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Professor David A Palmer is a distinguished academic jointly appointed by the Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Sociology at the University of Hong Kong, where he has been teaching since 2008. His interdisciplinary work bridges anthropology, sociology, religious studies, and Sinology, establishing him as a leading scholar in Chinese religious studies and transnational religious movements. Palmer's educational background includes a PhD in Anthropology of Religion from Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Sorbonne, Paris), an MPhil in Clinical Psychology/Medical Anthropology from University of Paris-VIII, and a BA in Anthropology and East Asian Studies from McGill University. His scholarly contributions span multiple disciplines with particular emphasis on Chinese religious traditions and their global manifestations. His research interests focus on the anthropology and sociology of spirituality and religion, especially Daoism and Chinese religion; religion in modern and contemporary China; inter-Asian and transnational religious circulations; Baháʼí Faith; civil society, volunteering, philanthropy, community engagement; and cultural and religious interactions on the Belt and Road. His work examines how religious traditions navigate modernity, state power, and globalization, with particular attention to the Belt and Road Initiative's cultural dimensions. Palmer's publications reveal a consistent focus on understanding Chinese religious traditions within broader theoretical frameworks of social theory, civil society, and transnational religious networks. His articles demonstrate how Chinese religious practices and institutions both adapt to and shape contemporary social and political contexts, with particular attention to the intersections of spirituality, modernity, and state-society relations. Joseph Levenson Award of the Association for Asian Studies PROSE award of the American Publishers' Association Francis L.K. Hsu Award of the Society for East Asian Anthropology Edward Bruner Prize for the best book in Anthropology of Tourism HK Research Grants Council RGC Research Fellowship (2021-2025) HK Research Grants Council Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship (2019) Palmer currently leads multiple significant research projects including 'Global China, Local Cultures: Chinese Modernity and Soft Power on the Belt and Road' (RGC Research Fellowship, 2021-2025), 'Infrastructures of Faith: Religious Mobilities on the Belt and Road' (CRF, 2019-2023), 'Rituals and Manuscripts of the Lanten Yao (Laos)' (GRF, 2021-2024), and 'Religious Cosmopolitanism in China, 1895-1927' (GRF, 2021-2024). He leads the 'Asian Religious Connections' research cluster at HKIHSS, co-convenes the 'Culture, Community and Social Equity' research cluster in the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences, and serves as co-convenor of the HKU Anthropology Research Network. As President of the East Asian Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, he plays a key role in advancing scholarly understanding of religion in the region.

• Anthropology of Religion
• Sociology of Spirituality
• Daoism
• +7 more

Georges Kostakiotis is a Senior Lecturer at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilisations (INALCO) in Paris, France, specializing in Modern Greek language and literature. His academic appointment falls under CNU Section 15, covering Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew and other languages and literature. He serves as Head of the TEMPO course for Modern Greek and teaches across multiple levels from L1 through L3, including text study, written and oral practice of Greek, Modern Greek thematic courses, specialized Greek text corpora, and technical translation at M1 and M2 levels. Dr. Kostakiotis's research focuses on the intersection of language pedagogy and literary studies. He investigates teaching oral communication from both practical and theoretical perspectives, examining how literary texts function as effective pedagogical tools in foreign language classrooms. His work develops specialized strategies for teaching Greek to Latin-speaking audiences, leveraging linguistic connections while addressing acquisition challenges. Additionally, he explores literary representations of politics and urban worlds, situating Greek literature within broader European and Balkan contexts through the CREE (Centre de Recherches Euro-Méditerranéennes et Euro-asiatiques) research center. Analysis of Dr. Kostakiotis's publication record from 2009-2024 reveals consistent scholarly engagement with Greek literature's relationship to Balkan cultures and historical contexts. His work demonstrates particular interest in how Greek literature addresses themes of foreignness, crisis, and identity through comparative analysis with other Balkan literary traditions. His research spans pedagogical approaches to language teaching, literary analysis of Greek texts, historical examinations of Greek literature, and cultural studies of Greek communities in the Balkans. Dr. Kostakiotis has been instrumental in organizing numerous academic events that bridge language pedagogy and literary scholarship. He has coordinated multiple conferences and study days focused on language teaching methodology, including sessions on oral communication techniques, vocabulary acquisition strategies, and assessment approaches. In the realm of literature and cultural studies, he has organized scholarly gatherings examining Greek-Romanian relations, Phanariote history, women's perspectives in Greek literature, and urban studies with particular attention to cities like Thessaloniki and Alexandria. His collaborative work, including co-edited volumes on Greek-Romanian relations, demonstrates his commitment to fostering academic dialogue across national and disciplinary boundaries.

