Kandace D. Hollenbach is an Associate Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and serves as Associate Curator of Paleoethnobotany at the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture. Her research focuses on prehistoric foodways, foraging strategies, and the transition to agriculture in the eastern United States, particularly in Tennessee. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis. Her work integrates paleoethnobotanical analysis with archaeological excavation, exploring how ancient communities interacted with landscapes, managed resources, and developed agricultural practices. Notable contributions include studies on Late Archaic and Woodland period food systems, early gatherer strategies, and the cultural implications of shifting subsistence patterns. Hollenbach has held leadership roles including President of the Southeastern Archaeological Conference (2022-2024) and Tennessee Council for Professional Archaeology. Her 2012 C.B. Moore Award recognizes exceptional contributions to southeastern archaeology. Current research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to reconstructing prehistoric diets and land-use patterns through botanical remains and isotopic analysis.
Dr. Michael Elliott is a Professor at Towson University in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Emory University (2008), an M.A. in Sociology from San Jose State University (2001), and a B.A. in Sociology from San Jose State University (1993). His research focuses on globalization, sociological theory, cultural analysis, and intersections between religion and popular culture. Globalization World History Cultural Sociology Religious Studies Popular Culture Studies Current projects examine Hurtful Heritage as UNESCO World Heritage and Unmasking the Sacred in Popular Culture through Comic-Con fan communities. Recent publications in Transformative Works and Cultures (2025) and Journal of Fandom Studies (2021) explore sacred dimensions in fan devotion and cultural hybridization. His work spans topics like craft beer rationalization (2017) and transnational cultural heritage (2018). Contact: melliott@towson.edu | Phone: 410-704-2539 | Office: CLA, Room 3358.
Professor Mikael Adolphson is the Keidanren Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES). He holds academic affiliations with Trinity College as a Fellow and Director of Studies. Previously, he served at the University of Alberta as Professor of Japanese Cultural Studies and Harvard University as an Assistant/Associate Professor of Japanese History. Education: B.A. in History from Lund University (1984), studied Japanese at Stockholm University, and earned a Ph.D. from Stanford University (1995). His research focuses on medieval Japanese history, Buddhism, economic history, and the construction of historical narratives. Current projects include Sino-Japanese trade in the 12th century and a translation/digitization project for the Azuma Kagami . Research Interests: Medieval Japanese society, monastic warriors, Sino-Japanese trade, historical document analysis, and the intersection of religion and power. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending Annales School methods with East Asian studies. Teaching: Offers courses ranging from introductory East Asian Studies to advanced seminars on medieval Japanese history and literature. Advising/Grants: Supervises graduate students in premodern/modern Japanese history, Buddhism, and cultural studies. Notable current advisees include Thomas Booth (Tokusei Protests), Andrew Fischer (Loyalty in 16th-century Japan), and Mirko Winckel (Tōji temple's role in medieval Japan). Publications: Authored influential books such as The Teeth and Claws of the Buddha and Lovable Losers: The Heike in Action and Memory , with over 60 articles and book chapters on topics like monastic influence, medieval trade, and religious violence.
Dr. Stephen Plant is Dean and Runcie Fellow at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, and lectures in Christian theology and ethics within the Faculty of Divinity. His academic work focuses on 20th-century Protestant theology, Karl Barth, theology and international development, and political theology. Plant has authored and edited influential books, including Bonhoeffer (2004) and The SPCK Introduction to Simone Weil (2007). He previously edited Theology journal (2007–2013) and is currently writing a book on theology and international development for Bloomsbury Press. His research bridges theology with contemporary issues, emphasizing ethical and political dimensions. Plant supervises doctoral students in theology and development, and his work engages with historical figures like Bonhoeffer and Barth, exploring their relevance to modern challenges. Plant’s affiliations include Trinity Hall and the Faculty of Divinity. He is actively involved in theological education and interdisciplinary dialogue. His publications reflect a commitment to rigorous scholarship and practical theological engagement. Despite no listed awards, his contributions to theological discourse are widely recognized in academic circles. Plant advises students on topics such as 20th-century Protestant theology and political theology. His work often intersects with global development ethics, reflecting a holistic approach to faith and social justice.
