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Tobias LockerView profile

Professor

• Art History
• Decorative Arts
• Design History
• +7 more

Tobias Locker is a faculty member in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Saint Louis University-Madrid, where he teaches Art History. He holds a Ph.D. from Technische Universität Berlin and is actively engaged in research on decorative arts, cultural transfer, and decolonial perspectives in early modern and modern art. Research Interests: His work centers on the decorative arts and design from the early modern to contemporary periods, with a focus on transnational movements, cultural exchange, and the political dimensions of artistic production. He explores how art forms like rococo, porcelain cabinets, and national revivals contributed to identity construction in Europe and beyond. His scholarship integrates decolonial and ecological critiques into art historical narratives. Publication Trends: His recent publications reveal a sustained interest in royal patronage, craftsmanship transfer, and the ideological uses of art in national and imperial contexts. He frequently examines the mobility of artists and objects across Europe, particularly between France, Spain, Prussia, and the Mediterranean. His work bridges material culture, political history, and aesthetic theory. Visiting scholar at the Instituto de Historia del Arte Argentino y Americano (IHAAA), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina (March - April 2018) Visiting scholar at the Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte, Paris (May - July 2017) Visiting scholar at the Bard Graduate Center, New York City (May 2016) Visiting scholar at the Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte, Paris (July - Sept. 2006) Doctoral award of the Studienwerk Villigst (April 2007 - May 2010) Pre-doctoral award of the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (Nov. 1999 - Oct. 2002) Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, Dr. Locker has received significant research support through prestigious visiting scholar programs and German academic fellowships. His work has been hosted by institutions such as the Bard Graduate Center and the Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte, indicating strong international recognition and collaborative engagement. He has contributed to edited volumes and special journal issues, often in leadership roles. Labs and Teams: Dr. Locker participates in international scholarly networks, including collaborations with the Museo Reina Sofía, Universitat de Barcelona, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. He has co-organized academic events and contributed to collective research projects on Cold War art and Francoist cultural policy, demonstrating active involvement in trans-institutional academic communities.

Patricia BlessingView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ottoman Architecture
• Material Politics
• Medieval Architecture
• +3 more

Patricia Blessing is an Assistant Professor of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University. Her research focuses on Ottoman architecture, material politics, and transregional cultural connections. She authored Architecture and Material Politics in the Fifteenth-century Ottoman Empire (Cambridge University Press, 2022), examining the empire's architectural developments from the 1380s to the early 16th century. Her work bridges gaps in scholarship on the late medieval to early modern transition, emphasizing continuities post-1453 Constantinople conquest. Her earlier book, Rebuilding Anatolia after the Mongol Conquest: Islamic Architecture in the Lands of Rūm, 1240-1330 (2014), laid groundwork for her current interests. Current research explores interior design processes and object-building relationships, utilizing sensory art history methodologies. She is conducting fieldwork in Istanbul, analyzing extant buildings and dispersed artifacts. Blessing’s work connects Ottoman architectural practices to broader networks linking Venice, Cairo, Damascus, and Central Asian cities like Samarqand. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates political economy, intellectual history, and material analysis to contextualize architectural developments within imperial expansion and cultural exchange.

Diane WinstonView profile

Professor

• Religion
• Media Studies
• Politics
• +4 more

Diane Winston is a Professor of Journalism and Communication and the Knight Center Chair in Media and Religion at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School. She also affiliates with the Center on Public Diplomacy. Her expertise bridges religion, media, American history, and politics. Winston is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and author of influential books like Righting the American Dream (2023) and Red-Hot and Righteous (1999). She organizes conferences on topics such as religion in media, public diplomacy, and the intersection of gender and faith. Education: Winston holds a PhD in Religion from Princeton University, an MS in Journalism from Columbia University, and a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School. Research focuses on religion's role in media narratives, particularly its impact on political identity and popular culture. Her work analyzes how media shapes perceptions of religious groups, as seen in studies of the Salvation Army, Reagan-era evangelism, and reality TV's portrayal of faith. Awards include multiple Visions and Voices awards for interdisciplinary projects. She leads the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future initiative at Bryn Mawr College and regularly speaks on topics like Christian nationalism and media's historical influence. Teaching includes directed research courses (JOUR 490x and 590). She advises on reporting religious issues and collaborates with institutions like the Vatican on public diplomacy strategies.

