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Gunhild Brænne BjørnstadView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Drama Pedagogy
• Theatre Communication
• Aesthetic Learning Processes
• +6 more

Gunhild Brænne Bjørnstad is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages (LUSP) and the Department of Natural Sciences, Practical-Aesthetic, Social and Religious Studies (RES) at Høgskolen i Østfold (HiØ) . She serves as International Coordinator for LUSP and has led major projects including NoZa (2019-2024) with the State University of Zanzibar and STIL2.0 (completed 2018) under ProTed. Her educational philosophy integrates dramatic methods and intercultural perspectives. Academic Appointments : University of Stavanger (2009-2015), TaSUBa Tanzania (2007-2009) Research Groups : Cross-curricular Teaching, Creativity in Education, Post-Qualitative Methods Research interests span drama pedagogy, aesthetic learning processes, student-active methods, and cross-sector collaborations in teacher education. She explores how performative approaches , Storyline methodology , and digital tools enhance creative learning. Her recent publications focus on: Multilingual education in Kenya Cultural Schoolbag programs in Nordic education Intercultural competence development Dance pedagogy in Tanzania Dramatic learning for democratic values Global student mobility (Malawi/Zanzibar) Scientific contributions include 15+ publications since 2011, with recent emphasis on: Dance and teacher education (Nordic Journal of Dance, 2024) Storyline for interdisciplinary learning (Waxmann Verlag, 2020) Intercultural teacher practice (NERA 2023) Aesthetic learning processes (International Journal of Educational Development, 2025) International collaborations include partnerships with institutions in Malawi, Zanzibar, Slovenia, and the Nordic Cultural Schoolbag initiative. She has contributed to books on Skaperglede (2019) and Performative Learning (2023), and serves on editorial boards for Dance Articulated and DRAMA journals.

James WomackView profile

Lecturer

• Translation Studies
• Contemporary Poetry
• European Literature
• +2 more

Dr James Womack serves as a Language Teaching Officer within the Academic Development and Training for International Students (ADTIS) Programme at the University of Cambridge's Language Centre, and holds dual appointments as an Affiliated Lecturer in the Spanish & Portuguese Section of the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics, and as a Bye-Fellow at Fitzwilliam College. His institutional roles span language pedagogy, literary instruction, and academic skills development for international cohorts. Teaching responsibilities encompass: Spanish and Russian translation for the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos Twentieth and twenty-first century European poetry seminars Nineteenth and twentieth-century fiction courses in Spanish, Russian, and English Science fiction literature and creative writing workshops Academic study skills training through the ADTIS Programme Research focuses on contemporary translation theory and poetic practice, evidenced by his recently completed monograph on W.H. Auden's translation methodology. His creative output intersects with scholarly work through poetry collections exploring textual materiality and cross-linguistic adaptation. Publication trends reveal sustained engagement with Russian modernism (particularly Mayakovsky), experimental British poetry, and the epistemological dimensions of mistranslation. His institutional affiliations demonstrate integration across Cambridge's tripartite structure: Faculty teaching within MMLL's Spanish & Portuguese Section, College fellowship at Fitzwilliam providing pastoral oversight, and Language Centre leadership in international student academic preparation. Current research trajectories suggest deepening investigation into the intersection of translation ethics and poetic innovation.

Marianne PusherView profile

Professor

• Classical Singing
• Contemporary Music Theater
• Early Music
• +4 more

Marianne Pusher is a distinguished Professor of Lyric Art at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where she develops interdisciplinary performance projects integrating singing students across multiple conservatory sections. Her career spans classical and contemporary music theater, with notable collaborations including the Ensemble Intercontemporain under Pierre Boulez. Her research interests focus on: Textual and theatrical interpretation for vocal performance 20th-century musical theater repertoire Interdisciplinary artistic collaboration Contemporary opera adaptation Stage movement and balance The six most recent publications (performances/recordings) demonstrate her specialization in avant-garde musical works, including compositions by Aperghis and premieres of Adams' operas. These projects emphasize solo voice performance, dramatic adaptation, and international festival presence. Scientific awards: MIDEM Classical Awards 2009 (Cannes) for recording with Ensemble Risognanze Professional collaborations include: Georges Aperghis (composer) Ensemble Intercontemporain Khroma (founded musical theater company) Royal Opera of Wallonia Maison des cultures de Molenbeek

