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Assoc. Prof. Tatyana Yordanova is affiliated with the National Academy of Sports in Bulgaria, where she serves in the Faculty of Sports and Department of Technical and Ice Sports . She holds the academic rank of Associate Professor and has been leading the department since 2024. Education: Master's from State Central Institute of Physical Culture (1987); Doctorate in Sports Science (2019) Languages: English, Italian, Russian Her research focuses on technical elements in figure skating , speed-power abilities , balance stability , and judging systems . She has extensively studied jump mechanics and anthropometric factors in skaters. Her publications from 2018-2024 include studies on judging systems, jump techniques, and sports management. Key themes in her work involve training methodology, competition analytics, and biomechanics of skating. Since 2002, she has worked as an international figure skating judge, including at the Sochi 2014 Olympics . She chaired the Bulgarian Skating Federation (2011-2023) and participated in projects like Erasmus+ mobility (2022, 2024). Her pedagogical career includes roles as scientific assistant (1988), senior assistant (2006), and associate professor (2023).

• Figure Skating
• Short Track Speed Skating
• Ice Dancing
• +7 more

Manuel DeLanda is a New York-based cross-disciplinary theorist and artist. He holds the rank of Professor at The European Graduate School / EGS and serves as a lecturer at Princeton University's School of Architecture and Pratt Institute's Graduate Architecture and Urban Design program. His academic career includes past roles as a Fellow at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study (2000/01) and teaching positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Education: BFA from the School of Visual Arts (New York), PhD from the European Graduate School (2010). Research interests span philosophy, complexity theory, materialism, science studies, and Deleuzean thought. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to topics like assemblage theory, urban capitalism, morphogenesis, and the philosophy of science. Key themes include the application of mathematical concepts (topology, chaos theory) to social and historical analysis, and rethinking materialist frameworks across disciplines. Notable contributions include books such as War in the Age of Intelligent Machines , A Thousand Years of Nonlinear History , and Assemblage Theory . His lectures (e.g., on economic agglomeration, urban capitalism, and Deleuzean philosophy) reflect his commitment to bridging abstract theory with empirical analysis. Labs/Teams: No specific lab affiliations mentioned, but his work is collaborative through academic networks and interdisciplinary projects in architecture, urbanism, and philosophy.

• Philosophy
• Complexity Theory
• Materialism
• +6 more

Prof. Velimir Velev is a Bulgarian theater director, actor, set designer, and educator. He serves as Head of the Department of Dramatic Theater at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and Sciences in Sofia, leading the 'Movement Theater (PM)' bachelor's program. His academic roles include Professor of Stage Movement, Improvisation, and multiple theater disciplines. He has pioneered methodologies like the 'Meta Method' and 'Theory of the Interactive Spectacle of the Future,' and created the genre 'Non-Physical Theater.' Velev is founder/director of Via Interactive Theater, Unseen Theater (featuring blind actors), and the School of Sight collaboration initiative. His career spans institutions like the Osijek Academy of Arts (Croatia), Montenegrin Faculty of Dramatic Arts, and Germany's Darmstadt State Theatre. Awards include Croatia's 'Vrhunski Umjetnik' title and Germany's Youth Democracy Award for his inclusive theater projects. Velev has directed over 60 performances and collaborated with prominent directors including Yulia Ognyanova and Tedi Moskov. Research focuses on experimental theater forms, digital cultural heritage, and inclusive performance practices. Current projects include the 'School for Vision' and participation in EU cultural initiatives like ELIA Future Arts. He holds grants from Telus International and maintains international academic partnerships across Europe.

• Theater Pedagogy
• Physical Theater
• Movement Anthropology
• +5 more

Maurizio Ferraris is a Full Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Turin and President of Labont (Center for Ontology). He directs 'Scienza Nuova,' an advanced studies institute uniting Turin University and Polytechnic, focused on sustainable cultural and political futures. His academic career includes visiting professorships at Harvard, Oxford, and numerous European universities. Ferraris holds three honorary doctorates and fellowships from institutions like Käte-Hamburger Kolleg and Columbia University's Italian Academy. Education: Studied philosophy at the University of Turin under Gianni Vattimo and at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (Paris) under Jacques Derrida. His research intersects hermeneutics, aesthetics, ontology, and philosophy of technology, particularly through his 'New Realism' movement challenging post-Kantian thought. Key themes include technological ontology, documentality, and materialist epistemology. Publications span over 60 books, including seminal works like Manifesto of New Realism (2014) and Where Are You? An Ontology of the Cell Phone (2014). Recent works address post-humanist ontologies and societal hysteresis. His essays on Marcel Proust explore narrative temporality and aesthetic experience. Scientific Awards: Doctor Honoris Causa (Warsaw, Pécs, Buenos Aires), Fellowships at Käte-Hamburger Kolleg and Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Grants: Multiple international visiting fellowships and directorships Labs/Teams: Directs Labont and Scienza Nuova, collaborates with international philosophy centers like the Collège International de Philosophie. Editorial roles include Rivista di Estetica and Critique .

