Find Academic Supervisors

Sarah J. TownsendView profile

Associate Professor

• Amazonia Studies
• Political Ecology
• Marxist Theory
• +7 more

Sarah J. Townsend is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the College of the Liberal Arts. She holds a PhD from New York University and a BA from the University of Iowa. Her research integrates Marxist theory, political ecology, and performance studies to explore intersections between culture and capitalism in Latin America and beyond. Education: PhD in Spanish & Portuguese (NYU), BA in Spanish (University of Iowa) Her current projects include Opera in the Amazon: Culture, Capital, and the Global Jungle , analyzing the Teatro Amazonas opera house’s role in rubber-boom era capitalism, and Rio-mar, Mare internum , examining transnational connections between the Amazon and Mediterranean regions. She has held prestigious fellowships, including the ACLS Burkhardt Residential Fellowship (2021–2022). Research interests span Amazonian studies, avant-garde theater, sound studies, and critical race theory. Notable publications include The Unfinished Art of Theater: Avant-Garde Intellectuals in Mexico and Brazil (2018), winner of multiple awards, and co-edited volumes like Stages of Conflict (2008). Awards: Modern Drama Outstanding Article Prize (2018), ACLS Burkhardt Fellowship (2020) Academic service includes organizing the Hemispheric Americas lecture series and leading the Redesigning Modernities grant project. Teaching focuses on Latin American performance, modernisms, and cultural ecology, with courses in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.

• Poetry
• Modern and Contemporary Poetry
• Poetry and Theology
• +7 more

Michael Symmons Roberts is Professor of Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, within the Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Humanities. A renowned poet, librettist, and broadcaster, he holds a degree in Philosophy and Theology from Oxford University and was formerly Executive Producer at BBC Religion & Ethics. Full Name: Michael Symmons Roberts Position: Professor of Poetry Institution: Manchester Metropolitan University Department: Department of English Field: Poetry and Creative Writing His research interests center on modern and contemporary poetry, with a particular focus on intersections between poetry and theology, science, music, and broadcast media. He is deeply engaged in exploring how poetic form interacts with spiritual, scientific, and ethical questions, often through collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. Michael’s recent publications and creative works reflect a sustained exploration of spiritual and existential themes. His poetry collections such as Drysalter and Ransom , radio dramas like Paradise Lost and Utopia , and choral works including Quickening and The Birds of Rhiannon demonstrate a consistent engagement with religious symbolism, myth, and the human condition. His works are frequently shortlisted for major literary prizes, highlighting their critical acclaim. Among his many honors are the Forward Poetry Prize (twice), the Costa Poetry Prize, the T.S. Eliot Prize shortlist (five times), the Jerwood Award for Non-Fiction, and the Sandford St. Martin Award. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a trustee of the Royal Literary Fund. Forward Poetry Prize for Best Collection (2013, 2004) Costa Poetry Prize (2013) T.S. Eliot Prize Shortlist (2001, 2004, 2013, 2017, 2021) Fellowship of the Royal Society of Literature (2014) Whitbread Poetry Award (2004) Eric Gregory Award (1988) BBC Audio Drama Awards (2013, 2014) He supervises PhD students in poetry and creative writing, teaches campus and online workshops, and is active in public engagement through performances, radio broadcasts, and commemorative poetry projects. His collaborations with composer James MacMillan have resulted in major commissions for the BBC Proms, Royal Opera House, and Welsh National Opera, underscoring his impact across literature and music. He has not been associated with any formal research lab but leads creative teams in interdisciplinary performance and literary projects.

