Find Academic Supervisors

Julia GlesnerView profile

Professor

• Cultural Management
• Cultural Policy
• Theatre Management
• +3 more

Julia Glesner is Professor of Culture and Management at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, serving as Pro-Dean for Studies and Teaching and Chairwoman of the Examination Board. She is a core member of the Institute for Building Research and Conservation within the CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE unit. Her educational foundation includes theatre studies, German philology, and political science at the University of Mainz and Paris, followed by doctoral research at Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design supported by the 'Bild-Körper-Medium' research training group. Glesner's research critically examines cultural governance structures, digital transformation in arts organizations, and sustainable funding models. She investigates participatory democracy in cultural planning, theatre management systems, and the political economy of cultural financing, bridging theoretical frameworks with practical institutional challenges in Europe's cultural sector. Her publication trajectory reveals evolving focus from early digital culture studies (2000s) toward contemporary governance issues, with recent works analyzing audit mechanisms in publicly funded institutions and participation models in cultural development. The corpus demonstrates consistent engagement with power dynamics in cultural policy implementation. Key distinctions include: Segal Research Fellowship at CUNY German National Academic Foundation alumna German Academic Exchange Service recognition Deutsche Bank Cultural Foundation support German Research Foundation affiliation As head of the Arts Management and Cultural Work program, Glesner mentors emerging cultural administrators while drawing on extensive practical experience from leadership roles at Klassik Stiftung Weimar and Erfurt Theatre. Her professional trajectory uniquely integrates frontline cultural institution management with academic scholarship. She actively contributes to the Institute for Building Research and Conservation's mission, examining intersections between architectural heritage, urban development, and cultural policy through the CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE framework.

Ari RasilainenView profile

Professor

• Orchestral Conducting
• Classical Music
• Opera
• +4 more

Ari Rasilainen is a Professor of Orchestra Conducting at the University of Music Würzburg (HfM Würzburg) , where he teaches and mentors students in the art of orchestral conducting. He is renowned as one of the outstanding conductors of his generation, with a distinguished international career spanning decades. His expertise includes classical music, opera, and chamber music performance. Current role: Professor at HfM Würzburg Email: ari.rasilainen@hfm-wuerzburg.de Location: Hofstallstraße, Room H 003 Rasilainen studied under legendary conductors such as Jorma Panula at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and Arvid Jansons in Berlin. His early career included positions as concertmaster of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra's second violins (1980–1986) and chief conductor roles with orchestras in Finland, Norway, and Germany, including the Lappeenranta City Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Norwegian Radio Orchestra Oslo, and German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate. He has collaborated extensively with leading German radio orchestras (e.g., Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra) and international ensembles like the Slovenian Philharmonic, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, and Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria. His discography includes over 50 recordings, highlighting works by composers such as Kurt Atterberg, Aulis Sallinen, and Siegmund von Hausegger.

Andreas HotzView profile

Professor

• Orchestral Conducting
• Opera Direction
• Classical Music
• +4 more

Prof. Andreas Hotz serves as Music Director of the Opera School at the University of Music Würzburg since the summer semester of 2021. He is recognized as one of the outstanding conductors of his generation with an impressive career spanning major opera houses and orchestras across Europe and beyond. His professional trajectory includes: General Music Director at Theater Osnabrück (2012/2013 season onwards) First Kapellmeister at Staatstheater Mainz and Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern Lecturer in orchestral conducting at Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (2005-2013) Extensive guest conducting engagements across Germany, Israel, Australia, Poland, Russia, and Korea Prof. Hotz's artistic focus centers on both preserving classical traditions and rediscovering neglected works. His repertoire spans from Mozart to contemporary compositions, with particular emphasis on bringing forgotten masterpieces back to contemporary audiences. His conducting portfolio includes major productions such as Elektra, Otello, Tannhäuser, Idomeneo, Così fan tutte, and Tristan und Isolde, alongside numerous opera premieres including Lohengrin, Falstaff, Dr. Faust (Busoni), Tosca, La Bohème, and Fidelio. His commitment to musical recovery is exemplified through projects like the excavation of Albéric Magnard's French opera GUERCOEUR, named 'Rediscovery of the Year 2019' by the opera world, and his recordings of works by Christian Westerhoff and Hans Gál's 'Lied der Nacht' (nominated for 'Opus Klassik'). His major recognitions include: Prizes at Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition and German Conductors' Competition Young Conductor of the Year nomination by Opernwelt (2015) German Record Critics' Prize for 'Beethoven in Stalingrad' DVD recording Multiple nominations for excellence in musical recovery and performance Prof. Hotz has collaborated with prestigious orchestras including the Bremen Philharmonic, Düsseldorf Symphony, Melbourne Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and Israel Sinfonietta. His 2015 concert tours with the Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra through Volgograd, Moscow, Kyiv, and Minsk promoted international understanding through music. Mentored by figures including Pierre Boulez, he continues to influence the next generation of musicians through his position at the University of Music Würzburg while maintaining an active international performance schedule.

