Find Academic Supervisors

• Medieval English language and literature
• History of the English language
• Medieval history of reading
• +2 more

Yin Liu is a Professor and Department Head of English at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Arts and Science. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta and specializes in medieval English language, literature, and digital humanities. Her research focuses on Middle English romances, medieval manuscript studies, and the intersection of textual and visual communication. Current projects include the Medieval Codes initiative. Education: B.A. and Ph.D. (English) from the University of Alberta. Research interests include: Medieval English language and literature History of the English language Manuscript studies Medieval reading practices Digital humanities applications Teaching includes courses like Middle English Romances and historical linguistics. She has been honored with three Teaching Excellence Awards (2005, 2017, 2018) from the University of Saskatchewan. Her work bridges textual analysis and digital innovation, exploring how medieval texts were read, annotated, and transmitted. She supervises graduate students in English and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects such as ArchBook and the Oxford English Dictionary’s historical methodologies.

Marco BianchiView profile

Senior Lecturer

• runology
• historical sociolinguistics
• textual research
• +2 more

Marco Bianchi serves as Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Nordic Languages at Uppsala University, where he also acts as Proinspector at Gotland Nation. His academic leadership extends to editorial roles as Editor of Futhark: International Journal of Runic Studies and member of the Samnordisk runetext database committee. His educational trajectory includes a PhD in Nordic Languages from Uppsala University (2010) and a lic.phil. degree in general history, Old Norse philology, and comparative Old Germanic linguistics from the University of Zurich (2003). PhD in Nordic Languages, Uppsala University (2010) lic.phil. in History/Old Norse/Comparative Germanic Linguistics, University of Zurich (2003) Bianchi's research centers on runology, historical sociolinguistics, and Germanic language history, with particular emphasis on textual boundaries and sociocultural contexts of runic inscriptions. His current Eternity Runes Project investigates interdisciplinary connections between epigraphy, semiotics, and Viking Age communication practices, revealing how runestones functioned as social media in early Scandinavian societies. Methodologically, he bridges digital humanities with traditional philological analysis to decode multilinear inscriptions and para-graphic elements. His 12+ publications since 2007 demonstrate consistent focus on runic studies, evolving from technical analyses of inscription boundaries (2012) to contemporary digital corpus management (2022). Key thematic clusters include sociolinguistic interpretations of runestones, editorial standardization for international databases, and critical reassessments of historical runology pioneers like Otto von Friesen. Bianchi actively shapes the field through graduate supervision and editorial stewardship, mentoring students like Sonja Entzenberg and Simon Karlin Björk while guiding Futhark 's publication strategy. His work receives international recognition through citations in Wikipedia and academic discourse, though formal awards aren't documented.

Ragnhild LjoslandView profile

Lecturer

• Sociolinguistics
• Cultural Heritage
• Orkney and Shetland Dialects
• +4 more

Dr. Ragnhild Ljosland is a sociolinguist and lecturer at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), affiliated with the Archaeology Institute and Language Sciences Institute at Orkney College. She specializes in Orkney and Shetland dialects, runology, and Norse cultural heritage. Her research explores linguistic shifts, historical discourse, and the interplay between language and identity in the Northern Isles. Education: PhD in Sociolinguistics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 2008 Cand. Philol. (Master’s equivalent) in Scandinavian Studies Research Interests: Discursive construction of cultural identity Norn to Scots language transition Runic inscriptions and modern rune use Scots language revitalization Orkney witchcraft trials narratives Publications & Media: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles, books, and chapters, including works on Orkney dialect grammar, modern rune carving, and historical linguistics. Featured in documentaries like Mystic Britain: The Monster of Maeshowe and media appearances on Scandinavian heritage. Awards: 2017 Highlands and Islands Student Association Award for Best Research Supervisor. Roles: Module leader for MLitt courses on Orkney dialects, runology, and Norse Studies Editorial board member, Scottish Language journal External examiner, University of Stavanger Labs/Teams: Collaborates on projects like the AHRC-funded Orkney and Shetland Dialect Corpus and community heritage initiatives.

