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David A PalmerView profile

Professor

• Anthropology of Religion
• Sociology of Spirituality
• Daoism
• +7 more

Professor David A Palmer is a distinguished academic jointly appointed by the Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Sociology at the University of Hong Kong, where he has been teaching since 2008. His interdisciplinary work bridges anthropology, sociology, religious studies, and Sinology, establishing him as a leading scholar in Chinese religious studies and transnational religious movements. Palmer's educational background includes a PhD in Anthropology of Religion from Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Sorbonne, Paris), an MPhil in Clinical Psychology/Medical Anthropology from University of Paris-VIII, and a BA in Anthropology and East Asian Studies from McGill University. His scholarly contributions span multiple disciplines with particular emphasis on Chinese religious traditions and their global manifestations. His research interests focus on the anthropology and sociology of spirituality and religion, especially Daoism and Chinese religion; religion in modern and contemporary China; inter-Asian and transnational religious circulations; Baháʼí Faith; civil society, volunteering, philanthropy, community engagement; and cultural and religious interactions on the Belt and Road. His work examines how religious traditions navigate modernity, state power, and globalization, with particular attention to the Belt and Road Initiative's cultural dimensions. Palmer's publications reveal a consistent focus on understanding Chinese religious traditions within broader theoretical frameworks of social theory, civil society, and transnational religious networks. His articles demonstrate how Chinese religious practices and institutions both adapt to and shape contemporary social and political contexts, with particular attention to the intersections of spirituality, modernity, and state-society relations. Joseph Levenson Award of the Association for Asian Studies PROSE award of the American Publishers' Association Francis L.K. Hsu Award of the Society for East Asian Anthropology Edward Bruner Prize for the best book in Anthropology of Tourism HK Research Grants Council RGC Research Fellowship (2021-2025) HK Research Grants Council Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship (2019) Palmer currently leads multiple significant research projects including 'Global China, Local Cultures: Chinese Modernity and Soft Power on the Belt and Road' (RGC Research Fellowship, 2021-2025), 'Infrastructures of Faith: Religious Mobilities on the Belt and Road' (CRF, 2019-2023), 'Rituals and Manuscripts of the Lanten Yao (Laos)' (GRF, 2021-2024), and 'Religious Cosmopolitanism in China, 1895-1927' (GRF, 2021-2024). He leads the 'Asian Religious Connections' research cluster at HKIHSS, co-convenes the 'Culture, Community and Social Equity' research cluster in the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences, and serves as co-convenor of the HKU Anthropology Research Network. As President of the East Asian Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, he plays a key role in advancing scholarly understanding of religion in the region.

Elizabeth BlakeView profile

Associate Professor

• Russian Literature
• Cultural Studies
• Empire and Exile Studies
• +4 more

Elizabeth Blake is an Associate Professor of Russian and Division Coordinator in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on 19th-century Russian literature, particularly Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, with emphases on empire studies, exile cultures, and religious dialogues between Russian Orthodoxy and Polish/French Catholicism. She has published two major books: *Dostoevsky and the Catholic Underground* (2014) and *Travels from Dostoevsky’s Siberia* (2019). Her work bridges literary analysis with historical context, examining themes like human rights, cultural mobility, and gender roles. Blake teaches courses ranging from language proficiency to advanced topics in Russian literature and cinema, including *Russian and Soviet Cinema* and *Dostoevsky Through the Centuries*. She has received numerous grants including Mellon and Fulbright-Hays awards for research in Russia and Poland. Her academic career includes extensive reviews for journals like *Slavic Review* and *Canadian Slavonic Papers*, alongside professional involvement with organizations such as the North American Dostoevsky Society. Blake’s teaching excellence is recognized through awards like the Spirit of the Billiken Award (2016), reflecting her impact on both scholarship and student mentorship.