• Medieval Music
• Classical Period Music
• Romantic Era Music
• +7 more

Ann-Katrin Zimmermann is an apl. Professor (non-tenured professor) at the Musicological Institute within the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tübingen. She has held this position since 2018, following her time as a private lecturer from 2012-2018. In addition to her academic work, she serves as a dramaturg at the Gewandhaus Leipzig since 2013 and has teaching assignments at LMU Munich, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre, and Leipzig University since 2012. Her educational background includes: Habilitation (2012) on "Forms of slow movements in the classical cycle" Promotion/PhD (2006) on "Studies on medieval three-part harmony" Master's degree in musicology, philosophy and art history from University of Tübingen and University of Oxford (1998-2003) Professor Zimmermann's research spans multiple eras and aspects of music history and theory. Her work focuses particularly on polyphony of the 12th and 13th centuries, keyboard music from the 15th-18th centuries, early German-language music terminology, and the works of Heinrich Schütz, composers of the Viennese classics, and Richard Strauss. She has made significant contributions to the fields of organology, instrumentation, music iconography, and 19th-century symphonies, with particular interest in cross-temporal aspects of genre, form, and composition. Her extensive publication record shows a consistent focus on historical music analysis, particularly examining compositional strategies across different periods. Her recent work has increasingly focused on Richard Strauss and Mozart, while maintaining her longstanding interest in early music traditions and terminology. She has published numerous articles in prestigious journals and contributed to important edited volumes in musicology. Professor Zimmermann is actively involved in the academic community: Member of the Society for Music History in Baden-Württemberg since 2009 Member of the DHV since 2012 Throughout her career, Zimmermann has balanced academic research with practical musical experience. She has been a bassoonist and leader of various vocal and instrumental ensembles since 1998, and served as a church musician from 1997-2014. Her work as a dramaturg at the Gewandhaus Leipzig since 2013 demonstrates her commitment to connecting scholarly research with contemporary musical practice.

Ben QuashView profile

Professor

• Christian Theology
• Theology and the Arts
• Liturgical Studies
• +4 more

Professor Ben Quash is the inaugural Professor of Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London, part of the Department of Theology & Religious Studies. He holds a dual academic background in English Literature and Theology, with a PhD focusing on Hans Urs von Balthasar’s theological dramatic theory. Previously, he served as Dean and Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and Academic Director of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme (2004-2007). His research bridges Christian theology, the arts, and interfaith dialogue, emphasizing how visual, literary, and musical forms engage biblical and theological themes. Key roles include founding and directing the Centre for Arts & the Sacred (ASK) and leading the Visual Commentary on Scripture project. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules on theology, art, and liturgy, including courses like Salvation and the City and Art as a Theological Medium . His work explores modernity’s impact on theology, the role of liturgy in shaping ethics, and the intersection of art with scriptural interpretation. Professor Quash’s media engagements include BBC broadcasts on topics like sacred spaces, Christian art’s legacy, and theological aesthetics. He has authored/co-edited over 60 publications, including Theology, Modernity and the Visual Arts (2024) and Visualising a Sacred City: London, Art and Religion (2016). Awards include the King’s Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts (2012).

Philip Uko EffiongView profile

Associate Professor

• African Theatre
• African Diaspora Studies
• Performance Studies
• +7 more

Philip Uko Effiong is an Associate Professor of Theatre Studies and Integrative Humanities at Michigan State University, with over 25 years of college-level teaching experience. He joined MSU in Spring 2017 after teaching at institutions across Nigeria, Ghana, and the United States. PhD in Drama (University of Wisconsin-Madison) MA in Literature of the African Diaspora (University of Calabar) Bachelor’s in English (University of Calabar) His research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to African and African diasporic performance, including: Performance as resistance in Caribbean communities (Jamaican Maroons, Garifuna) Influence of Greek tragedy on African drama Post-Biafran identity and historical narratives Fela Kuti’s music and political critique African diasporic communities in India and the Philippines His publications span African theatre, diasporic literature, and cultural resistance. Key themes include political power, postcolonial identity, and artistic activism. He also collaborates on documentaries exploring marginalized histories and has written a memoir on the Nigeria-Biafra War. Notable awards include: Tip of the Hat Award for Teaching Excellence (2016) Fulbright Scholar (1988-1994) Certificate of Recognition for Scholarly Activity (2012) He teaches courses such as Contemporary Theatre in Historical Context, African American Drama, and African & African Diaspora Literature, integrating drama, history, and interdisciplinary humanities.