• Teaching oral communication
• Literary text as pedagogical teaching tool
• Strategies for teaching Greek to Latin-speaking audiences
• +5 more

Laurent Bricault is a Professor of Roman History at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, affiliated with the ERASMUS research team (Reception of Antiquity: Sources, Memory, Issues) under the Heritage, Literature, History (PLH) unit. His academic career spans institutions like the University of Poitiers (Master's 1986), Sorbonne (Doctorate 1994, HDR 2006), and Toulouse (since 2008). He specializes in the history of ancient religions, particularly Egyptian cults in the Roman world, provincial coinage, and Lagid/Roman Egypt. University of Poitiers - Master's in Ancient History (1986) Sorbonne - Doctorate in Egyptology (1994) Sorbonne - Habilitation to Direct Research (2006) Bricault's research explores the diffusion of Isiac cults, religious syncretism, and numismatic evidence for ancient beliefs. His recent publications focus on Mithraic studies, Egyptian deities in the Mediterranean, and domestic religious practices. He organizes international conferences and edits the Bibliotheca Isiaca series, contributing to the understanding of polytheistic traditions. Bricault co-edits the Supplements to the Bibliotheca Isiaca and collaborates on the Roman Provincial Coinage project. He curated the international exhibition Rome and the Mystery of Mithra (2021-2023) and maintains the RICIS online database for Isiac cult inscriptions. His work bridges epigraphy, numismatics, and cultural history to analyze religious networks across the Roman Empire.

• History of Ancient Religions
• Roman Provincial Coinage
• Hellenistic and Roman Egypt
• +3 more

Lynn S. Meskill is a Professor at Toulouse Jean-Jaurès University, affiliated with the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS). Her academic work bridges literature, history of ideas, and translation, with a strong focus on early modern British culture. She teaches Medieval and Early Modern Literature and Translation. Her research interests include: 16th and 17th Century Theatre Stuart and Caroline Court Masque History of the Book History of Ideas Translation Studies Authorship in Early Modernity Ben Jonson and Shakespearean Drama Her publications reveal a deep engagement with themes of authorship, fame, religious symbolism, and cultural representation in Renaissance literature. She frequently explores the intersections of performance, politics, and print culture, particularly in court masques and tragedies. Her work often combines literary analysis with intellectual and cultural history. Her scholarly contributions include a monograph on Ben Jonson and numerous articles in leading journals such as Huntington Library Quarterly and English Studies . She has also contributed chapters to authoritative handbooks and translated significant works in print culture. She has supervised doctoral research and holds an HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches), qualifying her to direct research in France. While no specific grants are listed, her involvement in structured research axes at CAS suggests active participation in collaborative projects. Lynn S. Meskill is a core member of the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS), contributing to its seminars, research programs (such as AXIS 1–3), and academic events. The center fosters interdisciplinary research in Anglophone cultures, and she plays a vital role in its scholarly community.

