Alessandro Bausi is a Full Professor of Ethiopian Studies at Sapienza University of Rome since November 2023, where he focuses on Ethiopic language, literature, and manuscript cultures. Prior to this, he served as a Professor for Ethiopian Studies at the University of Hamburg (2009–2023) and held academic roles at the University of Naples 'L’Orientale' and Addis Ababa University. MA (1988, University of Florence) PhD (1992, Naples Oriental Institute) His research spans Ethiopian textual and manuscript cultures, Aksumite history, textual criticism, hagiography, and Semitic studies. He has led major projects like TraCES and Beta maṣāḥǝft , emphasizing linguistic evolution and manuscript digitization. He is a member of prestigious academies including the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (foreign member since 2023), Academia Europaea, and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. His editorial roles include editing Aethiopica and the Encyclopaedia Aethiopica .
André Gagné is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University, currently on research leave (July-December 2025). His work bridges theology, political science, and sociology with global recognition through 400+ media features in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. Education: Conjoint PhD from Université catholique de Louvain and Université de Montréal M.A. from Université de Montréal B.Th. from Université de Montréal His research centers on Christian Political Thought (examining theology-state dynamics), Global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements (analyzing their sociopolitical impact worldwide), and Reception History of the Bible (tracing interpretive trajectories across cultures). This interdisciplinary approach integrates historical analysis with contemporary case studies, particularly focusing on evangelical movements in the Americas and Europe. His eight books and recent journal articles reveal consistent thematic focus: the weaponization of spiritual warfare rhetoric in politics, apocalyptic narratives in populist movements, and religious violence in Western traditions. The 2024 publications on Trump-era evangelicalism demonstrate methodological innovation through media discourse analysis combined with theological critique. Scientific awards: Newsmaker of the Week (4 times) Newsmaker of the Month (4 times) President's Opinion Leader of the Year (2016) Expert Communicator of the Year (2024) Dr. Gagné supervises MA students in Theological Studies and PhD candidates in Individualized Programs and Humanities. His policy impact is evidenced by service on Public Safety Canada's National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence (2023-2025), where he contributed theological perspectives on religious extremism. His media engagement strategy represents a deliberate effort to translate academic research for public discourse. He co-directs the Spirit, State, and Society podcast and maintains affiliations with Concordia's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Université de Sherbrooke's Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religions, and the multi-university Political Theology Research Group (McGill, Concordia, UdeM, ULaval).
Daniel A. Smith, PhD, serves as Dean of Theology and Clark and Mary Wright Professor of New Testament Theology at Huron University College, where he has taught New Testament Language and Literature since 2004. An active member of the Society for New Testament Studies, Society of Biblical Literature, and Canadian Society for Biblical Studies, he frequently collaborates with KU Leuven's Leuven Centre for the Study of the Gospels. His research centers on contextual interpretation of New Testament texts, with specialized focus on Synoptic Gospels, Sayings Gospel Q, Passion/Resurrection Narratives, and Marcion's Gospel. He integrates historical-critical analysis with reception history, emphasizing how biblical interpretation impacts both faith communities and marginalized groups affected by scriptural misuse. Recent publications reveal sustained engagement with source criticism, particularly through 2020-2018 works on the Two-Document Hypothesis, Marcion's Gospel, and spatial analysis of Synoptic mission narratives. His scholarship consistently explores textual transmission, Q source traditions, and theological implications of early Christian writings while bridging academic rigor with ethical considerations in biblical hermeneutics.
