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László KárolyView profile

Professor

• Turkish Languages
• Yakut
• Runic form
• +10 more

László Károly serves as Professor of Turkish Languages at the Department of Linguistics and Philology, Faculty of Languages, Literature and History at Uppsala University. His scholarly profile encompasses extensive research in multiple dimensions of Turkic linguistics with particular emphasis on medical texts, historical documents, and morphological analysis across Turkic language families. Professor Károly's primary research domains include: Historical development of Turkic languages, focusing on phonological and morphological changes Medical terminology and historical medical texts in Turkic languages Runic inscriptions and early Turkic writing systems Word formation processes across Turkic language families Database technology applications in Turkic philology Comparative analysis of Yakut (Sakha) language features His recent publications demonstrate a consistent scholarly trajectory with significant focus on medical texts in Turkic languages, runiform inscriptions, and historical linguistic analysis. Professor Károly has established himself as a leading authority in the intersection of medical history and Turkic linguistics, with numerous publications examining historical healing practices, medical terminology, and pharmaceutical knowledge as preserved in Turkic texts. Professor Károly maintains active scholarly collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, frequently co-authoring with Patrick Hällzon and other specialists in Central Asian studies. His methodological approach combines traditional philological techniques with modern digital humanities tools, as evidenced by his work on semantic web applications for Turkic philology.

Staffan FridellView profile

Professor

• Scandinavian Linguistics
• Place Name Studies
• Runology
• +4 more

Staffan Fridell is a Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Scandinavian Languages, specializing in Nordic linguistic traditions and historical language development. His academic career has been dedicated to the study of Scandinavian languages with particular emphasis on place names, runic inscriptions, and etymological research. Professor Fridell's research interests span Scandinavian linguistics with a focus on toponymy (place name studies), runology, historical linguistics, and etymology. His work demonstrates deep engagement with Swedish dialectology and the evolution of Nordic languages over centuries. He has made significant contributions to understanding the linguistic patterns in Swedish geographical naming conventions, particularly regarding lake names, settlement names, and runic inscriptions. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals consistent focus on Scandinavian linguistic heritage, with particular attention to runic inscriptions, place name etymology, and historical language development. His work often bridges linguistic analysis with historical and archaeological contexts, examining how language reflects cultural and historical developments in Scandinavia. Many publications demonstrate methodological rigor in interpreting ancient texts and reconstructing historical linguistic patterns. Professor Fridell maintains an active scholarly presence through regular contributions to leading Scandinavian linguistic journals including Namn och bygd, Futhark, and Ortnamnssällskapets i Uppsala årsskrift. His collaborative work with scholars like Ingvar Svanberg and Mats G. Larsson demonstrates engagement with interdisciplinary research approaches. His academic service includes reviewing scholarly works in his field, contributing to academic discourse through critical evaluations of publications related to runology, Scandinavian linguistics, and historical language studies. Professor Fridell's extensive publication record spanning multiple decades reflects sustained scholarly productivity and contribution to the field of Scandinavian linguistic studies.

• Germanic Philology
• Old Norse Literature
• Anglo-Saxon Studies
• +4 more

Carla Cucina is a Full Professor of Germanic Philology at the University of Macerata, Department of Humanities, specializing in Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and medieval literature. She previously held roles as researcher and assistant professor at IULM University in Milan (1986–1995) and La Sapienza University in Rome (1995–2000). Since 2000, she has been an associate and full professor at Macerata, maintaining collaborative ties with La Sapienza. She currently directs the L-11 and LM-37 courses at the Department of Humanities and coordinates the Departmental Research Center for the Anthropology of Text. She also leads the academic society Classiconorrœna, focusing on Nordic and classical cultural interactions. Her research interests span Scandinavian runic inscriptions, medieval Icelandic pilgrimage narratives, Old English religious poetry, and runic calendars. Notable works include studies on runic lore in post-medieval Europe, the role of pilgrimage in medieval Iceland, and annotated editions of Old English texts like The Seafarer . She has authored over 20 books and articles, including Audun e l’orso. Un racconto medievale islandese (2017) and Libri runici del computo (2013). Prof. Cucina serves on editorial boards for journals like Filologia Germanica and the book series Intersezioni filologiche . She participates in international research networks, such as Queen’s University Belfast’s “Crossing Frontiers: Medieval Visions of Modern Science.” Recent articles (2023) explore exotic items in Ælfric’s homilies and medieval runic invocations to St. Michael. Her work bridges philological analysis with cultural and historical contexts, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to medieval texts.