Robert N. WatsonView profile

Professor

• Renaissance & Early Modern Studies
• Ecocriticism
• Environmental Humanities
• +3 more

Robert N. Watson is a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles , affiliated with the Department of English within the College of Letters and Science . He has held significant leadership roles including Chair of the Department of English , Chair of the Faculty of the UCLA College of Letters and Science , and Associate Vice-Provost for Educational Innovation . Education : B.A., summa cum laude , Yale University (1975) Ph.D., Highest Honors , Stanford University (1979) Professor Watson’s research focuses on William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson , literature and the environment , cultural evolution , and the U.S. in the 1960s . His work in ecocriticism explores intersections between environmental ethics and early modern literature , while his interdisciplinary research on cultural memeplexes investigates self-replicating cultural systems that parasitize human cognition. His recent publications apply algorithmic analysis to Shakespearean texts, revealing computational patterns in Elizabethan dramatic structure . Scientific Awards : Guggenheim Fellowship NEH Senior Research Fellowship Thomas J. Wilson Prize (1984) Elizabeth Dietz Memorial Prize (2007) ASLE Prize for Ecocriticism (2005-07) UCLA Distinguished Teaching Prize (2001) Gold Shield Prize (2006-08) As a humanities educator , he has created interdisciplinary courses on the 1960s cultural era and served as Head Scholar at the Teaching Shakespeare Summer Institute . His editorial work includes New Mermaids Series editions of Jonson’s plays and the forthcoming Arden edition of Measure for Measure . With publications spanning Shakespearean fear of death to Japanese cinema analysis , he remains a prominent figure in humanistic responses to cultural crises .

Guillaume BoussardView profile

Lecturer

• Classical Studies
• Ancient Greek Literature
• Latin Literature
• +3 more

Guillaume Boussard is a Lecturer in Classical Letters at the University of Rouen Normandy, affiliated with the ERIAC research unit (UR 4705) within the College of Letters and Human Sciences. His work bridges academic scholarship and public engagement through the performance and translation of ancient Greek and Latin texts. His research centers on poetic translation techniques and performance of classical literature, with deep expertise in Lucretius, Aeschylus, and Homer. He pioneers isometric translation methods that preserve original meter while exploring verse musicality, reception studies, and contemporary relevance of ancient works. His interdisciplinary approach connects philology with artistic practice. Boussard's publications reveal consistent focus on translating epic and dramatic works while maintaining formal precision, particularly in Lucretius' philosophical poetry and Greek tragedy. His work demonstrates how rhythmic structures and performative elements can revitalize classical texts for modern audiences. Scientific awards: Winner of the first bards’ competition (2007) Through extensive recitals and theatrical collaborations, Boussard has brought ancient texts to diverse audiences via festivals like Dionysies and Milliaires. His educational workshops at institutions including Lycée Jeanne-d'Arc demonstrate commitment to making classical languages accessible, blending scholarly rigor with creative pedagogy.

• German Studies
• Heinrich Heine
• Franz Kafka
• +8 more

Professor Paul Peters is a distinguished academic in German Studies at McGill University since 2008. Previously, he held roles including Assistant Professor (1989) and Associate Professor (1996) at McGill, and taught at Freie Universität Berlin (1983–1985). His research focuses on Heinrich Heine, Kafka, Brecht, and Paul Celan, with recent projects exploring Kafka and colonialism supported by the German Academic Exchange Service and Humanities Research Council. Peters' work bridges literary analysis with cultural history, Frankfurt School theory, and musical studies. Education: BA (Hons.) in German from University of Manitoba (1976), Dr. Phil in Germanistics and Philosophy from Freie Universität Berlin (1988). Research interests span German Romanticism, Weimar culture, socialist literature (Volker Braun, Heiner Müller), and the cultural significance of Berlin and Vienna. His theoretical framework draws deeply from Walter Benjamin and Theodor Adorno, while maintaining critical independence. Peters has published extensively on Heine's anti-Semitism reception, Brecht's radio influences, and Celan's intertextuality. Grants: Supported by DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and Humanities Research Council for his Kafka project. No formal student advisees listed, though his mentorship is evident through collaborative research efforts. Future projects include a book on Kafka and colonialism, and continued exploration of Heine-Baudelaire parallels. His interdisciplinary approach connects literary studies with musicology, philosophy, and cultural studies.