Nicola GessView profile

Professor

• Literary Studies
• Musicology
• Sound Studies
• +4 more

Nicola Gess is a Professor of German Literature at Basel University, Switzerland, with a focus on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of literary studies, musicology, and sound studies. Her work explores the literary history of listening, the sonic dimension of literature, and the interconnections between literary, philosophical, and scientific discourses on acoustic phenomena. She also investigates themes at the crossroads of literary studies with the history of psychology and ethnology, particularly the early 20th-century discourse on "primitive thought". She is actively involved in collaborative research as a member of the NCCR Iconic Criticism (Basel) and co-director of the Sinergia project "Poetics and Aesthetics of Amazement" (Zurich). Additionally, she co-founded the Berlin-based research network "Auditory Knowledge in Transition" and is currently completing her book Thaumaturgia Poetica: Poetics of Amazement in the 18th Century and Beyond . Her publications demonstrate a consistent exploration of sound's cultural and philosophical implications across historical periods, from the 18th century to contemporary debates. This work spans edited volumes, journal articles, and book chapters that engage with intermedial analysis, critical theory, and interdisciplinary methodologies. Her affiliations include a 2017 fellowship at the Morphomata International Center for Advanced Studies (Cologne University) and collaborations with institutions like the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. She contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles in projects such as Hörstürze and Barocktheater als Spektakel .

Madeleine BernstorffView profile

Lecturer

• Documentary Film
• Avant-garde Cinema
• Feminist Film Studies
• +3 more

Madeleine Bernstorff is a cultural producer, film curator, author, and lecturer at the Institute for Music and Media at Robert Schumann University Düsseldorf. Her work bridges research-based film curating, feminist film history, and avant-garde cinema, with a focus on resistance movements and political documentary forms. Education : Studied media art at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, University of Munich, and F+F School of Design Zurich Research : Avant-garde cinema, feminist film movements, migrant representation, and socio-political documentation Teaching : Guest professorships at Berlin University of the Arts, Munich Academy of Fine Arts, and international institutions Collaborations : Co-founded Sputnik cinema (1984) and Blickpilotin feminist film collective (1989) Publications : Edited works on Trinh T. Minh-ha, René Vautier, and Afghan cinema Her filmography includes The Fanaticism of the Suffragettes (2010), Candan (2005), and Zitronenfilm (1997), exploring themes of gender, migration, and historical memory through Super8 and video art. She has curated exhibitions at Tromsø Kunstforening and programmed films at institutions like the Arsenal Cinema Berlin and Oberhausen Short Film Festival.

• Shakespeare Studies
• Early Modern Literature
• Victorian Literature
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Stefani Brusberg-Kiermeier serves as a Professor at the Institute for English Language and Literature within the Faculty of Language and Information Sciences at the University of Hildesheim. She holds multiple leadership positions including membership on the board of the Center for Gender Research, representation of professors on the Doctoral Committee for Faculty 3 (Dr. phil.), and spokesperson role for English Language and Literature in the Interdisciplinary Graduate College 'Gender and Education.' Her research spans multiple literary periods and media forms with particular expertise in Shakespeare studies, Victorian literature, gender research, and film adaptation. Brusberg-Kiermeier's scholarly work demonstrates consistent interdisciplinary engagement, frequently bridging literary analysis with gender theory, film studies, and cultural criticism. Her publications reveal a pattern of examining how literary works from different historical periods engage with contemporary concerns through adaptation and reinterpretation. Analysis of her recent publications shows a clear trajectory toward examining contemporary media representations (particularly film and television) through the lens of historical literary traditions. Her work on James Bond evolution, Shakespeare adaptations in modern cinema, and Victorian literature's influence on contemporary culture demonstrates her ability to connect historical literary analysis with current cultural phenomena. The scholarship consistently incorporates gender perspectives across all subject areas. Brusberg-Kiermeier has served as editor-in-chief of the journal Hard Times (2014-2018) and has edited numerous special issues and book collections. Her editorial work demonstrates commitment to fostering scholarly dialogue across disciplinary boundaries, particularly regarding gender studies and literary adaptation. Her academic leadership extends to multiple institutional roles at the University of Hildesheim, where she contributes to both teaching and research administration while maintaining an active scholarly profile. The depth and breadth of her publications across multiple subfields demonstrate her position as a significant contributor to literary and cultural studies in Germany.