Robert NedomaView profile

Professor

• Runology
• Old Norse Language
• Eddic Literature
• +6 more

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Robert Nedoma is a faculty member at the University of Vienna, holding the chair of Old Scandinavian Philology and Old German Philology since 2019. He has been affiliated with the Department of Scandinavian Studies since 1987, progressing from contract assistant to associate professor (2010) and full professor (2019). Member of Gustav Adolf Academy of Swedish Folk Culture (2014) Agder Academy of Sciences (2018) Norwegian Academy of Sciences (2020) Corresponding member of Austrian Academy of Sciences (2022) His research spans Runology , Old Norse language , Eddic literature , and Germanic archaeology . Key interests include: Germanic heroic sagas Comparative Germanic linguistics Old High German studies Onomastic analysis Recent publications focus on runic inscriptions, language evolution, and cultural symbolism. Awards include the 1991 Lower Austria Science Recognition Award . He serves as IT officer and u:cris manager at his department.

Joseph C HarrisView profile

Research Professor

• Old English
• Old Norse-Icelandic
• Folklore
• +4 more

Joseph C Harris is a Francis Lee Higginson Research Professor of English and Research Professor of Folklore at Harvard University. His office is located in Barker Center, 12 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA. He holds a B.A. from the University of Georgia (1961), a B.A. from Cambridge University (1967), an M.A. (1963), and a Ph.D. (1969) from Harvard. His research focuses on Old English, Old Norse-Icelandic literature, and folklore studies. He has authored influential works such as Child’s Children: Ballad Study and Its Legacies (2012) and Speak Useful Words or Say Nothing: Old Norse Studies (2008). His scholarship bridges medieval philology, oral performance traditions, and cross-cultural narrative analysis. Recent articles explore the Rök Stone’s Anglo-Saxon interpretations and the vocal performance of Old Norse poetry. Harris’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to medieval texts, integrating linguistic, archaeological, and cultural perspectives. His publications reflect a deep engagement with textual transmission, mythological symbolism, and cross-cultural literary exchanges.

Nancy WickerView profile

Professor

• Viking Age Art
• Scandinavian Archaeology
• Medieval European Art
• +5 more

Dr. Nancy Wicker is a Distinguished Professor of Art History at the University of Mississippi, affiliated with the Department of Art and Art History within the College of Liberal Arts. Her academic career includes prior roles as Professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Visiting Professor at Uppsala University, Sweden. She holds a B.A. from Eastern Illinois University, M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on Viking Age and Migration Period Scandinavian art, emphasizing craft production, gender studies, and cultural exchange. Key projects include the digital humanities initiative Project Andvari, funded by NEH and Kress Foundation grants. She has conducted archaeological fieldwork at Birka (UNESCO site) and collaborated with materials scientists to analyze metal artifacts. Her work challenges traditional art historical canons by centering Scandinavian contributions to medieval European art. Dr. Wicker has published over 40 articles and co-edited three books on gender archaeology and Scandinavian artifacts. Her awards include the Hensley Family Senior Professor Research Award (Ole Miss) and election to the Royal Society of Humanities in Uppsala as its first woman member. She serves on editorial boards for Medieval Archaeology and Gesta, and reviews grants for NEH, NSF, and international agencies. Research Grants: NEH, Kress Foundation, ACLS, National Humanities Center Professional Affiliations: International Center of Medieval Art, Society of Historians of Scandinavia Public Engagement: Co-director of Project Andvari digital archive

Johan Georges P BollaertView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Runology
• Medieval Epigraphy
• Scandinavian Inscriptions
• +2 more

Johan Georges P Bollaert is a Senior Lecturer in Medieval Studies at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo. He specializes in comparative analysis of runic and Roman alphabet epigraphy from the Viking Age and Medieval Norway, focusing on visual aspects of inscriptions and their relationship to literacy and orality. His research interests include runology, medieval epigraphy, Scandinavian inscriptions, visual culture, and literacy development in historical contexts. Current projects involve creating a database of Roman alphabet inscriptions in Norway and studying continental influences on Viking Age runic traditions. Publications focus on medieval art conservation, church murals, and inscription dating methods, demonstrating expertise in material culture analysis and historical interpretation.

• Old English Literature
• Medieval Material Culture
• Nonhuman Studies
• +3 more

James Paz is Senior Lecturer in Early Medieval Literature at the University of Manchester's Department of English and American Studies. He serves as General Editor of the Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture book series and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He received his PhD from King's College London and held positions at University of Leeds before joining Manchester in 2014. His research examines nonhuman agency in medieval texts, material culture studies, and creative translations of Old English poetry. Research bridges medieval studies and contemporary theory through ecocritical frameworks, object-oriented approaches, and science fiction studies. Recent publications explore environmental themes in Old English poetry, material agency in artifacts like the Franks Casket, and medieval precursors to scientific thought. Publications show evolution from traditional literary analysis to interdisciplinary methodologies combining material studies, ecocriticism, and creative practice. His 2017 monograph Nonhuman Voices in Anglo-Saxon Literature and Material Culture established his theoretical approach. He co-organized major conferences including the International Society for the Study of Early Medieval England 2023 conference. Supervises PhD students working on ecological crisis in medieval literature and craft studies.

