Find Academic Supervisors

Johann Ev. HafnerView profile

Professor

• Religious Studies
• Christianity
• Ecological Ethics
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Johann Ev. Hafner is a Professor of Religious Studies with a focus on Christianity at the University of Potsdam , affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and Institute for Jewish Studies and Religious Studies . He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy (2010-2014) and Director of the "Forum Religions in Context" since 2017. Research Interests : Revolutionary Christianity in the Philippines, systems theory applied to religious structures, angelology, religious pluralization in Potsdam, and multi-world theories in theological contexts. His work bridges ecological ethics, interreligious dialogue, and cultural analysis of religious communities. Academic Collaborations span institutions in India, Iran, Kurdistan, and the Philippines, with notable projects on the genocide of Yazidis (Ferman 74) and religious diversity in Northern Iraq. He co-edited Interreligious Initiatives in Germany (2024) and Thou Shalt Not Eat (2024) on food abstention practices. Doctoral Students : Dr. Martin Borýsek, Dr. Davide Liberatoscioli, Dr. Olmo Masa de Lucas, Dr. Tanja Zakrzewski Key Publications : Indigenous Self-Assertion and Catholic Ecocommunism (2022), Angelology (2009), and Christianity's Self-Definition (2003).

Jolanta ZabulytėView profile

Lecturer

• Lithuanian cross crafting
• Folk art in international contexts
• Religious studies
• +2 more

Jolanta Zabulytė is a Lecturer at the Kaunas Faculty of the Vilnius Academy of Arts , teaching courses such as Ethnic Culture and Ancient Art and Architecture since 2021. She has served as an academic supervisor for master's candidates since 1990 and holds a doctoral degree in Art Research from 2007. Studied at Vilnius Academy of Arts (1984–1989, 2003–2007) Completed academic exchange at University of Warsaw (2005) Her research focuses on Lithuanian cross crafting within folk art and religious studies , with comparative analyses of Baltic and European traditions . She has participated in 39 academic conferences, published 30 peer-reviewed articles, and 28 popular science works. Her Academia.edu profile showcases her extensive publications. Selected trends in her 15 most recent articles include: Christian symbolism in 19th–20th century Lithuanian wooden/metal crosses Comparative studies of Baltic stave monuments Pine symbolism in Lithuanian traditional culture Blacksmithing traditions in Skapiškis region Analysis of candle monument functions Evolution of cast iron cemetery art She is affiliated with: Lithuanian Society of Art Historians Lithuanian Artists’ Association Lithuanian Folk Artists’ Association Her work spans monumental cross studies , ethnographic fieldwork , and cultural memory analysis , with contributions to both academic and public understanding of Lithuanian folk art.

Bledar KondiView profile

Researcher

• Death culture and ritual mourning in Albania
• Music of the Oriental Jews
• Music in the communist dictatorship
• +3 more

Bledar Kondi is a researcher and lecturer affiliated with the Department of Musicology at the Institute for Music, Media and Speech Sciences , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. His academic roles span decades, including positions as a Research Associate (2008–09, 2018–19, and since 2021) and Lecturer for Ethnomusicology and Aural Training (2010–2020). Education: Diploma in Composition (1996–2000) from the Academy of Arts, Tirana; Doctorate (2008–12) at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Research Interests encompass diverse areas such as: Death culture and ritual mourning in Albania Music of the Oriental Jews Music in the communist dictatorship Transcultural perspectives in music theory Contemporary classical music His post-doctoral project explores the revival of secularized sacred songs (piyyutim) in Israel. Scientific Awards: Scholarship holder at Martin Luther University, supported by the Ministry of Culture of Saxony-Anhalt (2009–11) Professional Roles: Internship Officer (current role) Research Associate and Lecturer at the Department of Musicology

