Nicole Rousmaniere is Professor of Japanese Art & Culture at the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, University of East Anglia, with additional affiliation to the Centre for Japanese Studies. She holds a PhD from Harvard University (1998) and served as Visiting Professor at Tokyo University (2006-2009). Her research spans Japanese ceramics, East Asian trade networks, archaeology, manga, and contemporary popular culture. She curated major exhibitions at the British Museum including 'Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan' (2007) and the record-breaking 'Citi Exhibition Manga' (2019). Her publications include 'Vessels of Influence: China and the Birth of Porcelain in Medieval and Modern Japan' (2012) and a translation of Tsuji Nobuo's 'A History of Art in Japan' (2018), which earned her the Japanese Culture Translation Award in 2018. She leads research projects funded by the Gatsby Foundation and Ishibashi Foundation, focusing on Japanese arts from historical and contemporary perspectives. Awards & Honors: Japanese Culture Translation Award (2018) She actively engages in public scholarship through lectures, seminars, and media appearances, contributing to academic discourse on Japanese art and cultural exchange.
Dr Simon Curtis is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Surrey, affiliated with the Politics and International Relations department, the Institute for Sustainability, and the Centre for the Study of Global Power Competition (CGPC). He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE) and previously served as an Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of East Anglia. His research focuses on global cities, geopolitical competition, and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with notable works including Global Cities and Global Order (Oxford UP, 2018) and the forthcoming The Belt and Road City (Yale UP, 2024). His scholarly contributions span international governance, urbanization, and global power dynamics, with publications in journals like Global Studies Quarterly . He has been recognized with the 2018 Hedley Bull Prize from the European Consortium for Political Research. His current work explores how cities shape global economic governance and geopolitical rivalries between major powers like the US and China. Dr Curtis is also engaged with sustainability research through the Institute for Sustainability, addressing urban resilience and global environmental challenges. Key research themes include the role of infrastructure in geopolitical transitions, the evolving global order, and the intersection of urbanization with international law. His recent collaborations include co-authored works on BRI urbanization strategies and hegemonic stability theory. Dr Curtis’s teaching and advisory roles reflect his commitment to bridging theoretical insights with real-world policy challenges in global urban development.
Professor Joshua S. Mostow is a scholar of pre-modern Japanese literature and art, specializing in text-image relationships, Heian-period studies, and gendered cultural constructions. He holds a professorship at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Asian Studies (Faculty of Arts), where he also serves as Acting Director of Language Programs. Mostow earned his doctorate in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at International Christian University (Tokyo), Université de Paris, and Gakushuin University. His career includes visiting roles at institutions like Heidelberg University and the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on intersections of literature and visual arts, particularly in Japanese pre-modern contexts. Key interests include the ideological construction of the Heian period, women’s writing traditions, and the role of sexuality in cultural identity. Major works include *Courtly Visions: The Ise Stories and the Politics of Cultural Appropriation* (2014) and *Pictures of the Heart: The Hyakunin Isshu in Word and Image* (1996). He has received prestigious awards such as the Japan Foreign Minister’s Commendation (2017) and induction into the Royal Society of Canada (2015). Mostow has authored/co-authored over 20 books, edited volumes, and numerous articles across Japanese literature, art history, and cultural studies. His work spans medieval commentaries, Edo-period print culture, and modern reception histories. He frequently lectures internationally on topics like gender representation in classical texts and the visual legacy of *The Tale of Genji*. Grants and fellowships include support from the Sainsbury Institute, Japan Foundation, and SSHRC (Canada). His contributions to Japanese studies include co-editing *The Columbia Companion to Modern East Asian Literature* (2003) and curating exhibitions on Rinpa aesthetics and Edo-period shunga. Scholarly activities further include invited lectures at institutions worldwide and participation in major international conferences.
