Dr Helen Gittos is a Senior Lecturer and Fellow in Medieval History at Balliol College and Brasenose College, University of Oxford. She holds a PhD in early medieval history from Oxford, following an undergraduate degree in English Literature at Newcastle University. Her research focuses on medieval church history, liturgy, and the role of language in religious practices, with expertise in archaeological evidence and textual analysis. She teaches British and European medieval history at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including the MSt and MPhil programs in Medieval History. Her major publications include Liturgy, Architecture and Sacred Places in Anglo-Saxon England (2013) and co-edited volumes on medieval liturgy. Current projects explore the use of English in medieval liturgy and collaborative research on Cerne Abbas’s early medieval history with archaeologists. She leads the Oxford Centre for Early Medieval Britain and Ireland and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Worked in Stone project. Dr Gittos actively supervises DPhil students in areas related to her research, with recent advisees focusing on topics like shrines, liturgical charms, and Anglo-Saxon burial practices. She is also a media commentator, appearing in BBC News and podcasts discussing Anglo-Saxon history and archaeological discoveries.
Professor Matthew Treherne is a leading scholar in Italian literature at the University of Leeds, where he holds the position of Professor of Italian Literature in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. He currently serves as Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation, and co-directs the Leeds Centre for Dante Studies. His research bridges medieval and Renaissance literature with contemporary issues such as finance, ecology, and technology. PhD in Italian Literature, University of Cambridge (2007) Diploma in Management Studies, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge (2000) M.Phil in European Literature (Distinction), University of Cambridge (1999) BA in Modern and Medieval Languages (First-class), University of Cambridge (1997) Matthew Treherne's research focuses on Dante and late-medieval religious culture, with a strong emphasis on the liturgical imagination and theological discourse in poetry. He explores how Dante’s work can inform modern debates on the ecological crisis, financialisation, and time. His interdisciplinary approach integrates theology, philosophy, and cultural studies. He leads the project The Cultural Life of Money and Finance , which investigates how the humanities can shape financial futures. His recent publications include Dante’s ‘Commedia’ and the Liturgical Imagination and co-edited volumes on Dante’s theology. His recent scholarly articles and chapters show a consistent engagement with Dante’s theological and poetic structures, Tasso’s religious poetry, and the role of art and liturgy in early modern culture. Themes such as sacramentality, time, vision, and interdisciplinarity recur across his work, reflecting a deep commitment to understanding literature as a living, ethically engaged practice. University Teaching Fellowship Developmental University Teaching Fellowship Faculty of Arts Development Teaching Prize Treherne has supervised numerous PhD students and fosters research-led teaching, notably through projects like Discover Dante and the Leeds Dante Podcast . He has led major research initiatives, including the AHRC-funded Dante and Late Medieval Florence , and collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions. He is also active in public engagement, contributing to BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time and curating podcast series such as Conversations on Dante and Arts and Humanities Futures . He co-leads the Cultural Life of Money and Finance project with Invisible Flock, blending humanities research with creative practice.
Donald R. Davis, Jr. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts. With a PhD from the same institution, he has established himself as a leading scholar in Hindu law and Dharmaśāstra studies. His work bridges religious studies, legal history, and South Asian studies, making significant contributions to our understanding of law and religion in medieval India. Davis earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, where he has built his academic career. His scholarly journey has been deeply rooted in the study of Sanskrit legal traditions and their intersection with religious practice. Professor Davis's primary research concerns the interaction of law and religion in medieval India. He examines both historical evidence for law and legal practice through inscriptions and regional language documents, as well as the Dharmaśāstra tradition as a system of religious law and jurisprudence. His work situates Sanskrit normative texts within historical contexts while exploring their conceptual frameworks. He maintains the Resource Library for Dharmaśāstra Studies and has published extensively on Hindu law, including books such as The Spirit of Hindu Law (2010) and The Dharma of Business (2017). Davis's recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on the intersection of law, religion, and ethics in Hindu tradition. His work explores caste, conservatism, marital ethics, and the historical development of legal thought in India. He frequently draws comparative connections between Hindu legal traditions and other religious legal systems, contributing to broader conversations in legal anthropology and comparative religious law. Professor Davis actively supervises graduate students interested in Dharmaśāstra traditions and their relevance to law, religion, history, politics, and economics in India. He encourages students with broader interests in comparative religious law (Jewish law, Islamic law, Roman law, etc.) and works with those studying various aspects of Hinduism and classical religions in India, particularly in normative and "mainstream" areas such as Vedānta, Pūrva-Mīmāṃsā, Epics, and Purāṇas.