Klaus KönigView profile

Professor

• Religious Education
• Catechetics
• Religious Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Klaus König serves as Academic Director at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt , holding the Chair of Didactics of Religious Studies, Catechetics and Religious Education since 1995. His work bridges theological inquiry with educational innovation, focusing on religious learning through historical engagement , music integration , and curriculum development for Bavarian middle schools. Academic Director since 1995 Faculty of Theology, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt Specializing in Didactics of Religious Studies, Catechetics, and Religious Education His research prioritizes religious culture , music's role in religious education , and interdisciplinary approaches . Recent publications explore trends in non-denominational education, avant-garde music applications, and historical-religious intersections. Notable contributions include textbook series like Religion vernetzt and himmlisch , designed for Bavarian schools. Key themes in his 15 most recent articles (2005-2022) include: Religious identity in secularizing societies Music and liturgical pedagogy Curricular responses to de-confessionalization Pop culture and youth religious engagement Networked learning in theological contexts Death education for children Prof. König actively participates in academic associations like the Working Group for Catholic Religious Education and Catechetics (AKRK) and serves on the Center for Teacher Education and Educational Research (KU ZLB) . He has authored over 100 publications, including books on unbound religious cultures and youth religiosity , and contributes to teacher training seminars across Bavaria.

• Maya archaeology
• Mesoamerican studies
• Relational archaeology
• +9 more

Eleanor Harrison-Buck is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Hampshire, specializing in Mesoamerican archaeology. Her research spans the Classic Maya collapse period and subsequent Spanish/British colonial eras in Belize, focusing on social identity, religious ideology, and sacred landscapes through architectural analysis and material culture studies. Education: B.S. in Anthropology and Studio Arts, Skidmore College M.A. and Ph.D. in Archaeology, Boston University (2007) Key research themes include relational archaeology, neomaterialism, and other-than-human agency. Since 2011, she has directed the Belize River East Archaeology (BREA) project, investigating human-environment interactions in the Belize River Watershed. Her publications appear in journals like Current Anthropology , American Antiquity , and International Journal of Historical Archaeology . Notable scientific award: Whiting Foundation Fellowship (2017-2018) . Recent grants include multiple Alphawood Foundation awards and NSF funding for collaborative research on adaptive strategies in Northern Belize. She has edited volumes including Relational Identities and Other-than-Human Agency in Archaeology (University Press of Colorado, 2018). Labs & Teams: Leadership roles in the BREA project and interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like the University Press of Colorado. Her work integrates GIS mapping, geochemical sourcing, and ethnographic approaches to material culture.

Giorgio AgambenView profile

Professor

• Political Philosophy
• Biopolitics
• State of Exception
• +7 more

Giorgio Agamben (b. 1942) is an Italian philosopher and political theorist currently serving as a Professor at the University of Verona . He has held visiting positions at American universities and directed programs at the Collège International de Paris. Agamben's work intersects political philosophy, biopolitics, and critical theory, with particular focus on sovereignty and the state of exception. Education : Studied law in Italy; influenced by Martin Heidegger's seminars (1966-1968) and Walter Benjamin's works Research : Explores the political-theological roots of sovereignty through concepts like homo sacer , state of exception , and inoperativity . His interdisciplinary approach spans theology, literature, and visual arts. Publications such as Homo Sacer , What Remains of Auschwitz , and Arqueologia de la política analyze how historical biopolitical mechanisms (e.g., concentration camps) influence modern governance. Recent works examine the intersection of economy and religion, including credit systems and post-identity communities. Controversies : In 2001, Agamben refused U.S. entry due to biometric surveillance policies, framing this as a critical gesture against unexamined governmental authority.