Professor Robyn Healy is the Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) and Head of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University. She holds a Professorial rank within the Department of Design and Social Context. Her career includes roles as Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia, alongside extensive academic leadership. Her research focuses on fashion design, curatorial practices, museums, material culture, and practice-led research, with a PhD exploring new museum exhibition methodologies for fashion. She is a Category 1 research supervisor and leads a vibrant research team overseeing numerous PhD projects in fashion and design innovation. Education Leadership: Spearheaded restructuring of fashion programs to enhance cross-disciplinary studios and industry engagement. Professional Roles: Chair of IFFTI Research Sub-Committee, member of TEQSA accreditation panels, and advisor to national cultural institutions. Research Interests: Robyn’s work bridges fashion design, museology, and material culture with a focus on curatorial innovation and the phenomenology of wear. Her projects explore sustainable fashion practices, digital curation, and the intersection of fashion with health and technology. Awards: Centenary Medal (2013) for contributions to Australian fashion, and Gordon Darling Foundation Travel Scholarship. Supervision & Grants: Active in mentoring over 20 PhD and Masters candidates, with research projects addressing topics like sustainable textile methods, fashion curation in digital spaces, and biomimetic design. Engaged in collaborative grants exploring wearable health technologies and fashion’s environmental impact. Labs/Teams: Directs the School of Fashion and Textiles, fostering industry partnerships and innovative research initiatives in sustainable design and curatorial practices.
Rina Bliss is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, specializing in sociogenomics, race and genetics, and social justice. She holds a PhD from the New School for Social Research and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Brown University’s BioMed and Cogut Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research critically examines genetic determinism, racial classifications, and the societal implications of genomic science. Bliss is the award-winning author of books including Rethinking Intelligence (2023), Race Decoded (2012), and the forthcoming What’s Real About Race? (2025). Her work challenges assumptions about genetic influences on intelligence, race, and health disparities. She serves as a consultant to institutions like the National Academies of Science and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, advocating for socially responsible science. Her research has been featured in The New York Times , NPR, and global media. Bliss’s scholarly contributions span sociological theory, biopolitics, and interdisciplinary science. She actively addresses audiences worldwide on topics like health equity, education, and technology ethics. Affiliations: Human Genome Synthesis Project, UCSF Affiliate, UC Berkeley Center for Social Medicine Grants: Andrew Mellon Foundation, National Science Foundation Awards: Oliver Cromwell Cox Book Award for Race Decoded Bliss’s work bridges academia and public policy, emphasizing the need to counteract harmful stereotypes and promote equity in science and society.
Christian Gasser is a Lecturer in Film at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art (HSLU D&K). He holds a background in German and Romance Studies from universities in Bern and Paris. Beyond academia, he is a freelance writer, cultural journalist for publications like the NZZ and Swiss-German radio stations, and co-editor of the comic magazine STRAPAZIN. His professional roles include curator for events like the Graphic Novel Days in Hamburg and Avant Comics in Madrid, alongside jury memberships for international comic and animation festivals. Education: Germanistik und Romanistik (Bern/Paris) His research focuses on animation film aesthetics, history of moving images, illustration history, and mentorship in theory/practice. He has curated festivals and contributed to radio programs, earning awards such as the Zürcher Radiopreis (1994) and Prix Europa Berlin (1996). Recent publications include the novel Rakkaus! (2014) and Comic Deluxe (2012) . He has been affiliated with HSLU since 2004, teaching theory in Animation and Illustration programs since 2013. His articles explore diverse themes from Swiss animation history to avant-garde comics, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Engagements include moderating panels at international festivals and publishing in academic journals. He co-led the Video Essay research project on audiovisual education methodologies.