Beatrice E. Kitzinger is the Behrman Professor in the Humanities Council and Associate Professor of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University. She specializes in Western Medieval Art, particularly Carolingian-era manuscript illumination and the intersection of art, liturgy, and ritual. Her research explores medieval book-making, codicological contexts, and the relationship between manuscript decoration and broader artistic practices. Kitzinger holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2012) and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Stanford University. She is a founding editor of the 'Sense, Matter, and Medium' series with De Gruyter and has been affiliated with institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to medieval art history, including collaborations with Profs. Kathryn Starkey and Fiona Griffiths. She has taught at Stanford's Prison University Project and Princeton's Prison Teaching Initiative. Key research focuses include narrative and historical intersections in medieval art, art-theater relationships, and medieval materials/techniques. Affiliations: Humanities Council Manuscript, Rare Book and Archive Studies at Princeton Medieval Studies Program Grants & Support: Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Research Focus: Her recent work examines Carolingian manuscripts from western France, liturgical space in illumination, and the role of theater in medieval art. She analyzes manuscripts' codicological contexts and their connections to ritual practices and objects beyond books. Her book The Cross, the Gospels, and the Work of Art in the Carolingian Age (2019) is a cornerstone of this research. Teaching: Courses cover medieval art materials, medieval art and society, and interdisciplinary medieval studies. She contributes to Princeton's HUM sequence and Prison Teaching Initiative.
Prof. Adrian Hermann is a Professor at the Department of Religion Studies, University of Bonn, affiliated with the Forum Internationale Wissenschaft. His research focuses on global religious history, transregional networks, and media's role in religious discourse. He leads the Bonn Lab for Analog Games and Imaginative Play, exploring intersections between play and religious practice. Key interests include indigenous Christian movements in colonial contexts, conceptual histories of religion vs. science, and digital culture's impact on religious expression. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his academic career includes roles at the University of Bonn and participation in international research networks. His work bridges historiography with contemporary issues, emphasizing decolonial perspectives and media studies. Recent publications analyze religious themes in science fiction, transcontinental indigenous Christian public spheres, and digital RPG communities as sites of theological exploration. His research has been supported by third-party funding though specific grants are unspecified. He actively contributes to academic discourse through symposia, review articles, and methodological explorations in religious studies.
Natasha Heller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on cultural history of Chinese Buddhism, spanning premodern (10th-14th centuries) and contemporary eras. She explores uncharted perspectives in religious history, emphasizing intersections between religion and literature. Her first monograph, Illusory Abiding: The Cultural Construction of the Chan Monk Zhongfeng Mingben , examines Yuan dynasty Buddhist practices through poetry and calligraphy. Her second book, Literature for Little Bodhisattvas , analyzes Buddhist children’s literature in modern Taiwan. Current projects include a study on trees in Chinese Buddhism, addressing environmental history and arboreal temporalities. Dr. Heller is a Faculty Fellow at UVA’s Institute for Humanities and Global Cultures (2023–2025) and teaches in the First Year Engagements program. Her work bridges religious studies, literary analysis, and environmental humanities. She advises graduate students on topics like Buddhist Modernities and Religion-Literature-Culture intersections. Her research outputs include over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a focus on Chan Buddhism, religious pedagogy, and material culture. She has reviewed major scholarly works and contributed to encyclopedic projects such as Brill’s Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Upcoming projects aim to redefine Buddhist historiography through environmental frameworks, challenging anthropocentric approaches. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates textual analysis with socio-cultural contexts, offering innovative insights into East Asian religions.
Rev Katrin Bosse is an Associate Lecturer in Theology at the School of Divinity , University of St Andrews. Her research focuses on Theological Anthropology and Theology of Religions , particularly examining Lutheran and Roman Catholic perspectives on interfaith relations through figures like Carl Heinz Ratschow and Karl Rahner. She also explores implications for Religious Education . Teaching roles include courses such as DI 1001 God and the World: Introducing Theology and DI 4800 Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral Care . Her publications span theological analysis, book reviews, and edited volumes on dogmatics and embodiment. External roles include positions at the Pädagogisch-Theologisches Zentrum and University of Hohenheim . Key research themes include embodiment in Christian thought, pandemic-era theological reflection, and comparative approaches to religious pluralism. Current projects emphasize dialogue between Reformation-era theologians and modern interfaith challenges.
