Dr David Pratt is a Fellow in History at Downing College, University of Cambridge , where he also serves as Archivist and Keeper of Art and Artefacts. His academic career focuses on early medieval political thought and court culture, particularly in Anglo-Saxon England and the Carolingian world. Academic Rank: Research Fellow Honors: FRHistS (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society) Research Interests center on the political ideology of King Alfred the Great, the origins of English coronation rituals, and broader themes of kingship, law, and social order in the later Anglo-Saxon period. His comparative approach highlights interactions between Anglo-Saxon and European medieval traditions. Recent Publications include English Coronation Ordines in the Ninth and Early Tenth Centuries (2023) and studies on Alfredian texts, taxation systems, and monastic reform. These works emphasize textual analysis, royal authority, and cross-cultural influences. Scientific Awards: FRHistS
Professor Alberto Rigolio is a scholar of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University, specializing in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Roman and Late Antique periods. He focuses on Syriac literature, Greco-Roman intellectual traditions, and the reception of classical texts in early Christian and Islamic contexts. Rigolio holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University and has held prestigious fellowships at Harvard, Princeton, and All Souls College, Oxford. He serves as Chair of the Board of Examiners at Durham and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His research explores the transformation of classical dialogue forms in late antiquity, the transmission of Greek texts into Syriac and Arabic, and the cultural intersections between Greco-Roman, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Key works include Christians in Conversation (Oxford UP, 2019), which examines late antique dialogue literature, and a forthcoming book on the emergence of Syriac literature supported by British Academy and Princeton IAS fellowships. Education: BA/Milan, D.Phil./Oxford, Postdoctoral Fellowships at Harvard and Princeton Affiliations: Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Durham Rigolio's articles analyze Syriac translations of Aristotelian works, Plutarch, and Themistius, revealing how Greco-Roman thought was adapted to meet religious and cultural needs. His projects include studies on Syriac rhetoric, the Roman household in late antique conflicts, and para-biblical narratives. He supervises postdoctoral researchers and PhD students on topics ranging from Syriac literary culture to late antique religious identity. Awards: British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2024), All Souls College Visiting Fellowship (2024) Grants: Leverhulme Trust, British Academy, American Philosophical Society He directs research labs examining Syriac intellectual culture and co-ordinates interdisciplinary projects on late antique translation movements. Rigolio is actively involved in public outreach, offering talks on Roman religion, Palmyrene military identity, and the Graeco-Syro-Arabic textual tradition.
Jacqueline Vayntrub is an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Yale University's Yale Divinity School (YDS). Her expertise spans the Hebrew Bible, wisdom literature, biblical poetry, philology, and the reception history of biblical scholarship. She holds a PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago (2015), along with earlier degrees from UCLA and Hebrew University. Dr. Vayntrub’s research examines biblical genres within ancient Near Eastern literary contexts, focusing on how textual values evolve through transmission and reception. Her first monograph, Beyond Orality: Biblical Poetry on its Own Terms (Routledge, 2019), critiques scholarly assumptions about biblical poetry’s oral origins. Her current projects include Reframing Biblical Poetry (Yale U.P.) and Seeking Eternity , exploring transmission and mortality in biblical texts. She directs the international Renewed Philology working group and chairs SBL units in Hebrew Bible and philology. Vayntrub has published widely in journals like Harvard Theological Review and Catholic Bible Quarterly , and her work has been reviewed at prestigious institutions including Yale and NYU. She received a 2019-20 Katz Center fellowship for her Seeking Eternity project. Her academic service includes organizing conferences at Yale, Harvard, and Princeton, and editorial roles for Studies in Cultural Contexts of the Bible . Her teaching and scholarship emphasize critical engagement with ancient texts and their enduring cultural impact.
Devin Stauffer is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin . Holding a Ph.D. from Boston College, he specializes in classical and early modern political philosophy, with a focus on Plato, Thomas Hobbes, and Leo Strauss. His career spans teaching roles at Kenyon College and St. John's College prior to joining UT Austin in 2004. Education: Ph.D., Boston College Professor Stauffer's research explores intersections of ancient and modern political thought, examining themes like justice, rhetoric, democracy, and the theological-political problem. His recent scholarly work continues to engage deeply with Strauss's interpretations of Hobbes, Locke, and classical texts. Key trends in his publications include: Interpretations of Strauss's correspondence and lectures Critical analyses of Hobbes's ethical and theological foundations Comparative studies of Socratic thinkers in classical texts Reconsideration of Locke's political conscience Debates on classical vs. modern approaches to natural right Scientific Awards : Two Teaching Excellence Awards at Kenyon College Three Teaching Awards at University of Texas Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation Fellowship (2013-14, Munich) He has taught courses including Machiavelli's Discourses , Socratic Political Philosophy , and Classical Quest for Justice . His visiting appointment at Harvard (2018) underscores his scholarly impact in political philosophy circles.