• Medieval Art
• Norwegian Church Art
• Cultural Heritage
• +7 more

Margrethe C. Stang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Media Studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Humanities. Her work focuses on medieval Norwegian art, particularly painting and sculpture from the High Middle Ages (c. 1200–1350), with a strong emphasis on religious imagery, patronage, and cultural heritage. Her research interests include: Medieval church art and iconography St. Olav and royal saint representations Function of religious imagery in liturgical practice Patronage in medieval Norway Antisemitism and representation of minorities in medieval art Altar frontals and stave church furnishings Interdisciplinary approaches combining art history, archaeology, and theology Her recent publications reveal a consistent scholarly engagement with medieval Scandinavian art, particularly through themes of cultural identity, religious symbolism, and visual polemics. She has edited and contributed to key anthologies such as The Medieval Scandinavian Art Reader and has published extensively on topics like the manticore in Urnes stave church and the representation of Jews and Muslims in Norwegian church art. She has supervised numerous master’s students whose theses focus on medieval art, church furnishings, and cultural heritage. Notable students include Alexander Asphaug Rauboti, Morten Spjøtvold, and Siv Brobakken. Her scientific contributions are complemented by active public dissemination, including participation in the grubleseminar series and regular commentary in journals such as Fortidsvern and Aftenposten . She also serves as Chairman of the Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum's foundation board, underscoring her leadership in cultural heritage preservation. She teaches courses on European art and architecture from antiquity to the modern era and continues to mentor students on topics related to Nidaros Cathedral, medieval sculpture, and 19th-century restorations.

Karen JacobsView profile

Associate Professor

• Pacific Art
• Anthropology
• Museum Studies
• +17 more

Karen Jacobs is Associate Professor at the Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, University of East Anglia. Her research spans art history, anthropology, and museum studies with a focus on the Pacific region, particularly Fiji and West Papua. She leads major international research projects and is actively involved in exhibitions, publications, and public engagement. Her research interests include Pacific art, museum anthropology, decolonisation of ethnographic museums, female tattooing (veiqia), fibre skirts (liku), missionary heritage, urban youth culture, and climate change. She applies interdisciplinary methodologies to explore how cultural objects and identities are shaped through colonial and postcolonial encounters. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward re-evaluating museum collections, emphasizing Indigenous agency, cultural resilience, and the role of art in sustainable development. Themes of transnationalism, visibility, and heritage repatriation are central across her work. CHASE PGR Engagement Pilot Project Transforming Education Awards: PhD Research Supervisor of the Year (2024) UEA Engagement Awards – Special Recognition (2022) UEA Innovation and Impact Awards – Finalist (2018) She supervises PhD students globally and has contributed to curatorial projects such as Pacific Encounters and Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific . She is Principal Investigator on the British Academy-funded Urban Pathways: Fiji. Youth. Arts. Culture project, which explores sustainable employment in cultural heritage for youth. Her editorial roles include membership on the board of Journal de la Société des Océanistes and participation in the AHRC Peer Review College. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable communities, quality education, and climate action. She is actively involved in networks focused on cross-cultural heritage and museum ethics.

• Modern Jewish Thought
• Political Theology
• Modern Intellectual History
• +3 more

Itamar Ben Ami is an Affiliated Researcher at the Dubnow Institute and a member of the focal project »Turning Object into Subject. Communicating Jewish Everyday Culture in Germany.« His work bridges the intersections of modernity, religion, state, and secularism in the 20th century, with a focus on Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish political theology. Education : PhD from Hebrew University of Jerusalem; graduate of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva world. Awards : Recipient of Posen Society of Fellows, Minerva Stiftung, and Rothschild Post-doctoral Fellowships. Teaching : Former research fellow and lecturer at Humboldt University of Berlin. Research interests center on Modern Jewish Thought , Political Theology , and Religion-State Dynamics . His recent work explores Jewish material culture, such as the kippah's symbolic role in public spaces. He contributes to projects analyzing Jewish burial practices and Habsburg-era trafficking investigations, though these are collaborative efforts rather than his sole authorship.

Edward M. Perez Jr.View profile

Senior Lecturer

• nature of abstract objects
• Moral Argument
• Problem of Evil
• +3 more

Edward M. Perez Jr. serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies within the College of Humanities at Coastal Carolina University, teaching courses including Metaphysics, Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, Ethics and Technology, Business Ethics, and Argumentative Writing. His academic background features: Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Florida (dissertation: existence and nature of propositions and logical structure of language) Master's in Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder Master's in Philosophy of Religion from Denver Seminary Dr. Perez's research centers on abstract ontology, the Moral Argument for God's existence, and the Problem of Evil, situated within analytic metaphysics and philosophy of religion. His scholarly focus bridges theological concepts with ethical frameworks, particularly examining how religious commitments inform moral reasoning in contemporary contexts.

