, and Touch Screen (2025). His poetry often explores the intersection of human experience with natural and technological environments, demonstrating his consistent thematic concern with boundaries between human and non-human worlds. Kathleen Grattan Award for Poetry (2019) Landfall Essay Prize (2011) Caselberg Trust International Poetry Prize (runner-up) Armstrong actively supervises graduate students in both scholarly and creative writing projects, mentoring the next generation of literary scholars and poets. His teaching encompasses literary studies, with a focus on Shakespeare, and graduate-level creative writing. He has also contributed significantly to public discourse through essays, interviews, and literary criticism published in major journals and media outlets across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the USA. His creative and scholarly work frequently appears in prominent literary journals including Landfall , Sport , PN Review , and JAAM , reflecting his standing in the international literary community. Living in Lyttelton, New Zealand, Armstrong's work remains deeply engaged with both local and global literary traditions.

• Literary Theory
• British and Irish Literature
• Shakespeare Studies
• +5 more

Mary Wiles serves as Senior Lecturer in the Department of English within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury, where she has held academic appointments since August 2003. Her position is designated 'Above the Bar,' reflecting senior academic standing within the New Zealand university system. Her research centers on continental film theory with particular expertise in postwar French cinema, theatricality in film, and the intersection of girlhood narratives with race and nationalism. Wiles has published extensively on French New Wave filmmakers including Jacques Rivette and Chris Marker, with her 2012 monograph Jacques Rivette establishing her as a leading scholar in auteur studies. Current work examines coming-of-age narratives across New Zealand and French cinematic traditions through feminist and postcolonial lenses. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent engagement with transnational feminist cinema, particularly focusing on Black girlhood representation, queer adaptation practices, and cross-cultural comparisons of national cinemas. Her scholarly approach frequently bridges theatre studies and film theory, emphasizing performative aspects of cinematic production. Wiles actively supervises graduate research across multiple institutions, with current supervisees exploring topics ranging from decolonial feminism in North African cinema to adaptations of Anne of Green Gables. Her professional activities include peer review for journals like Australian Journal of French Studies and editorial work for Anthem Studies in Writers and Film . Teaching responsibilities align with research specialties, covering French New Wave cinema, feminist film theory, and coming-of-age genres. She regularly contributes to public film culture through introductions at the Canterbury Film Society and media commentary, including participation in Sight and Sound's 'Greatest Films of All Time' poll.

• Film Theory
• French Cinema
• Feminist Film Studies
• +6 more

Dr. Catherine Abou-Nemeh is a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington. She joined Victoria University of Wellington in 2013 after teaching in the Department of History at Princeton University, bringing significant international experience to her role. Her educational background includes: BSc (Hons) from Northwestern University, Evanston, United States MA from Princeton University, Princeton, United States PhD from Princeton University, Princeton, United States Dr. Abou-Nemeh's research focuses on early modern European intellectual history and the history of science, particularly examining the intersection between philosophy, natural knowledge, and craft practices. She is currently completing a book manuscript on the Dutch natural philosopher and lens-maker Nicolas Hartsoeker (1656-1725). Her work demonstrates how figures like Hartsoeker bridged practical craft knowledge and theoretical scientific inquiry, challenging traditional distinctions between 'makers' and 'thinkers' in early modern science. She has presented her research at leading universities worldwide including Princeton, Harvard, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, Oxford, Sydney, Queensland, Auckland and Otago. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the history of scientific communication, the development of scientific methodology, and the relationship between philosophy and practical knowledge in early modern Europe. Her scholarship frequently examines how early modern thinkers conceptualized uncertainty, conjecture, and the limits of knowledge - themes that remain relevant to contemporary scientific practice. She has established herself as a leading scholar in the history of scientific communication and the intellectual networks of the early modern period. Dr. Abou-Nemeh has received several prestigious research fellowships: Dibner Research Fellow in the History of Science and Technology at the Huntington Library (2012) Visiting Scholar in the History Department at Harvard University (2016) Visiting research fellowship at École Normale Supérieure, Paris (2008-2009) Scaliger Institute, Leiden University (2009) Edward Worth Library in Dublin (2011) Dr. Abou-Nemeh actively supervises Masters and PhD students in early modern history. Her international reputation is evidenced by her extensive presentation record at major academic institutions worldwide. She has also engaged with public audiences through media appearances including Radio New Zealand and The Conversation, demonstrating her commitment to public scholarship and the application of historical perspectives to contemporary issues such as euthanasia, pandemic responses, and university funding.