Vicente Cervera Salinas is a Professor of Spanish Literature at the University of Murcia, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Department of Spanish Literature, Literary Theory and Comparative Literature. He has been a full professor since 2004 and specializes in Latin American literature, intertextuality, and literary theory. His research interests include: Spanish and Latin American Literature Comparative Literature and Intertextuality Poetry and the Essay as Literary Genres Classical Mythology and its Modern Reinterpretations Aesthetic Criticism and Cultural Memory Philosophical Dimensions in Literature His scholarly and creative work reflects deep engagement with figures like Jorge Luis Borges, Dante Alighieri, and George Santayana. His publications span poetry, critical essays, and editorial projects, often exploring the intersections between literature, philosophy, and cultural identity. The themes across his recent articles reveal a consistent focus on myth, authorship, and transatlantic literary traditions, particularly in Hispanic contexts. He has received recognition including the Second Prize in the America Poetry Prize (1993). He co-directs the journal Cartaphilus: Revista de investigación y crítica estética and has directed the Humanities Classroom at the University of Murcia. He served as president of the Association of Hispanic American Literary Studies (2014–2018). He has supervised at least one doctoral thesis and has been a visiting professor at institutions in Havana, San José (Costa Rica), Buenos Aires, and Vienna. His academic leadership includes editing multi-volume works on literary figures and movements, contributing significantly to the study of Hispanic intellectual and aesthetic traditions. He leads the research group Plural Scriptures: Intertextuality and Interdisciplinarity , continuing to influence both literary scholarship and creative writing in Spain and Latin America.
Curry Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of English at Texas A&M University, joining the faculty in 2023. He specializes in rhetorical education, rhetoric and religion, and the history of rhetoric with a focus on early modern periods. His current book project, *Grace and Skill: Religion and the Arts of Language in Early Modern England*, examines the intersection of piety and linguistic training from 1500–1650. Education: M.A. and Ph.D. in English, Penn State University (2021) B.A. in English and Creative Writing, University of Arkansas (2015) Research emphasizes rhetorical spirituality, connections between religious practice and language arts, and the pedagogical dimensions of early modern texts. His work spans Augustine, Erasmus, Milton, and Emerson, analyzing how religious frameworks shaped persuasive techniques and educational practices. Recent publications explore Augustinian depression, Erasmian pedagogy, Emerson’s provocative obscurity, and Milton’s national ethos. Professional roles include At-Large member of the American Society for the History of Rhetoric Steering Committee, discipline representative for the Renaissance Society of America, and faculty fellow for Texas A&M’s Honors Academy, where he teaches themes of Respect, Excellence, and Leadership.
Paul Downes is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Toronto, with a focus on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American literature and its intersection with political philosophy. He holds a BA from York University and a PhD from Cornell University. His research spans literature and political philosophy, Marxist theory, and environmental humanities, often analyzing canonical texts through critical theoretical frameworks. Education: BA, York University; PhD, Cornell University Fields of Interest: American Literature, Environmental Humanities, Literary and Critical Theory, Literature and Political Philosophy, Marxist Theory Downes’ research examines the relationship between literary works and political ideologies, particularly in early American literature. His recent work explores the politics and aesthetics of protection from the 18th to 21st centuries. His publications highlight themes of sovereignty, democracy, and ethical intervention in texts by authors like Herman Melville and Charles Brockden Brown. His journal articles and book chapters frequently bridge literary analysis with philosophical and political discourse. Notable trends in his publications include critical engagements with Thomas Hobbes’ theories in colonial contexts, the role of political theology in shaping early American narratives, and the interplay between democracy and terror in Gothic fiction. His work also interrogates energy ideologies in Melville’s Moby Dick and historical parallels between revolutionary texts and modern events. No scientific awards or honors were mentioned in the provided text. He has not explicitly listed any formal advisees or students in the available materials.