Rahul Sharma is a Junior Researcher and PhD candidate at the Estonian Academy of Arts’ Institute of Art History and Visual Culture. His research focuses on Russian-Estonian identity representations in contemporary documentaries, video art, and visual art, analyzing works by Eléonore de Montesquiou, Kristina Norman, and Marianna Kaad. He is also completing a book on Indian filmmaker Amit Dutta, examining his avant-garde ethnographic and museum films through an art-historical lens. Education includes a Master’s in Literature, Visual Culture, and Film Studies (Tallinn University/Estonian Academy of Arts, 2023) and a Master’s in Filmmaking (University of Warwick/London Film School, 2019). His creative work includes award-nominated short films like The Binoculars (2019) and documentaries such as Florence and the Hymns of Joseph (2022). Rahul has presented research at conferences including the 16th Baltic Studies Conference (Cambridge, 2025) and the Tartu Doctoral Intensive Seminar (2025). His awards include the Eur-Asian Border Lab Summer School 2025 selection and a 2023 cum laude distinction for his master’s thesis. He teaches courses on critical theory, visual culture, and art sociology at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
Tijana Rakic is Associate Professor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management at De Montfort University, affiliated with the School of Humanities and Performing Arts. She leads the Tourism and Hospitality subject area and the BA (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management program. Her research expertise spans visual research methods, heritage and identity in tourism, art and tourism, visual cultures of leisure and events, and sustainability in tourism. She employs creative methodologies including visual ethnography, narrative analysis, and multimodal research. Her recent scholarly output reflects a strong trend toward interdisciplinary and visually oriented research in tourism, with a focus on representation, identity, and methodological innovation. She has contributed significantly to advancing visual methods in tourism and leisure studies through edited volumes, journal special issues, and multimedia outputs. Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Tijana Rakic is an experienced PhD supervisor and welcomes research students in her areas of expertise. She chairs the Geographies of Tourism and Leisure Research Group at the Royal Geographical Society and serves as co-editor of the Routledge book series 'Current Developments in the Geographies of Leisure and Tourism'. She is also a member of the editorial boards of Tourist Studies , Tourism Geographies , International Journal of Tourism Cities , Finnish Journal of Tourism Research , and Consumer Behaviour in Tourism and Hospitality . Her creative research outputs include co-produced documentaries and a co-curated exhibition, highlighting her commitment to public engagement and knowledge dissemination beyond traditional academic formats.
Maneesh Agrawala is the Forest Baskett Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Stanford University. He is also a consulting AI Scientist at Roblox. His research lies at the intersection of computer graphics, human-computer interaction (HCI), and visualization, with a focus on cognitive design principles for improving audio/visual media. He leads a vibrant research group and has advised numerous PhD students and postdocs. His research interests include: Computer Graphics Human-Computer Interaction Visualization and Visual Communication Cognitive Design Principles Generative AI and Diffusion Models Interactive Video and Sketch-based Interfaces Data and Information Visualization His recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong trend toward leveraging generative models—particularly diffusion models—for video and image synthesis, editing, and personalization. Key themes include controllable generation (e.g., SparseCtrl, ControlNet), sketch-to-image translation, relightable texturing, and tools that enhance visual storytelling and data communication. His work integrates cognitive science with computational tools to build systems that support human creativity and understanding. His scientific honors include: MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2009) Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship (2007) NSF CAREER Award (2007) SIGGRAPH Significant New Researcher Award (2008) Allen Distinguished Investigator Award (2014) Induction into the SIGCHI Academy (2021) ACM Fellow (2022) Okawa Foundation Research Grant (2006) A dedicated mentor, Agrawala has advised a large cohort of students and postdocs, many of whom have gone on to influential positions in academia and industry. His lab develops tools for video editing (e.g., AnimateDiff, ControlNet), sketch-based design, and visualization (e.g., EmphasisChecker), often bridging theory with practical applications in media and education. He continues to be a leading figure in visual computing and interactive systems.