• Early Modern European History
• History of Science
• Intellectual History
• +6 more

Christopher Thomson is a Senior Lecturer in the English Department within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha) in Aotearoa New Zealand. He has held this academic position since January 6, 2014, and currently serves as the director of the UC Arts Digital Lab. His work bridges traditional humanities scholarship with cutting-edge digital methodologies, creating innovative approaches to literary and historical analysis. Thomson's research focuses on the intersection of literary studies and digital humanities, particularly examining how quantitative methods can inform and re-frame questions about cognitive and new materialist theoretical approaches to literary texts. He also supervises research on the application of digital research methods, such as text classification and information extraction, to historical text corpora in Aotearoa New Zealand. His scholarly work demonstrates a consistent engagement with digital laboratory studies, exploring how these spaces shape research practices and knowledge production in the humanities. His publication record shows significant contributions to digital humanities methodology, post-disaster archiving, and the theoretical implications of digital approaches for literary studies. Thomson has been particularly active in exploring how digital tools can be applied to analyze community discourses in post-earthquake Christchurch, using techniques like topic modeling and positioning analysis. His work on the CEISMIC Canterbury Earthquakes Digital Archive demonstrates his commitment to preserving cultural memory through digital means. As an educator, Thomson is registered to supervise both Master's and Doctoral students, focusing on digital humanities approaches to literary and historical research. His supervision emphasizes practical digital skills alongside theoretical understanding, preparing students for contemporary research environments. His work with student research assistants in laboratory settings reflects his commitment to collaborative, hands-on learning experiences. Thomson's leadership of the UC Arts Digital Lab positions him at the forefront of digital scholarship development at the University of Canterbury. The lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary digital research, supporting faculty and students across the humanities in developing and implementing digital methodologies. His recent edited volume on digital humanities laboratories contributes significantly to global conversations about research infrastructure in the humanities.

• Digital Humanities
• Literary Studies
• Quantitative Methods in Humanities
• +5 more

Patrick O'Sullivan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Canterbury's Faculty of Arts, where he has been teaching since January 1999. His academic profile includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge, MA and BA (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, and Visiting Fellowships at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities. His educational background includes: PhD, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom MA, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia BA Hons, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Professor O'Sullivan's research spans Archaic and Classical Greek intellectual and cultural history with particular expertise in Greek epic and lyric poetry, theatre (including tragedy and satyr play), rhetoric and the First Sophistic. His scholarly approach uniquely bridges literary analysis with material culture studies, frequently referencing artifacts from the Teece Museum collection. Key research areas include ancient visual aesthetics, literary criticism, athletics, atheism in antiquity, and Greek/Roman art reception. His recent publications demonstrate consistent engagement with diverse aspects of Greek culture, from heroic ideals in Pindar's victory odes to conceptions of death in ancient Greek thought. His work shows particular strength in connecting literary analysis with material culture studies and exploring classical themes in contemporary contexts. Among his notable achievements: Recipient of a major Marsden Fund grant from the Royal Society of NZ for his work on Greek satyric drama Twice voted Top Lecturer in the College of Arts at the University of Canterbury Author of a co-authored book on Greek satyric drama (2013) Currently working on a book contract with Routledge/Taylor & Francis for 'The Rhetoric of Greek Art' Professor O'Sullivan has supervised numerous graduate students across a wide range of topics in Classics. He serves as Chair of The Friends of The James Logie Memorial Collection Manatōpū Inc. (PhiloLogie) and frequently collaborates with museums and cultural institutions on public outreach projects related to classical antiquity.