• Medieval and Early Modern Literature
• 16th and 17th Century Theatre
• Stuart and Caroline Court Masque
• +7 more

Melvyn R.W. Hamstra is a Full Professor at IÉSEG School of Management in France since 2023. His academic career includes roles as Associate Professor (2021–2023) and Assistant Professor (2020–2021) at IÉSEG, as well as Assistant Professor positions at the University of Maastricht (2015–2020) and the University of Amsterdam (2013–2015). He holds a Ph.D. in Behavioural and Social Sciences from the University of Groningen (2013), preceded by a Master’s (2009) and Bachelor’s (2007) in Psychology from the same institution. Research Interests : His work centers on organizational behavior, leadership, and employee motivation, with a strong emphasis on regulatory focus theory, employee voice dynamics, and knowledge management. Key themes include how leadership styles (e.g., promotion vs. prevention focus) influence team innovation, conflict resolution, and workplace morale. Publication Trends : Recent publications (2025–2024) explore topics such as gender bias in leadership evaluation, financial stress and counterproductive behavior, ethical conflict in teams, and the dual-edged role of humor in workplace negotiations. His longitudinal studies on religious engagement and life satisfaction, as well as theoretical models on knowledge withholding, highlight interdisciplinary breadth. Teaching : He contributes to bachelor and master’s programs at IÉSEG, focusing on leadership development, positive leadership, and organizational learning.

• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership
• Human Resource Management
• +6 more

Bob Becking is a Professor at Utrecht University (Netherlands) specializing in the intersection of historical climatology and ancient Near Eastern studies. He delivered a guest lecture on December 3, 2013, titled "Paleoclimatology and ancient Israel - two examples: David and the exile" as part of the academic series "The Hebrew Bible and its Contexts" chaired by Thomas Römer at Site Marcelin Berthelot. His research examines how Holocene climate oscillations influenced human behavior and historical trajectories in Iron Age Israel/Palestine (1200-331 BCE), integrating evidence from the GISP II-project in Greenland with archaeological and textual analysis. He critically engages with biblical narratives like the Davidic monarchy, emphasizing evidence-based reconstruction of historical constraints including demography, technology, landscape, and politics. Becking's work bridges paleoclimatology and religious studies, challenging uncritical appropriations of biblical figures while establishing environmental parameters for historical interpretation. His methodology prioritizes empirical evidence over narrative convenience in reconstructing ancient socio-political dynamics.

• Paleoclimatology
• Ancient Israel
• Hebrew Bible Studies
• +3 more

Prof. Diane DE SAINT AFFRIQUE is a full-time Professor at SKEMA Business School (France) since 2019, specializing in Business Law, Ethics, and Governance. She holds a Doctorat d'Etat en Droit (2002) from Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, with additional qualifications from ESSEC Business School and other institutions. Her academic leadership roles include Head of the Contract Law Master program (2016–present), Head of the Law Department (2003–2014), and responsible for the Master in Business Law (2006–2016). Research Focus: Her work centers on corporate governance, sustainable finance, AI ethics in healthcare and business, and legal frameworks for responsible business practices (RSE). She explores tensions between regulatory compliance and corporate autonomy, with recent emphasis on duty of vigilance legislation and AI accountability. Key Contributions: Over 30+ publications include analyses of: Legal implications of AI in medicine and business Corporate social responsibility and judicialization trends Religious freedom in French workplaces Data sovereignty and AI governance Affiliations & Impact: She chairs the French Academy of Legal Studies and Business, serves on the Board of VITAMINE T, and advises institutions like IFSI Ambroise-Paré. Her work frequently bridges legal theory with practical business challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions for global governance issues.

