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Prof. Dr. Henning Klöter is Professor of Modern Chinese Languages and Literatures at Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin) and serves as Dean of the Faculty of Culture, Language and Education. He is affiliated with the Institute of Asian and African Studies and the Department of East Asian Studies. He has been a faculty member since 2015 and leads significant research in sociolinguistics, language planning, and Sinophone studies. His educational background includes studies in Sinology, German Studies, and Linguistics at the University of Trier, Capital Normal University (Beijing), Leiden University, and National Taiwan University. He earned his doctorate from Leiden University in 2003 and completed his habilitation at Ruhr University Bochum in 2010. Henning Klöter's research focuses on multilingualism, language planning, the history of Chinese linguistics in Europe—especially missionary and colonial linguistics—historical sociolinguistics, Overseas Chinese communities, and Taiwan Studies, with regional interests spanning the PRC, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan. His work often explores the ideological and political dimensions of language standardization and visibility in public space. Since 2023, he has been Chief Editor of the Journal of Asian Pacific Communication. His recent scholarly output reveals a strong trend in historical and sociopolitical aspects of Chinese language use, particularly across Sinophone regions. Themes include language policy divergence between Taiwan and the PRC, linguistic landscape analysis in Taipei, missionary lexicography, and the evolution of Chinese linguistic standards. His publications bridge historical documentation with contemporary sociolinguistic theory, emphasizing pluricentricity and ideological influences on language. Chief Editor, Journal of Asian Pacific Communication (since 2023) Principal Investigator, ChinGram (Erasmus+ project) Principal Investigator, EMHo (DFG Weave project) He has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided texts. Prof. Klöter is actively engaged in major research initiatives and editorial leadership, contributing significantly to the academic understanding of language in Chinese-speaking societies. He is involved in the Mori-Ōgai Memorial and contributes to the academic community through research projects, publications, and institutional leadership. His work often intersects with cultural memory, colonial history, and linguistic identity in East Asia.

• Sociolinguistics
• Language Planning and Policy
• Historical Sociolinguistics
• +12 more

Katrin Bromber is a German Researcher at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, where she has led the research group "Progress and its Discontents: Ideas, Practices, Materiality" since 2014. Her career spans senior research roles at ZMO and academic teaching positions at the University of Vienna. Nationality: German. Language skills: Native German, fluent English/Swahili, moderate Amharic, good reading knowledge in French/Russian, basic Tigrinya. Habilitation (2009–): African Studies, University of Vienna PhD (1993): African Linguistics, University of Leipzig MA (1988): Swahili Studies, University of Leipzig Katrin Bromber's research interrogates intersections of body politics , sports history , Swahili linguistics , and Ethiopian modernity . Her work traces how physical culture, media representation, and colonial/imperial narratives shape national identities across Africa and Asia. Current focus: "Progress" as contested concept in Ethiopian and Gulf urbanism. Key article trends reflect her translocal methodology: 2017 studies on Ethiopian stadiums and fitness culture ; 2014-2013 publications analyzing East African military press , sports branding in the Gulf , and Swahili poetry ; 2007-2000 works on colonial linguistic politics , Indian Ocean slavery , and German colonial Swahili promotion . Recurring sub-fields: body as political text, translocal modernity, media historiography. Scientific Awards: Research Grant of the Berlin City Council (1999-2000): Gendered Slavery study Service to the Scientific Community: Chairwoman, Academic Association for Horn of Africa Studies (2012–) Editorial Advisory Board - Stichproben. Vienna Journal of African Studies (2015–) Editorial Advisory Board - Studies of Department of African Languages and Cultures (2015–) Teaching Experience: Textlinguistics, Mediacommunication, African Linguistics, Swahili (elementary/advanced), Swahili Literature, Swahili in Arabic Script at Leipzig, Humboldt-Berlin, Free Berlin, and Vienna universities Anthropology of the Body at Mekelle University Summer School Field Research: Tanzania (1993-2003): Swahili Poetry, Intellectual History Kenya (2005): Indian Ocean WW2 UAE/Bahrain (2009): Sports and Body Cultures Ethiopia (2009-2015): Sports, Body Politics