Michelle WaldispühlView profile

Professor

• Historical sociolinguistics
• Multilingualism
• Grapholinguistics
• +5 more

Michelle Waldispühl is a Professor of German Linguistics at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Humanities, Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages. Her academic journey includes roles as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg (2015–2023) and earlier positions in Switzerland. She holds a PhD from the University of Zurich (2013) and a Habilitation from the University of Gothenburg (2019). Her research focuses on historical sociolinguistics, multilingualism, grapholinguistics, and historical cryptology. Notable projects include leading the DESCRIPT and DECRYPT initiatives, which explore historical manuscript decryption and linguistic diversity. She co-edits the NordiCon database analyzing medieval Nordic personal names in continental sources. Waldispühl's teaching spans German, Scandinavian, and English linguistics at all academic levels. Her work bridges historical linguistics with digital humanities, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to cryptology and sociolinguistic analysis. Key contributions include studies on medieval libri vitæ as sociolinguistic resources and the application of historical language models in cryptanalysis.

• Old English Literature
• Old Norse Literature
• Runes and Runology
• +2 more

Thomas Birkett is Professor in the School of English and Digital Humanities at University College Cork, specializing in Old English, Old Norse literature, and runology. He leads research on Viking cultural legacy and translation of medieval literature. Key research areas: Reception of Norse and Viking cultures Runic traditions in manuscripts Translation of early medieval poetry Viking heritage in contemporary contexts Birkett received the European Research Council Consolidator Grant (2024) to map Viking legacy across Europe and was named UCC's Early Stage Researcher of the Year (2018).

Marte SpangenView profile

Associate Professor

• Medieval Archaeology
• Sámi Archaeology
• Historical Archaeology
• +3 more

Marte Spangen is an Associate Professor of Historical Archaeology at UiT - Arctic University of Norway and affiliated with the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo since April 2023. Her research focuses on medieval archaeology, Sámi archaeology, and religious rituals, with a particular emphasis on cross-cultural interactions and sacred landscapes in northern Fennoscandia. She holds a PhD in Archaeology from Stockholm University (2016) and has held visiting research positions at the University of Cambridge. Her work combines osteological studies, isotope analysis, and historical sources to explore topics such as Sámi offering practices, medieval Christianization, and mobility patterns. Key projects include the Roads of the North (2018-2023), analyzing medieval territoriality, and the OSSO network studying Sámi offering sites. She teaches courses on archaeological theory, historical sources, and global archaeology at UiT. Recent publications address open access publishing trends in archaeology, the Ervika Runestone's significance in early Christianization, and the role of bear bones in Sámi rituals. She actively contributes to public archaeology through exhibitions and debates on metal detecting policies.

Antti LahelmaView profile

Lecturer

• Ancient Near Eastern Empires
• Prehistoric Rock Art
• Archaeology of Religion
• +6 more

Antti Lahelma is a Lecturer in Archaeology at the Department of Cultures , University of Helsinki , and a Docent (Reader-level academic qualification) in Archaeology. He serves as Vice-Director of the Academy of Finland-funded Centre of Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires (ANEE) and directs the University of Helsinki's MA Program in Cultural Heritage . His academic career spans European, North American, and Finnish archaeological traditions. University of Helsinki (MA 2001, PhD 2008) University of Tromsø (Supervision) University of Reading (Opponent in PhD defense) Research focuses on: Ancient Near Eastern Empires (960 BC-0 AD) Prehistoric Rock Art (Finland/Northern Fennoscandia) Archaeology of Religion (Cosmology, Iconography) Conflict Archaeology (Violence, Warfare) Neolithization (Foraging to Farming Transition) Archaeoacoustics (Prehistoric Sound Significance) Recent publications address megalithic structures in Jordan, runic inscription authenticity, and theoretical approaches to civilization studies. He maintains active fieldwork in Petra and Herculaneum, with postdoctoral experience at Université du Québec à Montréal (2010-2013). As Editor-in-Chief of Fennoscandia Archaeologica , he shapes North European archaeological discourse. Kalevalaseuran Young Researcher's Recognition (2008) Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence funding (2018-2025) Research Council of Finland grants (Team 3: Material Culture & Community Heritage) Teaching portfolio includes: Finnish/European/North American Prehistory Artifacts Analysis Archaeological Theory Research Seminars for BA/MA students Current projects involve satellite imagery analysis of Jordanian megaliths, Mesolithic European rock art studies, and collaborative research on hunter-gatherer mindscapes.