Fredrik Søren Berg is a Research Fellow at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo, specializing in cultural heritage conservation and sustainable building practices. His work intersects historic architecture preservation with energy efficiency and climate change adaptation. Research Trends: His recent publications focus on energy performance in historic buildings, climate risks to cultural heritage, and interdisciplinary approaches to conservation. Key themes include stave churches, life cycle analysis, and geo-hazard assessments. Other Affiliations: Associated with the Faculty of Humanities and contributes to research groups on International and Nordic modernism.
Noura Howell is an Assistant Professor in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her work focuses on ethical AI, emotion AI, and design futuring, emphasizing inclusivity and critical reflection through artistic and technical explorations. She holds a PhD in Information & Management Systems from UC Berkeley and a BS in Engineering from Olin College. Research interests include biosensing technologies, queer/crip design methodologies, and the intersection of embodiment with emerging technologies. Notable projects include the Future Feelings Lab, which critiques emotion AI through participatory audits and fabulative design practices, and investigations into thermal feedback systems and Sufi spiritual practices mediated by technology. Awards include an NSF CAREER Award for reimagining emotion AI, a Google TensorFlow Faculty Award for educational outreach, and the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. Teaching spans computational media, interaction design, and design futuring courses. Her lab explores speculative design through projects like the Heart Sounds Bench (life-affirming biosensing) and Salaam, an inflatable sculpture addressing Islamophobia. She has collaborated on interdisciplinary STEAM education initiatives like PREMIER artist residencies.
Holly Hurlburt is an Associate Dean and Professor of History at NC State University, affiliated with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She holds leadership roles in University College, overseeing initiatives like the Honors Program, Undergraduate Research Office, and Fellowship Office. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. (2000) and M.A. (1995) in European History from Syracuse University. Her research focuses on Renaissance/Early Modern Europe, particularly Venetian and Mediterranean history, with expertise in gender studies, Italian history, and food history. Current projects explore exile narratives in the Mediterranean. She authored two books— Daughter of Venice (2015) and The Dogaressa of Venice (2006)—and has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and digital humanities projects. Dr. Hurlburt has received grants from the American Historical Association, Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, and others. Her work bridges historical analysis with interdisciplinary themes like art patronage, colonialism, and material culture. She frequently presents at international conferences, including the Renaissance Society of America and events in Hungary and Cyprus. Grants & Fellowships: American Historical Association, Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Villa I Tatti (Harvard), Renaissance Society of America, Newberry Library Advising & Leadership: Oversees Honors Program, Undergraduate Research, and Fellowships at NC State Her affiliations include the Department of History and cross-listed groups in Food and Drink Studies, Women’s/Gender Studies, and European Studies.
Christoph Emmrich is an Associate Professor in the Department for the Study of Religion (DSR) at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on Buddhist and Hindu traditions in Nepal, Burma, and Tamil Nadu, with expertise in ritual studies, textual analysis, and the intersection of religion with gender, language, and material culture. He holds a PhD from the University of Heidelberg (2004) and has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Kathmandu Valley, Yangon, Mandalay, and Mawlamyine. Key areas of study include Nepalese and Burmese Buddhism, Jainism in Tamil Nadu, and the analysis of ritual manuals, literary texts, and historiography. His work addresses questions of memory, translation, and resistance in religious practices. Recent publications explore the inclusion of Burma in South Asian Studies, the role of repetition in Theravāda Buddhism, and the cultural significance of jewelry in Newar rituals. Emmrich’s research also engages with the historiography of Tamil Jain literature and the impact of colonial frameworks on religious scholarship. He contributes to interdisciplinary projects such as the study of Buddhist textual transmission and the reclamation of marginalized religious narratives.