Aris ArgirisView profile

Professor

• Opera Performance
• Vocal Training
• Classical Music
• +4 more

Aris Argiris is a Professor at the University of the Arts in Berlin, Faculty of Performing Arts, where he has been teaching since 2016. Born in Athens, he is a distinguished baritone opera singer with an international career spanning major opera houses across Europe, North America, and Asia. His educational background includes studies in marketing and languages, saxophone and music theory, as well as singing with Kostas Paskalis, Frangiscos Voutsinos, and Despoina Kalafati in Athens. In 1999, he received the Maria Callas scholarship and continued his vocal studies in the master class of Prof. Daphne Evangelatos at the University of Music and Theater in Munich. As a performer, Argiris has appeared at prestigious venues including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Arena di Verona, Semperoper Dresden, and Theatre de la Monnaie. His repertoire spans dramatic Italian and German works including roles such as Wotan in Wagner's Ring cycle, Scarpia in Tosca, Rigoletto, Amonasro in Aida, and Escamillo in Carmen (which he performed in the first 3D opera film). His notable awards include: Maria Callas scholarship in Athens (1999) International Singing Competition of the Chamber Opera Schloss Rheinsberg winner (2002) Best Young Artist of Greece by the Greek Association of Music and Theatre Critics (2007) Professor Argiris maintains an active performance schedule alongside his teaching responsibilities, with engagements planned through 2026 at major opera houses including Staatstheater Darmstadt, Landestheater Linz, and Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck. He has worked with renowned conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Christian Thielemann, and Kurt Masur and continues to be a significant figure in both the performance and educational aspects of opera.

Hyunseon LeeView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Film Studies
• Media Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +12 more

Hyunseon Lee is a Privatdozent in Media Studies and Modern German Literature at the Department of German, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Siegen, Germany. She also holds a position as Professorial Research Associate at the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and the Centre for Creative Industries, Media and Screen Studies at SOAS, University of London, and is a Professional Researcher at the Institute of Humanities, Yonsei University in Seoul. Her academic affiliations reflect a transnational and interdisciplinary profile bridging German, East Asian, and global cultural studies. PhD in Modern German Literature, University of Dortmund (with distinction) Habilitation, University of Siegen (2013) Studies at Yonsei University, Ruhr-University Bochum, and Freie Universität Berlin Her research focuses on Korean cinema, war and memory, gender, shamanism, intercultural narratives (especially the global Madame Butterfly phenomenon), and visual culture. She explores how films serve as living archives of trauma, identity, and national memory, particularly in postwar and divided societies. Her scholarship combines discourse analysis, comparative literature, and media theory. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent engagement with Korean war films, memory studies, intermediality (especially opera and film), exoticism, and gender. Her work spans historical analysis, festival studies, and transnational cultural flows, with a strong emphasis on South and North Korean cinema, Zainichi narratives, and the global reception of Korean films. Author of Metamorphosen der Madame Butterfly (2020) and Geständniszwang und ‘Wahrheit des Charakters’ (2000) Solo Editor of Korean Film and History (2023) and Korean Film & Festivals (2022) Co-editor of works on opera, Kurosawa, and gender in media Creator of the Korean Peninsula Cinema database (2018) Hyunseon Lee has held research fellowships at Columbia University, Seoul National University, Chuo University, and the University of London. She is actively involved in public scholarship through platforms like The Conversation and has contributed to exhibition catalogues and public lectures. She leads research on memory, war, and K-culture, with no indication of retirement or reduced activity. Her work bridges academia and public discourse, emphasizing the cultural and ethical dimensions of cinema. She is affiliated with research teams at the University of Siegen, SOAS, and Yonsei University, focusing on memory studies, East Asian screen cultures, and intercultural media. Her projects often involve international collaboration, particularly between German, British, and Korean institutions. She continues to supervise and mentor emerging scholars through collaborative publications and academic networks.

