Anya Bernstein is a Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University, affiliated with the Committee on the Study of Religion and the Department of Anthropology. Her research focuses on speculative futures, science/technology interfaces, religion, and death/immortality studies. She holds a BS in Linguistics (Georgetown), MA in Visual Anthropology (University of Manchester), and PhD in Anthropology (NYU). Currently on leave during AY 2025-26, she leads the Human Futures project funded by the Research Council of Norway. Key research themes include transhumanist immortality movements in Russia, Buryat Buddhist revitalization, and Pleistocene Park's ecological engineering. Her books Religious Bodies Politic (2013) and The Future of Immortality (2019) received major academic awards. Notable projects include ethnographic films like In Pursuit of the Siberian Shaman and ongoing work on Arctic ecosystem restoration. Grants include National Science Foundation, Fulbright, and Mellon Fellowships. Her work bridges anthropology of religion, sci-tech studies, and environmental humanities, with 30+ peer-reviewed articles in top journals like American Ethnologist and Cultural Anthropology .
Christopher Castro serves as an Assistant Professor of Composition at Chapman University's College of Performing Arts. A composer and double bassist from Brooklyn, New York, he combines academic rigor with avant-garde experimentation. Ph.D. in Composition and Theory from University of California, Davis Bachelor of Music from Juilliard School (Double Bass & Composition) His research bridges Western Art Music traditions with contemporary innovations , creating works that merge: Johannes Ockeghem's polyphonic complexity John Coltrane's spiritual intensity Modernist structural experimentation Historical reconstruction techniques Jazz-classical hybrid forms Interdisciplinary performance formats Recent compositions demonstrate trends in flexible instrumentation , text-music relationships , and genre synthesis . His output spans chamber works, orchestral pieces, and vocal compositions with equal mastery. Scientific recognition includes: 2023 Fromm Music Foundation Commission (Harvard University) Chamber Music America's 2021 Classical Commissioning Award As a new music advocate , Castro collaborates with ensembles like: Left Coast Chamber Ensemble (artistic advisory board) New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble Los Angeles Philharmonic's Upbeat Live series Lyris Quartet and Sharon Harms
Michael Rauhut is a Professor at the University of Agder where he leads the PhD specialization in popular music performance and represents subject teachers within scientific disciplines at the Department of Rhythmic Music . His academic work focuses on popular music studies and musicology, with supervisory responsibilities for master's and doctoral candidates. Rauhut's research explores the intersection of music, politics, and society, with particular emphasis on: Popular music history in socialist contexts (especially the GDR) Cultural transfer during the Cold War Blues, rock, and jazz as forms of cultural expression Youth cultures and music under authoritarian systems Church-state dynamics in musical expression His work demonstrates how music functioned as both state propaganda and vehicle for dissent. Analysis of Rauhut's publications reveals consistent focus on: Cultural mechanisms in socialist states (75% of recent works) Transnational music exchanges across the Iron Curtain Archival methodologies for reconstructing musical histories Identity formation through popular music State censorship and artistic resistance strategies His documentary filmography expands these themes into visual media. As PhD supervisor, Rauhut guides research in popular music performance and musicology. His extensive conference participation includes keynote addresses in Germany, USA, Georgia, and Ukraine, covering topics from blues reception to music's role in political revolutions.
Dr Jan Woudstra is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield's School of Architecture and Landscape. With a PhD in Landscape Architecture from University College London and a background in landscape design, horticulture, and conservation, he has taught landscape architecture and history since 1995 and part-time at the Architectural Association School of Architecture from 1988-2005. Education: PhD, MA (Conservation), Dip Hort (Kew) Research Focus: History and theory of modern movement landscape architecture, planting design, hard landscape detailing, and international design trends Supervision: Claudia Leticia Martínez Velarde, Lei Gao, Kairan Li, Sang Jung Yoon, Vivienne Rose Parrott, Jijun Zhao, Manoochehr Salahi Moghadam, Hossein Donyavi, Sally O’Halloran Contact: j.woudstra@sheffield.ac.uk | Arts Tower, Floor 12, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN His research emphasizes landscape conservation, sustainability, and social equitability, with case studies on designers like Christopher Tunnard, Peter Shepheard, and Robert Marnock. He explores the tension between memory and innovation in historic landscapes. Recent publications address Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Scandinavian design, and historical planting techniques. Collaborations with Peter Blundell Jones and others analyze the interplay between architecture and landscape.