Professor Beth Williamson is a leading scholar of medieval culture, holding dual roles as Professor of Medieval Culture and Chair in the History of Art at the University of Bristol's Department of History of Art (Historical Studies), and as Academic Director (Research Impact & Translation Partnerships) within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. She earned her B.A. from Oxford University (Oxon), an M.A., and a Ph.D. from the University of London (Lond.). Her research focuses on visual, material, and aural dimensions of medieval religious practice, exploring how sensory experiences shaped devotional life. Key themes include sacred imagery (e.g., the Virgin Lactans and Madonna of Humility), liturgical spaces, and the intersection of art with music, time, and political power. Recent projects include studies of Westminster Abbey’s royal patronage and collaborations in interdisciplinary historical research. Her publications span over three decades, addressing topics from Italian Renaissance altarpieces to Irish medieval sculpture, with a strong emphasis on material culture and devotional practices. Despite her prolific output, no formal awards are listed, though her academic leadership roles reflect her scholarly impact. As a mentor, her supervisory activities are noted in her profile but lack specific student names. Her work bridges academic and public spheres, particularly through her role in translating research into societal impact initiatives. She is affiliated with the University of Bristol’s Senate House and contributes to institutional leadership.
Lynna Dhanani is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. She joined the faculty in Fall 2020 and holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Religious Studies, Yale University M.A. and M.Phil. in Religious Studies, Yale University M.A. in History of Religion, University of Virginia B.A. in International Relations and Religion, George Washington University Her research focuses on the intersection of religious traditions in medieval India, with particular emphasis on Jainism. She explores interreligious polemics, philosophical debates, devotional themes, and poetic expression in Sanskrit hymns, especially those of the twelfth-century Jain scholar Hemacandra. Her broader interests include Sanskrit and Prakrit literature, Indian alchemical traditions, yoga and tantra, Indian philosophy, and South Asian religious art. She employs interdisciplinary methods that combine textual analysis, philology, and field-based ethnographic and archival research. Lynna Dhanani was awarded the Jambuvijaya Memorial Fellowship by the Jain eLibrary, which supported her 2019–20 fieldwork in India. During this period, she documented the life and scholarly contributions of Muni Jambuvijaya (1923–2009), a pivotal Jain monastic figure. Her work involved cataloging manuscripts, preserving texts, and conducting interviews with members of the monastic and academic communities. This project highlights her commitment to both historical scholarship and the preservation of religious knowledge. She advises students and contributes to academic mentorship within the Religious Studies department, though specific advisees are not listed. Her fellowship represents significant recognition in her field and may be linked to grant-funded research on Jain monastic scholarship and manuscript preservation. Lynna Dhanani is actively involved in archival and field research, particularly in northwest India, where she collaborates with Jain monastic communities and academic institutions to preserve and study rare Sanskrit and Prakrit texts. Her work bridges academic scholarship with lived religious practice and institutional knowledge preservation.