• Game Studies
• Digital Humanities
• Ludomusicology
• +4 more

Dr. Melanie Fritsch is a Junior Professor at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf since October 2020, specializing in Media Cultural Studies with a focus on Game Studies and related fields. Her career spans roles as a PR & Communications Manager in the gaming industry, lecturer at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and research assistant at Universität Bayreuth and Leipzig. Education: Theaterwissenschaft, Musikwissenschaft, and Neuere Deutsche Literatur at Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Sapienza Università di Roma (2000–2008) Doctorate: 2018 at Universität Bayreuth with dissertation 'Performing Bytes. Musikperformances der Computerspielkultur' Current Research: Ludomusicology, performance theory, fan studies, environmental narratives in games Melanie’s research bridges game studies, digital humanities, and musicology, emphasizing games as performative cultural practices. Her work explores intersections of music and gameplay, fan engagement dynamics, and liveness in digital spaces. Key publication trends include: Game music analysis (e.g., 'The Cambridge Companion to Video Game Music') Performance theory in gaming ('Live Performance Games') Environmental narratives in virtual worlds Historical game music studies (1980s Japanese game music) Interdisciplinary methodologies combining musicology and game design She has contributed to major conferences and symposia, including keynote presentations at Universidad de Chile and Kunstuniversität Graz. Her editorial work includes co-editing the peer-reviewed series 'Studies in Game Sound and Music'.

Christian GüntherView profile

Lecturer

• New Music
• Orchestral Conducting
• Operatic Performance
• +2 more

Christian Günther is a Lecturer in Ensemble Leadership at the Hochschule für Künste Bremen. He conducts the Ensemble 'piano possibile' and leads courses such as Ensembleleitung für Kompositionsstudierende and Ensemble-/Chorleitung (KPA). Since 2008, he has served as Deputy Chorus Director at the Hamburg State Opera and assisted at Bayreuther Festspielen (2017) and Opernhaus Zürich (2018). His expertise spans contemporary music, opera direction, and ensemble training. Education: Studied orchestral conducting at the Munich University of Music and Performing Arts (1994–2000) Research & Roles: Specializes in new music performance, having premiered student operas like 'Unterwegs' (2002–2007). Maintains active roles with the NDR-Chor and Atelier Neue Musik ensemble. His work bridges classical training with contemporary artistic innovation. Grants & Collaborations: Regular guest conductor engagements and festival participations highlight his industry connections. Current teaching focuses on practical ensemble leadership for composition students.

Martin HeckerView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Music Theory
• Composition
• 20th Century Music
• +3 more

Dr. Martin Hecker is an Adjunct Professor in Music Theory and Composition at the Hochschule für Künste Bremen (HFK Bremen). He holds a doctorate from HMT Leipzig (2008) on Pierre Boulez's piano sonata, and has held teaching roles at Folkwang Universität Essen, Kath. Universität Eichstätt, HMT Leipzig, and HMTM Hannover since 2008. His research focuses on contemporary music analysis, pedagogy, and historical composition techniques. Education: Piano studies at HfM Dresden (2001–05) and Mozarteum University Salzburg (2006–10); Composition under Prof. J. Herchet (2002–08). Awards: Doctoral Distinction, Erasmus Scholarship, and Meisterklassenstipendium. Research interests include 20th-century music structure, integrative music theory pedagogy, and performance analysis. His works include two chamber operas ( Dinner for One and Der Narr im Waisenhaus ), orchestral pieces, and piano compositions. He has performed as a soloist in major cities like New York, Paris, and Berlin. Key contributions include theoretical publications on Boulez and pedagogical strategies for new music. He regularly presents at GMTH congresses and teaches courses on form analysis, ear training, and music history.