• Classical Music
• Jazz
• Contemporary Music
• +3 more

Martin Robertson is a renowned saxophone professor at the Royal College of Music (RCM) and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He graduated from the RCM in 1984 with studies in saxophone and clarinet under Stephen Trier and John McCaw, winning the Boosey and Hawkes Music Prize. His career spans international solo performances with orchestras like the Berlin, Los Angeles, and London Philharmonics, collaborating with conductors such as Simon Rattle and Vladimir Jurowski. Robertson is celebrated for his fusion of classical, jazz, and world music, particularly through collaborations with composers Mark-Anthony Turnage and George Fenton. His work includes Turnage’s Blood on the Floor and Fenton’s orchestral scores for films like Earth and Planet Earth . Robertson’s academic roles include leading the Woodwind department at RCM since 1994 and teaching at Guildhall since 2012. His research interests emphasize cross-genre exploration, using instruments like the duduk and taragato to bridge cultural musical traditions. He has premiered works such as Turnage’s About Water (2007) and Anna Nicole (2011), an opera exploring tragic biography through modern musical language. His performances include high-profile events like the BBC Proms and collaborations with ensembles such as the Delta Saxophone Quartet, which he joined in 2009. Robertson’s film credits span major projects, including Shakespeare in Love , Billy Elliott , and King Arthur . Beyond the concert stage, he advocates for contemporary saxophone repertoire through academic and ensemble work, fostering innovation in woodwind performance. Robertson’s awards include the Boosey and Hawkes Prize (1984), and his recordings, such as Poirot Variants (2010) and Tony Banks’ Six (2012), highlight his versatility across genres. His teaching integrates jazz improvisation, classical technique, and contemporary experimentation, shaping a new generation of woodwind musicians.

• Musicology
• Music Analysis
• Music Philology
• +3 more

Marco Uvietta is an Associate Professor of Musicology and History of Music at the Department of Literature and Philosophy, University of Trento. He holds a Laurea in Music Disciplines from the DAMS of Bologna (1991) and a PhD in History and Analysis of Musical Cultures from Sapienza University of Rome (1999). His academic career includes roles as a Researcher (2005–2016) and Associate Professor (2016–present) at the University of Trento. He teaches courses on Music History and Ethnomusicology and contributes to the PhD program in European Cultures. His research focuses on two main areas: 1) Musical Philology, particularly in 19th-century Italian opera (e.g., critical editions of Verdi’s Requiem and Bellini’s La straniera), and 2) Analysis of 20th-century musical language, with significant contributions on Luciano Berio’s style and compositional processes. He has authored numerous scholarly works, including books and articles on composers like Berio, Debussy, Stravinsky, and Martucci. Uvietta is actively involved in editorial projects, such as directing critical editions for Ricordi and contributing to the Rossini Critical Edition. He holds leadership roles in academic committees, including the editorial board of Il Saggiatore Musicale . His compositional works, influenced by his analytical research, have been performed by prestigious ensembles worldwide, including the Arditti Quartet and Monteverdi Cello Octet. Notable awards include recognition in composition competitions (e.g., Guido d’Arezzo International Competition), and his works span orchestral, choral, and chamber music. Uvietta’s interdisciplinary approach bridges historical musicology with contemporary compositional practice, reflecting his dual expertise as a scholar and composer.

