Heather Macfarlane is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Queen’s University, within the Faculty of Arts and Science. She holds a PhD and MA from the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on space, place, and sovereignty in Indigenous, diaspora, and settler texts across English and French Canada, alongside literature’s role in education, decolonization, and mental health. She is currently leading an SSHRC-funded project exploring literary land claims in Indigenous and diaspora texts. Her work bridges comparative literature, cultural studies, and Canadian studies, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to decolonial frameworks. Key research areas include Indigenous literary expression across linguistic divides, the intersection of oral and written traditions, and the impact of storytelling in societal contexts. Macfarlane has published widely on topics such as the literary road narrative, national identity, and Indigenous-French-English textual dialogues. Her recent work underscores literature’s vital role in contemporary societal challenges, including reconciliation and mental health advocacy.
Prof. Dr. Maja Ćuk is a full-time faculty member at the Faculty of Foreign Languages , Alfa BK University , where she serves as Dean. Her academic work focuses on feminist studies, Canadian literature, and diaspora narratives. Dean, Faculty of Foreign Languages (current) Professor of English Literature (ongoing) Research Interests include: Gender dynamics in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian fiction Postcolonial and diaspora literature Narrative theory and archetypal analysis Ecocriticism and environmental allegory Publication Trends show a focus on: Margaret Atwood’s exploration of patriarchy and identity Intersection of cultural memory and diasporic subcultures Modernist and postmodernist narrative techniques Slavic-Canadian transnational literary discourse
Carmen Zamorano Llena is a Professor of English at Dalarna University, Sweden, affiliated with the School of Language, Literatures and Learning. She holds a PhD from the University of Barcelona and has served as Lecturer at the University of Lleida before joining Dalarna in 2006. Her roles include Programme Director for three Master's programmes (HENEA, HMILA, HEELA) and Course Coordinator for multiple literature courses. Her academic journey spans a BA from University of Lleida, MA in Translation from University of Westminster, and PhD from University of Barcelona. Her research focuses on migration narratives, transculturality, crisis narratives, and literary gerontology in English literatures. Key contributions include the monograph *Fictions of Migration in Contemporary Britain and Ireland* (2020) and co-edited volumes like *Muslim Writing, Writing Muslimness in Europe* (2024). Research Interests: - Migrant literature and temporal subjectivity - Aging narratives in Irish fiction - Postcolonial transcultural identities - Aesthetic engagement with crisis and fear Her publications analyze how literature engages with social issues like migration, gender, and aging. Recent work explores hospitality concepts in migration contexts and fear-driven cultural anxieties in Europe. She also examines representations of Muslim identity in transnational contexts. Teaching responsibilities include supervision of undergraduate and graduate theses, as well as courses on postcolonial literature, literary censorship, and migration narratives. She co-edits the Peter Lang Cultural Identity Studies series.
Peter Rock is a Professor of Creative Writing in the English Department at Reed College, where he has served since 2001. He specializes in teaching prose writing across fiction and non-fiction, emphasizing intersections between genres, economical forms, and metaphysical themes. His research interests include the fantastic, animals in literature, ghosts, and narrative linkages. Education: BA in English from Yale University; Wallace Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University. Previous teaching appointments include University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Deep Springs College, and San Francisco State University's MFA program. Rock's literary works explore unconventional narrative structures and existential themes. His recent novel Passerthrough (2023) combines murder mystery with supernatural elements, while My Abandonment (2007) was adapted into the critically acclaimed film Leave No Trace (2018). He has received prestigious awards including Guggenheim and NEA Fellowships. Notable grants/fellowships include: Guggenheim Fellowship, NEA Fellowship. His work appears in multiple languages internationally. Currently resides in Portland, Oregon.
Jung Joon Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theory and History of Art and Design at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) . Her work bridges art history, decolonial studies, and media theory, focusing on photography's role in articulating post-war Korean identities, transpacific collaborations, and queer feminist praxis. Education: PhD, CUNY Graduate Center MA, CUNY Hunter College BA, Miami University Research interests include: Photography as historical mediation Decolonial methodologies in transpacific contexts Urban planning's intersections with art Queer feminist critiques of institutional structures Her 2024 monograph Shooting for Change analyzes Korean photographic practices post-1953, while current projects explore transoceanic art collaborations and co-editing Queer Feminist Elsewhere . Recent essays address Cold War temporality and grieving practices in art. Lee held a Society Fellowship at Cornell University (2022-23) and was Visiting Professor at Yonsei University (2022). She co-organized RISD's 2021 Queer/Feminist/Praxis conference.