• Archaeology of Memory
• Ancient Mediterranean Studies
• Comparative History of Archaeology
• +3 more

Felipe A Rojas Silva is an Associate Professor of Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University, affiliated with the Joukowsky Institute and Egyptology and Assyriology. His research focuses on the archaeology and history of the eastern Mediterranean, emphasizing the archaeology of memory, ancient scripts, and cross-cultural antiquarian traditions. Education: PhD in Archaeology from the University of California, Berkeley (2010); MA in Archaeology from Harvard University (2004); MA in Classics from New York University (2002). Research Interests: Explores how ancient communities interacted with material traces of their past, including studies on Anatolian rock-cut monuments, Roman interactions with pre-classical remains, and the global history of antiquarianism. Key themes include the archaeology of memory, sensory engagements with the past, and the cultural afterlives of ancient monuments. Recent Work Trends: His publications analyze the re-interpretation of ancient monuments, colonial encounters with material culture, and the role of smell and visual signs in historical consciousness. Collaborations include projects at Petra, Aphrodisias, and Sardis. Grants and Collaborations: Involved in multidisciplinary projects, such as the study of Petra’s rural landscapes and the analysis of ancient water systems in Anatolia. Co-edited volumes on antiquarianism and rock-cut monuments highlight his focus on cross-cultural comparisons. Labs/Teams: Active in fieldwork at sites like Umm Huwaiwitat (Petra) and Labraunda (Turkey), emphasizing landscape archaeology and material culture studies.

Karoline KjesrudView profile

Associate Professor

• Philology
• Art History
• Interdisciplinary Medieval Studies
• +6 more

Karoline Kjesrud is an Associate Professor at the Department of Archaeology, University of Oslo, specializing in interdisciplinary medieval studies combining philology, art history, and archaeobotany. She works on cultural phenomena related to nature, religion, and knowledge through analyses of texts, images, and material culture. Research focuses on plant knowledge in Viking and medieval Norway, human-animal relations, and cultural heritage preservation Leading the Nordic People and Plants project and co-organizing archaeobotanical databases Collaborates with international institutions via Erasmus+ and other networks Her recent publications explore topics like medieval food rituals, plant symbolism, and right-wing appropriation of historical symbols. She serves as leader of Collegium Medievale and board member of Middelalder Oslo . Participates in the interdisciplinary REA:Life project for pharmaceutical innovation using cultural heritage Organizes exhibitions like Arv and Wake for Fehn Active in the Norse Hagiography Network and Arthurian Society

Jill Hamilton ClementsView profile

Associate Professor

• Medieval Studies
• Old English Literature
• Old Norse-Icelandic Literature
• +5 more

Jill Hamilton Clements is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on Old and Middle English literature, Old Norse-Icelandic texts, and medieval death practices. She explores themes like material culture, memory studies, and medieval law, with a current book project on the interplay of dead bodies and texts in early English commemorative genres. Her teaching spans Old English, medieval epic, and language history. She co-directs the Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies minor and co-organizes 'Dinner+Movie' events linking pre-modern texts to film. Education: B.A. (Phi Beta Kappa) from Truman State University, M.A. from Western Michigan University’s Medieval Institute, and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Her work appears in Review of English Studies , Gesta , and Anglo-Saxon England . Research interests include death and burial archaeology, medieval textual analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches to manuscripts and artifacts. She actively presents at conferences like the International Congress on Medieval Studies (Kalamazoo) and publishes on topics like hell-mouth imagery, legal texts, and gender in medieval literature.