Andreas GigerView profile

Professor

• 19th-Century Music
• Musicology
• Italian Opera
• +6 more

Andreas Giger is the Louise & Kenneth L. Kinney Professor of Opera & Musicology at Louisiana State University (LSU), within the College of Music & Dramatic Arts. He holds a Licentiate in Musicology from the University of Zurich, a Piano Teaching Diploma from Winterthur Conservatory, and a PhD in Musicology from Indiana University. His research focuses on 19th-century Italian opera, particularly Giuseppe Verdi and the influence of French aesthetics, as well as Leonard Bernstein's work. Notable achievements include authoring Verismo (2004) and Verdi and the French Aesthetic (2008), the latter supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship. He has edited critical editions of Verdi’s operas ( I due Foscari , Cavalleria rusticana ) and co-edited Music in the Mirror (2002), which earned an ASCAP Deems-Taylor Award. He serves on editorial boards of Nineteenth-Century Music Review and co-edits Masterpieces of Italian Opera for Bärenreiter. Giger’s articles explore topics such as Verdi’s libretti, censorship of 19th-century operas, and the genesis of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . Recent projects include NEH-supported critical editions of Un ballo in maschera and Cavalleria rusticana . His work bridges historical musicology, textual analysis, and performance practice. Grants: Multiple NEH Fellowships and grants for critical editions. Awards: ASCAP Deems-Taylor Award (2002). He collaborates with institutions like Bärenreiter and the University of Chicago Press, advancing scholarly editions and operatic studies.

• Musicology
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Music and Literature
• Semiotics of Music
• +3 more

Dr hab. Małgorzata Gamrat is an Associate Professor at the Department of Religious Monody and Polyphony Research , Institute of Art Sciences , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), Poland. She is an internationally recognised scholar specialising in the interrelations between music and literature, with particular emphasis on the works of Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz and Honoré de Balzac. Her habilitation (2017, University of Warsaw) and joint Ph.D. (2012, Jagiellonian University & École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris) underpin a prolific research portfolio that spans Romantic music history, semiotics of music, and interdisciplinary studies. Education & Affiliations Ph.D. co-tutelle, Jagiellonian University & École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris (2012) Habilitation, University of Warsaw (2017) M.A., Université Toulouse II Le Mirail (2007) M.A., Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz (2008) Research Focus Dr Gamrat’s work is situated at the intersection of musicology , literary studies and semiotics . She explores how nineteenth-century composers engaged with contemporary poetry and how literary figures reflected on music, creating a rich intermedial dialogue . Key topics include: Piano and vocal music of Franz Liszt, including genre hybridization and transcriptions Hector Berlioz’s dramatic symphonies and their literary subtexts Honoré de Balzac’s musical aesthetics and collaborative networks Polish composers in the interwar Parisian milieu (e.g., Tansman, Paderewski) Methodologies of musical semiotics and intertextual analysis Recent Publication Trends Since 2020, her articles have increasingly integrated semiotic theory with close analytical readings , addressing questions of meaning , intertextuality and translation between artistic media. Contributions appear in leading journals such as Annee Balzacienne , Czas Kultury , Nottingham French Studies and World Futures , reflecting a trajectory from archival/documentary work toward philosophical and methodological reflection. Scientific Awards & Honours Elected Fellow, International Communicology Institute, Washington, DC (2023) University Laurel “Father Idzi Radziszewski Award” – 1st Degree, KUL (2024) University of Warsaw “Clio” III Degree Award (2017) Prize of the Polish Composers’ Union for the monograph on Liszt’s piano music (2015) Research Grants & Leadership Principal Investigator, NCN FUGA: “Franz Liszt's Songs for Voice and Piano...” (2013–2016) Co-investigator, NCN OPUS: “Presence of Polish Music in Interwar Paris” (2017–2020) Vice-coordinator, Czech-Polish Forum Grant: “Joseph von Eichendorff...” (2018) Member, Scientific Committee, 16th World Congress of Semiotics, Warsaw (2023) Editorial & Scholarly Service Dr Gamrat sits on the editorial boards of Musicology Papers and Roczniki Humanistyczne , and is a peer reviewer for Muzyka , Teoria Muzyki , Studia Chopinowskie , Res Facta Nova , among others. She co-organised the international conferences “40 Years of Musical Semiotics” (2023) and “Zola’s Legacies” (2021).