Hans Lauge Hansen is a Professor of Cultural Memory Studies and Intercultural Studies at Aarhus University's School of Communication and Culture (SCC), holding a special obligations position since 2015. Previously served as Associate Professor at Aarhus (2004-2015) and the University of Copenhagen (2000-2004), alongside roles as Head of the Department of Language, Literature and Culture (SLK) at AU (2006-2009). His research focuses on cultural memory studies, Spanish and Latin American literature, migration narratives, and semiotics. Key areas include transnational memory, agonistic narratives, and intergenerational trauma representation. Leadership includes directing major initiatives such as the Uses of the Past Research Program (2016, 90 researchers), the Horizon 2020 UNREST project (2016-2019), and the Globalization, Migration, and Memory Program (2012-2015). Member of prestigious networks like Mnemonics Network and EU's TransMigraARTS (2021-2024). Published extensively on memory in literature, including edited volumes like La memoria novelada (2012) and monographs exploring narrative theory. Recognized through Academy of Europe membership (elected 2021). Advisory roles include co-directing 36-researcher programs and leading international editorial boards in journals like Caracteres and Rassegna Iberistica . Active in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across cultural studies and migration research.
Jason Marc Harris serves as an Instructional Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, specializing in creative writing and folklore studies. His research focuses on Romantic and Victorian British fiction, theories of the literary fantastic, and contemporary folklore. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington (2001), an M.F.A. from Bowling Green State University (2014), and earlier degrees from UC and UW. His creative work includes the novella *Master of Rods and Strings* (2021), exploring occult puppetry and vengeance, and the scholarly text *Folklore and the Fantastic in Nineteenth-Century British Fiction* (2008). He has also co-authored joke books and collaborative storytelling projects. Recipient of numerous awards, including the Gertrude Stein Award (2024) and film screenplay accolades, Harris’s publications span short stories, academic articles, and reviews in journals like *Western Folklore* and *Marvels and Tales*. His creative consultancy work includes radio plays and screenwriting collaborations, such as *The Adventures of Monty Moudlyn* (2011). Research highlights include analyses of supernatural folklore in Scottish coastal culture, Victorian pantomime traditions, and modern reinterpretations of fairy tales in graphic novels. His interdisciplinary approach bridges folklore studies, creative writing, and cultural criticism.
Nicole L. Immler is Professor of Historical Memory and Transformative Justice, leading research on transitional justice mechanisms and historical reconciliation processes. Research focuses on: Dialogic approaches to historical justice Intergenerational memory transmission Restorative justice for historical abuse Veteran-civilian reconciliation She directs multiple projects including 'Returning Archives' and 'Dialogics of Justice', examining recognition processes for victims of institutional violence. Her publications explore relational approaches to conflict legacy, receiving the Low Countries History Award for outstanding scholarship.
Mario Padula is a Professor of Economic Policy at the Università della Svizzera italiana, having joined in 2015 after previous positions at the University of Salerno and Ca' Foscari University of Venice. He earned his PhD from University College London in 2001. His research spans household finance, pension economics, and consumer behavior analysis. His primary research interests include: Economics of consumer behavior Applied econometrics for household decision-making Financial literacy's impact on portfolio choices Pension system analysis and reform Intergenerational transmission of economic behaviors Dr. Padula maintains an active research program focusing on microeconomic analysis of household financial decisions with implications for policy development.
Eleanor Carpenter is Professor of Interdisciplinary Art and Culture at Umeå School of Architecture and Director of the UmArts Research Centre at Umeå University. With 25+ years of curatorial experience, her research investigates nuclear culture through art commissions, exhibitions, and international collaborations. Her Nuclear Culture project examines the full lifecycle of radioactive materials from uranium mining to waste management. Current research focuses on planetary nuclear aesthetics and deep geologic repository cultural strategies. Recent publications analyze artistic methodologies for nuclear legacies and decolonial approaches to nuclear technology. She leads international workshops on embedding repository knowledge in future cultural memory.