Paola PeratelloView profile

Researcher

• Runology
• Old Norse manuscript tradition
• Old Norse languages (East Norse)
• +8 more

Paola Peratello is a Researcher in Germanic Philology and Linguistics (GERM-01/A) at the Department of Comparative Linguistic and Cultural Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She specializes in runology, Old Norse manuscript traditions, and digital philology, with a focus on multispectral imaging and digital scientific editions. Research Projects: CHANGES - Cultural Heritage Active Innovation for Sustainable Society (PNRR-funded) Education: PhD in Germanic Philology (2023, University of Verona) and Master's in Digital Humanities (2019, Ca' Foscari University). Her work bridges paleography, codicology, and digital humanities, particularly through the Menota Archive collaboration. She has presented at major conferences like DH2024 and AIUCD2023. Scientific Awards: Doctoral scholarship from the Department of Excellence (2018-2022) She collaborates across disciplines, integrating neuroscience and digital methods for cultural heritage analysis, and has contributed to curatorial projects on marginalized historical narratives.

Kristel ZilmerView profile

Professor

• Runology
• Epigraphy
• Textual Cultures
• +5 more

Kristel Zilmer is Professor of Runology and Iconography at the Department of Archaeology, Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo since May 2020. Previously serving as Associate Professor at the same institution (2019-2020), she has held academic positions at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (2013-2019) and University of Tartu, Estonia (1997-2008). Her career spans over 25 years of research in Scandinavian textual cultures with focus on runic inscriptions across historical periods. Her research interests encompass Runology , Epigraphy , and Textual Cultures from the Iron Age through Middle Ages, with specialized focus on writing practices, visuality, materiality, and identity construction in Norse societies. She investigates script-bearing artifacts as cultural interfaces, examining how runes functioned within social contexts and how Old Norse literature is received in modern times. Her methodological approach integrates archaeological, philological, and media-theoretical perspectives. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on runic artifacts from Norwegian contexts (Bergen, Svingerud, Hole), demonstrating expertise in multimodal analysis of inscribed objects. Her work bridges archaeological findings with linguistic interpretation, particularly examining how runes operated within medieval urban environments and sacred spaces. The 2025 Antiquity paper represents cutting-edge integration of radiocarbon dating with epigraphic analysis. Series Editor for Bibliotheca Nordica (Novus Forlag) Norway representative on International Advisory Board of International Saga Conference Establishing member and former leader of 'Språk og Samfunn' research group Zilmer actively supervises graduate students and leads major research initiatives including the Ui3D project (Understanding and Immersion in 3D) and participation in the Research Network of Urban Literacy. Her grant portfolio includes projects on medieval Bergen literacy practices and Christian identity formation in Northern Europe. She directs the Centre for Viking-Age Studies (ViS) research group and serves on multiple editorial and advisory boards including Kjeldeskriftkommisjonen (National Archives). Her laboratory work centers on the Centre for Viking-Age Studies where she applies 3D modeling techniques to runic artifacts, developing new methodologies for analyzing inscribed objects through digital humanities approaches. Current collaborations with international teams focus on cross-cultural comparisons of medieval writing practices across Nordic regions.

• Old Norse Studies
• Medieval Linguistics
• Icelandic Sagas
• +3 more

Jan Ragnar Hagland is a Professor at NTNU’s Department of Nordic Studies and Literature, specializing in Old Norse philology, runic studies, and the history of the Norwegian language. His research focuses on medieval legal texts, Icelandic sagas, and the intersection of literacy practices with socio-historical contexts. He has authored or co-authored numerous books and articles, including editions of medieval legal codes, translations of sagas, and studies on runic inscriptions. Affiliations: NTNU, Faculty of Humanities; Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters Key Projects: Trøndersk Språkhistorie (Trøndelag Language History Project), Runestone Analysis, Saga Translation Projects His work bridges textual analysis and historical context, examining how language and literature reflect cultural, legal, and social dynamics in medieval and early modern Scandinavia. Notably, he explores the role of literacy in shaping local identities and the transmission of legal and mythological knowledge.

