Dr. Simon O'Meara is a Professor at SOAS University of London , serving as Reader in the History of Architecture & Archaeology of the Islamic Middle East and Department Student Support and Experience Convenor. He holds a PhD from the University of Leeds (2004) in Arabic and Islamic Studies, following BA and MA degrees in Art History with a focus on visual theory. Key research areas: Islamic architecture , North African urbanism , material culture , and Islamic visual theory Specializes in analyzing how Islamic religious/legal discourses shape urban spaces and visual culture His publications include two monographs: Space and Muslim Urban Life (2007) on Fez's party walls, and The Kaʿba Orientations (2020) on Mecca's spatial symbolism. Current work examines Quranic exegesis through architectural lenses (2024) and Sufi cosmological centers (2023). PhD supervision topics include: Charlie Oubridge: The Nation in Egyptology Aydin Ozcandan: Ottoman fountains and epigraphs Contact: so20@soas.ac.uk | Office: Room 558, Russell Square: College Buildings
Dr. Mary Elisabeth Cox holds dual academic appointments. She is a Research Associate at the Oxford Centre for Economic and Social History and the Global History of Capitalism Project at the University of Oxford, and an Assistant Professor in International Relations at the Central European University in Vienna, Austria. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary policy considerations, particularly regarding civilian suffering during conflicts. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in History from the University of Oxford Research interests center on the socio-economic and health impacts of war on civilians, focusing on gender and social inequality. She investigates food security, international aid institutions, anthropometric data applications, and 20th-century warfare. Her approach combines quantitative methods with traditional qualitative sources to explore deprivation timelines and recovery patterns across social groups. Her scholarly work analyses wartime blockades' nutritional consequences on German civilians, highlighted in her award-winning 2015 article and 2019 monograph. These studies demonstrate the interdisciplinary potential of blending anthropometric data with institutional reports, personal letters, and other sources. Awards include the Dev Book Prize for her groundbreaking DPhil dissertation and the 2016 Alexander Prize for the aforementioned 2015 article. She is also a shortlisted candidate for the Economic History Society's best doctoral dissertation. In advising and grants, she supervises Masters students at Brasenose College, Oxford, and leads the Leverhulme Trust-funded ‘Hunger Draws the Map’ project . This initiative traces hunger’s geopolitical dimensions across Europe and the Ottoman Empire during 1914–1922, culminating in a co-edited monograph expected in 2020. Collaboration with Dr. Claire Morelon and Sir Hew Strachan is central to this work. Labs/teams: She co-leads the ‘Hunger Draws the Map’ international network, which includes workshops at institutions like the Hoover Institution and partnerships with scholars worldwide. Her research also draws on lived experiences from her childhood in the South Pacific and Scandinavia, informing her cultural and regional perspectives.
Dr. Majdi Faleh is an Academic Fellow/Lecturer in Cultural Heritage at the School of Architecture Design and Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University. He focuses on architectural globalization, migration and heritage, Islamic architecture ethics, and social justice in cities. Previously, he held roles at the University of Bahrain, MIT’s Aga Khan Programme, and multiple Australian institutions. He coordinates the Tunisia ENGAGE Hub Network for Humanitarian Heritage and leads the ARC-funded 'Australian Mosque Today' project. Education: PhD in Architecture and Humanities (University of Western Australia), Master of Architecture (Ball State University). Affiliations: Registered Architect in Tunisia, member of AIA, ICOM, and multiple architectural networks. His research bridges marginalized communities’ heritage with global architectural trends, emphasizing ethical frameworks in design. Notable projects include studies on Tunisian medinas, Dubai’s urbanization, and Australian mosque architecture. His work has been supported by ARC grants, Fulbright, and other international bodies. He has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on topics like public housing challenges for refugees, Islamic architectural ethics, and cultural preservation. Awards include the MIT Aga Khan Fellowship and Fulbright grants. Grants & Projects: Led £400k ARC-funded mosque project, coordinated Tunisia-UK humanitarian heritage networks, and contributed to Melbourne’s African immigrant housing studies. He has taught at universities in Australia, China, and the Middle East, and his practice spans architecture in the US, Tunisia, and France. Fluent in five languages, he engages in international conferences and editorial roles for journals like Journal of Architecture .