Dr. Deirdre Drake serves as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology within the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University (ECU). She has maintained her academic position at ECU since 2000, following prior teaching experience as a Psychology tutor and Criminology lecturer at The University of Melbourne. Her academic career spans over two decades with consistent contributions across teaching, research, and supervision in psychological science. Dr. Drake completed her Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Melbourne in 2000. Her academic path began unconventionally as she initially trained as a lawyer before returning to education as a mature-aged student to pursue psychology. Her research program demonstrates remarkable interdisciplinary breadth while maintaining clear thematic coherence. Dr. Drake's work consistently examines human adaptation to life transitions across the lifespan, with particular attention to legal contexts and human-animal relationships. She has made significant contributions to understanding how individuals navigate environmental displacement, family transitions, aging processes, and justice system interactions. Her research on companion animals has illuminated the psychological significance of human-animal bonds across developmental stages, while her forensic psychology work has advanced understanding of juvenile justice processes and pre-sentence evaluations in Australia. The interdisciplinary nature of her work is evident in collaborations spanning psychology, criminology, environmental studies, and health sciences. Dr. Drake's research portfolio includes substantial grant funding, most notably the $127,000 National Disaster Risk Reduction Grant (2024-2025) for the REVAL project examining natural disaster risk, and the $80,791 Constable Care grant (2020-2021) evaluating ethical leadership programs. Her earlier funded research includes investigations of family financial norms, FIFO living arrangements, and family violence court practices. Responding to Natural Disaster Risk: Evaluating Vulnerability, Awareness and Liveability (REVAL) - $127,000 (2024-2025) An Evaluation of the Ethical Leadership Program - $80,791 (2020-2021) Families and Money: Norms and behaviours between and within cultures - $17,086 (2016) New Directions in FIFO living - $58,979 (2012-2013) Victims' voices in Family Violence Courts - $39,000 (2005-2008) Public expectations of appropriate arrangements for children - $5,995 (2004-2005) As a dedicated supervisor, Dr. Drake currently guides ten doctoral candidates as Principal, Co-principal, or Associate Supervisor, with research topics spanning personality disorders, violence risk assessment, false guilty pleas, aging experiences, and coercive control in legal systems. Her completed supervision record includes twenty-five doctoral students whose work addresses diverse psychological phenomena including terrorism discourse, intimate partner violence, dog relinquishment, and interethnic relationships. Her supervision approach integrates theoretical rigor with practical application, particularly in forensic and clinical contexts. Dr. Drake maintains active professional engagement through membership in the Australian Psychological Society. Her scholarly impact is reflected in consistent publication across high-quality journals in psychology, criminology, and interdisciplinary fields, with recent work addressing contemporary issues including LGBTQA+ family dynamics, environmental migration, and personality disorder classification systems.
Dagmar Kutsar is an Associate Professor in Social Policy at the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Social Sciences, within the Institute of Social Studies. Her career spans over four decades in academia, focusing on social well-being, family dynamics, and child vulnerability. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences (1995) from the University of Tartu. Her research emphasizes poverty, social exclusion, and generational challenges, with particular attention to children’s subjective well-being. Notable roles include Programme Director for the Sociology Doctoral Programme (2014–2015) and leadership in the TU Family Research Unit (1991–2001). She has authored/co-authored over 170 publications, including edited volumes like Child Vulnerability and Vulnerable Subjectivity (2024) and national reports on mental health (2023). Administratively, she chairs the Estonian Human Development Report Committee and serves on international boards such as the International Journal of Emotional Education and the International Commission on Couple and Family Relations. Awards include the University of Tartu Small Medal (2011) and Badge of Distinction. Her work bridges research and policy, addressing child protection, migration impacts, and pandemic effects. Collaborations span Europe, with projects funded by the European Commission and Estonian agencies. She leads interdisciplinary teams studying family structures, intergenerational solidarity, and social inclusion.