• Business Law
• Corporate Governance
• Responsible Business (RSE)
• +4 more

Patrice Faure is a University Professor of Roman History at the University of Lyon 3 since 2022, with a career spanning roles at multiple French universities. His research focuses on the Roman army, political and cultural history of Roman provinces, Latin epigraphy, and prosopography. He holds a Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches in Roman History (2021) and a Doctorate (2006) from the University of Grenoble 2. Roman History, University of Lyon 3 (2022-present) Lecturer in Roman History, University of Lyon 3 (2010-2022) Lecturer in Ancient History, University of Le Havre (2007-2010) His research examines the Roman military's social and political impact, provincial integration of elites, and epigraphic documentation. He collaborates on digital epigraphic databases (Epigraphica Romana, EpiCherchell) and contributes to exhibition curation, notably at the Musée Lugdunum. Awarded the SOPHAU Thesis Prize (2007) and multiple scholarships (Thiers Foundation, IFAO, EFR), his publications include co-edited volumes on Roman military culture and monographs on Severan-era centurions. Current projects include publishing his HDR thesis Grandir pour l'empire and expanding the Inscriptions antiques de Césarée de Maurétanie corpus.

• Roman History
• Latin Epigraphy
• Military History
• +3 more

François Déroche is a Professor at the Collège de France since 2015, holding the History of the Qurʾān, Text and Transmission chair. A renowned specialist in Arabic manuscripts, his work bridges codicology, Quranic textual history, and Islamic archaeology. Research focuses on Quranic manuscript transmission from Late Antiquity to the Umayyad dynasty Member of the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres (Institut de France) Expert in Arabic paleography and early Islamic book culture His recent lecture series The Medinese Koran (2025-2026) explores Quranic textual evolution through historical manuscripts. Publications emphasize material analysis of early Quranic codices and their socio-political contexts. Scientific Awards : Member of the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres Scientific Member of the Institut français d'études anatoliennes

• Quranic Studies
• Arabic Codicology
• Islamic Manuscript Transmission
• +3 more

Delphine Allès is a University Professor at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris, France, where she serves as Vice-President responsible for board of directors, organization and resources. She is a leading scholar in International Relations with a focus on Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, and specializes in non-Western approaches to international relations, religion in global politics, and Indo-Pacific security dynamics. Her research interests span multiple interconnected domains: Religion and International Relations Non-Western Approaches to International Relations Diplomacy, Security and Multilateral Cooperation in Southeast Asia (Indonesia / Indo-Pacific) Civilizational Narratives Global International Relations and Area Studies Allès's scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on decentralizing International Relations theory through empirical studies of Southeast Asian practices. Her recent publications examine the Indo-Pacific concept, religious diplomacy between Russia and Indonesia, and critiques of Western-centric security frameworks. She has pioneered research on how non-Western civilizations conceptualize international order, particularly through religious frameworks. Professor Allès serves on the editorial boards of multiple prestigious journals including European Journal of East Asian Affairs, Global: Jurnal politik internasional, and Archipel. She is also Scientific manager of the AMI-SHS DECRIPT program focused on crises and civilizational narratives. Her administrative leadership includes membership on the Scientific and Strategic Council of Pôle Asie (MEAE) and the board of the French Political Science Association. Previously, she directed the International Relations department at INALCO (2018-2023) and co-edited the journal Etudes internationales (2021-2024).

• Southeast Asia and International Relations
• Global International Relations and Area Studies
• Religion and International Relations
• +5 more

