Find Academic Supervisors

Alexandra OpreaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Politics, Philosophy, Economics (PPE)
• Democratic Theory
• Normative Ethics
• +5 more

Alexandra Oprea is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research specializes in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE), with a focus on democratic theory, electoral design, and civic education. She holds a PhD from Duke University and has published widely on topics such as compulsory voting, voter competence, and the intersection of education policy and democratic governance. Oprea’s work frequently engages with early modern political thought, particularly figures like Rousseau, Smith, and Locke. Her research explores how electoral systems should balance voter demands for education and competence, advocating for institutions that foster informed democratic participation. She also investigates criteria for just education systems, emphasizing civic responsibility and equity. Oprea teaches courses on political philosophy and global justice, and her book manuscript Children or Citizens examines civic education in liberal thought. Contact: aoprea@buffalo.edu or alexandraroprea@gmail.com (note the 'r' in the Gmail address). Office hours are by appointment at 108 Park Hall, UB North Campus. Visit her personal website for further publications and research details.

Stephen A MurphyView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Southeast Asian Art and Archaeology
• Buddhist Art
• Hindu Art
• +4 more

Dr. Stephen A. Murphy is the Pratapaditya Pal Senior Lecturer in Curating and Museology of Asian Art at SOAS University of London, jointly affiliated with the School of Arts and Department of History of Art and Archaeology. He specializes in the art and archaeology of Southeast Asia with focus on Buddhist/Hindu traditions (7th-11th centuries), museology, and restitution studies. Educational background includes: BA in Ancient History and Archaeology from Trinity College Dublin MA and PhD in History of Art and Archaeology from SOAS FHEA (Fellow of Higher Education Academy) qualification Murphy's research explores three interconnected domains: Buddhist/Hindu art and archaeology of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia Maritime trade networks and cultural exchange in the Indian Ocean world Museum ethics with emphasis on restitution paradigms for Southeast Asian artifacts He currently co-leads the Getty Foundation-funded project 'Circumambulating Objects: On Paradigms of Restitution of Southeast Asian Art'. His publications demonstrate strong focus on: Debunking myths surrounding looted Southeast Asian artifacts Reevaluating Dvaravati-period archaeology through sema stones Documenting maritime trade routes like the 9th-century Tang Shipwreck Developing ethical frameworks for cultural restitution Awards and recognition include: FHEA status recognizing teaching excellence Advising and research leadership: Currently supervising PhD candidates on topics including Yue-ware trade and Chinese tomb figurines Principal investigator for Getty Foundation collaborative project on restitution Murphy previously served as Senior Curator at Singapore's Asian Civilisations Museum where he established the Tang Shipwreck Gallery and curated major exhibitions on Angkor, Myanmar, and Raffles collections. His fieldwork includes archaeological projects in Thailand, Laos, and Borneo.

Tanisha RamachandranView profile

Associate Professor

• Religious Studies
• Race and Ethnicity
• Colonialism
• +3 more

Tanisha Ramachandran is an Associate Professor in the Department for the Study of Religions at Wake Forest University. She holds a Ph.D. from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. Her research focuses on the intersection of race, religion, and material culture, examining how objects like hijabs, turbans, and bindis contribute to the racialization of religions in North America. She investigates acts of violence against religious sites such as temples, mosques, and gurdwaras, linking them to broader colonial and postcolonial dynamics. Education: Ph.D., Concordia University, Montreal (specific field not detailed). Research interests include colonialism, gender studies, and the socio-political dimensions of religious practices. Her work has appeared in journals like Canadian Women’s Studies/ les Cahiers de la Femme and Material Religion , and she has delivered talks on topics such as religion, sexuality, and race. No specific grants or awards are listed, but her focus on marginalized religious communities and material culture highlights her commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship. She is affiliated with the Divinity and Religious Studies Building at Wake Forest.