Valeria Di ClementeView profile

Associate Professor

• German Philology and Linguistics
• Medieval Germanic Languages
• Historical Linguistics
• +16 more

Valeria Di Clemente is an Associate Professor of German Philology and Linguistics at the University of Catania, Department of Humanities, and is based at the Special Teaching Structure of Foreign Languages and Literatures in Ragusa. She holds teaching responsibilities in Germanic Philology, Diachrony of Linguistic Change, and German Language within degree programs in Linguistic and Intercultural Mediation and Linguistic Sciences. Since March 2023, she has served as Chair of the Bachelor's program in Linguistic and Intercultural Mediation. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the University of Siena-Arezzo and prior roles as a fixed-term researcher at the same institution from 2011 to 2019. PhD in Germanic Philology and Linguistics, University of Siena-Arezzo (2004) Graduated in Foreign Languages and Literatures, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara (1999) National Scientific Qualification for Associate Professor (2015) C2 Certification in German, Goethe-Institut Freiburg (2002) Her research centers on medieval Germanic languages, with a focus on medical literature, historical linguistics, anthroponymy, and cultural influences in medieval Scotland. She investigates Early Scots, The Bruce, the Declaration of Arbroath, and the interplay between Germanic and other cultures. Her interests also extend to Old and Middle English, Old Norse, Middle Dutch, and contemporary adaptations of medieval texts. She emphasizes the pedagogical applications of historical linguistics in modern language learning. Her recent publications span topics such as Scandinavian runic inscriptions, medieval medical translations (e.g., Capsula Eburnea ), royal women in medieval Scandinavia, and narrative strategies in John Barbour’s The Bruce . These works reflect a consistent focus on textual analysis, cultural identity, and cross-linguistic contact in medieval Europe. Scientific Awards: Recipient of the Scardigli Prize (2011) for her monograph on 11th–12th century German medical-pharmaceutical texts. Valeria Di Clemente actively mentors academic work through her role in thesis supervision and research projects. She has led multiple funded research initiatives, including projects on Germanic heritage in medieval Scotland, medieval women’s status, and textual transmission of medical knowledge. She is a key organizer of the annual "Giornate Iblee della Germanistica" and has contributed to conferences on power, language, and gender. She is also co-director of the academic series Pronoéo (Agorà) and contributes biographical entries to the online Enciclopedia delle donne . Her lab and team involvement includes participation in the SWART research group and the PiACeRi 2024 EGEM project on Germanic and Mediterranean Europe.

• Medieval History
• History of Religions
• Norse Mythology
• +3 more

Pierre-Brice Stahl is an Associate Professor of Medieval History and History of Religions in Nordic Studies at Sorbonne University's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, where he heads the Nordic Studies research master's program and serves as current president of the Association for Nordic Studies (APEN). His academic background includes a dual degree in History and Ancient Religious Studies, with specialization in History of Religions. He has held visiting scholar positions at Harvard University, the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Iceland. Stahl's research centers on Norse mythology and Viking Age reception, with expertise spanning: Rites and Rituals of Pre-Christian Northern Religions Medieval Riddle Duels Boreal Medievalism Runes and Runic Inscriptions Old Norse Literature Viking Age Cultural Reception He represents France on the International Saga Conference committee and consults for media productions (TF1, Arte) as historical advisor. His editorial roles include scientific journal committees for Mélété, Etudes Germaniques, Deshima, and Nordiques.

Alessandro PalumboView profile

Associate Professor

• Runology
• Medieval Epigraphy
• Historical Sociolinguistics
• +3 more

Alessandro Palumbo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies , University of Oslo , specializing in runology and historical Scandinavian language development. His research intersects medieval epigraphy , historical sociolinguistics , and graphemic analysis , focusing on bilingualism and biscriptality in medieval Scandinavia. Appointments : Associate Professor (2020–), Head of Research (2023–2024), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (2020–2023) Education : PhD in Scandinavian Languages, Uppsala University (2018) Palumbo investigates multilingual landscapes through projects like Bear Out! (2024–2026) and LangMix (2019–2022). His 15 most recent articles analyze topics such as Latin-runic hybrid inscriptions , orthographic shifts in medieval runes, and geographical epigraphic domains in Västergötland. He leads courses like Hands-on Runology and has taught at Uppsala University, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and L'Orientale University of Naples. Awards : Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Collaborations : Anna Blennow, Jonatan Pettersson, Edith Marold Grants : Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (2020–2025), Horizon 2020 (2019–2022)