Julie Orlemanski is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Chicago. She holds a Ph.D. and MA from Harvard University (2010) and a BA from the University of Georgia (2004). Her scholarly work bridges late medieval literature with contemporary theoretical debates in literary criticism, the history of science, and the philosophy of fictionality. Harvard University - Ph.D. and MA (2010) University of Georgia - BA (2004) Her research focuses on medieval medical discourse, the poetics of literary personhood, and the historiography of fiction. She is currently completing Making Literary Persons: A Poetics of Voice in Chaucer , which explores Chaucerian narratology, and developing a book on Bernard of Clairvaux's Sermons on the Song of Songs , considering how medieval writing virtualized embodied speech. Her 2019 monograph Symptomatic Subjects examines medical causation in pre-modern literature. Julie serves as Book-Review Editor for Exemplaria: Medieval, Early Modern, Theory (2025–) and has edited special issues on trans-regional medieval studies. Her recent publications analyze medieval fictionality, personification, and the ethical stakes of literary voice. She has presented at the English Institute Annual Conference and organized graduate research symposia.
Hakan Özkan is a Privatdozent and Research Associate at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Münster, where he has been working since 2007 in various capacities. He was awarded his Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in November 2019 for Arabic and Islamic Studies with his thesis 'History of Eastern Zajal – Dialectal Arabic Verse Poetry from the East of the Arab World.' His academic background includes a Franco-German doctorate completed in 2006 from Université de Provence and University of Cologne, supervised by Claude Audebert and Monika Gronke, with external reviewers including Wolfhart P. Heinrichs from Harvard University. His educational background includes: 2019: Venia Legendi for Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Münster 2002-2006: Franco-German Doctorate in Arabic Studies and Narratology (Université de Provence and University of Cologne) 1995-2000: Master of Arts in Islamic Studies, Oriental Languages and Literatures (University of Cologne) 2000-2001: Course program in Modern Standard Arabic and Syrian-Lebanese dialect at Institut Français d'Etudes Arabes de Damas Özkan's research focuses on premodern Arabic dialect poetry, particularly zajal and muwashshaḥ forms, narratology, prosimeter literature, socio-literary history, and diachronic dialectology. His interdisciplinary approach bridges linguistic analysis with literary criticism, examining how dialectal forms evolved within Arabic literary traditions across different historical periods and geographical regions. He has conducted extensive field research in Arab countries including Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco, with particular emphasis on the historical development of poetic forms from the Mamluk through Ottoman periods. His publication history demonstrates consistent scholarly contributions to Arabic literary studies, with his 2020 monograph 'History of Eastern Zajal' representing a landmark study in the field. His recent work has expanded to include analyses of religious poetry praising the Prophet Muhammad in zajal form, wine poetry in Arabic literary traditions, and the integration of dialects into Arabic language teaching methodologies. His scholarly output spans monographs, critical editions, encyclopedia entries, journal articles, and book chapters across multiple languages including German, English, French, and Turkish. Among his academic recognitions: 2018: Second place on shortlist for W2 Professorship for Arabic Language and Translation Science, University of Leipzig 2008: Offered Junior Professorship at American University in Cairo (declined) 2007: Second place on shortlist for maître de conférence position at University of Nancy 2007: Official Qualification from National University Council (CNU) for positions as maître de conférence at French universities Özkan has served on numerous academic committees, including appointment committees for professorships in Sinology and Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Münster. He has been a juror for the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding in Doha and has served on the steering committee for the 'Translation for Dialogue' program of the Anna Lindh Foundation. His editorial work includes reviewing for Mamluk Studies Review, Die Welt des Islams, and Middle Eastern Literatures since 2012. His scholarly activities extend to linguistic fieldwork on Pontic Greek dialects in Turkey and organizing significant academic conferences including 'The Race Course of Literature – An-Nawāǧī and His Contemporaries' in 2018 at the University of Münster. His multilingual capabilities (Arabic, Turkish, German, French, English, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and knowledge of Modern Greek) enable his comparative work across multiple linguistic and cultural traditions in the Mediterranean region.