Prof. Dr. Julia Bernstein is a Professor of Discrimination and Inclusion in Immigration Society at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (since 2015), affiliated with the Department of Social Work and Health. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, and Art History (1992–1995), an M.A. in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology (1996–2000) from the University of Haifa, Israel, and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Goethe University Frankfurt (2009). She leads the research area Social Legacy of National Socialism and coordinates international projects on antisemitism prevention. Bernstein's research examines discrimination through interdisciplinary lenses, focusing on: Antisemitism in institutional and everyday contexts Migration, identity, and transnationalism among Russian-speaking Jews Stereotyping mechanisms and racialization processes Holocaust memory and its societal repercussions Food sociology as a marker of cultural identity Her recent publications (2020–2022) demonstrate a strong focus on antisemitism in educational settings, analyzing victim perspectives, teacher training gaps, and pedagogical counter-strategies. She frequently addresses media representations of Jewish communities and the normalization of Israel-related antisemitism. Honors include the Barbara-und-Piergiuseppe-Scardigli-Preis for her dissertation (2011) and nomination for the WISAG-Preis (2010). Bernstein directs federally funded projects like Mach mal keine Judenaktion! (2017–2019) and collaborates with institutions including the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, Anne Frank Educational Center, and Tel Aviv University's Kantor Center. At Frankfurt UAS, she teaches courses on antisemitism, social inequality, and Holocaust legacy in Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Diversity and Inclusion programs. She mentors emerging scholars through the Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk and co-leads the Frankfurt meets Haifa academic exchange initiative.
Kevin P. Coleman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Historical Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His scholarship bridges the fields of modern Latin American history, visual culture, and the history of capitalism, with a focus on the intersections of photography, citizenship, and political violence. He is actively engaged in research, teaching, and public scholarship, currently on leave through December 31, 2025. PhD, Indiana University, Bloomington MA, University of Maryland, Baltimore County BA, Northern Arizona University His research explores how photography functions within capitalist systems, particularly in Latin America, and how visual archives preserve and challenge narratives of power, labor, and resistance. He is especially interested in the ways violence is recorded, remembered, and reinterpreted through images. His recent publications reflect a strong thematic focus on photography and extraction, Cold War interventions, labor movements, and decolonial memory. Coleman’s work demonstrates a consistent engagement with visual epistemology and the political potential of images to resist capitalist and imperial domination. American Historical Association Prize Canadian Historical Association Prize SSHRC Insight and Connection Grants Andrew W. Mellon / ACLS Fellowship Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship He has supervised graduate research and taught courses on Latin American history, religion, capitalism, and visual methodology. His documentary film Stolen Photo and digital project Visualizing the Americas exemplify his commitment to interdisciplinary and public-facing scholarship. He is also involved in community initiatives related to urban ecology and native plant restoration.
D. Fairchild Ruggles is a Presidential Humanities and Social Science Chair and Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They hold concurrent appointments in the School of Architecture, Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory, Program in Medieval Studies, Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity, European Union Center, and Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. PhD, Columbia University Specializes in Islamic art and architecture Focus on gardens and landscapes as cultural expressions Leading scholar in gender and architectural patronage Their research explores Islamic gardens, medieval architectural patronage, and cultural landscapes across Spain, North Africa, and South Asia. Recent work examines water management systems, the intersection of scent/sound in garden design, and the legacy of female architectural patrons like Shajar al-Durr. Their 15 most recent publications focus on Islamic gardens, medieval architecture, and cultural landscapes. Key themes include environmental history, sensory experiences in historical spaces, and the political dimensions of landscape design. Ruggles has received 11 scientific honors and actively engages in public scholarship through documentary films and podcast interviews. Their work bridges academic research and public understanding, particularly in Islamic visual culture and landscape history.