Thomas SeedorfView profile

Professor

• Musicology
• Song History
• Performance Practice
• +3 more

Prof. Thomas Seedorf is a Professor of Musicology at the Karlsruhe University of Music since 2006. He holds a Ph.D. from the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media (1988), where he researched Mozart's reception in the early 20th century. His academic roles include co-editor of the Max Reger Hybrid Edition, chair of the International Schubert Society, and artistic director of the International Handel Academy Karlsruhe. He leads the Sound - Word - Event publication series with Matthias Wiegandt. His research focuses on 17th-20th century music, vocal artistry, performance practice, and operatic history. Notable projects include the New Schubert Edition and leadership of the Heroic Sopranos subproject in the Collaborative Research Center 948. Recent publications (2015–2017) explore heroic vocal roles, vocal categorization, and tenor mythology. Prof. Seedorf has held editorial roles for the Encyclopaedia of Music in History and chaired the performance practice research group for the Society for Music Research (2010–2017). His academic contributions span editorial work, symposia organization, and collaborative research initiatives.

Axel KörnerView profile

Professor

• Italian History
• Transatlantic History
• Habsburg Monarchy
• +3 more

Axel Körner is a Professor of Modern Cultural and Intellectual History at the University of Leipzig and Honorary Professor at University College London (UCL). He holds affiliations with the Historisches Seminar and the Leipziger Research Centre Global Dynamics. His career includes roles as Professor of Modern History at UCL (2005–2021), and prior positions as a Reader (Associate Professor) and Lecturer there. He has held visiting professorships at the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton), École Normale Supérieure Paris, and NYU’s Remarque Center. Research focuses on Italian history, transatlantic relations, Habsburg Monarchy, and 19th-century music/opera. Notable works include America in Italy (Princeton, 2017), awarded the Marraro Prize. Current ERC-funded project explores Opera and the Politics of Empire in Habsburg Europe (1815–1914) . Leadership roles include founding director of UCL’s Centre for Transnational History and membership in the Academia Europaea. Active in academic governance, serving on editorial boards and international research networks.

Jörg RothkammView profile

Professor

• Music history (17th–21st centuries)
• Musical theatre
• Ballet music (19th–20th centuries)
• +9 more

Jörg Rothkamm is a Professor at the University of Tübingen's Musicological Institute, with a focus on music-choreography relationships, 20th-century composers, and post-war musicological reconstruction. His roles include Deputy Director (2013–2017), member of editorial boards, and organizer of international symposia. Key Research Areas: Ballet music history, Mahler studies, post-war musicology, film music dramaturgy, gender in composition, genre-specific composition techniques Academic Collaborations: Co-edited Mahler-Gropius correspondence, led DFG projects on academic continuity, and VolkswagenStiftung ballet-choreography research Recent publications analyze Parsifal staging (2023), Russian ballet (2016), and Ligeti's polyrhythmic innovations. Articles emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, historical continuity, and genre-specific compositional strategies in ballet and opera. Notable Awards: Nominations for 'Best Book of the Year' (2024), Hermann-Abert-Preis (2012), Karl H. Ditze-Preis (2002) Students: Supervises/has supervised 12 PhD/Master's candidates, including Fabian Kurze and Angelo Pinto Current projects include the DFG-funded Alma Mahler-Walter Gropius annotated edition and digital teaching material development (BMBF). He leads a team of 6 postdocs, 7 doctoral candidates, and 4 research assistants.

Frank ZipfelView profile

Professor

• Comparative Literature
• Fictionality Theory
• World Literature
• +4 more

Professor Dr. Frank Zipfel serves as Academic Director and Speaker of Comparative Literature at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His research focuses on fictionality theory , world literature , narrative structures , and transmedial comparisons of literary forms. He has published extensively on topics ranging from enlightenment poetics to 21st-century media fiction , with particular emphasis on the intersection of tragic and comic elements in drama and poetic genre theory . Research Trends : His work explores the philosophical and structural dimensions of fiction, emphasizing fictional truth , narrative cognition , and transcultural narrative patterns . Publication Highlights : Recent contributions analyze Pedro Almodóvar's cinematic fictionality , poetic definability , and fiction licenses in literary epistemology. Methodological Approach : Combines comparative analysis , genre theory , and interdisciplinary perspectives across literature, theatre, and film.