Gabriel Said ReynoldsView profile

Professor

• Qur'ān Studies
• Islamic Studies
• Muslim-Christian Relations
• +4 more

Gabriel Said Reynolds is the Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He is a leading scholar specializing in Qur'ānic studies with particular expertise in Muslim-Christian relations and the historical context of Islamic scripture. Education Ph.D. in Islamic Studies, Yale University (2003) Professor Reynolds' research explores the intricate relationship between the Qur'ān and Biblical traditions, examining how Qur'ānic narratives reinterpret earlier religious stories within their 7th-century Arabian context. His work demonstrates exceptional literary and historical sensitivity to both Islamic and Christian scriptures, revealing how early Muslim communities engaged with preceding religious traditions while establishing their own theological framework. He approaches Qur'ānic studies with methodological rigor that respects both the academic study of religion and the theological significance of scripture for believers. His publication trajectory shows a consistent deepening of focus on the theological implications of Qur'ānic studies, particularly regarding the nature of God in Islamic scripture as evidenced by his acclaimed work 'Allah: God in the Qur'an.' Reynolds' scholarship bridges academic analysis with contemporary interfaith dialogue, making complex theological concepts accessible to diverse audiences while maintaining scholarly precision. Scientific Awards Field Prize at Yale University for doctoral dissertation on ʿAbd al-Jabbar's Islamic history of Christianity Professor Reynolds serves on the Vatican Dicastery of Inter-Religious Relations with Muslims, reflecting his significant contributions to Catholic-Muslim dialogue. He has directed major collaborative projects including 'The Qurʾān Seminar' (2012-13), which fostered international scholarly exchange. His YouTube channel 'Exploring the Qur'an and the Bible' has become an important platform for academic discussion of scripture, featuring conversations with leading scholars. He has conducted research and delivered lectures across the Middle East including Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, Damascus, and Tehran, giving him firsthand engagement with diverse Muslim scholarly traditions. Through his teaching at Notre Dame and public scholarship, Reynolds has created meaningful pathways for understanding between religious traditions while advancing the academic study of Islam with exceptional clarity and nuance.

• East Asian Buddhism
• Buddhist Transmission Narratives
• Church-State Relationships
• +6 more

Professor Jinhua Chen (PhD, McMaster University, 1997) is a leading scholar in East Asian Buddhism at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts. Holding a Canada Research Chair (2001-2011) and inducted into the Royal Society of Canada (2020), his work spans trans-regional Buddhist narratives, monastic institutions, relic veneration, and technological innovations in medieval Asian religions. Key Affiliations: UBC Buddhist Forum (Director), Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies (Resident Scholar), and editorial roles in Brill Book Series on East Asian Religions and Studies in Chinese Religions . Research Themes: Combines textual analysis with interdisciplinary methods to explore Buddhist sacred sites, doctrinal transmissions, and church-state dynamics. His projects include From the Ground Up (SSHRC Partnership Grant 2016-2023), examining East Asian religions through multi-media sources, and studies on ruixiang (propitious signs) in medieval Chinese prognostication. Scientific Awards: Royal Society of Canada Fellow, Canada Research Chair, SSHRC Insight Grants, Humboldt Research Fellowship, and Max Planck Institute funding. Publications: Over 30 book chapters and journal articles (2000-2016), including monographs on Fazang, Shingon-Tendai conflicts, and Buddhist sacred geography. Teaching: Courses on Chinese thought, Chan/Zen Buddhism, and Buddhist text interpretation, emphasizing methodological rigor and cross-cultural analysis. Projects: Directed international collaborations on Buddhist manuscripts, palace chapels, and relic cultures, with grants totaling over $4 million CAD.