Sergiusz Michalski is a Professor at the Institute of Art History within the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tübingen, where he has held his position since 2001. Previously, he served as Managing Director of the Art History Institute at TU Braunschweig from 1996-2001 and completed his Habilitation at Goethe University Frankfurt in 1995. His distinguished academic career spans multiple European institutions including universities in Munich, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Kiel, Fribourg, Zurich, and Torun. Michalski's research focuses encompass Reformation and Art, Mannerism, 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish painting, Art theory, 18th century French painting, 20th century art, Public monuments, and Methodological questions in art history. His scholarly output includes approximately 270 publications with notable books such as 'The Reformation and the Visual Arts' (1992), 'Public Monuments' (1998), 'L'art de l'Europe Centrale' (2008), and 'Einführung in die Kunstgeschichte' (2015). His recent publications demonstrate continued engagement with contemporary issues in art history, particularly in public monument discourse, digital methodologies, and Central European art traditions. Michalski has edited several prominent art history journals including Ars Artibus et Historiae, Folia Historiae Artium, and Ikonotheka. Member of Royal Swedish Academy for Literature and Humanities Member of Polish Academy for Sciences and Arts Member of Göttingen Academy of Sciences Member of Academia Europaea / The Academy of Europe London Member of Latvian Academy of Sciences Member of Council of Experts of European Science Foundation Michalski maintains an active research profile with recent publications addressing digital methodologies in art history, contemporary monument discourse, and Central European art traditions. His international scholarly network is reflected in his editorial roles and academy memberships across Europe.
Peter Mandaville serves as Professor of Government and Politics at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, where he directs the AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies. He concurrently holds senior research fellowships at Georgetown University's Berkley Center and the Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center. His prior U.S. government roles include Director of USAID's Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships (2024-2025) and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Institute of Peace (2022-2024). His academic foundation includes degrees from the University of St. Andrews and University of Kent, with additional studies at the American University in Cairo. Mandaville's research centers on religion's geopolitical dimensions, particularly Islam's role in international relations. He examines how states weaponize religious narratives for soft power, analyzes transnational Islamic movements, and investigates U.S. policy frameworks for engaging religious actors. His work bridges theoretical political science with actionable diplomatic strategies, emphasizing religion as both a source of conflict and catalyst for peacebuilding. Recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory analyzing religious soft power mechanisms across multiple geopolitical contexts. Key patterns include comparative studies of state-sponsored religious export (Russia, India, Saudi Arabia), contestation over religious authority in foreign policy, and the domestic-international nexus in religious diplomacy. His scholarship consistently addresses how religious narratives reshape global power structures beyond traditional civilizational conflict models. Mandaville leads the Strategic Religious Engagement Hub, which operates The Missing Dimension blog analyzing U.S. religious engagement in diplomacy, development, and defense. Through the AbuSulayman Center, he directs research on Muslim societies and global Islamic networks, fostering collaboration between academics, policymakers, and religious actors.
Hansjörg Schmid is a Full Professor at the Department of Moral Theology and Ethics , University of Fribourg, and serves as Director of the Swiss Center for Islam and Society (SZIG) . His work focuses on interreligious ethics, Christian-Muslim dialogue, and socio-ethical challenges in pluralistic societies. Education: Theology diploma (1998), habilitation (2012) at the University of Munich Research Highlights: Muslim organizations as social actors, Islam in post-secular contexts, conflict transformation, and integration of Muslim pastoral care in welfare systems Grants: Funded by Mercator Foundation Switzerland, State Secretariat for Migration, Robert Bosch Foundation Networks: Christian and Muslim Discussion Group, Building Bridges Seminar, advisory boards for interfaith projects in Germany and Switzerland His academic career spans roles at the University of Salzburg, Munich, and Freiburg, with a focus on intercultural theology and Islamic social work. Recent publications analyze antimuslim racism, chaplaincy practices, and religious education in Switzerland.