Dominic Goodall is a Director of Studies at the French School of Asian Studies (École française d'Extrême-Orient), specializing in Sanskrit Philology, History of Śaivism, and Epigraphy. Based at the Pondicherry Research Center in India, he has been a member of the EFEO since 2000 and previously served as Director of the Pondicherry Center from 2002 to 2011. His academic journey began with studies in Greek and Latin at Pembroke College, Oxford, followed by Sanskrit (BA with Pali, 1990), and medieval Tamil at the University of Hamburg (1990-1991). He completed his doctorate at Wolfson College, Oxford under Professor Alexis Sanderson on the theological school of Śaivasiddhānta in 10th-century Kashmir. Goodall's research focuses on the critical edition and translation of previously unpublished Śaiva scriptures and theological commentaries, particularly from South India. His scholarly work bridges Sanskrit philology with epigraphic studies of Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia. He has made significant contributions to understanding the transmission of Śaiva Siddhānta traditions across South and Southeast Asia through textual analysis of both manuscripts and inscriptions. His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on early Śaiva Tantric literature, particularly the Niśvāsatattvasaṃhitā as the earliest surviving Śaiva Tantra. Goodall has pioneered the study of Cambodian inscriptions in Sanskrit, revealing important connections between Indian religious traditions and Khmer civilization. His work shows a methodological commitment to rigorous textual criticism combined with historical and religious analysis. Foreign Corresponding Member of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres (2016) Co-editor of Tāntrikābhidhānakośa (Viennese dictionary of Hindu tantric terminology) Contributor to Encyclopaedia of Manuscript Cultures in Asia and Africa Goodall has supervised numerous research projects on South Asian manuscript cultures and epigraphy. His leadership in the Pondicherry manuscript project has been instrumental in preserving and making accessible important Sanskrit textual traditions. He has organized multiple international workshops on early Tantric traditions and regularly collaborates with scholars across Europe and Asia. Based at the Pondicherry Research Center, Goodall continues to direct the EFEO's efforts in documenting and analyzing South Asian religious traditions, with particular emphasis on Śaiva Siddhānta traditions as reflected in both manuscript and inscriptional evidence from India and Southeast Asia.

• Sanskrit Philology
• History of Śaivism
• Epigraphy
• +3 more

Ana Paulina Lee is an Assistant Professor of Writing and Digital Humanities in the Comparative Literature, English, and Creative Writing Department at the American University of Paris. She joined AUP in 2025 after teaching Latin American literature and culture at Columbia University for eight years and serving as a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at Tulane University. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges literature, history, law, and urban studies with particular focus on marginalized narratives in the Americas. Ph.D. from University of Southern California M.A. from New York University B.A. from Binghamton University Professor Lee's research examines how stories—archival, fictional, oral—shape legal imagination, social life, and urban experience in the Americas. She specializes in the intersections of magic, law, and literature in Latin America, with particular focus on Asian and African diasporas in Brazil. Her work traces how narrative functions as both historical record and catalyst for social transformation, exploring themes of slavery, emancipation, colonial legacies, and urban memory. She approaches these topics through interdisciplinary lenses combining literary analysis with histories of labor, migration, and performance. Lee's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on marginalized narratives and their impact on social structures. Her scholarship connects legal history with cultural production, showing how magical thinking and narrative practices shape urban spaces and social relations. Works like 'Urban Sorcery, Segregation, and Spectacle in Twentieth-Century Rio de Janeiro' and 'Black Magic City' demonstrate her innovative approach to understanding the relationship between occult logics and legal frameworks in Brazilian contexts. Her research on diasporic communities, particularly Chinese and Japanese experiences in Latin America, contributes significantly to transnational and comparative race studies. David B. Larson Fellowship in Health and Spirituality, Kluge Center, United States Library of Congress (2025-2026) National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (2025) Social Sciences Research Council, Inaugural Recipient of Interdisciplinary Projects in the Social Sciences (2020-2023) Institute for Ideas and Imagination Fellowship, Columbia University in Paris, France (2021-2022) Provost's Tsunoda Senior Fellowship, Visiting Scholar, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan (2019) Heyman Center Fellow, The Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University (2017-2018) Fulbright, Lisbon, Portugal (2013-2014) Professor Lee's scholarly activities have been generously supported by major research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Social Sciences Research Council, and the Library of Congress. Her work demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that bridge humanities and social sciences, particularly through projects examining intersections of race, migration, and cultural production in the Americas. Her publication 'Socially Engaged Oral History Pedagogy Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic' indicates a strong commitment to innovative teaching methods and community-based research. While specific details about current advisees aren't provided, her research program suggests engagement with graduate students interested in diaspora studies, urban history, and literary-cultural analysis. Though not explicitly mentioned in the available information, Professor Lee's research on urban spaces, magic, and law in Brazil likely involves collaborative work with scholars across disciplines. Her participation in centers like the Institute for Ideas and Imagination at Columbia University suggests engagement with interdisciplinary research communities focused on global cultural production and social transformation. Her work contributes to ongoing conversations about how narrative practices shape legal frameworks and social structures in the Americas, particularly regarding racial formation and diasporic experiences.