Prof Andrew Peacock holds the Bishop Wardlaw Professorship in the School of History at the University of St Andrews. His research focuses on Islamic and Middle Eastern history, with a particular emphasis on medieval Anatolia, Persian manuscripts, and the cultural exchanges in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. He has supervised PhD students including Hebah Alheem, Ali Shapouran, and Weijie Xu. His recent publications explore Arabic literary culture in 17th-18th century Southeast Asia, Melaka’s historical sources, and the memoirs of Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp I. Key projects include the ERC-funded 'IslamAnatolia' initiative (2012-2017) and a British Academy grant for studying Arabic language in early modern Southeast Asia. His work often bridges historical analysis with material culture, such as his edited volume on medieval Islamic inscriptions (2023). Prof Peacock’s research also engages with transnational themes, including Ottoman-Darfur diplomacy and the role of urban notables in medieval Anatolia.
Giuseppe Marcocci serves as Professor of Early Modern Global History at the University of Oxford and holds the position of Official Fellow at Exeter College. His academic career spans institutions across Italy and the United Kingdom, with a focus on transnational historical frameworks connecting Iberian empires to global developments. Marcocci completed his undergraduate education at the University of Pisa before earning his PhD from the Scuola Normale Superiore in 2008. His doctoral research examined early modern Portuguese imperial ideology, establishing the foundation for his subsequent scholarly trajectory. His research interrogates power dynamics within Iberian global empires through three interconnected lenses: imperial ideology and visual dissent (particularly political iconoclasm in colonial contexts), religious transformations (centering on the Inquisition, missionary activity, and convert agency), and global knowledge production. Marcocci employs microhistorical approaches to reveal transnational networks, as evidenced by his current projects on Portuguese mercenary systems in India and the material dimensions of heresy. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent methodological innovation—bridging archival discoveries from five continents with theoretical frameworks that challenge Eurocentric narratives of early modernity. His work consistently demonstrates how marginalized voices and visual practices shaped imperial structures across Portuguese and Spanish domains. Marcocci actively mentors the next generation of historians through supervision of eight doctoral candidates whose research spans Iberian global history. He contributes significantly to Oxford's academic infrastructure as Chair of the Oxford Centre for European History and convenor of the Iberian History Seminar series. His collaborative initiatives—including international workshops on visual dissent and material culture—demonstrate commitment to building interdisciplinary research communities. Current projects examining same-sex marriage memory distortion and revising Portuguese Inquisition historiography further extend his impact across gender studies and religious history.
Dr. Roy Fischel is a researcher at SOAS University of London within the School of History, Religions and Philosophies. Specializing in Islamic history , Deccan Sultanates , and persianate cultural exchange , his work bridges South Asian history and Middle Eastern political thought . Education : Not explicitly mentioned in provided texts Research Themes : Persianate cultural diffusion Islamic state formation Deccan sultanate legitimacy Comparative imperial dynamics Gender studies in Ottoman Palestine His academic output demonstrates deep engagement with manuscript circulation (1400-1700) and cosmopolitan language practices. Though no scientific awards appear in the dataset, his supervision of 5 doctoral theses shows significant academic mentorship. Key publications include: 2020: Local States in an Imperial World (monograph) 2019: The Niẓām Shāhīs (encyclopedia entry) 2017: Aḥmadnagar (encyclopedia article) 2008: Sultan Abdülhamid II and Palestine (journal article) His work often analyzes state formation processes through multilingual manuscript cultures and transregional networks .