• Archaic Greek Intellectual History
• Classical Greek Cultural History
• Greek Epic Poetry
• +13 more

Dr. Alberto Alvarez-Jimenez is a Senior Lecturer at Te Piringa Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, where he has been teaching since June 2014. A Colombian-Canadian academic with upcoming New Zealand citizenship, he serves on the University of Waikato Academic Board and holds significant roles in the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (ANZSIL), including membership on its Council and editorial positions for ANZSIL Perspective and the ANZSIL Newsletter. He also co-edits the Waikato Law Review. His educational background includes: PhD from the University of Ottawa, Canada LLM from McGill University, Montreal, Canada Specialist in Commercial Law from Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia LL.B (equivalent) from Universidad de la Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia Dr. Alvarez-Jimenez's research focuses on public international law, international trade law, and foreign investment law, with a highly interdisciplinary approach that integrates perspectives from economics, political science, history, and the intersections between art and international law. His scholarship appears in high-impact journals including the American Journal of International Law (AJIL Unbound), European Journal of International Law, Journal of International Economic Law, International and Comparative Law Quarterly, and World Trade Review. He frequently presents his work at major international law forums including the American Society of International Law and the European Society of International Law. His recent publications demonstrate a significant shift toward exploring the connections between international humanitarian law and artistic expression, particularly through his transdisciplinary project "Solastalgia: Conflict and the Fabric of Life" which examines civilian experiences in armed conflict through the lens of international humanitarian law principles like distinction and proportionality. His work spans traditional legal scholarship while increasingly incorporating creative practice research methodology. Dr. Alvarez-Jimenez serves in several important professional capacities: Elected member of the University of Waikato Academic Board Member of the Council of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (ANZSIL) Editorial committee member of ANZSIL Perspective Co-editor of the ANZSIL Newsletter Co-editor of the Waikato Law Review As a dedicated educator and supervisor, Dr. Alvarez-Jimenez emphasizes accessibility, innovation, and student-centered learning. He regularly teaches courses in International Trade Law, Commercial Transactions, and Corporate Entities. His teaching philosophy encourages students to expand their intellectual horizons by connecting law with literature, art, music, and other cultural expressions. He maintains an open-door policy and provides extensive feedback to support students' learning journeys. His transdisciplinary research project "Solastalgia: Conflict and the Fabric of Life" represents a significant collaborative effort with artists and researchers across disciplines, resulting in a gallery installation at Ramp Gallery in Hamilton, New Zealand (August 2023), scholarly publications, and ongoing research exploring the embodied experience of international humanitarian law principles.

• Public international law
• International trade law
• Foreign investment law
• +6 more

Dr Dara Dimitrov is a Lecturer at the Te Piringa Faculty of Law, University of Waikato. She holds a PhD in Charity and Accounting Law and has taught since 2017 in areas including Land Law, Business Law, and Equity & Succession. Her research focuses on Māori land law, sustainability accounting, and charity regulation. She has collaborated with local councils on Māori stakeholder engagement and serves on editorial boards like the Waikato Law Review. Recent work includes studies on urban beekeeping's role in sustainability and fiduciary obligations in historical land leases. Academic Appointments: Lecturer at University of Waikato (2019–present), Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (2019), and Pathways College (2017–2018). Education: PhD, Charity and Accounting Law (University of Waikato); Bachelors and Masters in Law/Management. Research interests include Māori land tenure, commercial law, and the intersection of beekeeping with sustainability goals. She advises on employment advocacy projects and has secured grants for Māori stakeholder engagement with local councils. Teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate courses in law and business law.