Annette Yoshiko Reed is the Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity and Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School (HDS). She joined HDS in 2022 after roles at New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, and McMaster University. Her expertise spans Second Temple Judaism, early Christianity, and Jewish-Christian relations, with a focus on how ancient texts shape identity and difference. Key research areas include apocalypses, demonology, and the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. She has authored or co-authored books such as Fallen Angels and the History of Judaism and Christianity and Demons, Angels, and Writing in Ancient Judaism . Education: BA from McGill University, MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and MA/PhD from Princeton University. Her work integrates Biblical Studies, Patristics, Jewish Studies, and Classics. She serves on the editorial boards of Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism and Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha , and chairs the Society of Biblical Literature’s “Jewish Christianity/Christian Judaism” section. A Fellow of the American Academy of Jewish Research, her current project explores the cultural power of forgetting in ancient Jewish history. Her research highlights marginalized writings like 1 Enoch and Pseudo-Clementine literature to bridge Jewish and Christian histories. Recent publications include studies on Enochic reception, rabbinic historiography, and demonology in ancient texts. She teaches at both HDS and Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Nils Arne Pedersen is an Associate Professor in Church History at Aarhus University's Faculty of Theology/Arts since 2004. His academic career includes roles as a Full-time scholar supported by the Carlsberg Foundation (1990–1995) and Danish Research Council grants. He specializes in Manichaeism, Patristics, and the historical reception of biblical texts. His research focuses on early Christian and Manichaean theological texts, especially Coptic and Syriac manuscripts. Research Interests : Pedersen’s work explores Manichaean literature, Patristic theology, and the interplay between biblical sources and early religious movements. He has edited critical editions of Manichaean texts and studies their transmission across languages like Syriac, Coptic, and Persian. Key Projects : Biblia Manichaica (Old and New Testament studies in Manichaean contexts), textual editions of Manichaean homilies, and analyses of anti-Manichaean polemics. Awards & Leadership : Honorary member of the International Association of Manichaean Studies (2022), former President (2017–2022). He has received significant grants, including €887k for the Biblia Manichaica project (2012–2015) and €233k from the Carlsberg Foundation (1990–1995). Grants & Funding : Danish Council for Independent Research, Danish Research Council for the Humanities, and Carlsberg Foundation grants have supported his work on Manichaean textual traditions and comparative religious studies.
Joan Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at King's College London. Her interdisciplinary research bridges literature, language, history, and archaeology to examine early Christian texts and Second Temple Judaism within their socio-historical contexts. Her primary research focuses include: New Testament studies with emphasis on historical figures (Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene); Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran archaeology; Alexandrian Judaism including Philo of Alexandria; women's roles in early Christianity; and the archaeology of Christian holy sites across Palestine. Taylor employs a contextualizing methodology that integrates literary analysis with archaeological evidence. Her recent publications reveal consistent engagement with gender studies in religious contexts, historical Jesus research, and archaeological analysis of sacred spaces. Key themes across her 109 research outputs include the interplay between textual traditions and material evidence, particularly regarding women's leadership roles and the spatial organization of ancient religious communities. Iren Levi-Sala Prize (1995) Taylor has secured significant research funding including a Wellcome Research Grant for her pharmacological analysis of Essene practices, a British Academy grant for her Philo commentary, and Leverhulme Trust support for projects on Coptic Apocrypha and 'Babatha’s Sisters'. Her current active project examines social and economic relationships behind early Christian texts using papyrological resources. She has supervised 11 postgraduate students and contributed to public understanding through media engagements including the 'Jesus' Female Disciples' documentary and advising on Fern Britton's Holy Land Journey.
Jorunn Økland is a Professor at the University of Oslo, holding dual roles in the Faculty of Theology and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Research. Her research spans ancient Mediterranean material culture, feminist critique of religion, and gender studies. She directs the Norwegian Institute at Athens and has led the Centre for Gender Research (2010–2013). Education: Dr.Theol. from University of Oslo, with classical studies expertise. Key positions include Professor of New Testament at University of Sheffield (2005–2007), and leadership roles in international organizations like the European Association of Biblical Studies (2009–2012). Research focuses on sacred texts, gender theory, and the intersection of religion and cultural memory. Recent work explores populism in Norwegian equality contexts, ancient Greek religion, and spatial theories in gender studies. Active in editorial roles for journals like Journal of the Bible and its Reception and serves on councils such as the Society of Biblical Literature. Awards and honors include leadership in gender research initiatives and academic administration.