Niamh Pattwell is Associate Professor and Head of School at the School of English, Drama and Film, University College Dublin. She holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and has been a faculty member at UCD since 2004, progressing from Lecturer in Old and Middle English to her current role. Her academic leadership extends to curriculum development, postgraduate teaching, and serving on university committees, including the Board of Trustees for UCD Volunteer Overseas. Her educational background includes a BA, H.Dip.Ed., H.Dip.T.Rel.Ed., and MA from University College Cork, and a PhD from Trinity College Dublin. She taught secondary school in Co. Wexford and Co. Cork before transitioning to higher education, holding teaching fellowships at Queen’s University Belfast and Trinity College Dublin. Niamh Pattwell's research focuses on the circulation and transmission of vernacular religious prose in the late Middle Ages. She has developed expertise in codicology, palaeography, and manuscript fragment studies, particularly through her work with Marsh's Library and the Index of Middle English Prose at Trinity College Dublin. Her scholarship explores the production, readership, and theological context of both orthodox and Wycliffite texts. Her recent publications show a consistent focus on Middle English religious prose, manuscript provenance, and the material culture of books. She has contributed to the Year's Work in English Studies and published on fragments, personal notebooks, and devotional texts, reflecting a deep engagement with the material and spiritual dimensions of medieval manuscripts. National Digital Learning Resources Award (2012) Broad Curriculum Post-doctoral Teaching Fellow, Trinity College Dublin (2003–2004) Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship (1999–2002) Niamh Pattwell has successfully supervised postgraduate students to MA and PhD completion and has led curriculum innovation at UCD, including the development of research-based modules on medieval manuscript fragments. She has secured internal research grants such as the HoS Research Support Scheme and has been actively involved in organizing major academic events, including the Early Book Society Biennial Conference in 2019 and 2023. Her teaching includes modules on King Arthur, medieval literature, and animal narratives, emphasizing student engagement with primary texts. She collaborates with institutions such as Marsh's Library and Trinity College Dublin and has contributed to public engagement through radio appearances and public lectures. Her work bridges academic research, teaching innovation, and cultural heritage preservation.
William M. Reddy is William T. Laprade Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Cultural Anthropology at Duke University, pioneering the historical study of emotions across cultures. Education includes: Ph.D. from University of Chicago (1974) M.A. from University of Chicago (1970) B.A. from University of Chicago (1969) Research develops frameworks for understanding emotional expression across historical periods, including award-winning comparative studies of romantic love. The monograph 'The Making of Romantic Love' received the Pinkney Prize for best book in French History (2012). Current work examines emotion/reason relations in 17th century thought and modernity's conceptual foundations. Honors include election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2014) and multiple NEH fellowships. Department service includes chairing Duke's History Department (2006-2012).
Cristina Dondi serves as a Full Professor in the Department of Modern Literature and Culture at Sapienza University of Rome's Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. Her academic work centers on the history of the book with specialized expertise in incunabula (15th-century printed books), early book trade networks, and digital humanities methodologies. She teaches the "History of the Book" course for Global Humanities students, delivering lectures in person at Rome's Faculty of Arts and Philosophy during the 2024-2025 academic year. Her research spans material evidence of early printed books, Venetian printing practices, Dante's textual circulation, and library transformations during religious secularization. She pioneers digital approaches through projects like 15cBOOKTRADE and CERL, developing visualization tools for historical book movement data and collaborative digital infrastructures. Her work bridges traditional book history with computational analysis, emphasizing how physical artifacts reveal cultural and commercial networks. Analysis of her 2021-2023 publications shows consistent integration of digital tools with historical scholarship, particularly regarding Italian incunabula circulation and MEI database applications. She frequently examines Venetian commercial practices, Dante's reception, and collaborative digital resource creation, demonstrating how visual analytics transforms understanding of pre-modern book economies. Scientific Awards: No specific awards were documented in the provided sources. Professor Dondi leads significant research initiatives including the 15cBOOKTRADE project and Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL) collaborations, which involve multi-institutional teams developing digital ecosystems for book historical research. These projects generate scholarly publications, digital tools, and educational resources while securing substantial research funding for infrastructure development and international conferences. She actively shapes the CERL digital ecosystem and 15cBOOKTRADE project framework, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between historians, librarians, and computer scientists. Her current work focuses on expanding Material Evidence in Incunabula (MEI) applications and creating open-access platforms for analyzing early print culture across European collections.