• Accounting, auditing and accountability
• Māori land law
• Commercial law
• +4 more

Associate Professor Wayne Rumbles serves as Senior Research Officer at the University of Waikato's Faculty of Law (Te Piringa), where he has held academic positions for 22 years including Dean of Law (2015-2020) and current leadership of the Technology in Legal Education New Zealand (TeLENZ) project. His career spans community law practice, a decade at Te Matahauariki Research Institute, and extensive administrative roles within the law faculty. His educational foundation includes: BA, University of Waikato LLB, University of Waikato LLM (Distinction), University of Waikato Rumbles' research interrogates cyber law's evolution in virtual environments , with particular emphasis on cybercrime narratives, Maori experiences in criminal justice systems, and digital privacy frameworks. His scholarship reveals how legal systems grapple with technological disruption through three interconnected lenses: jurisdictional challenges in digital spaces , algorithmic accountability , and indigenous perspectives on digital sovereignty . This work bridges theoretical legal analysis with practical applications in cybersecurity education and virtual property rights. Analysis of his 46 publications shows dominant themes in cybercrime (35%), indigenous legal issues (25%), and legal education technology (20%), with recent work increasingly addressing ethical frameworks for AI systems and virtual asset governance. His monograph Cultural Cyborgs: Life at the Interface (2011) established foundational concepts for understanding digital identity formation within legal contexts. As principal investigator for the NZ Law Foundation-funded TeLENZ project, Rumbles coordinates technology integration across all six New Zealand law schools. He actively supervises graduate research in cyber law and indigenous justice topics while contributing to national legal discourse through media commentary and advisory roles for legal tech initiatives. Rumbles leads the Technology in Legal Education New Zealand consortium, developing shared digital resources including virtual courtroom simulations, blockchain evidence modules, and cross-institutional cybersecurity case studies designed to prepare law students for technology-driven legal practice environments.

• Cyber Law
• Cybercrime
• Criminal Law
• +7 more

Associate Professor Kabini Sanga is a Pacific Islands regional educator and mentor at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Education. Born in the Solomon Islands, he has formal schooling from the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Canada, and brings extensive regional experience to his academic work. Currently serving as Program Director for MEd & Post Graduate Studies (since February 2024) and previously as Deputy Head of School (2018-2020), Sanga has held significant leadership positions including Director of the Institute of Education at the University of the South Pacific and Chief Executive of the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (now Solomon Islands National University). His educational background includes a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Education from the University of Regina, and a BA from the University of the South Pacific. He also completed graduate training at the University of the South Pacific. Sanga's research focuses on Indigenous Pacific Intellectual Traditions, educational leadership in Solomon Islands, writing projects with Solomon Islands students, Oralities research in Oceania storying and Melanesian Tok stori, public ethics and leadership in the Pacific, and Indigenous Mala'ita Clan research. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in Pacific educational contexts, particularly emphasizing indigenous epistemologies and leadership negotiation in complex cultural environments where kastom, church, and institutional domains compete for influence. His publications reveal a consistent focus on contextualized educational approaches that honor indigenous knowledge systems while addressing contemporary challenges. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in applying the Oceania Oralities Framework to various educational contexts, with particular emphasis on how indigenous methodologies like Tok stori can support sustainable education that aligns with local ontological positions. Recent work shows expansion into virtual applications of traditional knowledge systems and cross-cultural comparative studies. Sanga actively supervises doctoral and masters students on topics including teacher leadership in China, early childhood education in Indonesia, and digital tools in educational mentoring. His mentorship extends through the Solomon Islands Research Mentoring Tok Stori (SIRMT) initiative, which creates connected academic communities through virtual means. His current research projects include Indigenous Pacific Intellectual Traditions collaborations, Educational leadership in Solomon Islands, Writing projects with Solomon Islands students, Oralities research in Oceania storying, Public ethics and leadership in the Pacific, and Indigenous Mala'ita Clan research. He has received external grant funding for projects including the Community-Led Approaches to Teaching Australian South Sea Islander History, Leadership and Education Authorities Project (LEAP), and the Solomon Islands School Leadership Project.