Prof. Gabriel Faimau is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Botswana, concurrently serving as Visiting Associate Professor at Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and Extraordinary Researcher at North-West University, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Bristol, where he was supported by the Overseas Research Scholarship (ORS). His research focuses on digital society, new media's role in religious practices, multiculturalism, HIV/AIDS impacts, and graduate employability. Recent studies include digital infrastructure in Botswana, urban informality in Harare, and the use of qualitative methods in religious media analysis. He has conducted fieldwork on Botswana's prophetic ministries and their digital strategies. Award highlights include DAAD Fellowships (2019) and grants from the Nagel Institute/John Templeton Foundation and HRDC. He serves on advisory boards for JPIC in Indonesia and IRGSC, while maintaining memberships in ISA, IAMCR, and AoIR. His academic journey includes roles as Lecturer and Research Head at Kgolagano College, Senior Lecturer at North-West University, and Teaching Assistant at the University of Bristol’s School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS).
Dr. Julye Bidmead is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Chapman University's Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She directs the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs while maintaining active archaeological fieldwork. Education : Bachelor of Arts - California State University, Eastbay Master of Arts - Vanderbilt University Ph.D. - Vanderbilt University (Method and Theory of Religion) Research Focus : Religious continuity in Mesopotamia Gender roles in ancient Near Eastern rituals Hebrew Bible studies Biblical archaeology field methods Ritual studies in ancient civilizations Religious theory and practice interplay Publication Trends : Her scholarly works span from 1999-2016, covering Hebrew Bible analysis (40%), Mesopotamian religious practices (35%), and digital humanities applications (25%). The publications include dictionary entries, field reports, and book chapters. Professional Recognition : Valerie Scudder Award Pedagogical Innovative Award Academic Contributions : Dr. Bidmead integrates archaeological fieldwork with classroom instruction, teaching Religious Studies, First Year Foundation courses, and University Honors Program classes. She actively contributes to the Jezreel Expedition as Education Director and field archaeologist.
Nicola Laneri is a Full Professor of Archaeology and Art History of the Ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean at the University of Catania, Department of Humanities. He also serves as Director of the School of Religious Studies at CAMNES in Florence. His academic career includes visiting positions at Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Leiden University, and the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. University: University of Catania School: Department of Humanities Academic Rank: Professor Email: nlaneri@unict.it, nicolalaneri@hotmail.com Office: Palazzo Ingrassia (Via Biblioteca 4), Catania Office Hours: Monday and Thursday, 9:00–12:00 Website: disum.academia.edu/nicolalaneri Education and Academic Appointments: Ph.D., University of Naples L'Orientale (1999) Fulbright Research Scholar, Columbia University (2000) Research Fellow, Italian Academy at Columbia University (2000) Visiting Professor, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (2002–2004) Research Fellow, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago (2005) Erasmus Visiting Professor, Leiden University (2015) Research Interests: Nicola Laneri specializes in the archaeology of religion, funerary practices, and material culture in the Ancient Near East. His work investigates the development of religious systems, ritual transformation, and socioeconomic dynamics across Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Recent Publications and Research Trends: His recent publications reflect a strong focus on the material dimensions of religion, funerary archaeology, and urban development. Key themes include the emergence of polytheism, the social analysis of death rituals, and ceramic production technologies. The 15 most recent works demonstrate a consistent engagement with interdisciplinary approaches, combining archaeology, anthropology, and textual analysis to reconstruct ancient belief systems and socioeconomic structures. Scientific Awards: Laurentum Prize (2024) Advising and Research Grants: Laneri supervises graduate students in topics ranging from Mesopotamian iconography to contemporary museum practices. He has directed or co-directed major archaeological projects including the Hirbemerdon Tepe Archaeological Project (2003–2016), the GaRKAP in Azerbaijan (since 2017), and the Baghdad Urban Archaeological Project at Tell Muhammad (since 2022). He is Principal Investigator of the PRIN 2020 project 'Godscapes: Modeling Second Millennium BCE Polytheisms in the Eastern Mediterranean,' funded by MUR. Labs and Research Teams: He leads international research collaborations involving scholars from Italy, Azerbaijan, the United States, and the Netherlands. His teams integrate archaeological excavation, material analysis, and digital modeling to explore ancient urban and religious landscapes. He is actively involved in training the next generation of archaeologists and fostering cross-institutional academic partnerships.