Paul V. KollmanView profile

Associate Professor

• African Christianity
• Mission History
• World Christianity
• +5 more

Rev. Paul V. Kollman, CSC is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and has been a faculty fellow at the Kellogg Institute since 2002. His academic work focuses on the history of Christianity and World Religions/World Church, with extensive field research conducted in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and archival research in Europe and the US. Previously, he taught at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and the Philosophy Centre in Jinja, Uganda. Kollman's research examines African Christianity, mission history, and world Christianity through interdisciplinary lenses including sociology, anthropology, and history. His work explores religious transformation, inter-religious dialogue, and the cultural dimensions of faith communities in global contexts. His publications demonstrate consistent focus on missiology, African religious practices, and global Christianity trends. Recent works analyze contemporary challenges in religious life, historical developments in African Catholicism, and theoretical frameworks for understanding religious change across cultures. Honors and Awards: President, International Association of Mission Studies (2016-2020) Kellogg Institute's Undergraduate Mentoring Award (2008-09) Erasmus Institute Fellowship Lilly Fellowship for Theological Education Kollman mentors students through programs like the Kellogg International Scholars Program, advising research projects including translation of missionary journals and studies of African religious history. His work has been supported by fellowships from multiple institutions.

Dror WeilView profile

Assistant Professor

• History of Science
• Cultural History
• Early Modern History
• +3 more

Dror Weil is a University Assistant Professor in the History of Early Modern Asia (East Asia and the Islamicate world) at the University of Cambridge. He holds a fellowship at King's College and has held prior positions including a permanent lectureship at King's College London and postdoctoral fellowships at the Max Planck Institute and Berlin Center for the History of Knowledge. His research focuses on textual exchanges between the Islamicate world and China, histories of science and medicine in pre-modern Asia, and book culture. Education includes a BA in East Asian Studies and Economics from Tel Aviv University, an MA in History from National Chengchi University (Taipei), and a PhD from Princeton University (2016). He has received the Thomas Arthur Arnold Fund fellowship (2017) and will serve as a member at the Institute for Advanced Study (2024/2025). His teaching covers early modern Asian history, global early modernity, and material culture. Research interests include cross-cultural knowledge transfer, Mongol Empire histories, and the social history of science. He co-edited Premodern Experience of the Natural World in Translation (2022) and publishes on topics like Chinese-Islamic textual exchanges and the translation of scientific knowledge.

• Korean Intellectual History
• Korean Philosophy
• Korean Religious Traditions
• +7 more

Dr. Kevin N. Cawley is Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies and Director of the Irish Institute of Korean Studies at University College Cork since 2011. He is a founding member of the 'Society for the Study of Pre-modern Asia' at the University of Oxford and serves as editor of Korean Philosophy for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Originally from County Armagh, Ireland, he completed his undergraduate degree at Trinity College Dublin in French and Irish, and earned his Masters and PhD in Korean Studies from the University of Sheffield. Dr. Cawley's research focuses on Korea's intellectual history, examining philosophical and religious traditions through contemporary critical theory. His work explores the interplay between Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism, Christianity and Neo-Confucianism in the late 18th/early 19th century, and the complexities of translating religious concepts across East Asian languages and cultures. He has developed a unique methodological approach adapting Jacques Derrida's 'de-construction' to address inter-cultural translational challenges. His research also extends to gender and sexuality, ethnicity and identity in Korean contexts. His publications demonstrate significant scholarly impact, particularly his 2019 book Religious and Philosophical Traditions of Korea which reached No. 5 on Amazon's 'hot new releases' in religion and spirituality. His recent work has focused on transnational East Asian studies, Catholicism in pre-modern Korea, and contemporary Korean soft power. The publications show consistent engagement with both historical Korean thought and its contemporary relevance across multiple disciplines including religious studies, philosophy, gender studies, and cultural studies. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Korea Foundation Award for Korean Studies Language Program 2022-2024 Academy of Korean Studies: SEED Program - $120,000.00 One Asia Foundation Lecture Series: $40,000.00 Korea Foundation Fellowship for Korean Studies 2015-2017 $90,000.00 Dr. Cawley has secured over €400,000 in research funding throughout his career and has served as editor for multiple academic journals including the Irish Journal of Asian Studies and Asian Ethnicity . He has organized numerous international conferences, including the North American Korean Philosophy Association Annual Conference at UCC. His media engagement includes regular interviews with RTE, BBC, and Korean media outlets on Korean affairs, demonstrating his role as a public intellectual bridging academic scholarship and public understanding of Korea.