• Literary Theory
• Aesthetics
• Film Theory
• +3 more

Dr. Joseph Fulop (born 1979) is an Associate Professor at Károli Gáspár University's Faculty of Humanities, specializing in German Language and Literature. His research spans literary theory, aesthetics, film history, and translation studies. He holds a PhD in Aesthetics (ELTE, 2012) and MAs in German Studies (KRE) and Aesthetics (ELTE). Fulop's research focuses on interdisciplinary intersections: literary aesthetics, film philosophy, music perception (notably Arvo Pärt), and techno-aesthetics. His work critically engages with German Romanticism, documentary cinema (e.g., Werner Herzog), and the ontology of artistic forms. He received the Publication of the Year award (KRE, 2022) and founded the Hyperion Translation Workshop, mentoring emerging translators. As co-editor of journals like Orpheus Noster and Vallástudományi Szemle , he supports scholarly discourse in humanities. Fulop leads the Philosopher Workshop at the Hungarian Protestant Education Foundation and organizes international conferences (e.g., Inspirationen series). His translations include works by Rudolf Kassner, Karl Löwith, and Günter Eich, bridging German/Hungarian literary cultures.

• 19th Century American Literature
• 20th Century American Literature
• Literature of the American South
• +5 more

Katalin G. Kallay is an Associate Professor at the Department of English Literatures and Cultures within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. She specializes in 19th-20th century American literature, with focus areas including Southern U.S. writers (Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor), Holocaust literature, and philosophical-literary intersections. Her education includes a PhD in American Literature from KU Leuven (2001) and an MA in English/Hungarian from Eötvös Loránd University (1988). Research interests span: American Modernism and Southern Gothic traditions Literary responses to historical trauma Cross-cultural analysis of Central European and American narratives Philosophical dimensions of short fiction Publication trends reflect deep engagement with American authors (Hawthorne, Melville, O'Connor) through literary criticism exploring moral ambiguity, cultural identity, and narrative techniques. Recent work increasingly examines Hungarian literature and translation theory. Awards include a Certificate of Distinction from the university rector (2014). She leads the KREative Workshop for student writers and has organized 8+ international conferences including ‘The Arts of Attention’ (2013) and ‘Witnesses to the Echo’ Holocaust symposium. Advising activities include editing 10+ student publications and directing translation projects like Aranka Siegal’s Scapegoats .

• Cultural Heritage Documentation
• 3D Modeling
• Architectural Accessibility
• +3 more

Sara Antinozzi is a Researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, where she previously obtained her PhD in "Risk and Sustainability in Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Systems". She holds a degree in Building Engineering-Architecture and is actively engaged in research related to cultural heritage documentation and accessibility. Her educational background includes a PhD in Risk and Sustainability in Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Systems from the University of Salerno and a degree in Building Engineering-Architecture. Dr. Antinozzi's research focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and cultural heritage preservation, with particular emphasis on accessibility solutions for diverse audiences. She specializes in 3D modeling techniques, photogrammetry applications for small artifacts, and developing visuo-tactile tools for architectural communication. Her work bridges traditional architectural documentation methods with innovative digital approaches to enhance the understanding and accessibility of cultural heritage sites. She has conducted significant research on structured-light scanning for ornament digitization, HBIM (Historic Building Information Modeling) applications, and developing low-cost solutions for detailed cultural heritage documentation. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward developing practical, accessible technologies for cultural heritage documentation. The research spans from high-resolution scanning of small artifacts using USB microscopes to creating tactile reproductions of religious heritage for visually impaired visitors. A significant portion of her work addresses the challenges of documenting complex surfaces and reflective materials, developing specialized methodologies to overcome these obstacles. Her research also shows strong alignment with Horizon Europe initiatives, particularly in developing digital-based communication strategies to break down cultural barriers in museum settings. Dr. Antinozzi is associated with the Modeling Laboratory at the University of Salerno's Fisciano Campus, where she conducts her research and holds reception hours for students. Her work involves interdisciplinary collaboration with various research teams focused on cultural heritage documentation and accessibility solutions.

Francesca Dell'AcquaView profile

Associate Professor

• Early Medieval Mediterranean
• Cultural History
• Transmission of Ideas
• +3 more

Associate Professor Francesca Dell'Acqua teaches Medieval and Byzantine Art History at University of Salerno , with affiliations at the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz as an Associate Scholar . Her work bridges art history and cultural transmission across medieval Mediterranean societies. PhD from Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa Specializes in material culture and visual communication as historical records Her research explores how medieval elites projected authority through artistic patronage , liturgical texts , and architectural symbolism , with particular focus on gender dynamics and soft power mechanisms . Publications analyze stained glass , ivory carvings , and Christian homiletics as interconnected media of cultural memory. The Kunsthistorisches Institut (Max Planck Society) has supported her ivory object studies , while her 2020 monograph on Roman iconophilia examines political-theological intersections in image use. Scientific Recognition 2003 Hahn Prize (Bibliotheca Hertziana) Multiple fellowships (Dumbarton Oaks, Birmingham's Byzantine Centre) As a transdisciplinary scholar, she investigates how medieval 'mass media' – sermons, artworks, and manuscripts – shaped collective consciousness and power structures.