• Hermeneutics
• Aesthetics
• Ontology
• +3 more

Antony Gormley is a British sculptor and installation artist, currently serving as Professor of Art at the European Graduate School (EGS). Born in 1950, he is renowned for works like Angel of the North and Event Horizon . His art explores bodily sensation, urban space, and existential themes, often using his own body as a model. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of Trinity and Jesus Colleges, Cambridge. Education includes Trinity College, Cambridge (BA Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History), followed by studies in Buddhism in India/Sri Lanka and art training at Central Saint Martins, Goldsmiths, and the Slade School. Major exhibitions include Venice Biennale, Tate Gallery, and Documenta 8. His work challenges viewers to confront spatial and bodily perception, emphasizing the 'darkness of the body' as a site of potentiality. Awards include the Turner Prize (1994) and OBE (1997). His installations such as Field and Another Place interrogate human presence in public spaces. Writing focuses on sculpture theory, with books like On Sculpture (2015) analyzing materiality and existential themes.

• Sculpture
• Installation Art
• Body Art
• +3 more

Prof. Vassil Garnizov, PhD, is a prominent figure in Bulgarian academia and public policy, serving as Professor and founder of the Department of Anthropology at New Bulgarian University (NBU). He has held multiple leadership roles including Secretary of the NBU Foundation and membership in the University's governing bodies. His career spans academic, governmental, and consultancy work in regional development, EU structural funds, and local governance. Education: Garnizov holds a PhD in Folklore from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1995), a Master's in Bulgarian Philology (1983), and certifications from institutions like CNRS (Paris) in social sciences. His academic trajectory reflects deep engagement with both humanities and applied policy studies. Research Interests: Focuses on urban and regional development, ethnography of public policy, cultural heritage, and protest movements. His work bridges anthropology with practical governance issues, particularly in EU funding mechanisms and Balkan social dynamics. Publications Trends: Garnizov's 50+ publications span ethnographic studies (e.g., funeral rituals in rural Bulgaria), policy analyses (EU Structural Funds preparedness), and critical studies of Bulgarian civil society. His writing often combines fieldwork with macro-policy analysis. Grants & Projects: Led over 20 applied research projects including evaluations for EU funding absorption capacity, Trakia Highway monitoring, and Sofia's urban competitiveness strategies. Key roles included Team Leader for UNDP initiatives and expert for European Investment Bank projects. Labs/Teams: Founded the Anthropology Department at NBU, which produces annual electronic journals on cultural heritage and fieldwork studies. Collaborates with institutions like the Open Society Institute and Transparency International on governance projects.

• Urban and Regional Development
• Sociology
• Cultural Anthropology
• +4 more

Assoc. Prof. Mariana Malinova, PhD is a leading scholar in Islamic studies and Arabic literature at New Bulgarian University. She holds academic positions including Department Head of Mediterranean and Eastern Studies (since 2014) and Associate Professor in Arabistics (since 2013). Her research focuses on medieval Islamic intellectual history, translation movements, and Sufi theology. Education: PhD in Arabic Studies (1999), Habilitation on Abbasid Translation Movement (2013) from Sofia University. Completed specialized programs at CSIC Madrid (2006), Tübingen University (multiple DAAD fellowships), Cairo University, and Vienna University. Research interests include: al-Farabi's political philosophy, Ibn Arabi's mysticism, Abbasid-era translation networks, and modern Islamic reform movements. Her 2022 book on Ibn Arabi's symbolism and 2024 work on Al-Farabi's governance theory are landmark contributions. Professional roles: Chief Editor of 'Orientalia' journal, Regional North Africa program consultant (2016-2018), and former Radio Bulgaria Arabic translator (1992-1995). Holds visiting positions at Sofia University and Burgas Free University.

• Islamic Studies
• Arabic Literature
• Medieval Philosophy
• +3 more

Prof. PhD Zdravko Roussev Ivanov serves as a faculty member in the Department of Philosophical Sciences at the Faculty of Philosophy, St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. His academic career spans several decades with significant contributions to philosophy of history and historical sociology. His research focuses on philosophy of history , historical sociology , and social justice theory . Key areas include historical time/space concepts, origins of religion, and historical epistemology. His methodological approach examines paradoxes in historical understanding and the relationship between universal and particular historical phenomena. Analysis of his publications reveals consistent exploration of historical consciousness, value systems in historical contexts, and the ontological status of historical events. His work bridges continental philosophical traditions with historical analysis, emphasizing the interplay between rational and irrational elements in historical processes. Professor Ivanov's scholarly output demonstrates deep engagement with historiographical methodology, particularly regarding source criticism, narrative construction, and the challenges of achieving unity in historical interpretation. His research shows particular attention to generational identity and social tolerance as historical phenomena.