Niklas SivelövView profile

Professor

• Classical Piano Performance
• Chamber Music
• Improvisation
• +3 more

Niklas Sivelöv is a Professor and Subject Group Leader in Piano at The Royal Danish Academy of Music (DKDM), a position he has held since 2008. He has significantly shaped DKDM’s educational programs, including pioneering the Master’s degree in piano and upcoming programs in chamber music. A renowned pianist and composer, his career blends performance, pedagogy, and innovation. He is celebrated for bridging classical traditions with modern improvisation, exemplified by collaborations with jazz pianist Carsten Dahl. Education: Trained at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, with further studies in Helsinki, Bucharest, and London. His teaching philosophy emphasizes personal student development, focusing on tone, expression, and technical mastery for lifelong musical careers. He has led masterclasses globally, including at the Universität für Musik Wien, Yale School of Music, and Shanghai Conservatory. Research interests span classical piano repertoire (Bach to Nørgård), improvisation, and composition. His compositional works include six symphonies, five piano concertos, and chamber pieces. Key awards include the Knight of the Dannebrog (2017) and a People’s Choice Award at the Independent Music Awards (2009). He has recorded over 50 CDs, notable for 'Improvisational One' and Berwald’s symphonies on Naxos. Leadership roles include Artistic Director of Engelsbergs Festival (2007–2009) and jury memberships for international competitions. Upcoming projects include recordings of Skrjabin’s complete sonatas and a collaboration with Carsten Dahl. His work integrates pedagogy, performance, and composition, fostering both traditional and experimental musical practices.

• Theatre Studies
• Performing Arts
• Gender Studies
• +7 more

Ebru Gökdağ is a Professor at Anadolu University’s State Conservatory, Department of Stage Arts, since 2016. She earned her doctorate in Theatre from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has held academic positions at Anadolu University since 2002. Doctorate: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1997-2002) Postgraduate: Texas A&M University-Commerce (1994-2000) Undergraduate: Anadolu University (1989-1993) Her research focuses on Theatre Studies , Gender Dynamics in Performing Arts , and Cultural Representation in Opera . She has explored Sexual Harassment Prevention in theatre environments and Traditional Rituals like Cem Ceremonies. Recent publications examine Opera Cross-Cultural Influence , Gender Equality in Turkish theatre, and Community-Based Performance techniques. She has also presented at conferences in Kazakhstan, Cyprus, and Slovenia. She has advised 8 theses on topics ranging from Augusto Boal’s Methods to Sexual Harassment in Performing Arts and Opera Analysis . She led projects like TÜBİTAK’s Cem Ceremonies Study and multiple Erasmus-funded initiatives. Her career spans roles as Head of Department (2017-2025) and board member in academic councils. She actively participates in international theatre festivals and conferences.

Bryan HymelView profile

Associate Professor

• Opera
• Vocal Performance
• Classical Singing
• +3 more

Tenor Bryan Hymel serves as Associate Professor of Music in Voice at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, where he bridges academic pedagogy with an internationally acclaimed operatic career. His performances span premier opera houses globally including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and Opéra National de Paris, specializing in dramatic French and Italian repertoire. His educational credentials include: Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, Rider University (2023) Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Loyola University New Orleans (2003) Hymel's scholarly focus centers on historical performance practices of 19th-century French grand opera and vocal technique evolution. He is particularly renowned for interpretations of Énée in Berlioz's Les Troyens , Don José in Bizet's Carmen , and Arnold in Rossini's Guillaume Tell , with research emphasizing dramatic tenor roles and vocal characterization in historically significant works. His distinguished honors include: Metropolitan Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist Award (2012) Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera (2013) Georges Thill Prize by Académie Nationale du Disque Lyrique ECHO Klassik Newcomer of the Year Award As a faculty mentor at Indiana University, Hymel trains emerging vocalists using insights from his active performance career, integrating stage experience into pedagogical practice. His Warner Classics recordings, particularly the album Héroïque which reached #3 on Billboard Classical charts, serve as scholarly resources for vocal interpretation and repertoire preservation.