Andrew Huddleston is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Research in Post-Kantian Philosophy at the University of Warwick. He previously taught at Birkbeck College, University of London and Exeter College, Oxford. He holds a PhD from Princeton University. His research focuses on post-Kantian philosophy (Nietzsche, German Idealism, Romanticism) and intersects with aesthetics, social philosophy, and ethics. His 2019 monograph, Nietzsche on the Decadence and Flourishing of Culture , challenges individualist interpretations of Nietzsche, arguing for a more socially-oriented understanding of cultural flourishing. Current work explores the 'Religion of Art' concept in European thought, examining art's role as a religious substitute in a secular age. Education: BA from Brown University and Pembroke College, Cambridge; PhD from Princeton University (supervised by Alexander Nehamas). Research trends in recent articles emphasize Nietzschean moral psychology (ressentiment), narratives of cultural decadence, and the interplay between aesthetics and existential concerns. His work also engages with Adorno's critical theory and Hegel's philosophy of comedy. Editorial roles include serving as Book Reviews Editor for European Journal of Philosophy , Editorial Board member of British Journal for the History of Philosophy , and area editor for Ergo . He is also Treasurer of the Royal Musical Association Music & Philosophy Study Group. Teaching responsibilities include modules on Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil , the 'Religion of Art' in post-Kantian philosophy, and convening the MA in Continental Philosophy.
Professor Jochen J. Brocks is a faculty member at the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) at the Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in Organic Geochemistry from the University of Sydney (2002) and a Diplom Chemie (~MSc Chemistry) from the University of Freiburg, Germany. His research focuses on Paleobiogeochemistry, using molecular fossils (biomarkers) to study ancient ecosystems and evolutionary processes, including the origin of life and the emergence of complex organisms. He is particularly interested in the conditions that led to the appearance of multicellular life and the role of primary producers in mass extinctions, as well as the potential existence of a 'lost world' of complex life in Earth's early oceans. He previously served as a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). His research group, Brocks Geobiology, explores topics such as the molecular signatures of early organisms, the geochemical record of ancient oceans, and the preservation mechanisms of organic matter in sedimentary deposits. Brocks collaborates on projects like the biogeochemistry of salt lakes and the analysis of Precambrian rocks to trace microbial diversity. Education: PhD (Organic Geochemistry, University of Sydney, 2002), MSc (Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany). His research interests span the intersection of organic geochemistry and paleontology, with a focus on applying biomarker analysis to understand Earth's history. Recent work includes studies on the environmental aftermath of Snowball Earth glaciations, the origins of Dickinsonia as an early animal, and the preservation of ancient biomolecules in extreme conditions like evaporites and concretions. Brocks has contributed to significant debates in the field, such as reinterpreting steroid biomarkers to challenge early animal evolution timelines and identifying novel preservation mechanisms for plant fossils. His work often integrates experimental geochemistry with field studies, particularly in northern Australia and Mauritania, to explore the co-evolution of life and Earth's systems. Awards: Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). He supervises multiple research projects, including those investigating the Velkerri Formation and the McArthur River deposit. Brocks also collaborates on initiatives like the Sedimentary Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments Project, which synthesizes global data to inform Earth history. His lab work emphasizes the development of analytical techniques to distinguish syngenetic biomarkers from contaminants in ancient samples.
Prof. Dr. Gert Pickel is a Professor of Sociology of Religion and Church at the Institute for Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, Leipzig University. His roles include deputy spokesperson for the Competence Center for Right-Wing Extremism and Democracy Research, member of the Center for the Study of Religion, and advisory board member for the Academy of World Religions in Hamburg and the Hannah Arendt Institute at Dresden University of Technology. He heads the "Racism in Institutions" project network and co-directs the Leipzig branch of the Research Institute for Social Cohesion. Research focuses on sociology of religion , democracy , and political culture Current projects: German-Swiss study on religious/political collective identities, modern populism in Europe (East Germany), racism in institutions Research Interests span comparative sociology of religion (secularization, pluralization), political sociology (social capital, populism, radicalism), and integration of migrants in Germany. He explores how religion interacts with politics, addressing issues like euthanasia, abortion, and gender identities through empirical, theory-driven methodologies. Teaching covers religion in Germany/Europe, secularization processes, religion-politics dynamics, group-based prejudices, and intercultural comparisons. Courses are interdisciplinary (social sciences, humanities) with field trips to Central/Eastern Europe. Scientific Awards : No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Grants and Projects : DFG-funded "Multiple Bible Uses in Late Modern Society" (2021-2024) BMBF-funded "Social Polarization and Radicalization" (2020-2024) EU-funded Jean-Monnet Centre (2020-2024) "InRa-Study" (2021-2024) on institutional racism Labs and Teams : Member of Research Academy Leipzig; co-leader of the Leipzig branch of the Research Institute for Social Cohesion; contributor to the Leibniz WissenschaftsCampus Eastern Europe–Global Area.