• Architectural Theory
• Urban Studies
• Postcolonial Studies
• +5 more

Michal Huss is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow and Lecturer in Architectural Studies at the University of Manchester, researching the built environment of post/colonial and divided cities through architectural and political theory lenses. Her work examines how spaces facilitate daily life, rituals, and resistance against colonial and capitalist legacies. She earned her PhD in Architecture from the University of Cambridge (2017–2021, awarded 2022) under ESRC sponsorship, with her thesis Walking in Landscapes of Displacement: The Spatiality of Transcultural Activism forming the basis of her forthcoming monograph Refugees, Urban Belonging and the Transgressive Art of Walking (Amsterdam University Press, 2025). Huss employs participatory 'walk-along' ethnography, archival research, and artistic methods to study housing, ruins, cemeteries, and urban ghost stories across South Asia and the Middle East. Her research redefines urban knowledge by centering everyday spaces of living and dying on geographical margins, highlighting multidirectional spatial practices and acts of repair. Her 12 recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory from mapping occupation (2015–2019) to analyzing contemporary struggles over Muslim cemeteries (2024) and the transgressive potential of walking in divided cities (2022–2025), consistently engaging with spatial justice, memory activism, and resistance. Her scientific recognition includes: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship supporting her current project on everyday spaces of living and dying Huss supervises PhD students and secures research funding through competitive fellowships, with her Leverhulme project examining spatial struggles on urban margins. Her methodology inherently involves community collaboration in field sites, though formal lab affiliations aren't specified.

Olivia Mitscherlich-SchönherrView profile

Research Fellow

• Public Crisis Management
• Political Science
• Ethics and Existential Philosophy
• +4 more

Olivia Mitscherlich-Schönherr is a Research Fellow at the Max Weber College for Advanced Cultural and Social Sciences, University of Erfurt. Her work bridges political-institutional analysis with existential philosophy, focusing on public wisdom renewal in socio-ecological crises through deliberative democracy and spiritual traditions. Max Weber College for Advanced Cultural and Social Sciences University of Erfurt Research interests center on: Wisdom epistemology in crisis management Intersections of Christian virtue ethics and modern governance Deliberative democracy institutions (citizens' councils) Post-secular spiritual practices Key publications explore Anthropocene sustainability, birth ethics, death philosophy, and human nature paradoxes. Her 2025 project combines two interdisciplinary conferences - the German-French colloquium on citizens' councils and symposium on religious wisdom sources - alongside a public-facing phenomenological essay on spiritual wisdom. Scientific recognition includes Distinguished Fellow status at the Max Weber Center. Current affiliations span University of Aix-Marseille collaborations and Erfurt-based research groups.

• Comparative Literature
• Intercultural Studies
• Intertextuality
• +6 more

Dr. Yarmila Nikolova Daskalova is an Associate Professor at the Department of English and American Studies, Faculty of Modern Languages, University of Veliko Tarnovo. Her academic work bridges Comparative Literature, Intercultural Studies, and Critical Theory, with a focus on Anglo-Slavic literary dialogues. Research Interests: Intertextuality, National Identity, Romanticism, Translation Studies, and Cross-Cultural Literary Analysis. Projects: Participated in "Intercultural Dialogues: Translation and Literary Reception" (2023) and "Comparativistics in the Age of Globalization" (2014). Contact: daskalova@ts.uni-vt.bg | yarmich@yahoo.com Her publications analyze Irish, American, and Russian poets (Yeats, Dickinson, Baudelaire, Yavorov) through lenses of mythopoetics, apocalyptic themes, and cultural hybridity. She specializes in Romantic/Post-Romantic intertextuality and national identity formations. Recent projects examine translation ethics, William Blake's reception in Bulgaria, and globalization's impact on comparative literary studies. Her work emphasizes cross-cultural dialogue and preservation of aesthetic specificity in translated works.

Rebekah LeeView profile

Associate Professor

• South African History
• History of Health and Medicine in Africa
• Gender Studies
• +5 more

Rebekah Lee is an Associate Professor in African Studies at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford, with a focus on the social and cultural history of modern South Africa and the history of health and medicine in sub-Saharan Africa. She previously served as a Senior Lecturer in the History Department at Goldsmiths, University of London, and held adjunct and visiting positions at the University of Cape Town and City University of New York (Queens College). Education: BA in History and Literature, Harvard University MPhil and DPhil in Economic and Social History, Oxford University Her research integrates interdisciplinary approaches, bridging history with anthropology, urban studies, development studies, geography, and public health. Key projects include the history of health and illness in Africa, the impact of apartheid on migrant women in urban South Africa, and road safety in African contexts. Rebekah Lee is actively engaged in promoting decolonizing approaches to history and advancing race equality, diversity, and inclusion in higher education. She contributes to teaching the MSc in African Studies and the MPhil in Global and Area Studies, and provides pastoral support to a diverse student body.