Yonatan Glazer-EytanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Early Modern European History
• Iberian World Studies
• Interfaith and Interethnic Relations
• +9 more

Yonatan Glazer-Eytan is an Assistant Professor of History at Princeton University, specializing in early modern Spain and the Iberian world. He joined Princeton in 2023 after serving as the Lumley Research Fellow at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on interfaith relations, religious culture, and law in pre-modern Mediterranean and transnational contexts. Glazer-Eytan holds a PhD in History from Johns Hopkins University (2020), as well as a BA and MA cum laude from Tel Aviv University. His work bridges legal, cultural, and material history, examining how sacred objects and confessional identity shaped Spanish Catholicism during periods of religious conflict. His current book project, Faith after Sacrilege , uses Inquisition records and material culture to challenge assumptions about Spanish Catholicism’s local and credulous nature. He co-edited Forced Conversion in Christianity, Judaism and Islam (Brill, 2019) and a special issue on mixed marriages in the Mediterranean Historical Review . Future projects explore forced labor, ethno-religious identity, and criminal networks in the Spanish empire. Glazer-Eytan has received the 2023 Best Dissertation Prize from the Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies. His research has been supported by the European Research Council’s CORPI project (Madrid) and the Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies. His publications span topics from sacrilege trials to visual culture, emphasizing transnational and interdisciplinary approaches to pre-modern Iberian studies.

Elizabeth Shanks AlexanderView profile

Professor

• Rabbinic Textuality
• Jewish Law and Legal Reasoning
• Rabbinic Ethics and Theology
• +4 more

Elizabeth Shanks Alexander is a Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on Rabbinic literature, exploring textual transmission, hermeneutics, and gender studies within ancient Jewish contexts. She holds a PhD in Judaic Studies from Yale University, with additional degrees from Haverford College and Hebrew University. Education : PhD (Judaic Studies), Yale University MPhil (Judaic Studies), Yale University MA (Judaic Studies), Yale University BA (Religion), Haverford College Visiting Student, Hebrew University Research Interests : Alexander examines Rabbinic texts as dynamic literary and oral artifacts, analyzing ethical frameworks, legal reasoning, and gender roles. She employs orality theory and literary analysis to uncover theological themes and social constructs in works like the Talmud and Mishnah. Awards & Grants : 2022-2024 IHGC Fellowship Repeated Hadassah-Brandeis Research Awards NEH Summer Research Stipend (2001) Grants & Advising : Her work bridges ancient Rabbinic thought with contemporary religious studies, emphasizing interdisciplinarity. She has advised numerous graduate students and led research initiatives on gender and ritual in Jewish law.

Elsje van KesselView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Early Modern Art History
• Italian Art
• Iberian Art
• +6 more

Dr. Elsje van Kessel is a Senior Lecturer in Art History at the University of St Andrews’ School of Art History. She specializes in Western European art within a global context during the 16th–17th centuries, focusing on how art and material culture were valued across time. She holds a PhD (cum laude) from Leiden University (2011) and joined St Andrews in 2012. Her research explores the circulation of art objects in early modern oceans, particularly within the Portuguese maritime empire, and their intersections with empire-building and resource extraction. She has published widely, including her monograph The Lives of Paintings (2017), nominated for the Karel van Manderprijs, and co-edited The Secret Lives of Art Works (2014). Current projects include a second monograph on oceanic art journeys, supported by Leverhulme and Netherlands Institute fellowships. Research Interests: Renaissance Italy/Venice, material culture, global art history, object mobility, art and the ocean Teaching: Modules on early modern art, global art networks, and portraiture Affiliations: Editorial board of ArtHist.net ; member of UK Association for Art History Conference Committee and ARTES board Her work has been recognized through nominations for prestigious awards and grants, including a Leverhulme Trust fellowship. She coordinates the interdisciplinary Talking Things network and actively mentors PhD students in Italian/Iberian art (1500–1700).