Eric Micha Holmes is a Visiting Lecturer in Playwriting at Skidmore College and Faculty Lead of Goddard College’s MFAW Creative Writing Program. He holds an MFA from the University of Iowa and a BA from Arizona State University. Holmes is also a Teaching Artist at the National Theatre School of Canada, specializing in intercultural practices, Black Performance History, and expanded media. His research and creative work interrogate race, identity, and media through plays like Year of the Goat (an Afro-surrealist satire about a basketball player’s disappearance), Rapture Season (an Audible audio drama about a mother’s cross-continental search for her daughter), and Mondo Tragic (a documentary-inspired play exploring racial identity and media representation). His forthcoming book Decentered Playwriting (Routledge, 2024) redefines playwriting through non-Western and intercultural lenses. Key themes in his work include racial profiling, institutional critique, and the intersection of technology with human identity. His plays have been produced by the BBC, Audible, The National Black Theatre, and New York Theatre Workshop. Awards : Dramatist Guild Fellowship, Space at Ryder Farm residency, Djerassi Resident Artist Program, Bernard Amyot Prize (2024). Grants : Supported by the Ford Foundation (Apollo New Works), HBO Fund for Theater, and National Endowment for the Arts. As a mentor, Holmes guides emerging playwrights through residencies and educational programs like Team Play (Primary Stages) and Goddard College’s MFAW program. He collaborates with institutions such as the Apollo Theater and New Black Fest to amplify underrepresented voices in theater.
Miles Corak is a Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), and Senior Scholar at the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality. His research focuses on social mobility, inequality, child rights, labor markets, and public policy. Previously, he held positions at the University of Ottawa and was part of senior management at Statistics Canada. He has been a visiting researcher at institutions such as Harvard University and the Russell Sage Foundation. Corak’s work bridges academia and policy, influencing global discussions on inequality. His ‘Great Gatsby Curve’ analysis linking inequality to reduced social mobility has been widely cited. He advised the Canadian government on poverty reduction strategies and socioeconomic policy. His research spans comparative studies of Canada, the U.S., and Europe, emphasizing the role of policy in shaping opportunities. Key awards include the Doug Purvis Memorial Prize (2014) and the Mike McCracken Award (2015). He has authored influential books, including Generational Income Mobility in North America and Europe (2004) and co-edited volumes on inequality. His affiliations include the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality and the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). Corak’s teaching includes labor economics and social policy, reflecting his commitment to translating research into actionable policy. Current projects explore intergenerational mobility patterns and the measurement of equality of opportunity.
Jennifer Thorburn is an Assistant Professor (MER 2) in the English Section of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lausanne, where she has been employed since 2015. Her academic career spans institutions across Canada, England, and Switzerland, with a focus on sociolinguistic research involving Indigenous communities. Her educational background includes a PhD from Memorial University in Newfoundland (2014), an MA from the same institution (2006), and a BA from Queen's University in Canada (2003). Prior to joining UNIL, she served as a Lecturer in Sociolinguistics at Newcastle University in England (2014-2015). Dr. Thorburn specializes in sociolinguistics with particular emphasis on language variation and change, varieties of English, and language contact phenomena, especially between Indigenous languages. Her research demonstrates a strong commitment to documenting endangered language varieties and analyzing the sociocultural factors driving language shift in Indigenous communities across Canada. Her dissertation provided a quantitative analysis of English developing in an Indigenous community in northern Canada, establishing the foundation for her ongoing research trajectory. Her publication record reveals consistent scholarly output focused on Indigenous language endangerment (particularly Innu-aimun and Inuttitut), dialect development in Canadian Aboriginal communities, language attitudes, and methodological approaches to sociolinguistic fieldwork. The temporal progression of her work shows increasing specialization in Indigenous language issues, with recent publications addressing stealth language endangerment and shifting bilingualism patterns. Dr. Thorburn maintains active international collaborations with colleagues from institutions in Canada, Germany, and England, reflecting the transnational nature of her research interests and methodologies. Her work bridges theoretical linguistics with community-based research practices, particularly evident in publications addressing ethics and accessibility in sociolinguistic corpus building with Indigenous communities.