• African Studies
• Linguistics
• Historical Anthropology
• +8 more

Alberto Cantera Glera is a Professor at the Institute of Iranian Studies within the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on Zoroastrian studies, Avestan language and literature, Iranian linguistics, and manuscript studies. He teaches courses on Young Avestan, Pahlavi, Zoroastrian rituals, and Iranian literature, with office hours held on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Professor Cantera Glera's research interests center on Zoroastrian religious practices, particularly the Long Liturgy, Avestan textual criticism, and the transmission of Zoroastrian texts through manuscript traditions. His work bridges linguistic analysis with religious studies, examining how ritual practices evolved from ancient to medieval Iran. He has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between oral performance and written transmission in Zoroastrian traditions, as well as the linguistic features of Avestan and Middle Persian texts. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Zoroastrian ritual structures, particularly the Long Liturgy, with increasing attention to the relationship between textual manuscripts and ritual performance. The articles show progression from linguistic analysis of Avestan texts toward broader studies of ritual practice, sacred geography, and the historical development of Zoroastrian religious authority. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of manuscript evidence with ritual theory and historical linguistics. PRIX ROMAN ET TANIA GHIRSHMAN 2021 Professor Cantera has supervised numerous PhD students including Nils Purwins, Stefan Härtel, Yusef Saadat, Jaime Porro, Soheil Delshad, and Xue Li. His research has been supported through various academic projects related to Zoroastrian manuscript studies and Avestan textual criticism, contributing significantly to the field of Iranian studies at Freie Universität Berlin.

• Zoroastrian Studies
• Avestan Language and Literature
• Iranian Linguistics
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Jonas Schützeneder is a Professor of Digital Journalism at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, where he serves as Deputy Chair of the Examination Board. He holds a doctorate in Sports Journalism and Sports Communication and completed his habilitation in Innovation Communication. His academic responsibilities include teaching digital journalism in the Management and Media program (BA/MA), with a focus on data journalism, social media strategies, and online formats. Schützeneder's research explores transformative trends in journalism, with core interests in: Artificial intelligence applications in newsrooms Social media's impact on journalism practices Innovation communication and media evolution Podcast formats and audio storytelling strategies Ethical dimensions of digital journalism His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on journalism's digital transformation, particularly examining how emerging technologies like AI and social platforms are reshaping content production, distribution, and ethical frameworks across European media landscapes. His scientific recognitions include: University Teaching Award from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (awarded twice) Multiple nominations for Teaching Award at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences Schützeneder leads the podcast project 'Held:innen von Magdeburg' where students research and produce content about contemporary and historical figures. Since 2018, he has served on the editorial board of Communicatio Socialis, an academic journal on media ethics, where he manages peer review processes. Since 2024, he co-heads the DGPuK Journalism Section, a 400-member organization within the German Society for Journalism and Communication Studies.