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Stauffer holds the Professorship for Modern German Literature at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt , where she also serves as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature and Deputy Director of the Center for Religion, Church, and Society in Change (ZRKG) . She co-leads the ZRKG Research Field III on "Religiosity in Contemporary Transformation Processes" and examines intersections of literature with gender/queer studies , postcolonial theory , and cultural history of gallantry . Studied at University of Zurich and Humboldt University Berlin Doctorate (2006) and Habilitation (2015) from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Previously held positions at Goethe University Frankfurt, Philipps University Marburg, and Saarland University Her research spans early modern to contemporary German literature , with specializations in intermediality (film, digital media), epistolary culture , and dandyism/fashion history . Current projects include organizing the 2025 IVG congress panel "Figures of Crisis – Crisis of the Figure" and editing the complete works of Aurora von Königsmarck. She has published extensively on topics including: Postcolonial transformations in early modern texts Religious discourse in contemporary literature Intermedia reflexivity in digital age narratives Queer performativity in historical and modern contexts Translation as cultural transfer mechanism Surface aesthetics in cinema and art
Anne-Lise François is an Associate Professor in the Departments of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned her PhD in Comparative Literature from Princeton University. Her work bridges 18th- and 19th-century British literature with contemporary environmental humanities, focusing on themes of ecological ethics, literary minimalism, and non-productive temporalities. Current research explores pastoral worldliness and commons-based economies in Romantic and modernist texts. Key scholarly contributions include her prize-winning book *Open Secrets: The Literature of Uncounted Experience* (2007), which examines 'affirmative reticence' in works by Jane Austen, Mme de Lafayette, and Emily Dickinson. Her recent projects address climate crisis narratives, food politics, and the intersection of aesthetic theory with ecological urgency. Teaching emphasizes transhistorical literary studies and environmental criticism Active in interdisciplinary collaborations across literature, philosophy, and environmental science Current book project: *Provident Improvisers: Parables of Subsistence from Wordsworth to Benjamin* Her writing synthesizes close textual analysis with broader socio-ecological frameworks, challenging Enlightenment models of productivity and advocating for 'recessive fulfillment' in both art and life.
Mohammad Fazlhashemi is a Professor of Islamic Theology and Philosophy at Uppsala University's Department of Theology (Systematic Theology). His work bridges Islamic intellectual traditions with contemporary issues like democracy, environmental ethics, and interreligious dialogue. Current affiliations: Uppsala University, Faculty of Theology Key research areas: Islamic political philosophy, ecotheology, gender in Islam, and theological responses to modernity Email: mohammad.fazlhashemi@teol.uu.se Recent publications highlight trends in Islamic ecoethics (e.g., Islamic Ecotheology , 2025), critical analysis of classical texts (e.g., Critical-constructive interpretation of Islamic documents , 2024), and political theology (e.g., Justifying political decisions through theological arguments , 2016). His scholarship often engages comparative frameworks, as seen in works like Occidentalism (2005) and Shiʿite Salafism? (2022). Mohammad Fazlhashemi's impact spans both academic and public discourse, with contributions to debates on Islam and modernity in outlets like Expressen and Svenska Dagbladet . His co-authored book Visdomens hus: Muslimska idévärldar 600 - 2000 (2017) demonstrates his interest in Islamic intellectual history across eras.
Jamie H. Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Houston, with a cross-appointment to the Honors College. He specializes in Renaissance and early modern literature, focusing on intersections between biblical hermeneutics, literary poetics, and translation theory. Renaissance Literature Shakespeare Studies Biblical Translation Great Books Tradition His research explores how theological debates shaped vernacular literary production in Early Modern Europe, with particular attention to textual materiality and interconfessional dialogues. Ferguson's publication record spans Latin, Italian, French, Polish, and English contexts. Recent projects include the annotated translation of Joachim du Bellay's Deffence et illustration de la langue françoyse and a forthcoming book on European Biblical Poetics . He has received multiple Martha Gano Houstoun Research Grants and been recognized with Honors College lecture awards.