Lea Altnurme (born December 23, 1968) is an Associate Professor of Sociology of Religion at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, School of Theology and Religious Studies. She has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 1995, holding various research and teaching positions including Senior Research Fellow in Sociology of Religion (2016-2020) and Senior Research Fellow in Religion Studies (2011-2016). Dr. Altnurme earned her Doctor's Degree in 2006 from the University of Tartu with a dissertation titled 'Kristlusest oma usuni' (From Christianity to Own Belief), supervised by Tarmo Kulmar and Ülo Valk. Her educational background includes a degree in History from the University of Tartu (1994, cum laude) and a Master of Theology (1997). Her primary research interests focus on the religiosity of Estonians throughout history and in contemporary society, with particular expertise in non-Christian religions, esotericism, religious individualization, and the marginalization of Christianity in Estonia. Her work examines how religious traditions transform in modern society, especially within Estonian context. Dr. Altnurme's publications reveal a strong focus on contemporary religious trends in Estonia, particularly the rise of new spiritualities, esoteric practices, and nature-based religious expressions. Her recent work (2020-2025) explores topics including nature worship, shamanic traditions, ayahuasca communities, religious healing, and the complex relationship between institutional and vernacular religious expressions in post-secular Estonia. 2006: The expert commission of social sciences of Estonian Science Foundation acknowledged her project 'Religious Life in Estonia in the Second Half of the 20th Century' She is an active member of the Estonian academic community, serving as a member of the Estonian Society for the Study of Religions (and board member from 2006-2010) and the Estonian Society of Academic Theology (serving as secretary from 1999-2001 and 2003-2006). Her research contributes significantly to understanding the complex religious landscape of contemporary Estonia and its historical development.
Kristen Lucken serves as Lecturer in International and Global Studies, Religious Studies, and Sociology at Brandeis University, where she chairs the Interdepartmental Program in Religious Studies and directs the Master's in Global Studies program. Her appointments span the Department of Sociology and two interdepartmental programs, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus. Her educational foundation includes: Ph.D. from Boston University M.A. from University of Denver B.S. from The University of Montana Dr. Lucken's research centers on immigration , ethnic/religious pluralism , and nationalism , with particular emphasis on how religious and ethnic identities transform through migration. Having witnessed the dissolution of multi-cultural states in the former Yugoslavia (1990-1998), she examines Bosnian refugee experiences and transnational religious lives of immigrant communities, especially regarding identity maintenance through religious institutions. Analysis of her 2009-2021 publications reveals three dominant trends: sustained focus on Bosnian refugee communities in New England; expansion into comparative studies of religion in public institutions across the U.S., U.K., and Europe; and growing attention to contemplative practices as stress responses within religious frameworks. Her work consistently bridges sociology, religious studies, and migration theory. Her scholarly recognition includes: Earhart Fellowship, Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs, Boston University (2005-2006) Religion Fellowship, School of Theology, Boston University (2011-2013) While directing the Master's in Global Studies program, Dr. Lucken leads a collaborative cross-national project on religion in public institutions. Though specific student advising and grant details aren't documented, her leadership roles indicate significant programmatic responsibilities. Current research extends into spirituality's role within secular public frameworks through comparative international analysis.