Barbara HausmairView profile

Associate Professor

• Historical Archaeology
• Social Archaeology
• Landscape Archaeology
• +6 more

Dr. Barbara Hausmair is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Archaeology , University of Innsbruck , where she leads the Department of Medieval and Modern Archaeology . Her research spans historical archaeology , social identity studies , and burial practices from the early Middle Ages to the present, with a focus on Central Europe. Education : PhD in Prehistory and Early History (2013, University of Vienna), Habilitation (2024, University of Innsbruck) Research Themes : Archaeology of the Nazi era (conflict legacy, forced labor camps, memory discourse) Critical archaeology (interdisciplinary methodologies, ethics in historical research) Computer-aided methods (GIS, statistical modeling, databases) Her 2024 Habilitation thesis explores identity formation during crises, building on projects like the documentation of Nazi prisoner tokens and Natzweiler camp evaluations . She has held funded positions at institutions including the Free University of Berlin and University of Konstanz . Scientific awards include the Erwin Wenzel Prize (2014) and Grete Mostny Dissertation Prize (2014). Her work often intersects with bioarchaeology , landscape archaeology , and archaeology of modernity . She supervises theses on topics like early medieval cemeteries , GIS mapping , and Nazi camp archaeology , and contributes to editorial boards of journals like Forum Critical Archaeology and Contributions to Medieval and Modern Archaeology in Austria .

Jessica MaratsosView profile

Associate Professor

• Italian Renaissance art
• Early Modern material culture
• Intermedial exchange
• +4 more

Dr. Jessica Maratsos is an Associate Professor of Italian in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies at the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics, University of Cambridge. With a PhD from Columbia University (2014), she is affiliated with Pembroke College and specializes in Italian Renaissance art. Her research explores intersections between visual and material culture, religious practice, gender, and the body. Current Position: Associate Professor at University of Cambridge Previous Appointments: American University of Paris, Columbia University, Harvard University Research Focus: Renaissance visual culture, relic mobility, gender studies, text-image relationships Her scholarly work examines how religious artifacts like reliquaries facilitated transnational cultural exchange in early modern Europe. She has published extensively on Pontormo, Michelangelo, and Vittoria Colonna, analyzing their contributions to Renaissance devotion and artistic theory. Recent research includes studies on: Global movement of sacred objects Epistemologies of the body in Renaissance art Poetry-image dynamics in Christian devotion Medici court politics in 16th-century Tuscany

• Medieval German Literature
• Mysticism
• Devotional Practices
• +6 more

Professor Henrike Laehnemann is a distinguished academic at Newcastle University specializing in Medieval German literature, mysticism, and devotional practices of the Late Middle Ages. Her research focuses on Northern German monastic communities, particularly the Medingen convent, examining manuscript production, liturgical reforms, and the material culture of religious texts. Her scholarly interests encompass Medieval German Literature , Mysticism , and Devotional Practices with particular emphasis on female monastic communities. Laehnemann's work reveals intricate connections between textual production, sensory spirituality, and institutional reform in pre-Reformation Northern Europe. She employs interdisciplinary methodologies combining codicology, linguistic analysis, and religious studies to investigate how convents functioned as intellectual centers. Analysis of her publication record shows consistent focus on manuscript materiality , bilingual text production , and sensory aspects of medieval devotion . Her research demonstrates how Northern German convents actively shaped religious discourse through innovative textual and visual practices, particularly evident in studies of the Medingen community's unique devotional manuscripts. Professor Laehnemann has established herself as a leading authority on late medieval German religious literature through her meticulous editions and contextual analyses of primary sources. Her work bridges historical, literary, and theological approaches to illuminate the vibrant intellectual culture of Northern European monastic communities during periods of significant religious transformation.

Drew ChastainView profile

Visiting Assistant Professor

• Philosophy of Spirituality
• Philosophy of Life Meaning
• Philosophy of Humor
• +5 more

Drew Chastain is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Loyola University New Orleans. His research focuses on spirituality and meaning in life, bridging religious and secular perspectives. He explores how humor, ethics, cultural traditions, and personal connections intersect with these themes. Ph.D., Tulane University Dr. Chastain's work spans philosophy of spirituality, meaning in life, applied ethics, and philosophy of humor. He examines Lakota traditions, William James’ secularism, and existential questions through lenses like MST3K. His recent articles address self-acceptance humor, life extension, and the subjective nature of personal meaning. His publications include analyses of humor’s role in existential absurdity, sacredness in secular terms, and critiques of Bernard Williams’ views on immortality. He also reviews transhumanist debates and advocates for moderate technological experimentation. Contact: chastain@loyno.edu | Personal Website