• Islamic Theology
• Qur'anic Studies
• Hadith Studies
• +12 more

Dr. Tajul Islam is a Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies , University of Leeds , where he has been a member of staff since 2009. He also holds a visiting position at the University of the Punjab, Lahore. His academic work bridges traditional Islamic scholarship and critical theory, and he is a co-founder of Critical Muslim Studies (CMS) at Leeds, a framework aimed at centering Muslim subjectivity and decolonizing knowledge production in higher education. Education: BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies — University of Leeds PhD in Arab and Islamic Studies — University of Exeter Dr. Islam’s research encompasses a wide range of fields, including Islamic Theology (kalam) , Qur’anic Studies , Hadith , Islamic Law , Islamic Philosophy , Islamism , Islamophobia , antisemitism , racism , Biblical Studies , and Madrasa studies . His teaching emphasizes inclusivity and sensitivity to contemporary issues of identity and prejudice. His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining religious studies with food ethics, digital humanities, and decolonial theory. Key themes include theological minimalism , racial justice in early Islam , Islamic reform , and cross-traditional dialogue . He frequently presents at international conferences and public events on topics such as decolonial imagination, fatwa borrowing, and Muslim identity. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: Co-authored a well-cited article on Hanafi fiqh and British Muslims’ views on cultured meat. Published on Qur’anic phonetics and automatic lexis extraction. Contributed to encyclopedias on Ibn Mujahid and the Bible’s use in Islamophobic discourse. Co-founded the Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies. Dr. Islam supervises a diverse cohort of PhD students on topics ranging from blasphemy laws and translation studies to female religious authority and Qur’anic coherence. He has successfully guided over 15 doctoral candidates to completion. He is also involved in collaborative research and international academic partnerships, particularly with institutions in Pakistan. Labs and Research Groups: Co-Director, Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies Member of research groups in Arabic Cultural Studies , Conflict , and History

Andrzej BorkowskiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Church History
• Orthodox Church in Central/Eastern Europe and Balkans
• Union of Brest
• +6 more

His Excellency Bishop Andrzej Borkowski (born 1974) is a Polish Orthodox hierarch, theologian, and historian. He serves as Bishop of Supraśl and Vicar of the Białystok-Gdańsk Diocese since 2017. Since 2012, he has been an Assistant Professor at the Department of Orthodox Theology, University of Białystok, where he teaches courses on Byzantine civilization, monasticism, and liturgical history. Education: Habilitacja (2017), University of Białystok PhD in Theological Sciences (2009), University of Athens Master of Theology (2005, University of Athens; 2001, Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw) Greek language studies (2001-2002), University of Athens Research Interests: Specializes in the history of Eastern patriarchates in post-Byzantine Poland-Lithuania, Orthodox autocephaly movements (1919-1927), Union of Brest controversies, monasticism, canon law, and Byzantine-Balkan cultural influences in Poland. His work examines liturgical reforms, interfaith dialogues, and diplomatic exchanges between Orthodox churches and European powers. Academic Contributions: Authored three monographs and over 40 articles on Orthodox Church-state relations, including Patriarchaty Wschodu w dziejach Rzeczypospolitej (2014) and Między Konstantynopolem a Moskwą (2015). His research spans 16th-20th century Orthodox history in Poland, Ukraine, and the Balkans. Scientific Awards: Rektor's Award (2013), University of Białystok Leadership Roles: Promotes Orthodox theological education through international conferences, expert teams for heritage restoration, and supervision of theological licentiate theses. Currently chairs expert commissions for monastery renovations and participates in Pan-Orthodox Council initiatives.