Professor Jonathan Adams holds a Chair in Archaeology at the University of Southampton's Department of Archaeology. He leads the Centre for Maritime Archaeology (CMA), established in 1997, and teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His career spans over 30 years, including pivotal roles in the Mary Rose excavation and foundational work in deepwater maritime archaeology. Adams specializes in the Black Sea region, focusing on environmental change impacts on prehistoric populations, maritime connectivity, and naval technology's role in state-building. Affiliations: Centre for Maritime Archaeology, Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Key Projects: Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (since 2015), Ships of State (with Södertörn University) Education: BA in Archaeology & Ancient History (Durham University), DPhil in Maritime Archaeology (Stockholm University). His research integrates ship science, oceanography, and historical analysis. He currently supervises seven PhD students and has mentored over 500 graduates through the MA/MSc in Maritime Archaeology program launched in 1995. Research Interests: Chronology of environmental change in the Black Sea Maritime connectivity across historical periods Role of naval architecture in early modern state development
Dr. Caglar Ezikoglu is a Lecturer in International Relations at the School of Social Science and Humanities, University of Wolverhampton (FABSS). He holds a PhD in International Politics (Aberystwyth, 2019) and an MA in European Politics (Sussex, 2013). His academic journey spans institutions including Leeds Beckett University (Visiting Lecturer, 2023-2025), University of Birmingham (Teaching & Research Fellow, 2023-2025), and Cankiri Karatekin University (Lecturer, 2019-2023). Education: PhD, International Politics, Aberystwyth University (2014-2019) MA, European Politics, University of Sussex (2012-2013) MA, Political Science, Ankara University (2009-2012) BA, Political Science, Ankara University (2005-2009) Ezikoğlu’s research synthesizes populism , authoritarianism , and political behavior with a regional focus on Turkey , the Middle East , and comparative historical studies (e.g., Ancient Rome). His work interrogates themes such as democratic erosion , religious freedom , and media’s role in political hegemony . Recent publications (2024-2025) bridge political theory , comparative case studies , and public policy analysis , often critiquing authoritarian trends in Turkey and beyond. His upcoming book compares Catonism in Rome to Erdogan’s populism , while a 2024 article in Intellectual Discourse examines economic voting behavior collapse in Turkey. Scientific Awards: Nominated for BISA Early Career Excellence Teaching Prize (2024) Nominated for PSA Sir Bernard Crick Teaching Prize (2024) Awarded British Academy’s GLOBAL TALENT VISA (Exceptional Promise, 2025) Received a Turkey Fellowship (2023-2024) Awarded BISA Conference Bursaries (2015-2017) He serves as Co-Convenor for the PSA International Relations Specialist Group and Editor for Open Theology (Web of Science Q1). As a Country Expert for V-Dem (2021-2025) and Senior Commissioning Editor for E-International Relations (2017-2020), he contributes to global academic networks.
Dr. Peter McMurray is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Studies at Queens' College, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on the intersection of Islam and sound in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, including recitation, liturgy, and architecture. He is completing a book, *Pathways to God: The Islamic Acoustics of Turkish Berlin*, and co-editing *Acoustics of Empire*. His work also spans global music theory, audiovisual media history (1890–1945), and race and listening studies. Education: PhD in Music (Harvard), MFA in Music Composition (Brandeis), BA in Classics (Greek) and Slavic Literature (Harvard). Research interests include oral poetry, media art, and experimental improvisation. He previously held postdoctoral fellowships at MIT (Mellon) and Harvard’s Society of Fellows. He leads the research project *Ottoman Auralities and the Eastern Mediterranean: Sound, Media and Power, 1789–1922* (2022–2027). Awards: Mellon Fellowship, Harvard Society of Fellows Fellowship. Advising PhD students on topics related to Ottoman sound studies. Collaborates with Harvard’s metaLAB and Sensate Journal. Performance background in jazz and experimental music.