• Modern German Literature
• Early Modern Literature
• Comparative Literature
• +6 more

PD Dr. Charlotte Kurbjuhn is a Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Humanities, Institute of German Studies - Literary Studies. She has held multiple Acting Chair (W3) positions for Modern German Literature with a focus on Early Modern Period at institutions including Humboldt University of Berlin (2017–2019) and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (2022–2023). She completed her habilitation in 2023 and was awarded the Venia Legendi for Modern German, General and Comparative Literature. Her research spans 16th–21st century German literature from comparative, aesthetic, and cultural-historical perspectives, with emphasis on Weimar Classicism , Law & Literature , Antiquity transformation , and literature-museum interplay . Current projects include 'Literary Diplomacy? German Literature and the Ottoman Empire' and 'Strategies for Internationalization of the German Academy for Language and Literature'. Key publications include her 2014 monograph Contour: History of an Aesthetic Figure of Thought and upcoming Literature of Revenge 1780–1945 (2025). She has co-edited volumes on book design and antique topographies in Enlightenment literature. Teaching areas encompass Weimar Classicism , 17th–19th century drama , and interdisciplinary literature-art studies . Courses include 'The Nibelungen – Intermedial Literary History' and 'Literary Imagination of the 'Orient''. Her pedagogy integrates museum visits and media analysis. Scientific Awards Alfried Krupp Junior Fellowship (2020) ProFiL Mentoring Program (2016/17) Scherer Prize for Dissertation (2012) Weimar Scholarship (2010/11) Doctoral Scholarship (2007–10)

Elizabeth WrightView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Modernist Literature
• Drama
• Women's Writing (1837-1949)
• +3 more

Elizabeth Wright is a Senior Lecturer in European and English Literature at Bath Spa University's School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities. Her research focuses on British and European Modernism, Victorian/Edwardian drama, and women's writing (1837-1949), with particular emphasis on the Bloomsbury Group and their theatrical connections. She teaches modules including Critical Reading, Modernist Networks, and Women, Work and Art. PhD, MA (1st Class Hons) in English from the University of St Andrews Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Her research explores: Intersections of modernist literature and theatre Women's writing from Victoria's reign to 1949 Dramatized memory and Woolf's journalistic writings Periodical culture's role in early 20th-century women's drama Publications span books like Bloomsbury Influences (2014) and Vanessa and Virginia (2013), with articles and book chapters on Woolf's pacifism, adaptation practices, and print culture. Her play Vanessa and Virginia toured internationally and received Off West End Award nominations. Key awards include Fellowship (Higher Education Academy) Off West End Award nominations (2013) for Vanessa and Virginia

Derek IrwinView profile

Professor

• Systemic Functional Linguistics
• Cross-Language Movement
• Textual Analysis
• +7 more

Professor Derek Irwin is an academic at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China within the School of Education and English , specializing in Systemic Functional Linguistics . His research focuses on cross-language movement, textual analysis of literary and dramatic texts, and literacy strategies for post-secondary writers. He also coordinates arts activities on campus and collaborates internationally on theatre and education projects. His research spans Language in performance Critical Discourse Analysis Multimodal analysis in learning Universal Design integration Generative AI in creative education Augmented Reality applications Scientific awards include ICOIE Excellent Paper Award (2020, 2022) IEEE TALE Best Paper Award (2021) Yinzhou District Merit Prize (2024) He supervises PhD and EdD students in areas such as Critical Discourse Analysis, multimodal translation studies, and discourse patterns in music education. His funded projects include virtual business communication platforms and ARCS model-based microlearning frameworks.