• Linguistics
• Swedish Language Research
• Grammar Didactics
• +4 more

Per Holmberg is a Professor of Swedish with a focus on linguistic research who served as the Tage Danielsson Visiting Professor at Linköping University's Department of Culture and Society (IKOS) from September 2021 to December 2022. He maintains dual affiliations with Linköping University's Department of Communication, Literature and Swedish (KLS) and the University of Gothenburg where he holds his primary professorship. Research Interests Professor Holmberg's research spans several interconnected areas of Swedish language and linguistics. His primary interests include: Grammar didactics and pedagogical approaches to teaching Swedish language Interpretation of Viking Age runic inscriptions, particularly the Rökstenen Development of subject didactics as a research field Contemporary Swedish language use and its historical connections His innovative work on the Rökstenen challenges traditional interpretations, suggesting these inscriptions relate more to astronomical rhythms than heroic tales, opening new avenues for understanding early literacy in the Viking Age. Publications and Research Trends While Holmberg's publication record extends beyond what's detailed here, his recent work demonstrates a consistent focus on bridging historical linguistic analysis with contemporary language education. His research shows how understanding historical texts can inform modern teaching practices, particularly in grammar instruction. Scientific Awards Recipient of the Swedish Academy's prize for outstanding merit in Swedish language research and language care Research Projects and Grants Grammar didactics in practice (ongoing) - Developing models for integrating grammar teaching into writing and reading instruction Early Viking Rune Literacy (VR 2017-2021) - Reinterpreting the Rökstenen runic inscription New wine in old bottles or old wine in new bottles? (VR 2022-2024) - Examining the establishment of Swedish subject didactics as a research field These projects have been supported by significant research funding, including grants from the Swedish Research Council (VR). Academic Leadership As part of the Research Environment for Educational Work with a Focus on Language and Literature Didactics, Professor Holmberg collaborates with researchers, educators, and students to develop practical approaches to language teaching that benefit all students.

• Runology
• Old Norse Literature
• Skaldic Poetry
• +3 more

Kristel Zilmer is a scholar specializing in Runology, Old Norse literature, and cultural-historical analysis of skaldic poetry and Icelandic sagas. She holds a Doctor's Degree from the University of Tartu and has served as Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Tartu and a postdoc at the University of Bergen. Her research focuses on communication and travel in the Baltic region during the Viking Age and Middle Ages, combining philology with historical and cultural studies. Education: PhD in Scandinavian Studies (2005), MA in Scandinavian Studies (2000, cum laude), BA in Scandinavian Studies (1998, cum laude). She has also studied at the University of Oslo in Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture. Research Interests: Runology (textual, visual, and communicative features of runestones), Old Norse literature (skaldic poetry and sagas), travel motifs in narratives, and second language acquisition methodologies. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating philology with history and cultural studies. Publications: Over 17 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including key works on Baltic traffic in Norse sources and intercultural communication in sagas. Recent research highlights include analysis of travel narratives and cultural memory in Icelandic sagas. Awards: Gold medal from Tartu Secondary School No. 2 (1992). Active in academic organizations, including the International Saga Society since 2003. Administrative Roles: Head of the Department of Scandinavian Studies (2007–2008), Head of Scandinavian Languages and Cultures program (2006–2008), and coordinator of international projects on Nordic sagas and interdisciplinary text studies. Labs/Teams: Involved in collaborative projects like 'Sprid Österut' and organized international conferences/seminars on Nordic studies and medieval culture.

• Archaeology
• Iron Age Studies
• Environmental Archaeology
• +4 more

Ingrid Ystgaard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Historical and Classical Studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Humanities. Her research focuses on social dynamics, environmental archaeology, and settlement patterns in the Iron Age (500 BCE–1000 CE), with particular attention to warfare, material culture, and human-environment interactions. She led archaeological excavations at Ørland Air Base (2015–2019), uncovering Early Iron Age and Viking Age settlements. Ystgaard earned her PhD in Archaeology from NTNU in 2014, analyzing warfare in Central Norway through weapon grave and fort analysis. She has extensive field experience in Norway and Roman Egypt. Her educational background includes a PhD in Archaeology (2014) and an MSc thesis on bygdeborger (village forts) in Trøndelag (1998). She teaches courses on archaeology, material culture, and methodological theory at NTNU. Research interests emphasize Iron Age social hierarchies, mobility, and environmental adaptation. Her work combines interdisciplinary methods like pollen analysis, radiocarbon dating, and geophysical surveys. Recent publications explore open access publishing in archaeology, Iron Age settlement organization, and environmental interactions at coastal sites. Ystgaard advises bachelor and master students on archaeological methods, theory, and historical periods. She collaborates with international institutions and actively disseminates findings through public lectures, podcasts, and media outlets. Key projects include excavations at Ørland and analysis of the 536 CE climate crisis's impact on settlements.