James Davila is a Professor of Early Jewish Studies at the School of Divinity, University of St Andrews, UK. His work focuses on ancient Jewish and Christian religious texts, with particular expertise in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, and late antique theological developments. Research Focus: Interdisciplinary studies of Second Temple literature Specialization: Merkavah mysticism, scriptural exegesis, and ritual studies His research bridges the Jewish and Christian scriptural traditions, examining how ancient texts like 4 Ezra and Hekhalot literature influenced early religious thought. Current projects include analysis of ritual practices in gnostic and mystical traditions. Selected publications highlight his contributions to understanding non-canonical scriptures (2013-2014), including critical editions and studies of ritual frameworks in ancient Jewish mysticism. Professional Networks: Society of Biblical Literature, British New Testament Association Academic Leadership: Principal Investigator for British Academy and Leverhulme Trust projects Contact: jrd4@st-andrews.ac.uk
Grant MacAskill is the Kirby Laing Chair of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Aberdeen. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews (2005). His research focuses on New Testament studies, early Judaism, Enochic traditions, and the intersection of theology with autism and disability studies. He has authored influential books such as Union with Christ in the New Testament and Autism and the Church , and co-edits the Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha series with Brill. Awards include the British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2021) for his project on 2 Enoch and a John Templeton Foundation grant (2014) for work on intellectual humility in the New Testament. Research interests span participatory theology, biblical ethics, and the application of New Testament thought to contemporary issues like neurodiversity. He co-directs the Centre for Autism and Theology, promoting inclusive theological engagement. His recent publications address topics such as Enochic literature in late antiquity, biblical interpretation in autism studies, and early Christian apocalyptic thought. Grants and fellowships include major support for projects like The Entangled Enoch and interdisciplinary work on disability and religion. MacAskill’s academic service includes editorial roles at journals like New Testament Studies and Journal of Disability & Religion . He has advised on projects ranging from grave goods practices to ethical biotechnology, applying biblical insights to modern dilemmas. His work bridges historical exegesis, systematic theology, and practical theology, emphasizing theological engagement with marginalized communities and ethical challenges.
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUnited States
Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His work focuses on New Testament textual criticism, early Christian apocrypha, and the historical Jesus. Ehrman holds a Ph.D. (1985) and M.Div. (1981) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a B.A. (1978) from Wheaton College. His research explores the evolution of early Christian texts, the role of forgery in ancient polemics, and the intersection of religion with social history. Notable publications include How Jesus Became God , Misquoting Jesus , and God’s Problem , many of which have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Ehrman has received awards such as the Religious Liberty Award (2011) and the Bowman and Gordon Gray Professorship (1998–2001). He teaches courses on the New Testament, early Christian apocrypha, and textual criticism, and has produced numerous online lectures and media appearances. His current projects include a study on millenarianism ( Expecting Armageddon ) and advocacy through his Biblical Studies Academy.
Valentina Calzolari Bouvier is Full Professor of Armenian Studies at the University of Geneva , holding the first and only Armenian Studies chair in Switzerland. She directs Bachelor's and Master's programs in Armenian Studies (ancient and modern) and doctoral training, while serving as President of the International Association for Armenian Studies and a corresponding member of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres . Key affiliations: Pembroke College (Oxford), Hebrew University, École Pratique des Hautes Études Current research: Christian apocrypha in Armenian, Greco-Armenian philosophical transmission, Soviet-era Armenian literature Her recent publications focus on Armenian apocryphal texts (2022's The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles in Armenian ), medieval Armenian historiography, and Armenian diaspora literature. She co-directs the LABEAC research laboratory on Central Europe-Orient and Central Asia, and has received the Movses Khorenatsi Medal (2023) and honorary doctorate from Armenia (2007). Scientific distinctions include: Movses Khorenatsi Medal (2023) Accademia Ambrosiana membership (2010) Honorary Diploma from Republic of Armenia (2012) Leverhulme Visiting Professor (Oxford, 2021-2023)
Jennie Grillo is an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, affiliated with the College of Arts and Letters. She holds a DPhil, MSt, and MA from Oxford University. Her primary research focuses on Christianity and Judaism in antiquity, particularly the Old Testament's interpretation within Christian theology and the history of Israelite religion. Grillo’s work bridges biblical studies, patristic exegesis, and reception history. Key publications include *Daniel After Babylon* (OUP, 2024) and *The Story of Israel in the Book of Qohelet* (OUP, 2012), which won the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award. Current research explores divine incorporeality in the Hebrew Bible, with interests in wisdom literature, liturgical reception, and early biblical print traditions. Grillo has held fellowships from ACLS, the Louisville Institute, and the National Humanities Center. Her teaching emphasizes Hebrew Bible/Old Testament studies, reflecting her expertise in ancient Near Eastern thought and early Jewish-Christian interpretation.