• Philosophy of History
• Historical Sociology
• Social Justice Theory
• +3 more

Associate Professor Biser Grigorov, Ph.D., is affiliated with the Department of Gymnastics at the Faculty of Public Health, Health Care and Tourism of the National Sports Academy V. Levski. His professional journey spans over four decades in choreography, pedagogy, and cultural animation. Education: Academy of Music, Dance and Theatre Arts – Plovdiv Specialization: Choreographic Directing and Pedagogy Research Interests: Focused on Bulgarian folklore choreography preservation, rhythmic pedagogy innovation, and the intersection of dance with sports and cultural events. His work emphasizes classification systems for traditional dances, Olympic ceremony choreography, and rhythmic sense development in performers. Awards: First Prize (2005, 2014) for children's dance authorship Historic recognition for contributions to national dance heritage (1990-2016) Advising/Grants: No formal grants noted, but extensive creative collaborations including: Choreographed over 140 BNT episodes (2007–2009) Jury member for national dance competitions (2002–2016) Labs/Teams: Lead creative roles in: National Sports Academy's ensemble productions State Folklore Ensemble "Trakia" Ensemble "ROSNA KITKA" as Artistic Director

• Choreography
• Dance Pedagogy
• Bulgarian Folklore
• +3 more

Manthia Diawara is a Malian-born scholar, filmmaker, and cultural theorist based in the U.S., currently holding the rank of Professor of Comparative Literature and Cinema at New York University. He serves as Director of the Institute of African American Affairs and Africana Studies Program. His work bridges postcolonial studies, African cinema analysis, and Black diasporic cultural critique. Education: Began studies in Mali and Guinea, later pursued graduate studies in France before completing his doctorate at Indiana University (1985). Academic career includes teaching at UC Santa Barbara, University of Pennsylvania, and NYU. Research Focus African and African American cultural production Racial politics in France and the U.S. Decolonial theory and pedagogy Cinema as political tool Recent articles (2010-2015) explore contemporary issues like France's racial divides, visual arts resistance, and public intellectual roles in Africa. His work critiques Eurocentric academic frameworks while advocating for African-centered cultural analysis. Founder of Black Renaissance publishing house and co-founder of TransAfrica advocacy group. Collaborated with key figures like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Danny Glover. Produces documentaries examining African identity (e.g., Rouch in Reverse , Bamako Sigi-Kan ). Key Projects Established NYU's Africana Studies Program (1992) Edited landmark volumes like Black American Cinema Authored foundational texts including African Cinema: Politics and Culture and In Search of Africa

• Cultural Theory
• African Cinema
• Black Diaspora Studies
• +5 more

Assoc. Prof. Evgenia Blagoeva, PhD , is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at New Bulgarian University (NBU). Her work spans naming and identity studies, Balkan communities, postmodern consumer culture, and the ethnology of socialism. She has taught Cultural History of Europe and Anthropology courses, combining theory with empirical fieldwork. Her research focuses on post-socialist transitions in Bulgaria, particularly consumer practices and cultural identity. She led projects like Culture of Fast and Slow Eating and New Consumer Practices in Bulgaria , and co-edited the 2014 volume Everything for Sale: Consumer Culture in Bulgaria . She has published extensively in journals like Ethnologia Balkanica and Ethnologia Bulgarica , often exploring the interplay between global and local cultural dynamics. Key scientific roles include being elected President of the International Association for Anthropology of Southeastern Europe (INASEA) in 2014 and serving as a member of the editorial board for the renowned Theory, Culture & Society journal since 2017. Her awards reflect her influence in Balkan anthropological discourse.

• Naming and Identities
• Balkan Communities and Borders
• Consumer Culture
• +2 more