• Digital Journalism
• Artificial Intelligence in Media
• Social Media and Journalism
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Jakob Leimgruber is Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Regensburg since 2022, where he is affiliated with the Department of English and American Studies within the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Cultures. Previously, he served as Substitute Professor at the University of Freiburg (2020-2022) and Lecturer at the University of Basel (2018-2022). His academic journey includes a Habilitation in English Philology from the University of Freiburg (2018), a DPhil in English Language from the University of Oxford (2009), and a Licence ès lettres in English Linguistics from the University of Fribourg (2005). Leimgruber's research centers on World Englishes with particular focus on East and Southeast Asia, sociolinguistics, language planning and policy, linguistic landscapes, language contact phenomena, language variation and change, indexicality, and authenticity. His work employs empirical approaches including corpus linguistics, fieldwork, and eye-tracking methodologies to investigate multilingual contexts across Singapore, Montreal, Taiwan, and the UAE. He has made significant contributions to understanding Singapore English, linguistic landscapes in multilingual cities, and language variation in postcolonial contexts. His publication record demonstrates consistent research output across multiple high-impact journals in linguistics, with a strong focus on empirical studies of language variation in specific contexts. Recent work shows increased attention to East Asian Englishes beyond Singapore, including Taiwan, and expanding investigations into the linguistic landscapes of global cities like Dubai. His research often employs collaborative approaches with international scholars across multiple institutions. Leimgruber has been active in academic service through numerous conference presentations including invited talks at institutions worldwide, participation in research workshops, and contributions to edited volumes on World Englishes and multilingual cities. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications in language policy and education. As an academic leader, Leimgruber has directed research projects examining multilingualism in global contexts, with particular attention to the role of English in shaping linguistic landscapes and identity construction. His recent work has increasingly focused on comparative approaches across different multilingual settings, examining common patterns and context-specific variations in how English functions in diverse sociolinguistic environments.

• World Englishes
• Sociolinguistics
• Language planning and policy
• +5 more

PD Dr. Lutz Rzehak is an academic staff member at the Institute for Asian and African Studies (IAAW) within the Faculty of Humanities at Humboldt University of Berlin, serving as a Teacher for special tasks specializing in Modern Iranian languages and the ethnography and cultural history of Afghanistan and Central Asia. His educational background includes: Oriental Studies/History from the State University of Leningrad (1985) Doctorate in Iranian Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin (1991) Habilitation in Central Asian Studies / Iranian Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin (2001) Dr. Rzehak's research spans Central Asian Studies , Iranian Studies , Ethnography , and Linguistics , with fieldwork focusing on Baloch, Pashtun, and Tajik communities. His work examines language evolution, social structures, and cultural practices through historical and contemporary lenses, particularly regarding Soviet influence and post-Taliban Afghanistan. Key contributions include grammatical analyses of Iranian languages and ethnographic studies of religious rituals and tribal systems. His recent publications (2016-2021) reveal consistent focus on Iranian language dynamics (especially Dari and Pashto), ethnic identity politics in Afghanistan, and cultural history of Central Asia. These works address language change mechanisms, ethnic consolidation strategies, and the interplay between tradition and modernity, often utilizing comparative linguistic and ethnographic methodologies. His scientific awards include: Heisenberg Fellow of the German Research Foundation Dr. Rzehak has held significant research positions including Research Associate in the Crossroads Asia Competence Network (2011-2016) and Heisenberg Fellow (2002-2011). While his CV does not list formal PhD advisees, his language lecturing and research supervision have mentored numerous students in Central Asian and Iranian studies through course instruction and fieldwork guidance. He has been actively involved in the Crossroads Asia Competence Network, a major interdisciplinary research initiative examining transregional connections and historical trajectories across Central, South, and West Asia.

• Central Asian Studies
• Iranian Studies
• Ethnography
• +3 more

Prof. Ludwig D. Morenz is a Professor of Egyptology at the University of Bonn and Director of the Egyptian Museum Bonn. He holds positions as a Principal Investigator in archaeological research and leads excavations in Egypt. His academic journey includes a Habilitation from the University of Tübingen (2001), a PhD from Leipzig (1994), and extensive postdoctoral fellowships across Europe. His research focuses on Pharaonic socio-economic systems, particularly dependency relationships between state expeditions and Canaanite populations. He examines ancient Egyptian economy, religion, and cultural interactions through material and textual evidence. Key areas include the origins of alphabetic writing, solar deity symbolism, and Roman-Egyptian cultural hybridity. Morenz has secured over €1 million in third-party funding from institutions like the German Research Foundation (DFG) and Gerda Henkel Foundation. He supervises numerous doctoral and master's students, reviewing over 30 theses and international PhDs. His editorial roles include founding journals like Studia Sinaitica and Bonner Ägyptologische Beiträge . Major excavations under his leadership include the Elite Necropolis of Qubbet el Hawa and the Serabit el-Chadim Hathor temple project. He participates in consortia such as the DFG Research Training Group 'Archeology of Pre-Modern Economies' and the International Congress of Egyptologists. Awards: Heisenberg Fellowship (DFG), Feodor Lynen Fellowship (Humboldt Foundation), Herzog-Ernst Scholarship Exhibitions: Curated annual special exhibitions at the Egyptian Museum Bonn, including a landmark show on alphabetic writing origins at Cairo's National Museum Publications: 13 monographs, 4 edited volumes, and over 100 articles