Miguel QuadrioView profile

Assistant Professor

• Arts criticism
• Critical theory
• Aesthetics
• +3 more

Miguel Quadrio is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Humanities of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), where he also serves as a researcher at the Center for Communication and Culture Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from UCP (2014) with a thesis on journalistic theater criticism in Portugal. His research focuses on performing arts criticism, critical theory, and theater studies, with notable works like Em nome da crítica (2022) and articles exploring translation as cultural resistance. Quadrio has contributed as a theater critic for Diário de Notícias and has served on arts support juries for the Direção Geral das Artes. His editorial roles include collaborations with Theater da Garagem and the Theater Company of Almada, emphasizing practical engagement with performance arts. Education: Ph.D. in Cultural Studies, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (2014) Research spanning theater criticism, critical theory, and cultural analysis Research Interests: Quadrio’s work examines systemic and historical dimensions of performing arts criticism, particularly in Portugal. He explores intersections between critical theory and artistic practices, focusing on how critique shapes cultural narratives. His recent scholarship includes analyzing translation’s role in resistance during Salazar’s dictatorship and reinterpreting classical texts through modern performative lenses. Articles Trends: His publications reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary analysis, blending cultural studies with theater semiotics. Recent works address critical discourse dynamics, historical contextualization of performances, and the role of translation in preserving cultural memory. Earlier articles (e.g., 2004-2007) delve into spatial aesthetics in theater and gendered performance practices. Advising & Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Quadrio’s editorial and curatorial roles at cultural institutions indicate mentorship in practical theater production. He has secured support through jury participations and collaborative projects, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Center for Communication and Culture Studies, he collaborates with researchers in cultural and communication studies, contributing to projects like the Expositor de Signos Teatrais .

Rita Bueno MaiaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Translation Studies
• Literature Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Rita Bueno Maia is an Assistant Professor at the School of Communication and Cultural Sciences (FCH-Católica) of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. She holds a PhD in Translation History and completed her postdoctoral research (2014–2016) at the University of Lisbon’s Centre for English Studies, focusing on 19th-century Portuguese exiles’ literary activities in Paris. Her research expertise centers on translation studies, particularly indirect translation, exilic literature, and the cultural dynamics of literary translation in global contexts. She teaches Spanish as a foreign language and modules on research methodologies in translation history. Her academic work explores topics such as the role of translation in constructing literary genres (e.g., the picaresque), the impact of exile on literary production, and the historical interplay between translation and censorship. Notable contributions include co-editing Indirect Translation: Theoretical, Methodological and Terminological Issues (2020) and Los límites del Hispanismo (2022). She actively engages in pedagogical projects like Translators for Ukraine , promoting social responsibility through translation education. Prof. Maia’s research extends to 19th-century Portuguese translation networks, including the activities of exiled absolutists in Paris and the role of periodicals in shaping literary geography. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary translation theory, emphasizing the cultural dimensions of textual transfer.

Susan AbbotsonView profile

Professor

• Modern and Contemporary Drama
• Arthur Miller Studies
• 20th Century American Literature
• +7 more

Professor Susan C. W. Abbotson is a distinguished scholar of Modern and Contemporary Drama, specializing in the works of Arthur Miller. She has been a faculty member at Rhode Island College since 1999, teaching courses ranging from Drama to Children’s Literature. Her research extends beyond traditional theatre to include Film Studies, Ethnic Literatures, and 20th Century British and American Literature. She is the author of three influential books on Miller, including Modern American Drama: Playwriting in the 1950s (2019), and has contributed chapters to numerous edited volumes on American drama and playwrights. Abbotson holds academic leadership roles, including President of the Arthur Miller Society, managing its website and social media. She has been featured in NPR's Arthur Miller Society Podcast (2020), On Point (2005), and has lectured at theaters and conferences internationally. Her editorial work includes serving as series editor for Methuen’s student editions of Miller’s plays (2022). Her educational background includes a B.A. from Loughborough University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Bristol University, an M.A. from SUNY Brockport, and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Her scholarly contributions span journals such as the Arthur Miller Journal , Modern Drama , and Eugene O’Neill Review , with a focus on dramatists like Tennessee Williams, Sam Shepard, and Thornton Wilder. Abbotson’s courses at Rhode Island College explore Drama, Children’s Literature, Women’s Writing, and major authors like Williams and Miller. Her recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to theatre, blending historical analysis with contemporary cultural contexts.