• French Enlightenment
• Fiction and Philosophy
• Intertextuality
• +3 more

Nicolas Fréry is the Astra Foundation Research Fellow in Textual Scholarship at the Voltaire Foundation and a Junior Research Fellow at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford . He holds a PhD from the Sorbonne (2022) and previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Strasbourg. His research explores intersections between fiction and philosophy in the French Enlightenment, focusing on intertextuality and representations of reading. Education : Ecole Normale Supérieure (Paris), agrégation de lettres modernes, PhD in French Literature (Sorbonne, 2022) Fréry's research examines how Enlightenment authors navigated philosophical and literary discourses, particularly through intertextual dialogues (Pascal-Marivaux-Rousseau) and reading practices. He has contributed critical editions like Voltaire's Anti-Pascal and articles analyzing Marivaux, Prévost, and Rousseau. Recent publications address Rousseau’s therapeutic reading concepts, Marivaux’s reworking of Racine, and 18th-century representations of feminine poverty. His work bridges close textual analysis with broader Enlightenment intellectual currents. Scientific Awards : Prix solennel de thèse (Chancellerie des Universités de Paris, 2023) Prix Jeune Chercheur (Fondation des Treilles, 2022) Fréry co-organized events including the conference 'Imposteurs, faussaires et charlatans' (2023) and a workshop on Pascal's literary reception (2020).

Vasudha NarayananView profile

Professor

• Hindu Traditions
• Religious Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Vasudha Narayanan is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of Florida, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bombay and has held leadership roles including President of the American Academy of Religion (2001-2002). Her research focuses on Hindu traditions in India, Cambodia, and America, with particular emphasis on visual culture, gender, and material religion. Educated at the Universities of Madras, Bombay, and Harvard, her work explores themes such as Hindu temple architecture in Cambodia, diasporic religious practices, and gendered expressions of devotion. She has authored nine books, including co-editing the Brill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism , and has been supported by grants from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEH, and ACLS. In 2023, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her research interests span Khmer art history, Bhakti poetry, and the intersection of religion with environmental ethics. She co-founded the Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions (CHiTra) at UF, dedicated to advancing scholarship on Hindu culture. Her recent work examines the cultural and religious exchanges between India and Cambodia, as well as the role of performance and ritual in diasporic Hindu communities. Notable awards include the University of Florida’s Teacher Scholar of the Year (2010). Her articles analyze topics ranging from temple iconography to gendered devotional practices, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary and globally oriented religious studies.

• Religion and International Relations
• Faith Diplomacy
• Catholic Church and Global Politics
• +3 more

Lan T. Chu serves as Professor of Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College, where she has held faculty position since 2005. Her office is located in Johnson 205 with regular availability on Tuesdays (11:30 AM-12:45 PM in person/Zoom) and Fridays (9:00-10:00 AM). Her academic credentials include: B.A. and M.A. from New York University Ph.D. from George Washington University Chu's research centers on religion's political dimensions, particularly the Catholic Church's global influence through faith diplomacy and norm entrepreneurship. She examines inter-religious dialogue, ideological frameworks, and democratization processes in communist regimes, with recent work analyzing religious responses to climate change and migration. Her scholarship applies constructivist theory to position religious institutions as transformative actors in international relations. Analysis of her publication history reveals evolving scholarly priorities: early work (2005-2015) focused on church-state dynamics in Vietnam and China, while current research (2022-2025) emphasizes environmental stewardship and citizenship. This trajectory demonstrates increasing engagement with contemporary global crises through religious institutional lenses. Her scholarly recognition includes: Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship Visiting Fellowship at University of Southern California Linda & Tod White Teaching Prize (2022) As Faculty Director for Equity and Justice, Chu leads campus-wide inclusion initiatives while advancing three major book projects: Catholic Church's global policy influence (Routledge), religion and citizenship (Routledge), and Vietnamese religious freedom (Brill Press). Her mentorship in DWA 299 (Qualitative Methods) trains students in research design for political analysis. Chu contributes to international scholarship as Country Expert for Gothenburg's Varieties of Democracy Project (2012-present) and editorial board member of Politics, Groups, and Identities , building academic networks that inform her classroom instruction on ideology and international relations theory.