• Egyptology
• Ancient History
• Archaeology
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Antje Wilton is a W2 Professor for English Linguistics with a Focus on Sociolinguistics at the Institute of English Philology (WE6) within the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin. She is a leading scholar in sociolinguistics, English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), and discourse analysis, with a focus on media, sports, and forensic linguistics. Education: Magistra Artium in English, German, and Sociology (1990-1997) PhD: English and Applied Linguistics, University of Erfurt (2006) Her research spans sociolinguistics , multimodal interaction , discourse analysis , and cross-cultural communication . Recent work examines language use in sports interviews, media discourse, and forensic settings. She has co-edited volumes on organizational language and European linguistic dynamics. Key article trends include analyzing interactional strategies in sports interviews, ELF usage in media, and discourse patterns in public security debates. She teaches courses on sociolinguistics, language and space, and global English.

• Sociolinguistics
• English as a Lingua Franca
• Discourse Analysis
• +12 more

Jiří Muryc is a researcher at the Department of Slavonic Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ostrava. He specializes in Polish-Czech language contact, bilingualism, and sociolinguistic dynamics of the Czech-Polish borderlands. His work spans translation studies, orthographic interference, and linguistic landscapes. Position: Head of Department International Affiliation: Collaborated with Vytautas Magnus University, University of Wrocław, and other institutions His research focuses on multilingual environments, Polish language visibility in Czech public spaces, and cross-border language policy. He explores code-switching, hybrid lects, and ethnolinguistic identity in bilingual communities. Muryc's publications analyze Polish-Czech legal terminology, phraseological dictionaries, and translation challenges between typologically close languages. He emphasizes practical applications in interpreter training and digital language platforms like Polski.info . He supervises theses on topics ranging from Polish literature in Czech translations to Czech-Polish business phraseology and UNESCO heritage linguistics. His projects include Erasmus+ initiatives for Polish language e-learning and sociolinguistic studies of Zaolzie.

• Slavic Studies
• Bilingualism
• Language Contact
• +4 more

Dr. Mariusz Chrostowski is a Researcher at the Chair of Didactics of Religious Education, Catechetics, and Religious Pedagogy at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. He holds dual doctorates (Dr. theol. and Dr. phil.) and is pursuing a habilitation in religious education. His primary roles include research assistantship (100% since 2023), teaching courses on liturgy, pastoral practice, and intercultural learning, and organizing interdisciplinary conferences on artificial intelligence and religious education. Chrostowski has extensive experience in Polish and German educational systems, including teaching high school religion and pastoral work in dioceses. He is actively involved in research projects funded by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation and the German-Polish Science Foundation, focusing on AI in religious education and religious contributions to civil society. Education: PhD in Theology (2021) and Philosophy (2022) from Eichstätt-Ingolstadt Master’s in Theology from Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University (2014) Postgraduate studies in pedagogy, special education, and social work in Poland and Germany Research Interests: Religious education challenges, populism’s impact on education, AI ethics in theology, intercultural pedagogy, and the role of religion in civil society. Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles on AI in education, religious didactics, and populism’s sociopolitical effects, with a focus on Germany and Poland. Key works include exploring AI’s ethical implications and strategies for integrating technology into religious instruction. Chrostowski’s academic leadership includes organizing international conferences (e.g., „Minding the Gap“ on AI and religious education) and serving on editorial boards (e.g., Paedagogia Christiana). He is a voting member of the Faculty Council of Eichstätt’s Theology Faculty and spokesperson for Bavarian religious educators. His habilitation project examines the relationship between religious education and alternative subjects like ethics, emphasizing theological and philosophical reflections on schooling.