Sarah PogodaView profile

Senior Lecturer

• German Literature
• Theatre and Performance Art
• Avant-Garde Movements
• +11 more

Sarah Pogoda is a Senior Lecturer in German Studies at Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language. Her academic journey began at Freie Universität Berlin with an Erasmus exchange at the University of Vienna, followed by a doctorate in German literature. She previously served as a DAAD-Lektorin at the University of Sheffield (2012-2016) before joining Bangor in 2016. Freie Universität Berlin (Magister Artium, German Literature, History, Communication) University of Vienna (Erasmus Exchange) Doctorate in German Literature Her research focuses on 20th and 21st-century Avant-Garde movements, particularly performance art and the work of Christoph Schlingensief. She explores intersections between architecture and literature, post-war German culture (including GDR studies), and socially engaged art practices in Wales through the lens of Paul Davies' work. Her innovative Verifiction genre combines artistic and literary methods for uncovering linguistic knowledge. Recent publications examine early Avant-Garde, Wagner's cultural symbolism, and Schlingensief's legacy. She received a Special Recognition Award nomination for her pedagogical innovations integrating creative practices into language instruction. Her AHRC-funded CDP PhD project on Paul Davies and collaborations with Welsh Water/anglesey Council demonstrate her commitment to bridging academia and public art engagement. Scientific Awards : Special Recognition Award (nomination) External Roles : Treasurer, Women in German Studies (2017-2022) As co-founder of the NWK avant-garde collective, she promotes interdisciplinary artistic research. Her teaching spans German language (from beginner to advanced) and theoretical modules like 'Critical Theory' and 'German Avant-Garde'. Current projects include 'Paul Davies and Beca: Transforming Art Practice in Wales' (2023-2027) and pandemic-era live event innovation (2021-2022).

• Korean Language Learning
• Teaching Korean as a Second Language
• Literary Translation
• +3 more

Dr. Yoonjoung Choi is a Lecturer in Korean at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, specializing in Korean language pedagogy, literary translation, and comparative literature between Korea and the Anglophone world. She holds a doctorate in English from Durham University (2008) and is a Chartered Institute of Linguists member. Her roles include convening Korean modules at undergraduate levels and professional freelance interpreting/translation work for legal, medical, and cultural projects. Notably, she served as a visiting professor at the University of Ulsan and held senior research roles in South Korea's academic and government sectors. Her research bridges Korean and British cultural exchanges through literary analysis, with a focus on avant-garde works like Sin Cha Hong’s Excuses for Freedom and H.G. Wells’ modernist narratives. She co-edited volumes such as We Speak a Different Tongue (2015) and The Decadent Short Story (2014), exploring maverick voices in modernity. As an external examiner for Korean language studies at the University of Manchester, she contributes to academic governance. Choi’s translation projects include operatic subtitles (e.g., Verdi’s Don Carlos ) and critical reviews of texts like Hala Halim’s Alexandrian Cosmopolitanism . Her work often intersects with Victorian and modernist literature, emphasizing carnivalism, gender, and transnational cultural flows. She also organized international conferences, such as the 60th International Astronautical Congress’ cultural liaison efforts.