Joseph Roso is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, specializing in the practices and political activities of religious congregations and leaders. His work examines how religious institutions adapt to 21st-century challenges, including technological integration and political polarization. Roso holds a PhD from Duke University, where he also completed his MA, and a BA from Vanderbilt University, all in Sociology. He teaches courses on quantitative methods, multivariate statistics, and sociological principles. His research focuses on congregational adaptation, clergy activism, and the intersection of religion and politics. Education: PhD in Sociology, Duke University MA in Sociology, Duke University BA in Sociology, Vanderbilt University Roso's research interests center on religious organizations' responses to societal changes, including technology adoption (e.g., streaming services pre-pandemic), political polarization impacts, and clergy-lay dynamics. His recent studies highlight tensions between religious leaders and their congregants on political issues, as well as institutional disaffiliation trends in denominations like the United Methodist Church. His articles analyze topics ranging from evangelical rhetoric on immigration to clergy political activism, leveraging data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders. He has contributed to debates on congregational technological readiness and worship practice evolution. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with projects like the National Congregations Study and National Survey of Religious Leaders, emphasizing large-scale survey methodologies to map religious institutional trends.
Toril Aalberg is a Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology and Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. She was previously Head of the same department from 2017-2021 and serves as Guest Professor at Mid Sweden University in 2024-2025. Aalberg is a member of the research networks NEPOCS (Network of European Political Communication Scholars) and EVPOC (Elections, Values and Political Communication). Her research interests include comparative politics , election campaigns , media effects , public opinion , and stereotypes in political contexts. She has led major projects like the COST Action IS1308: Populist Political Communication in Europe (2014-2018). Toril Aalberg has authored or co-authored 9 books, including Populist Political Communication in Europe (2016) and Communicating Populism (2019). Her recent articles focus on misinformation during crises , media’s role in political efficacy , and cross-national disinformation studies , often analyzing data from 17-19 democracies. She has conducted extensive research on media polarization , immigrant attitudes , and news consumption patterns . Aalberg has held visiting appointments at institutions including the University of California, Berkeley , Stanford University , and University of Oslo , with current affiliations at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Oslo and Mid Sweden University . Her work spans political communication theory , media sociology , and democratic processes .
Simon Gathercole is a Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Divinity. He serves as Director of Studies in Theology at Fitzwilliam College and holds editorial roles for Journal for the Study of the New Testament , Early Christianity , and New Testament Studies . His research focuses on New Testament interpretation, early Christian-Jewish relations, and Christological doctrines. Education: Bachelor's in Classics and Theology from Cambridge PhD under James Dunn at Durham University Short-term studies at University of Tübingen and Jewish Theological Seminary, New York Research Interests: Explores connections between New Testament texts and contemporary literature, specializing in Pauline studies, Gospel christology, and apocryphal writings. Current projects include early views on eschatological timing and substitutionary atonement theory. Recent Work Trends: Recent articles engage with Pauline syntax in 1 Thessalonians, Lukan parables' eschatology, and inscriptions' utility for NT studies. Maintains focus on manuscript titles and Gnostic texts' theological implications. Advising & Grants: Supervises doctoral research in Pauline theology and extra-canonical Gospels. Active in editorial work shaping NT scholarship through journal curation. Labs/Teams: Leads Cambridge's Divinity Faculty research initiatives, collaborating on projects like the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae .
Sangeeta Kamat is a Grace Lee Boggs Faculty Fellow at the Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research, and Program Coordinator for International Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a joint affiliation with the Department of Educational Policy, Research & Administration (EPRA). Her academic journey includes a B.A. from Sophia College (Bombay, India, 1985), an M.A. from the Tata Institute of Social Science (1988), and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh (1998). Kamat’s research focuses on globalization’s impact on education systems, critical theory applications in policy analysis, gender dynamics in educational access, and South Asian sociopolitical contexts. She critiques neoliberal educational reforms, multinational edu-businesses, and NGO roles in development. Her work often intersects with questions of equity, power structures, and postcolonial theory. Her recent publications (2018–2023) emphasize privatization trends in education for marginalized populations, NGO discourse in neoliberal frameworks, and global development architectures. Earlier work (2000–2014) explored World Bank policies, urbanization’s educational implications, and postcolonial contradictions. She has consistently challenged hegemonic narratives in development and education through interdisciplinary lenses. Kamat’s grants and advising activities are reflected in her focus areas, though specific details are not provided in the text. She contributes to laboratories/teams focused on racial justice, youth engagement, and international educational equity through her center’s initiatives.