Professor Mustapha Sheikh is Chair in Islamic Thought and Muslim Societies at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds. He is Co-Director of the Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies and actively contributes to interdisciplinary research on Muslim intellectual history, Islamic law, and contemporary socio-political issues affecting Muslim communities globally. His educational background includes a DPhil in Theology and Religion from the University of Oxford, an MSt in the Study of Religions (Oxford), a BA in Arabic and Islamic Law, and a BSc in Project Management from University College London. His academic journey reflects a deep integration of traditional Islamic scholarship and rigorous Western academic training. Sheikh's research is centered on two interrelated strands: first, Islamic intellectual and legal history, particularly revivalist and reformist movements in the Ottoman and early modern Islamic world; second, the socio-scientific analysis of contemporary Muslim societies, including Islamophobia, Islamic finance, food and water security, and decolonial studies. His seminal work Ottoman Puritanism and Its Discontents (Oxford University Press, 2016) has significantly reshaped scholarly understanding of the Qadizadeli movement and Taymiyyan influences in Ottoman thought. He is a pioneer in advancing Critical Muslim Studies as a post-Orientalist framework for rethinking Islamic tradition. His recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining Islamic legal theory with social justice, environmental security, and political economy. Themes such as intersectional oppression, decoloniality, and ethical finance recur across his work, reflecting a commitment to justice-oriented scholarship. He frequently collaborates with scholars across disciplines and geographies, particularly in the Global South. Member, British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) Member, British Association of Islamic Studies (BRAIS) Board Member, (In)Justice International Professor Sheikh actively supervises PhD students and has successfully guided over 20 doctoral candidates to completion. His research is supported by collaborations across institutions, including the University of Punjab (where he is a Visiting Professor) and Harper Adams University. He is currently co-editing volumes on global injustice and Islamic finance, and working on a book about healing racial trauma from an Islamic psycho-spiritual perspective. He leads and participates in numerous research groups, including the Arabic History group and the Centre for Religion and Public Life, and is deeply involved in public engagement through talks, webinars, and podcasts addressing Islamophobia, women’s rights under Shari’a, and decolonising knowledge.
Dr Niamh Bhalla is an Associate Professor of Art History, Assistant Dean, and Director for Belonging at Northeastern University London since 2018. She previously held roles at The Courtauld Institute of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Her research bridges Early Christian/Byzantine art and architecture with their modern receptions, particularly in 19th-century British Isles architecture. She authored Experiencing the Last Judgement (2021) and Newman University Church, Dublin (2024), with a forthcoming Handbook to the Modern Reception of Byzantium . Education: PhD (History of Byzantine Art, The Courtauld Institute, 2014); MA (History of Classical/Byzantine Art, The Courtauld, 2010); BA (History of Art/Theology, Trinity College Dublin, 2009). Research Interests: Lived experience of Early Christian/Byzantine art, theological symbolism in architecture, and modern reinterpretations of Byzantine heritage. Her work integrates material culture, theology, and architectural historiography. Publications Trends: Focused on Byzantine and Early Christian art, architectural revivalism, and material analysis. Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending art history with theology, archaeology, and cultural studies. Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD candidate Julie Teal on East of England doom paintings. No grants explicitly listed, but her strategic leadership in DEI initiatives suggests institutional grant engagement. Labs/Teams: No dedicated lab mentioned, but collaborates with institutions like the V&A and Courtauld.
Reina Lewis is a Centenary Professor of Cultural Studies at the London College of Fashion (UAL), specializing in the intersection of fashion, religion, gender, and postcolonial theory. She has held this position since 2006, previously serving as Professor of Cultural Studies at University of East London. Her research focuses on modest fashion as a cross-faith phenomenon, exploring its role in workplace dynamics, religious identity expression, and global cultural politics. Notable projects include the AHRC-funded studies Modest Fashion in UK Women's Working Lives and Modest Workwear , examining dress codes in secular and faith-based organizations. Lewis is Series Editor of Dress Cultures (Bloomsbury) and Cultures in Dialogue (Giorgias Press). She advises journals like Fashion Theory and Oxford British Muslim Studies . Media contributions include features in the New York Times , BBC, and Vogue Arabia . Her Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship (2024–2027) investigates fashion’s role in articulating belief systems across cultures. Awards include the Costume Society of America’s 2020 Richard Martin Award and the 2018 Enhancing Understanding Award from the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Teaching and supervision span PhD research on topics like modest fashion in the UAE, Ottoman gender history, and queer visual culture. She convenes the public Faith & Fashion series and collaborates globally on interfaith initiatives.