• Religious Education
• Populism and Its Impact on Education
• School Pastoral Care
• +3 more

Dimitra Fimi is Professor of Fantasy and Children’s Literature at the University of Glasgow , where she co-directs the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic . She is a leading Tolkien scholar and expert in fantasy literature, with a particular focus on mythopoeia, medievalism, and Celtic influences. Key affiliations: University of Glasgow, Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic, Perspectives on Fantasy book series Her research explores: Tolkien’s myth-making and linguistic creativity Celtic myth in modern fantasy Historical intersections between fantasy and academia World-building methodologies Racial and cultural discourse in fantasy Recent publications analyze Sir Gawain chronology, The Gnomobile , and fantasy languages. She has contributed to BBC’s Bargain Hunt and TLS, and co-edited Realms of Imagination for the British Library exhibition. Major awards: Mythopoeic Scholarship Award (Inklings Studies, 2010) Tolkien Society Award (Best Book, 2017) Mythopoeic Scholarship Award (Myth and Fantasy Studies, 2019) Tolkien Society Outstanding Contribution Award (2021) Active in public engagement, she curated the Tiny Treasures miniature book exhibition and contributes to podcasts, documentaries, and media discussions on fantasy literature.

• Fantasy Literature
• Children's Literature
• J.R.R. Tolkien Studies
• +5 more

Aleksandra Pawlicka is a prominent researcher specializing in cybersecurity , explainable AI , and disinformation detection . Her work bridges ethical considerations with technical innovations in network security and AI applications , particularly focusing on the intersection of human-robot collaboration , fake news analysis , and IoT vulnerabilities . Key research areas: Cybersecurity Ethics, AI Explainability, Disinformation Mitigation Notable collaborations: Marek Pawlicki, Rafal Kozik, Michal Choras Her publications analyze xAI challenges in intrusion detection, machine learning for network security, and ethical dilemmas in cybersecurity. She contributes to projects like ULTIMATE (robotic AI) and SWAROG (fake news detection), emphasizing transparency and practical implementation. Recent work explores adversarial attacks against AI systems , few-shot learning for cybersecurity, and neuro-symbolic reasoning for trustworthy AI. Her 2023 study on ChatGPT's impact on scientific communication highlights evolving technological and ethical landscapes in academic practices.

• Cybersecurity
• Explainable AI (xAI)
• Machine Learning
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Dr. Russell West-Pavlov holds the Chair of Anglophone Literatures and Cultures at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Humanities. His research focuses on Global South cultural and literary studies, with expertise in Australia, Africa, and the Caribbean. He co-convenes the MA Cultures of the Global South and teaches in Comparative Literature. Key roles include founding board member of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Global South Studies and co-convener of the BMBF/DAAD-funded Thematic Research Network (2015-2020). He has established the Doctoral Consortium Global South and chairs the book series Transdisciplinary Souths (Routledge). Education includes doctorates from the Universities of Cambridge (UK), Lille (France), and a senior doctorate from Cologne (Germany). Previous roles include professorships at Free University of Berlin (2002-2011) and University of Pretoria (2011-2013). His interdisciplinary work spans visiting professorships via DAAD programs and initiatives like the Erich Auerbach Chair of Global Literary Studies (2014-2016). Research interests emphasize poetics of space/time, entangled temporalities, and interdisciplinary methodologies. His publications explore postcolonial literatures, affect theory, and transnational cultural dynamics. He has developed programs like the Collocations: Constructing Interknowledges doctoral initiative and co-edited volumes on African literatures, border-crossing narratives, and frontier debates in Australian studies. Professional service includes editorial roles for Tydskrif vir Letterkunde and academic program development. His career extends beyond academia with prior roles as a forester, social worker, high-school teacher, and translator.