Prof. Dr. Julia A. B. Hegewald is a Professor of Oriental Art History at the University of Bonn, Germany, affiliated with the Institute of Oriental and Asian Studies (IOA) and the Department of Asian and Islamic Art History (AIK). Her research focuses on artistic expressions of dependency in Asian art, particularly South Asian, using 're-use' theory to explore cultural integration and creativity under adversity. She holds a Ph.D. from SOAS, University of London, and a Habilitation from RWTH Aachen. Key academic roles include founding the Cam-Kar Research Institute in Mysore (since 2002) and serving on editorial boards for journals like the Journal of Global Archaeology and Veranda . She has led major projects, including the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group on Jainism in Karnataka (2005–2014). Awards include the DFG Emmy Noether extension (2011–2014) and the Prix en études indiennes (2010). Hegewald has authored over 3 books, edited 6 volumes, and published 77 academic articles. Her work bridges art history with cultural studies, addressing themes like Jaina temple architecture, Indo-Islamic syncretism, and modern Indian urban planning. She actively contributes to global academic networks, including the European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology (EAAA).
Hsueh-man Shen is the Director of Masters Studies and Ehrenkranz Associate Professor in World Art at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. She holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University in Archaeology, an M.A. in Art History from National Taiwan University, and an LL.B. in Law from the same institution. Her research focuses on medieval Chinese art and archaeology, particularly how cross-cultural exchanges shaped artistic practices through translation, replication, and hybridization. She has curated major exhibitions such as Gilded Splendor: Treasures of China’s Liao Empire (2006) and contributed to the Cave Temples of Dunhuang project (2016), emphasizing Silk Road cultural networks. Her current book project explores maritime activities’ impact on Buddhist art during the 10th–14th centuries. Shen’s work bridges art history, archaeology, and material culture studies, addressing topics like relic deposits, shipwrecks, and cross-cultural curatorial practices. She has held prestigious fellowships, including the Leiden University Hulsewé-Waznieski Professorship (2019) and a Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin residency (2008–2009). Education: D.Phil., Archaeology, University of Oxford M.A., Art History, National Taiwan University LL.B., Law, National Taiwan University Her research interests include Buddhist art’s transformation across dynasties, the role of replication in devotion, and maritime trade’s influence on cultural boundaries. She teaches courses such as Colors in the Visual Culture of Medieval China and Shipwrecks and the ‘Other’ Silk Road , integrating theoretical and material perspectives. Shen’s awards reflect her global academic contributions, including the EURIAS Senior Fellowship (2018–2019) and Progress 100 Visiting Professorship at Kyushu University (2017). Her publications span exhibition catalogues, monographs like Authentic Replicas: Buddhist Art in Medieval China (2019), and peer-reviewed articles analyzing Silk Road networks, Liao dynasty funerary practices, and cross-cultural material exchanges.
Dr. Hester Lees-Jeffries is a University Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of St Catharine's College, where she serves as Director of Studies in English. She earned her BA and MA (Hons.) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, before completing her PhD at Cambridge as a Commonwealth Scholar. Her academic career includes a Research Fellowship at Magdalene College (2003-2006) and ongoing fellowship at St Catharine's since 2006. Her research focuses on Shakespeare and early modern literature, with particular expertise in performance studies, visual culture, and material textuality. She investigates topics including Renaissance textiles, costume semiotics, garden symbolism, and material objects in literature. Her interdisciplinary approach connects literary analysis with cultural history and performance theory. Lees-Jeffries maintains an active publication record with scholarly works spanning Shakespearean criticism, material culture studies, and Renaissance literature. Her research demonstrates consistent focus on textual materiality, performance interpretation, and interdisciplinary methodologies bridging literary analysis with visual and material culture. Her forthcoming publications include monographs on textile symbolism in Shakespeare and an introduction to Shakespeare's histories. Honors and Awards: Commonwealth Scholarship Research Fellowship, Magdalene College (2003-2006) Fellowship, St Catharine's College (since 2006) She coordinates exhibitions for the Centre for Material Texts and regularly contributes to Shakespeare Survey as London theater reviewer. Her innovative #SlowShakespeare projects provide daily literary analysis of Shakespeare's plays through social media platforms.