Dr. Yasmina El Chami is a Lecturer in Architectural Humanities at the University of Sheffield's School of Architecture and Landscape, where she has been employed since 2022. She also serves as the School Decolonial Lead. Her academic credentials include a BArch from the American University of Beirut (2010), an MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design from the Architectural Association London (2013), and a PhD in Architecture from the University of Cambridge (2022). Her research explores colonial/imperial histories and built environment production, focusing on informal imperial actors in the 19th-20th centuries. Current projects examine American campus-building in the post-WWI Eastern Mediterranean and missionary architecture in Ottoman Lebanon. Primary interests include: colonial urban development, geopolitical architecture, missionary networks, material culture in imperial contexts, and decolonial methodologies in architectural education. Her scholarly work demonstrates consistent focus on architectural geopolitics in Middle Eastern contexts, with recent publications emphasizing missionary institutions and informal imperialism. Article topics range from American missionary campuses in Beirut to Jesuit architectural projects, reflecting sustained interest in cross-cultural architectural exchange. Awards and Fellowships: Graham Foundation Research Grant (2023) Cambridge International Scholarship (2017-20) Scouloudi Junior Fellowship (2020-21) Hawksmoor Essay Medal (2020) Global Urban History Fellowship (2022-23) Presbyterian Historical Society Fellowship (2020) At Sheffield, she leads undergraduate humanities modules and the MArch Dissertation program. She secured a £7,500 grant to establish a UK-wide Decolonial Architecture Network (2022-23), resulting in a workshop. Current initiatives include implementing decolonial learning outcomes across curricula and conducting faculty development activities.
Hande Yalnizoglu is a DPhil student at the University of Oxford and a Tutor in the Faculty of Oriental Studies . Her research focuses on Ottoman governance of disease and health in Baghdad during the 19th century, particularly examining epidemics like plague and cholera through the lens of environmental history, Ottoman studies, and imperial history. Her broader research interests include the social histories of Arab provinces under Ottoman rule, intellectual histories of human-nature relationships, and 19th-century global knowledge networks. She received the Hadid Doctoral Scholarship from the Middle East Centre (University of Oxford) in 2019-2020. Teaching Experience : Undergraduate tutor for Middle East in the Age of Empire, 1830-1971 (History Faculty) Undergraduate tutor for Ottoman History, 1300-1700 (Faculty of Oriental Studies) Education : DPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies (Oxford University, ongoing) MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies (Oxford University, completed) Year of Arabic study (Cairo, Egypt) Additional Background : Before her DPhil, she worked in international non-profit organizations, the Turkish parliament, and engaged in Arabic language training in Cairo.
Dr. Anissa Daoudi is a Senior Lecturer in Arabic and Translation Studies at the University of Birmingham, where she serves as Language Co-ordinator for Arabic within the Department of Modern Languages. She is Head of the Arabic area and a specialist for Translation Studies (Arabic-English-Arabic). Her academic journey includes a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Leeds, an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at Durham University, and prior degrees in TESOL and English from the University of Leeds and University of Constantine, respectively. Dr. Daoudi's research focuses on the complex intersections between language, translation, memory, and power in the MENA region, with particular emphasis on gender discourses. Her work explores how language and translations shape memories, public narratives, and campaigns for transitional justice. She is especially known for her groundbreaking research on sexual violence against women in 1990s Algeria, examining how trauma is documented through speaking and translating into literary and visual arts. Her scholarship expands the concept of 'untranslatability' in Translation Studies to feminist activism, working to give agency to feminist translators. Her research portfolio includes significant work on e-Arabic and the impact of globalization on Arabic language, including how new digital communication forms have influenced linguistic practices across the Arab world. Dr. Daoudi is the organizer of the Transnational Feminist Translation Forum and collaborates extensively with Prof. Luise Von Flotow on Transnational Feminist Translation research. Dr. Daoudi's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across multiple disciplines, with recent works focusing on sexual violence in conflict zones, Algerian women's experiences during the Civil War, multilingualism in Algeria, and the untranslatability of trauma narratives. Her work bridges Translation Studies, Gender Studies, Memory Studies, and Postcolonial Studies, creating innovative interdisciplinary connections. Leverhulme Fellowship (2016) for research on sexual violence during Algeria's Civil War AHRC Collaborative PhD Scholarship with the British Library (2013) Multiple British Academy grants for MENA region research ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (£150,000) at Durham University (2008-2012) Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung grant for international conference organization (2012) Dr. Daoudi actively supervises numerous PhD students working on diverse translation topics, from Syrian media narratives to semantic shifts in self-help book translations. She has organized multiple international conferences on sexual violence in wartime, e-Arabic, and gender discourse. Her external examiner roles at Westminster University, Prince Sultan University, and University of West of England demonstrate her recognition as an expert in translation studies. She also maintains strong research connections with institutions across the MENA region, including collaborations with Tunisian scholars and organizations.