Yusen YuView profile

Lecturer

• Islamic Art History
• Medieval Studies
• Persianate Culture
• +5 more

Dr. Yusen Yu is a Lecturer in Iranian Islamic Art History at the School of Art History, University of St Andrews. He joined in 2021 following a research fellowship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. His academic journey includes studies in History, Persian Studies, and Islamic Art History across China, Iran, and the UK, culminating in a PhD from Heidelberg University, Germany. Education: PhD in Islamic Art History, Heidelberg University, Germany Research Fellowship, Corpus Christi College, Oxford Studies in History, Persian Studies, and Islamic Art History (China, Iran, UK) Research Interests: Early and medieval Islamic art and culture, focusing on the Persian-speaking world during the Mongol and Timurid/Turkmen periods Reception of Chinese objects in Persianate contexts Cultural history of the caliphal period (650–1250 CE) Art and technology, comparative medieval studies Teaching: Iranian and Islamic art history (late antiquity to 19th century) Art and culture in Mongol Eurasia and Timurid studies Approaches to book history and cross-cultural medieval comparisons Publications: Dr. Yu’s work explores cross-cultural exchanges, particularly between China and the Islamic world. His articles and chapters analyze material culture, such as Ming-era diplomatic gifts, Persian painting symbolism, and Chinese paper’s impact on Persian book arts. His research bridges historical periods, from the Arab caliphate to Timurid-era artistic innovations. Professional Activities: Invited lectures at Silsila: Center for Material Histories (NYU, 2023) and SOAS, London (2022) Participant in the Iran and Persianate Culture in the Indian Ocean World conference (2022)

Roberta GilchristView profile

Professor

• Medieval Archaeology
• Religious Heritage
• Gender Studies
• +4 more

Roberta Gilchrist is a Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading and holds the role of Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research: Heritage & Creativity). She leads institutional partnerships with the British Museum and specializes in medieval religion, gender studies, and sacred heritage. Her work includes groundbreaking research on Glastonbury Abbey and Norwich Cathedral, emphasizing lived religion, monasticism, and the archaeology of belief. Her research clusters focus on medieval life course, health, and material culture. Key contributions include studies on medieval burial practices, magic, and the social archaeology of death. She has delivered prestigious lectures, including the Rhind Lectures on Sacred Heritage, and her work is widely recognized through awards like the 2016 Archaeologist of the Year. Affiliations: University of Reading, British Museum (Honorary Fellow) Education: DPhil in Archaeology (University of York, 1991) Key Roles: Former Head of Archaeology and Head of School of Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science Her research integrates interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing material culture and gender theory. She advocates for inclusive archaeology, promoting diversity in the field and accessibility in heritage interpretation. Awards: Fellow of the British Academy (2008) Archaeologist of the Year 2016 (Current Archaeology Awards) British Archaeological Award for Best Scholarly Publication (2004-6) Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Objects, Materials and People Research Cluster and the Diet, Health and the Life Course Research Cluster. Leads digital projects like 3D Visualizations of Glastonbury Abbey and public engagement initiatives.

Gabor ThomasView profile

Professor

• Early Medieval Archaeology
• Anglo-Saxon History
• Archaeological Site Excavation
• +3 more

Professor Gabor Thomas is a prominent archaeologist at the University of Reading's Department of Archaeology, specializing in early medieval archaeology and Anglo-Saxon studies. He leads major excavations such as the Cookham monastic site and the Lyminge Project, which explore monastic landscapes and Christianization processes. His research integrates material culture analysis with landscape archaeology, focusing on the interplay between social dynamics, religious transformation, and technological innovation. Director of the Cookham excavations (since 2021), revealing 8th-9th century monastic structures Founding member of the Thames Valley Early Medieval Archaeology Network Editorial roles include Brepols series and Journal of Anglo-Saxon Studies Media features: BBC Radio 4, 'Digging for Britain', The Guardian Research clusters: Objects, Materials and People; Landscape, Climate and Lived Environment His work emphasizes the biography of artifacts and landscapes, such as the analysis of Lyminge's plough coulter and Plumpton Hoard's cultural significance. Current projects investigate monastic foundations, agricultural technology, and Anglo-Scandinavian interactions.