Andrew PapaView profile

Associate Professor

• Voice and Speech
• Acting Pedagogy
• Dramaturgy
• +3 more

Andrew Papa is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair in the Department of Performing Arts at the University of Detroit Mercy's College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences. He holds an M.F.A. from Wayne State University and a B.F.A. from Central Michigan University, with additional training at The Moscow Art Theatre School and The Second City Training Center. His expertise spans Voice and Speech, Accents/Dialects, and Improvisation. Research interests include dramaturgy, performance anxiety, and pedagogical methods. He teaches courses such as Fundamentals of Acting, Voice and Movement, and Computer Animation and Voice Acting. Papa has directed and performed in numerous theatrical productions, including roles with the Williamston Theatre and Matrix Theatre Company. His scholarly work appears in Methods: A Journal of Acting Pedagogy and _VOICE and Speech Review , focusing on voice technique and actor training. He has received awards such as the Gallery Award for Edward the Second and the Harriet Kanter Award. In 2021, he secured a Flame Grant for developing the Computer Animation/Voice Acting course. Papa actively participates in professional organizations like ATHE and VATSA, contributing to panels on performance pedagogy and interdisciplinary voice training.

Anton UgrinovView profile

Associate Professor

• Theater Direction
• Dramatic Acting
• Modern Play Interpretation
• +3 more

Assoc. Prof. Anton Ugrinov is a prominent figure in Bulgarian theater, serving as an Associate Professor of Dramatic Theater at the National Academy of Film and Theater Arts "Kr. Sarafov" since 2003. He holds a Master's in Theater Direction and a doctorate from the same institution, specializing in acting pedagogy. His career spans over 20 years, directing 24 theater productions across Bulgaria and internationally, including adaptations of works by Strindberg, Pinter, and Yasmina Reza. Notable awards include the Askeer Award for Supporting Female Role in 2022 and multiple nominations for Best Direction and Performance. Television Experience: 2006-2012 Key Productions: Miss Julia (2022), Just an Hour of Peace (2021), God of Carnage (2016) Research focuses on directorial techniques, actor training, and integrating modern themes into classical works. He has also participated in international symposiums like ELIA Leadership Symposium 2022 in Tallinn. Teaching Responsibilities: Leading acting classes and workshops in movement dramaturgy at NATFA.

Alexander WeinstockView profile

Researcher

• History and Theory of Drama/Theatre
• Literature and Culture (18th Century to Present)
• Philology and Materiality
• +2 more

Dr. Alexander Weinstock is a Researcher at the University of Hamburg's Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC), affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities. His work focuses on the history and theory of drama/theatre, 18th-21st century literature, philological materiality, aesthetics, and pedagogical models. He has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Cologne and UC Berkeley, contributing to projects like the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence 'Understanding Written Artefacts' (2019–2025). His research explores manuscript dynamics in theatrical contexts, Enlightenment-era pedagogy, and the intersection of aesthetics with labor anthropology. Research Highlights: Analysis of Hamburg prompt books and playbooks (18th–19th centuries) Studies on theater reform and educational discourse in the Enlightenment Interdisciplinary approaches to manuscript culture and performance studies Publications: Das Maß und die Nützlichkeit (2019) on theater and education Edited volumes on collective cultural interactions and aesthetic labor Recent articles on manuscript correction processes and authorship discourses in theater Grants & Collaborations: Active in the CSMC's international network, with projects spanning preservation of cultural heritage in Timbuktu, Nepal, and Kerala. His work bridges historical text analysis with modern cultural preservation efforts.

• Performing Arts
• Acting
• Corporeal Expression
• +2 more

Aleksandra Czarnecki Plaude is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Acting within Stockholm University of the Arts. Her work focuses on the intersection of corporeal expression, movement, and dramatic text interpretation. Academic Role: Assistant Professor in Acting University: Stockholm University of the Arts Research Interests: Aleksandra explores how actors utilize their bodies as instruments, integrating subconscious processes with dramatic literature. Her studies emphasize: Corporeal Expression Techniques Rhythm and Movement in Performance Embodied Pedagogy Psychological Text Interpretation Intercultural Performance Practices Literary Adaptation for Stage Publication Trends: Spanning two decades, her artistic outputs include experimental etudes, cross-cultural collaborations, and theoretical works analyzing the relationship between physicality and textual delivery. Notable projects involve: Adaptation of Selma Lagerlöf’s and Athena Farrokhzad’s texts East-West voice-body integration studies Embodied cognition frameworks Contact: aleksandra.plaude@uniarts.se