Chiara Franceschini is a Full Professor of Art History at IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca and University Professor for Early Modern Art History at LMU Munich. She holds joint appointments in both institutions, specializing in pre-modern art with a focus on religious imagery, transcultural encounters, and the social role of art. Her academic career includes fellowships at the Warburg Institute, Columbia University, and EHESS. Education: PhD in Art History, Scuola Normale Superiore (2008) Laurea in Letters and Philosophy, Università di Pisa (1997) Research Interests: Visual norms in sacred images Art and the Inquisition Early Modern hospitals' architectural and artistic heritage Cross-cultural exchanges between Europe and Japan Grants & Projects: ERC-StG SACRIMA (2016-2022) ERC-AdG ARCHIATER (2024-2029) DAAD-Waseda University partnership (2019-2021) Awards: I Tatti Prize (2012) Newton Fellowship (2009) Her current research explores the visual and architectural heritage of early modern hospitals, while her upcoming monograph examines art's role in Inquisition processes. She advises doctoral projects on cultural heritage and visual cultures of late medieval/early modern Europe.
Elise Kleivane is an Associate Professor in Written Culture at the Department of Norse and Celtic Philology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo. She has served as Head of Teaching at ILN (Institute of Language and Literature) from 2021 to 2024 and maintains an active research and teaching profile in Norse philology and related fields. Dr. Kleivane earned her PhD in Norse Philology from the University of Oslo in autumn 2011, following a Master of Arts in Norse Philology completed in spring 2003. Her academic journey has positioned her as a leading scholar in medieval Scandinavian writing culture. Her research focuses on epigraphy, runology, and medieval literacy, with particular emphasis on the intersection of written and material culture in medieval Norway. Kleivane examines how writing functioned in both public and private spheres, analyzing inscriptions in runes and Roman script as evidence of medieval communication practices. Her work bridges philology, archaeology, and cultural history to reconstruct literacy patterns in pre-modern Scandinavia. Recent projects have explored religious texts, biblical translations, and the role of writing in ecclesiastical contexts. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent trajectory through medieval epigraphy and literacy studies. Her work demonstrates increasing sophistication in connecting material evidence with textual analysis, moving from specific inscription studies to broader questions about writing culture. The pattern shows strong engagement with interdisciplinary approaches, combining philological expertise with archaeological and historical methodologies. Her research increasingly addresses questions of religious practice, vernacular literacy, and the transmission of knowledge in medieval Scandinavia. Among her significant appointments, she has been appointed to the Language Council's expert council for standardization and language observation (2023-2026) and to the Sources Commission (2023-2026), serving on the editorial board for the National Archives' scientific publication channels. Dr. Kleivane has secured substantial research funding, most notably leading the Norwegian Research Council-funded project 'Letters between runes and manuscripts' (2017-2021) and participating in the NORDCORP-funded 'Retracing the Reformation' project (2013-2017). She currently contributes to the Riksbanken Jubileumsfond-funded research program 'Modes of Modification' (2018-2025) as a member of its steering committee, where her research focuses on 'Texts in the Open and Out of Sight: Public and Private Communication in Epigraphy.' She teaches across multiple institutions including the University of Oslo and Stockholm University, covering subjects ranging from Norse literature and mythology to runology and medieval manuscript culture. Her teaching reflects her research interests in written culture across the medieval Scandinavian world.