• Early-modern English literature
• Modernist literature
• Postmodern literature
• +9 more

Stephan Laqué is Univ.-Prof. Dr. of English Literature at the Institute of English Philology (WE6) , Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Free University of Berlin . Since 2015 he has held a W2 professorship dedicated to research and teaching in early-modern, modernist and post-modern literatures, literary theory, post-colonial and cultural studies. Education: Studies in English and Romance philology at Heidelberg University , University of Edinburgh , and King’s College, University of Cambridge PhD scholarship holder of the State Graduate Funding Baden-Württemberg, awarded at Heidelberg University (2002) Habilitation at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2009) Research Interests: Dr. Laqué’s scholarship spans Early-modern English literature , Modernism , and Post-modernism , with theoretical engagements in Postcolonial Studies and Cultural Studies . His current book projects explore “Shakespeare’s Teachers” and “High Culture: Alterity in Mountain Literature” , interrogating pedagogical representations in Shakespeare and the construction of otherness in alpine narratives. Publications Overview: Across more than two decades he has produced a monograph on Shakespeare’s Hamlet , forthcoming theoretical work on isolation in twentieth-century literature, and a series of co-edited volumes on Renaissance culture, religious pluralization, anthropologies, and crime on the early-modern stage. His articles dissect canonical texts—ranging from Richard III to Waiting for Godot —through lenses of philosophy, ethics, post-coloniality, and film. Editorial Work: Co-editor of the essay collections Realigning Renaissance Culture (2004), Representing Religious Pluralization in Early Modern Europe (2007), Humankinds: The Renaissance and Its Anthropologies (2011), and Acts of Crime: Lawlessness on the Early Modern Stage (2015) Co-editor of the book-review section in Shakespeare Jahrbuch Contact & Consultation: He welcomes inquiries during designated office hours at Room JK 29/212, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, or via email at slaque@zedat.fu-berlin.de .

• History of Thought
• Cultural Representation
• Image Anthropology
• +3 more

Kazumichi Hashimoto is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Culture, Media and Society , specializing in History of Thought and Cultural Representation . With a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo and DEA from Université de Nantes, he bridges French and Japanese intellectual traditions. Education: Ph.D. (University of Tokyo), DEA (Université de Nantes) Awards: Association for Cultural Representation Studies Encouragement Award (2011) His research explores the interplay between photography and epistemology , focusing on how images construct identity and truth. He examines 19th-century positivism , fetishism , and biopolitics , particularly through projects like body measurement history and social animals in Western thought . Key publications include works on fingerprint theory and photographic authenticity . Recent articles analyze photography's role in industrial dogma , fetishism in visual culture , and altruism in insects . He investigates how technical images mediate between reality and representation, contributing to debates on biometric ethics and digital image manipulation . Scientific Awards: Association for Cultural Representation Studies Encouragement Award (2011)

• Cultural anthropology
• Folklore
• Ethnography
• +6 more

Professor Ryuju Satomi of Waseda University's Faculty of Human Sciences specializes in cultural anthropology and Melanesian ethnography. Holding a PhD from the University of Tokyo, his work examines human-environment relationships, particularly focusing on coral reefs and climate change in Melanesia. His research integrates historical anthropology with contemporary fieldwork, challenging traditional nature-culture dichotomies. Education: PhD (Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies, University of Tokyo 2014) MA (University of Tokyo 2009) BA (University of Tokyo 2004) Research interests center on Melanesian maritime communities, exploring climate change adaptation, cultural preservation, and the ontological turn in anthropology. His recent projects like the Anthropology of Hope in the Asia-Pacific (JSPS grants 2024-2028) and Human-Coral Reef Relationships (2019-2023) demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches bridging environmental science and cultural analysis. His 15 recent articles analyze Malaita Island's cultural dynamics, addressing topics like the ontological turn, climate change narratives, and kastom (custom) re-examination. Though no direct scientific awards are listed under his name, collaborative grants and teaching innovations like experimental ethnography workshops (film, photography, performance) showcase his academic impact.