• Educational administration
• Leadership and public ethics
• Indigenous Pacific Intellectual Traditions
• +10 more

Enrica Sciarrino is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha), where she has been employed since June 17, 2002. She holds a Laurea con lode in lettere classiche from the Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy, a PhD in Classics from the University of California Berkeley, USA, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Education from the University of Canterbury. In 2022, she served as Visiting Professor at the University of Turin, Italy. Laurea con lode in lettere classiche, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy PhD in Classics, University of California Berkeley, USA Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Education, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Professor Sciarrino's research focuses on Greek and Roman socio-cultural history and the development of new approaches toward the study of textual materials and cultural practices. She has written a monograph on Cato the Censor and second century BCE literary practices (2011) and co-edited a volume on translation in the ancient Mediterranean (2011). Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with methodological issues, oratory, education, rhetoric, historiography, Cicero, and the ancient fable. Her recent publications show increasing attention to intertextuality, self-referentiality in ancient texts, and classical reception in modern contexts. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong thematic continuity in Roman Republican studies, particularly around Cato the Censor and mid-Republican literary practices. There is also a growing interest in reception studies, as seen in her work connecting ancient texts to modern contexts like New Zealand (Aotearoa) and contemporary issues including crisis response. Her methodological approach combines philological rigor with innovative theoretical frameworks. Canterbury Fellow at Oxford (2009-2010) Professor Sciarrino actively supervises Master's and Doctoral students, with a current list of supervisees including Hawkins, Pearce, Trombitas, Joyce, and Lindeman. She has served as a peer reviewer for major classical journals including Classical Antiquity, Classical Quarterly, and American Journal of Philology. Her professional service includes membership on the Executive Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society in Christchurch and participation in the Australasian Society for Classical Studies. She has organized and been invited to conferences and workshops across Australasia, the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

• Greek and Roman socio-cultural history
• Textual materials and cultural practices
• Oratory
• +7 more

Evgeny Pavlov serves as Associate Professor in both History and Global, Cultural and Language Studies at the University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha), Faculty of Arts, where he has maintained appointments since 1999. He currently holds the position of Head of Department for Global, Cultural and Language Studies (LANG), effective January 2025. His academic trajectory demonstrates sustained engagement with Russian literary traditions within broader European contexts. Professor Pavlov earned his PhD in Comparative Literature from Princeton University (1993-1999), establishing the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach that bridges Western and Eastern European intellectual traditions. His doctoral work informed his first monograph 'Shok pamiati: avtobiograficheskaia poetika Val'tera Beniamina i Osipa Mandel'shtama' (The Shock of Memory: Autobiographical Poetics of Walter Benjamin and Osip Mandelstam, Moscow: NLO, 2005). His research program focuses on Russian and European Modernism, Postmodernism, literary theory, cultural history, comparative literature, translation, and film. Professor Pavlov has developed particular expertise in Soviet and post-Soviet literary underground movements, avant-garde traditions, and contemporary Russian poetry. His scholarly contributions demonstrate deep engagement with the Leningrad cultural underground, the OBERIU group, and key figures including Arkady Dragomoshchenko, Konstantin Vaginov, and Andrei Sen-Senkov. His work consistently explores how literary aesthetics intersect with political constraints and historical transformations. Analysis of Professor Pavlov's publication record reveals a trajectory progressing from early Soviet avant-garde to contemporary post-Soviet literature, with increasing sophistication in examining temporal structures, visual poetics, and philosophical dimensions of Russian writing. His recent scholarship shows particular interest in time theory, resistance strategies, and the global dimensions of Russian literary production. Invited Professor at Modernitas: Interdisciplinary Collaborative Links between Humanities and Natural Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles (2023-2024) As an active academic citizen, Professor Pavlov serves as co-editor of the New Zealand Slavonic Journal and holds leadership positions including vice-president of the Australia and New Zealand Slavists' Association. He has contributed extensive peer review services for major journals including Slavic Review and Slavic and East European Journal. His supervision of graduate students spans diverse topics from Soviet sports history to Cold War cultural diplomacy, reflecting his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars in Russian studies. Professor Pavlov has organized significant academic events including the 'Translations/Transitions' conference in 2011 and panels at major international conferences such as ASEEES, demonstrating his role in fostering scholarly exchange across institutional and national boundaries.

• Russian Modernism
• European Modernism
• Postmodernism
• +7 more