Georgy Fotev is a Professor at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and Department of Philosophy and Sociology. He has held significant roles including Director of the Institute of Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1990–2003) and Minister of Science and Higher Education (1990–1991). A Fulbright Professor at Duke University (1997–1998), he is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and holds honorary citizenship in Oklahoma, USA. His education includes a degree in Philosophy from Sofia University (1968), a PhD (1986), and a Doctor of Sciences degree (1987), culminating in professorship in 1989. Fotev's research focuses on sociological theory , political sociology , and post-communist transitions , with emphasis on Balkan societies, ethnic relations, and civil society. His work explores the interplay between globalization, cultural identity, and social fragmentation, particularly in Eastern European contexts. Key themes include religious coexistence, value systems in transitioning societies, and critiques of totalitarianism. Recent publications (2006–2011) analyze Bulgarian societal transformation, melancholic cultural identity, and European integration challenges. His scholarship consistently addresses the nexus of historical legacies and contemporary social dynamics, with methodological emphasis on dialectical sociology and interdisciplinary approaches. Awards and Honors: Annual Award of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences/Sofia University for Social Reality and Imagination Honorary Badge with Blue Ribbon (Sofia University) Distinguished Service Award (American University in Bulgaria, 2003) Hristo G. Danov Award for Humanities (2007) Honorary Citizen of Oklahoma, USA (1991) He led the History of Sociology research section at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1986–2008) and served on governing boards of the American University in Bulgaria and New Bulgarian University. No specific student advising or grant details are documented in the source text.

• Sociology
• Political Sociology
• Ethnic Relations
• +4 more

Prof. Hristo Iliev Bondzholov is a faculty member at the Department of Slavonic Studies , Faculty of Modern Languages , St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo . Holding a PhD, his academic work focuses on Slavic literature, Balkan studies, and cultural theory. His research interests include: Slavic literary traditions Balkan identity construction Comparative cultural analysis Intertextuality in regional literatures Satirical and folkloric elements The 15 most recent articles (2006-2018) demonstrate consistent engagement with Balkan literary identity, chess/poetic metaphors, domestic symbolism, and cross-cultural analysis. Key trends include exploring historical trauma through literary lenses, cultural hybridity in border regions, and satirical deconstructions of Balkan stereotypes. He has participated in multiple international projects (2018-2025) with Serbian universities focusing on: Rotating thematic conferences Collective monograph publications Student publication workshops Social media academic outreach

• Slavic Literature
• Balkan Studies
• Comparative Literature
• +4 more

Prof. Maria Kitova-Vasileva is a Professor at New Bulgarian University's Department of Romance and German Studies. She holds a Doctor of Science degree in Philological Sciences (2002) and has been a Professor since 2006. Her research focuses on general linguistics, Indo-European studies, comparative Romance linguistics, and the history of the Spanish language. She has published extensively on topics such as modal categories in Spanish, historical syntax, and cross-linguistic morphosyntactic comparisons. She teaches courses on language history, comparative linguistics, and Spanish in the Americas. Education: B.A. in Spanish Philology from Sofia University (1972), Ph.D. in 1983, and Doctor of Philological Sciences in 2002. She completed postgraduate studies in Linguistics in Colombia and specialized in Indo-European linguistics at Sofia University. Professional Activities: Member of international associations including the International Association for Spanish Language History and the Bulgarian Association of Hispanists. She has lectured at universities in Madrid, Stockholm, Salamanca, Barcelona, and others. Her publications include over 40 monographs, studies, and articles, focusing on historical linguistics, modal systems, and language evolution. Academic Contributions: Has authored textbooks on Spanish morphology and syntax, and her recent works explore the origins of linguistic science and ancient writing systems. She coordinates courses on the science of language and ancient civilizations at NBU.

• General Linguistics
• Indo-European Linguistics
• Comparative Linguistics
• +5 more

Prof. Lidia Denkova, PhD is a full professor at the Department of Philosophy and Sociology at New Bulgarian University since 2002. She introduced the first undergraduate Philosophy program at NBU and has held visiting positions in France and Canada. Her academic work focuses on comparative religion, philosophy of tolerance, aesthetics, and the interplay between philosophy and art. She has authored over 80 studies, 30 edited volumes, and pioneered the interdisciplinary 'How Does It Mean?' philosophical series at NBU. Denkova has led 20 university projects including conferences and traveling seminars, and serves on editorial boards for journals like Language and Publicity . Her recent research emphasizes Platonism's contemporary relevance and philosophy's connection to artistic expression. Education: Bachelor's in Classical Philology with Psychology from Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski' Doctorate in Philosophical Sciences (1988) Research Interests: Her work bridges ancient philosophy (especially Platonism), aesthetics, comparative religion, and modern cultural theory. She explores themes like tolerance, love's philosophical dimensions, and the philosophical underpinnings of literature and cinema through a transhistorical lens. Professional Contributions: Authored textbooks like Philosophy of Tolerance and Philosophical Aesthetics Edited major works including translations of Roland Barthes and Jean-Pierre Vernant Recipient of the Honored Teacher title (1997) Labs/Initiatives: Founded the university's 'How Does It Mean?' philosophical series (2011-present), producing 15 editions exploring foundational philosophical questions through public lectures and dialogues.

• Aesthetics
• Philosophy of Tolerance
• Comparative Religion
• +3 more