Gary Gilbert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, with scholarly expertise in Ancient Jewish History, Jewish/Christian relations, Jewish art, synagogue studies, and the development of early Christianity. His academic work bridges historical, religious, and cultural analyses of Second Temple and early rabbinic Judaism, as well as the origins of Christianity within its Roman and Jewish contexts. B.A., Haverford College M.A., Columbia University Ph.D., Columbia University His research focuses on the intersection of Jewish life with broader civic and imperial structures in antiquity. Key interests include gentile participation in Jewish communities, the influence of Roman political ideology on early Christian texts, and the evolution of Jewish-Christian relations. He also investigates Jewish visual culture, particularly the symbolism of the menorah in ancient art. His publications reflect a strong engagement with textual and material evidence from the ancient Mediterranean world. Themes across his recent and forthcoming articles include Jewish urban life, the representation of Jewish identity in art and literature, and the theological and political dimensions of New Testament writings—especially the Acts of the Apostles. His scholarship often employs interdisciplinary methods combining history, archaeology, and literary analysis. Israel Institute, Course Development Grant (2023) Summer Fellow, Schusterman Center for Israel Studies (2019) Visiting Lecturer, University of Warsaw (2019) Visiting Scholar, Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies (2005–2006) Claremont Graduate University, Humanities Electronic Media Project (2000) Salo and Jeanette Baron Dissertation Prize nomination (1992) Gilbert has contributed significantly to pedagogical innovation, particularly through integrating technology into religious studies education. He has advised on digital humanities projects and developed curricula on Jewish and Christian origins. Though no formal advisees are listed, his academic mentorship extends through collaborative research, guest lectureships, and participation in scholarly centers. He has secured external funding for research and course development, demonstrating sustained scholarly productivity and institutional engagement. His affiliations with leading centers such as Oxford, the Schusterman Center, and the University of Warsaw highlight his international scholarly presence. He continues to publish in major academic venues and contribute to authoritative reference works like The Jewish Annotated New Testament .
Suzy Kim is an Associate Professor of Korean History in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, within the School of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on modern Korean history, particularly North Korea, with interdisciplinary engagement in gender studies, social and cultural history, oral history, and social theory. She is the author of two major books and serves as senior editor of positions: asia critique and on the editorial boards of Journal of Korean Studies and Yŏsŏng kwa yŏksa (Women and History). She is also an active public scholar and human rights advocate. Ph.D., University of Chicago M.A., University of Chicago B.A., University of California, Los Angeles Her research interests span modern Korean history, the global Cold War, transnational feminisms, gender and sexuality, comparative revolutions, visual cultures, and environmental humanities. She critically examines North Korean society through the lenses of everyday life, mass mobilization, and gendered subject formation. Her work bridges academic rigor with public advocacy, emphasizing social justice and peace in Korea. The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained scholarly engagement with North Korea’s social and cultural history, particularly focusing on gender, revolution, memory, and transnational connections. Her articles appear in leading journals such as Gender & History , Comparative Studies in Society and History , and positions: asia critique . Thematically, her work explores the intersections of state ideology, personal agency, and global Cold War dynamics, often challenging dominant narratives about North Korea through nuanced historical analysis. Fulbright, 2020-2021 National Endowment for the Humanities, 2016 James B. Palais Book Prize, 2015 Kim has advised and mentored students in Korean studies, gender studies, and history, though specific names are not listed. She has received significant research funding, including from the Fulbright Program and NEH. She previously served as a visiting professor at Boston College and has worked with human rights organizations such as Amnesty International USA, Truth Foundation, and Women Cross DMZ. Her public scholarship emphasizes dialogue, peacebuilding, and ethical representation of North Korea. She is actively involved in academic communities, serving on professional boards including the American Historical Association, Association for Asian Studies, and National Women’s Studies Association. Her editorial leadership in positions: asia critique and other journals underscores her role in shaping critical discourse in Asian studies. She teaches courses such as Global East Asia, Gender and Social Change in Korea, and North Korea in the Socialist and Post-Socialist Worlds.
Allison Goodman serves as a Professor specializing in visual design disciplines with expertise spanning graphic and product design fields. Her research and teaching interests include: Graphic Design Product Design Information Design Communication Design Visual Thinking Narrative Design Professor Goodman teaches multiple sections of Communication Design courses focusing on information and context across different departments (GPRT, ILL, IXD), along with specialized courses in Information Design, Visual Thinking, and Narrative & Scale. Her course load demonstrates comprehensive coverage of design principles from foundational to advanced levels. She actively contributes to design education through courses including ID Graphics, Information Design, Visual Thinking 1, and advanced Communication Design sequences, indicating strong engagement with contemporary design methodologies and pedagogical approaches.