Nile GreenView profile

Professor

• Global history
• Islam & Muslims in global history
• Inter-Asia
• +6 more

Nile Green is the Ibn Khaldun Endowed Chair in World History at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he served as founding director of the UCLA Program on Central Asia (2008-2016). His research bridges global history and Islamic studies, focusing on Muslim networks across India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, and the Indian Ocean world. Specializes in inter-Asia and Indian Ocean studies Explores Sufism, Persian & Urdu travel writing, and Islamic print history Active on global Muslim interactions with non-Muslim societies His recent articles examine topics spanning Islamicate linguistics , transcultural art history , and historiographical methods , particularly in India, Afghanistan, and China. Earlier works established connections between colonial infrastructure and Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj), while his 2016 book The Love of Strangers documented early Middle Eastern students in Europe. Scientific awards include: Guggenheim Fellowship Luce/ACLS Fellow in Religion, Journalism & International Affairs Albert Hourani Book Award (MESA) Ananda K. Coomaraswamy Book Award (AAS) Bentley Book Prize (World History Association) Sir George Staunton Prize (Royal Asiatic Society)

• History of Christianity in China
• Mongolian Religious History
• Missionary Studies
• +3 more

Lars Laamann is a Lecturer at the School of History, Religions and Philosophies, SOAS University of London. His research focuses on the historical interplay between religion, colonialism, and cultural exchange in East Asia, with particular emphasis on Christianity in China and Mongolian religious traditions. He maintains an active research profile as evidenced by his publication record spanning from 1996 to 2025. Dr. Laamann's primary research interests include: The historical development of Christianity in China from the Qing Dynasty to modern times Mongolian religious syncretism and its political implications Protestant and Catholic missionary strategies in Southeast Asia Orthodox Christianity's role in contemporary geopolitical conflicts Colonial-era religious encounters and their sociocultural impacts His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on religious encounters in East Asia, with recent works exploring Orthodox Christianity in conflict zones (Ethiopia/Ukraine), memory studies in Chinese Christianity, and missionary history. The publication trends show increasing attention to comparative religious analysis across different Asian contexts. Dr. Laamann has supervised several doctoral students researching topics including: Qing Dynasty state formation and religious policy (J. Lu) Republican China's communication infrastructure (L.-C. Chen) Cross-cultural encounters in early Qing Empire (W. Kang) Economic transformations in Mongolia (S. Shan) He serves as editor for the Central Asiatic Journal and participates in collaborative research projects examining Orthodox Christianity's political dimensions.

Safet HadziMuhamedovicView profile

Research Fellow

• Anthropology
• Cultural Geography
• Religious Plurality
• +5 more

Dr. Safet HadžiMuhamedović is a Research Fellow at the Department of Philosophy, University of Stirling. He is a key contributor to the Shared Sacred project, an interdisciplinary initiative based at the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, exploring religious plurality through landscape studies across five continents and one sea. His work bridges anthropology, philosophy, and environmental humanities. Research Focus: His research examines spatio-temporal dynamics of post-conflict societies, focusing on Bosnian Dinaric landscapes. He investigates memory practices in karstic geographies, ritual theory, and the persistence of genocide structures in the Balkans. His work connects environmental change with cultural identity through themes like 'Home, Housing & Communities' and 'Human Security, Conflict, Co-operation.' Publications & Presentations: Recent works include studies on fluid human-environment relationships (2024), underworlding methodologies (2024), and time anthropology in Bosnian landscapes (2022). He contributed to the Shared Sacred exhibition (2021) with photo-ethnographic analyses of sacred coexistence. Teaching: Though teaching details are sparse, he participates in summer schools like the Anthropology of Travel, Tourism and Pilgrimage (2019). His academic presence spans the Xenia Series (2020) and CRASSH conferences.