Robert Sharf is the D.H. Chen Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Berkeley . He also serves as Chair of the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies and Head Graduate Advisor for the Group in Buddhist Studies . With a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Michigan (1995), he previously taught at McMaster University (1989-1995) and the University of Michigan (1995-2003). Research Interests: Medieval Chinese Buddhism (especially Chan) Japanese Buddhism Buddhist Art and Archaeology Ritual Studies Buddhist Modernism Philosophical Paradoxes Methodology in Religious Studies Critical Buddhist Discourse Publications & Collaborations: Author of Coming to Terms with Chinese Buddhism: A Reading of the Treasure Store Treatise (2002) Co-editor of Living Images: Japanese Buddhist Icons in Context (2001) Co-author of What Can’t Be Said: Contradiction and Paradox in East Asian Thought (2021) Co-author of How to Lose Yourself: An Ancient Guide to Letting Go (2025) Editor of Chinese translations of his works: Xiafu Chanxue zixuan ji and Xiafu Mijiao Yanjiu zixuan ji (2022) Academic Leadership: Director of the Group in Buddhist Studies Director of Religious Studies Chair of the Center for Buddhist Studies
Sara Toth is an Associate Professor at the Department of English Literatures and Cultures within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest, Hungary. With a PhD in Literary Studies from ELTE (2004), her academic career spans decades of research at the intersection of literature, religion, and cultural studies. Prior to her academic appointment, she served as Editor-in-Chief at Harmat Publishing House, bringing practical editorial experience to her scholarly work. Dr. Toth earned her MA in English Language and Literature from ELTE in 1991 before completing her doctoral studies there in 2004. Her dissertation, The Other Side of Imagination: Literature and Religion in the Critical Work of Northrop Frye , established the foundation for her ongoing research into the relationship between literary theory and religious thought. Her research focuses on the intricate connections between 18th-20th century British literature, literary theory, and religious studies, with particular expertise in Northrop Frye's critical framework, Protestant spirituality, and the works of contemporary American author Marilynne Robinson. Dr. Toth has made significant contributions to understanding how religious experience manifests in literary form, exploring themes of sacramentality, transcendence, and the sacred-profane dialectic. Her scholarship demonstrates how literary works can serve as vehicles for theological reflection and spiritual exploration, particularly within the Protestant tradition. Analysis of Dr. Toth's recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a sustained engagement with Protestant spirituality, particularly through the lens of North American literature. Her work consistently examines the interplay between literary narrative and theological concepts, with a strong emphasis on Marilynne Robinson's fiction and Paul Tillich's theology. The publications demonstrate increasing sophistication in analyzing how literary form conveys religious experience, with growing attention to specific religious practices (baptism, preaching) and theological concepts (forgiveness, restoration, the sacred). Publication of the Year (shared) - Gaspar Karoli Reformed University (2015) Dr. Toth has served as an opponent at doctoral defenses, including for Palatinus David Levente's dissertation on "Framing the Body, Staging the Gaze" (PPKE, 2009) and Ruth Karin Lévai's work on "The Concept of Truth in Four Works" (ELTE BTK, 2020). She participates in the Fundamentalism research group (2020-present) and the Canadianist research group, contributing to interdisciplinary scholarly conversations. Her language proficiency in English and Spanish supports her international scholarly collaborations and research. As a member of the Central European Association for Canadian Studies, Dr. Toth contributes to cross-cultural academic dialogue. Her current research activities within the Fundamentalism research group demonstrate her ongoing commitment to understanding the complex relationship between religion, literature, and contemporary cultural phenomena. Her work bridges literary scholarship with theological reflection, creating a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to studying the spiritual dimensions of literature.
Veronika Settele is a historian specializing in 19th-20th century societal transformations, currently serving as a Visiting Professor and junior research group leader at the University of Bremen since 2023. Her work bridges History of Sexuality , Food History , and Animal Studies , examining intersections between economic systems, technological shifts, and cultural norms. Education : PhD in History (2015-2020), Freie Universität Berlin MSc in European Politics and Society (2011-2014), University of Innsbruck Magister in History (2007-2012), University of Innsbruck Research Focus : Her scholarship interrogates how sexuality , animal husbandry , and food systems reflect and shape societal structures. Current projects like "Hinter der Norm" analyze sexuality's secularization through religious practice lenses, while her publications explore industrial agriculture's moral and economic dimensions. Article Trends : Spanning 2012-2024, her work traces industrial agriculture (1945-1990), animal labor dynamics , and sexuality as cultural practice , with keywords spanning Capitalism , Technological History , and Environmental Ethics . Scientific Recognition : Opus Primum Preis der Volkswagen Stiftung Deutscher Studienpreis Friedrich-Meinecke-Preis Fonds Deutscher Studienpreis der Körber-Stiftung Gerald D. Feldman-Reisebeihilfen Academic Leadership : She co-organized conferences like "Beyond Norms and Categories" , serves on the editorial board of Zeithistorische Forschungen , and has taught seminars on transnational reform movements, Holocaust studies, and capitalism history at the University of Bremen and Sorbonne Université.