• Global South Studies
• Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies
• Postcolonial Literature
• +4 more

Stephan Packard is a Professor for Cultures and Theories of Popularity at the Institute for Media Culture and Theatre at the University of Cologne, where he has held a full professorship since 2017. Previously, he served as Junior Professor for Media Cultural Studies at Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg (2010-2017) and was repeatedly an acting professor for Cultures and Theories of Popularity at the University of Cologne (2015-2017). His research focuses on media control (including censorship, surveillance, and propaganda), popular visual cultures with particular emphasis on comics research, and the complex relationships between factuality, fictionality, and virtuality. As a media semiotician and discourse analyst, Packard examines how meaning is constructed across different media forms and how power operates through media systems. Packard's scholarly output shows a clear trend toward examining the intersections of comics studies with broader media theory, political philosophy, and critical social analysis. His recent publications increasingly address digital sovereignty, algorithmic control, and the transformation of media landscapes in the digital age, while maintaining his foundational work in comics theory and media semiotics. His research connects historical analysis of media forms with contemporary concerns about digital media power structures. Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize of the German Research Foundation (2015) Packard leads several significant research projects including the OER-Verbundprojekt 'Comicforschung.nrw,' 'The Adventure as a Popular Nomad: Transformations of Adventure Narratives in Comics,' and the 'Glossary of Digital Sovereignty.' He is actively involved in multiple academic networks including the Global South Studies Center (since 2025), the Key Profile Area Skills and Structures in Language and Cognition (since 2024), and was the first chairman of the Society for Comics Research (ComFor) from 2013-2019. His work bridges theoretical media studies with practical concerns about digital citizenship and media literacy in contemporary society.

• Media Control
• Censorship
• Surveillance
• +11 more

Niels Penke is a researcher in the Department of German Studies at the University of Siegen, Faculty I. He completed his habilitation in Modern German Literature and General and Comparative Literature at the same institution, earning the Venia Legendi. He has held acting professorships at TU Dresden and FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and is currently a Research Associate on the Volkswagen Foundation-funded project Eco-Folk . He is also a member of the Young Academy of the Academy of Sciences and Literature, Mainz. His research spans literary studies, popular culture, Scandinavian literature and film, ecocriticism, fantasy, and digital literature. Key interests include the transformations of the popular, literary media, Nordic myths, and the cultural poetics of nature. He has co-edited volumes on moor literature, generative literature, and depopularization, and authored a book on Danish film and Formations of the Popular . His recent publications reflect interdisciplinary trends in cultural and literary studies, with a focus on digital culture, ecological themes, and the evolution of popular forms. He has contributed to journals such as LiLi and Textpraxis , and engages with contemporary phenomena like Instapoetry and AI-generated literature. Scientific Awards: Dirlmeier Foundation Prize (2023) for habilitation thesis Future Prize of Research College Siegen (2018) Member, Young Academy of the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz (2020) Penke has advised and collaborated on multiple research projects and publications, including editorial and grant-funded work such as the Volkswagen Foundation project Eco-Folk and the Collaborative Research Center 1472 'Transformations of the Popular'. He has supervised academic teaching and research across Germany and abroad, including at Göttingen, Dresden, Erlangen, and Tartu. He is involved in the Cuts film podcast, contributes to public scholarship through media appearances, and organizes the Moor Literature Prize in collaboration with the Andrea von Braun Foundation. His academic network includes collaborations with Niels Werber, Matthias Schaffrick, and Joana van de Löcht.

• Literary Studies
• Modern German Literature
• General and Comparative Literature
• +12 more