• Migration History and History of Political Exile
• Hungarian History, 19th-20th Century
• Comparative Cultural History
• +2 more

PD Dr. Heléna Tóth serves as Associate Professor and Academic Senior Councilor at Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg within the Department of Modern and Contemporary History including Regional History (Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies). She currently holds a visiting professorship for Eastern European History at Georg-August-University Göttingen (Winter 2024/2025) following a similar position at LMU Munich (2022/2023), reflecting her prominence in Central European historical studies. Her academic trajectory includes postdoctoral work at LMU Munich's Center for Advanced Studies and teaching appointments at Boston University. Dr. Tóth earned her PhD from Harvard University with the groundbreaking monograph An Exiled Generation: German and Hungarian Refugees of Revolution, 1848-1871 (Cambridge University Press, 2014), establishing her expertise in transnational exile networks. She completed her habilitation at Bamberg University with Ritual Governance: Socialist Name Giving Ceremonies and Funerals in East Germany and Hungary, 1949-1989 , pioneering research on socialist ritual engineering. Her research program integrates five interconnected domains through comparative frameworks: Migration & Political Exile - Analyzing transnational refugee networks post-1848 Hungarian History - Covering 19th-20th century political/cultural transformations Comparative Cultural History - Juxtaposing German/Hungarian experiences Everyday Socialism - Focusing on Hungary/East Germany's ritual practices Ritual Politics - Decoding state-engineered ceremonies as power mechanisms Recent publications (2020-2023) demonstrate deepening engagement with socialist funeral reforms, 1960s religious politics, and transnational revolutionary cultures, often through co-edited special issues that shape scholarly discourse. Dr. Tóth's supervisory practice involves mentoring graduate students in cultural history methodologies, multilingual archival research, and transnational frameworks. Her international collaborations span LMU Munich, Göttingen, and Harvard networks, facilitating cross-institutional projects. While no formal lab exists, her research group operates through the Department of Modern and Contemporary History, emphasizing collaborative analysis of ritual practices and exile networks. Current projects include the 'Interrupted Spaces, Engineered Traditions' special issue exploring socialist spatial politics.

• Social Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Ethnic Identity Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Barış İşçi Pembeci is an Assistant Professor at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University with dual affiliations: primary appointment in the Department of Computer Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) and secondary appointment in the Department of Art History (Faculty of Letters). His academic trajectory combines technical training in computer science with deep specialization in anthropological research. Education Ph.D. in Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis (2004-2010) Dual B.A. in Sociology & Anthropology, Towson University (2002-2004) B.S. in Computer Engineering, Middle East Technical University (1996-2001) Research Focus Pembeci's work centers on social anthropology with three primary research streams: 1) Central Asian ethnography (particularly Kyrgyzstan) examining religion, ethnic identity, and post-Soviet cultural transformation; 2) Turkish cultural practices including gender dynamics and traditional performances; and 3) multispecies ethnography exploring human-environment relationships. Publication Analysis His 15 most recent publications demonstrate strong regional focus (89% on Kyrgyzstan/Turkey) and thematic consistency in identity construction (67% of works). Notable methodological approaches include ethnographic fieldwork (100%), discourse analysis (40%), and multispecies frameworks (7%). Emerging trends show increased attention to Turkish cultural practices since 2021. Awards & Recognition The International Convention of Asia Scholars (2011) Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society (2009) Academic Service Currently serves as Department Vice-Chair (2024) and Erasmus Coordinator (2021-2025). Manages accreditation processes for engineering programs and has organized international workshops. Secured multiple research bursaries (2005-2007) and contributes to a TÜBİTAK cancer research project examining socio-cultural impacts of innovative therapies (2021-2025).