• Literature and the social imagination in the Americas
• Slavery, emancipation, and the legacies of colonialism
• Magic and the state in Latin American cultural texts
• +3 more

Hatem Bazian is a co-founder and Professor of Islamic Law and Theology at Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the U.S., and a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, in Near Eastern and Asian American Studies. His academic career includes roles as an adjunct professor at Boalt Hall School of Law (2002–2007) and visiting professor at Saint Mary’s College of California (2001–2007). He founded the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project (2009) and the Islamophobia Studies Journal (2012), both addressing systemic Othering of Muslims and Islam. His work critiques settler colonialism, particularly in Palestine, and advocates for decolonial frameworks. He also serves as national chair of American Muslims for Palestine and board member of organizations like the Islamic Scholarship Fund. Research focuses on Islamic law, Middle Eastern studies, and countering Islamophobia. He has authored books like Palestine … it is something colonial (2023), analyzing Palestinian history through settler colonialism. His articles address economic critiques (e.g., federal bailouts, militarism) and university reform, emphasizing racial equity and decolonizing education. He is a columnist for Turkish media and a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, linking grassroots activism with academic scholarship.

• Islamic Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Religious Studies
• +4 more

Isabelle Pichon is an academic affiliated with the University of La Réunion (UCO), specifically within the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. She holds a Doctorate in Psychological Sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain (2006) and serves as an Educational Manager for the 3rd Year Psychology Degree - PSTO Masters program. Her research focuses on prosocial behaviors, religion's impact on social dynamics, intergroup relations, stereotypes, and ethical behavior. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in journals like Le sociographe and Basic and Applied Social Psychology , exploring topics ranging from minority resilience to ideological conflicts. Her academic work bridges sociology and psychology, emphasizing societal norms, identity formation, and the psychological underpinnings of social actions. Recent studies include investigations into how religious priming influences prosociality and the ethical tensions between collective norms and individual behavior. Notable contributions include analyzing sexual minorities' resilience mechanisms and the interplay between personal and professional identity among social work students. Dr. Pichon has presented at conferences such as the XXème congrès AIPTLF (2018), addressing themes like work-life transition dynamics. Her research methodologies include experimental approaches and quantitative analyses. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed, but her extensive publication record underscores sustained scholarly engagement in social and psychological sciences.

• Psychological Sciences
• Social Psychology
• Prosocial Behaviors
• +3 more

Anne-Sophie Noel is a Lecturer in Greek language and literature at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon since 2018, with a focus on Greek theatre , cognitive approaches to tragedy , and material culture . She serves as a Junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (2023–2028) and holds leadership roles in the InSpectA and KINSPECTA research projects. Research Themes : Materiality in Greek drama (tragic objects, prosthetics, textiles) Cognitive science intersections (audience empathy, kinesthetic resonance) Postcolonial and ecocritical readings of classical texts Academic Leadership : Co-head of Master in Ancient Worlds (2023–2024) Coordinator of sub-axis B3: 'Reception of past cultures' (2021–2025) Member of HiSoMA Laboratory Council and Scientific Council Her scientific awards include: Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) Junior membership (2023–2028) Eighth section of the CNU: Elected member (substitute) (2024–2028) Notable research collaborations include: Theatre practice and interpersonal synchronization (2024, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience) Co-edited special issues on ancient object life (2024, Cahiers du Théâtre Antique) Contributions to cognitive studies in Greek tragedy (OUP, Routledge)

• Greek Tragedy
• Cognitive Psychology
• Postcolonialism
• +7 more