Sarah BrownView profile

Associate Professor

• Consumer Law
• Insolvency Law
• European Legal Harmonization
• +3 more

Dr. Sarah Brown is affiliated with the School of Law at the University of Reading. She previously held the position of Associate Professor at Leeds University's School of Law since 2016. As a qualified solicitor with a PhD completed in 2006, her career bridges legal practice and academia. Her research focuses on consumer protection mechanisms, personal insolvency frameworks, and consumer credit law dynamics. Notable contributions include co-authoring European Insolvency Law Reform and Harmonization (2017) and recent analysis of landmark cases such as Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission in 2024. Dr. Brown maintains an editorial role on Goode (LNUK) . Her scholarship emphasizes transnational legal issues, particularly within EU frameworks, and the intersection of socio-legal practices with consumer rights. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in her profile, though her work reflects sustained engagement with legal reform and comparative law studies.

Beate FrickeView profile

Professor

• Medieval Art History
• Global Art History
• Pre-Modern Art
• +5 more

Professor Beate Fricke is a leading scholar in medieval art history at the University of Bern, directing the Institute of Art History since 2017. Her work focuses on globalizing medieval art studies, challenging Eurocentric narratives through projects like the ERC-funded 'Global Horizons,' which examines pre-modern art across cultures. She holds a professorship in Early Art History and leads the 'Inheritance of Medieval Looting' project funded by the SNSF. Her research interests include medieval sculpture, material culture, and cross-cultural knowledge transfer. Notable contributions include studies on the Feldbach altarpiece and Syrian censers. Fricke earned her doctorate from the University of Trier (2007), taught at UC Berkeley (2009–2016), and held visiting professorships at LMU München and NYU. She is editor-in-chief of 21: Inquiries into Art, History, and the Visual and has authored over 150 publications. Her ERC grant (2018) marked a milestone as the first awarded to a female humanities scholar at Bern. She collaborates with institutions like the Bern Historical Museum and mentors a team including doctoral students and researchers in global art history.

Eyal PolegView profile

Professor

• Material History
• Medieval Religion
• Early Modern Religious History
• +6 more

Eyal Poleg is a Professor of Material History at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), affiliated with the School of History. He leads the AHRC-funded project 'Hidden in Plain Sight: Historical And Scientific Analysis Of Premodern Sacred Books' (2024–2026), which collaborates with historians, scientists, curators, and conservators to develop technologies for studying historical objects. His role includes office hours (Summer Term) and supervision of advanced students. Education: Bachelor's degree in History and Photography Master's in Comparative Religion (Jerusalem) Doctorate in History (London) British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (Edinburgh) Research focuses on how material objects reflect religious practices, particularly in medieval and early modern Europe. Key themes include the Bible's materiality, technological innovation in manuscript studies, and scientific analysis of historical books/amulets. He emphasizes interdisciplinary work, blending traditional history with digital and scientific methods, as seen in projects like 'Digital Editing of Medieval Manuscripts' (ERC-funded) and 'Hands:on' (QMUL-Cambridge collaboration). Scientific Awards: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (Edinburgh) Advising/Grants: Supervises doctoral research in material culture, medieval religious history, and scientific analysis. Leads Collaborative Doctoral Awards with the Museum of London (on religious materiality in London, 1370–1530) and the Cambridge Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology (Islamic amulets study). Major grants include AHRC (2024–2026) and European Research Council support. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with institutions like Cambridge University Library and the Museum of London through projects like 'Hidden in Plain Sight' and 'Hands:on'. Engages in cross-disciplinary teams involving historians, conservators, and scientists.