Mark Goodacre is a Professor of Religious Studies at Duke University. His research focuses on New Testament studies, Christian origins, and the Synoptic Problem. He is known for his critical engagement with the Q hypothesis and advocacy of the Farrer theory. His work integrates textual analysis with historical, literary, and digital methodologies. Goodacre maintains an active online presence through his NT Blog and NT Pod podcast, which explore biblical scholarship and contemporary religious themes. Key research areas include Gospel composition, early Christian literature, and intertextuality between canonical and apocryphal texts. His analysis of the Synoptic Gospels challenges traditional source-critical frameworks, emphasizing Markan priority and Luke's dependence on Matthew. He also examines early Christian reinterpretations of biblical narratives, such as the Magdalene tradition and Passion accounts. Goodacre’s publications span biblical criticism, apocryphal texts, and media reception of religious narratives. He critiques methodological assumptions in historical Jesus studies and advocates for rigorous engagement with textual evidence. His contributions bridge academic scholarship and public education through accessible digital platforms.
Matthew Kraus is an Associate Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Cincinnati, where he has held positions including Interim Department Head and Director of Hebrew Programs. His academic journey includes roles at Williams College and Wright State University, with a focus on the intersection of Jewish, Christian, and Classical traditions in Late Antiquity. Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Michigan (1996) Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (1991) BA in Classics from Harvard-Radcliffe (1985) Kraus's research centers on biblical interpretation in Late Antiquity, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and the translational and cultural dynamics of the Vulgate. He explores how Jerome’s work reflects Jewish, Christian, and Classical influences, and examines Chanukah’s historical evolution and Reform Judaism’s theological foundations. His publications span topics like the Vulgate’s intertextual relationships, economic approaches to American Judaism, and rabbinic influences on biblical translation. He has presented at international conferences on Jerome, Philo, and Jewish-Greco-Roman cultural interactions. Kraus teaches courses including Women and the Bible, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Modern Hebrew, emphasizing pedagogical innovation and historical context.
MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and SocietyNorway
Reidar Hvalvik is an Adjunct Professor at MF University College of Theology, Religion and Society, contributing as an external academic member. His work bridges theology, religious studies, and art history, focusing on early Christian contexts and interdisciplinary research. He has authored a scientific monograph (2025) and encyclopedia entries, while also publishing technical analyses of biblical texts and their intertextual connections with Greco-Roman literature and art. His research interests span Pauline studies, the New Testament’s Greco-Roman setting, reception history, and the role of art in early Christian communities. He examines topics like Jewish-Christian relations, apocryphal writings, and the theological implications of classical influences on early Christian thought. Across over 146 publications, Hvalvik’s recent articles (2021–2025) highlight trends in analyzing motifs in Christian art, reinterpreting New Testament texts through historical and cultural lenses, and exploring connections between Paul’s writings and classical traditions. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly noted in the text. While no formal advisees or lab affiliations are listed, his external role suggests collaboration with academic teams in theology and biblical studies. His contributions emphasize scholarly synthesis between textual analysis and visual/ artistic expressions of early Christian ideas.