• Occultism/Contemporary Magic
• Ritual Practice
• Religion and Diversity (Gender, Migration, Identity)
• +3 more

Isis Mrugalla, M.A., is a Junior Researcher at the Institute for the Study of Religions, University of Tübingen since 2022. She is currently completing her PhD on 'Wirklichkeitstechniken: Die Praxis der Chaosmagie als Fallbeispiel magisch arbeitender Netzwerke,' supervised by Prof. Isabel Laack (Tübingen), Prof. Gregor Ahn (Heidelberg), and Prof. Monique Scheer (Tübingen). Her research integrates systemic theory with religious studies to analyze practices of occult networks, focusing on Chaos Magic's reality techniques and infrastructures. Education: M.A. in Study of Religions, Anthropology, and Migration Studies (University of Heidelberg, Basel, Lucerne, 2014-2016); B.A. in Study of Religions, Linguistics, and Cultural Journalism (Heidelberg/Sevilla, 2010-2014). Research interests include contemporary esotericism, ritual practices, religion and diversity, and systemic methodologies. She founded the social enterprise 'Kultur & Gestalt' (2017-2022) for diversity and conflict management. Active in science communication through podcasts, blogs, and projects like RelWissKomm spring school (DVRW-funded). Teaching since 2020 includes courses on Afro-American religions, contemporary ritual magic, and transgressive practices at Universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg. Academic services include Senate Equal Opportunities Commission representation (since 2023) and mentoring in the Athene Program (since 2024).

Marianne Hem EriksenView profile

Associate Professor

• Archaeology
• Viking Age Studies
• Iron Age Studies
• +5 more

Marianne Hem Eriksen is an Associate Professor of Archaeology at the University of Leicester (since 2021) and Principal Investigator of the ERC Starting Grant 'BODY-POLITICS: Death, Personhood and Sexuality in the Iron and Viking Ages'. Her research explores the intersection of human bodies, material culture, and social structures in prehistoric and early medieval Scandinavia. She holds a PhD from the University of Oslo (2015) and has held positions at the University of Cambridge (2017–2019), the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, and the Institute for Archaeology in Oslo. Her research focuses on ritual practices, mortuary archaeology, and gender archaeology, particularly examining how bodies and objects mediated social identities, ideologies, and cosmologies. Notable themes include Viking Age domestic rituals, the role of psychoactive substances in ceremonies, and the posthumanist rethinking of material agency. She has led international collaborations, including a conference on Viking interactions in the Mediterranean, and co-edited volumes on Nordic Bronze Age and Iron Age studies. Eriksen has received prestigious grants such as the ERC Starting Grant (2021–2026) and has supervised doctoral research on topics like burial practices and material culture. Her work bridges archaeological theory with empirical analysis, addressing ethical questions about nonhuman entanglements and the politics of archaeological interpretation.

Jessica LamontView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ancient Greek History
• Greek Religion
• Ancient Medicine
• +7 more

Jessica Lamont is an Assistant Professor of Classics and (by courtesy) History at Yale University, serving as Director of Undergraduate Studies in Classics. She holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (2016) and a B.A. from William & Mary (2008). Her research focuses on Greek religion, medicine, and magic, particularly through epigraphic evidence. She co-leads Yale’s Archaia program and chairs the New Haven chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America. Her work explores healthcare systems in ancient Greece, including medical pluralism, and the social contexts of ritual practices like curse tablets. Recent projects include a book on health and healing in ancient Greece and collaborative excavations in Greece and East Africa. Lamont has received grants from the NEH, ACLS, and others, and teaches courses on Greek history, magic, and medicine. Education: Ph.D. Classics, Johns Hopkins University, 2016 B.A. Classical Studies, The College of William & Mary, 2008 Her research integrates archaeological and textual evidence, emphasizing marginalized voices in ancient societies. Recent courses include co-taught seminars on Graeco-Roman medicine and magic, and a focus on ancient bodily health. She actively engages in archaeological fieldwork and serves on committees for the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.