Rodney EdvinssonView profile

Professor

• Economic History
• International Trade
• Monetary Systems
• +6 more

Rodney Edvinsson is a Professor at the Department of Economic History and International Relations at Stockholm University. His research spans multiple centuries of economic data, focusing on: Historical GDP reconstruction Monetary system evolution Demographic and climatic impacts on economies Gender economics Pre-industrial agricultural output Research Highlights: Edvinsson has pioneered long-term economic analyses through projects like: Constructing a 700-year Consumer Price Index for Sweden Analyzing Swedish GDP 1620-1800 using harvest data Studying gender labor dynamics during Sweden's 'housewife era' (1930-1970) Investigating copper standard monetary systems in early modern Sweden Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles reveal sustained expertise in: Historical price indices Monetary policy continuity Demographic-economic interactions Gender role economics Climate impact modeling Pre-industrial market systems Key Contributions: Edvinsson's work has transformed historical economic analysis through: Creation of multi-century datasets Integration of climatic variables into economic models Re-evaluation of pre-industrial productivity Challenging traditional mercantilist narratives Developing time-use methodologies Exposing structural breaks in economic growth patterns

Michael SchulteView profile

Professor

• Comparative linguistics
• Writing system research (Runes)
• Formulaic language (Runic inscriptions)
• +4 more

Michael Schulte is a Professor of Nordic Linguistics at the University of Agder, leading the Department of Nordic and Media Studies since 2013. Previously, he held professorial roles at Volda University College (2007–2012) and adjunct professorships at the University of Iceland (2016–present) and Heliopolis University in Cairo (2019–present). He earned his Magister Artium (1993) and PhD (1997) in Germanic Philology and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Bonn, with research stays in Iceland and Germany. His expertise includes comparative linguistics, runic studies, and Nordic language history. Schulte has received prestigious awards, including the Fridtjof Nansens Award (2014) and election to the Royal Historical Society (2023). He has advised numerous research projects, such as the Postdoc fellowship on 'Prefixation and Preverbation in North Germanic' (2002–2005) and led the 'Prefixation in Nordic' research project (2006). His work bridges linguistics and sociocultural history, with a focus on Old Norse and Proto-Norse studies. Education highlights include studies in Germanic Philology, Indology, and Tibetology at the University of Bonn, followed by a research year at the University of Iceland. His career began as a German DAAD Lecturer (1998–2002) and evolved through academic leadership roles. Schulte has contributed to over 150 international presentations and authored works like Grundfragen der Umlautphonemisierung (1998). His research integrates linguistic analysis with cultural history, particularly in runic inscriptions and Nordic language evolution. Research Interests: Runology, comparative linguistics, Old Norse, sociocultural history, and the evolution of Nordic writing systems. Awards: Highlighted awards include recognition from the Agder Academy and Nansenfondet, emphasizing his contributions to Nordic linguistic research. Adjunct Roles: Strengthens academic collaboration through positions at international institutions.

Jonas CarlquistView profile

Professor

• Old Swedish language
• Medieval manuscript studies
• Runic studies
• +3 more

Jonas Carlquist is Professor in Scandinavian Languages at Umeå University , based in the Department of Language Studies, Section of Swedish and Scandinavian Studies. Holding the Swedish academic title of Docent, he specializes in Old Swedish philology, medieval manuscript culture, runology, and the intersection of text, image, and devotion in late-medieval Sweden. Research Interests Old Swedish language and textual analysis Medieval manuscripts and literacy practices Runic inscriptions before the Viking Age Material culture and devotional artefacts in parish churches Digital philology and scholarly editing Gender and learning in Birgittine monasteries Carlquist’s publications reveal a consistent focus on how texts—both runic and manuscript—function within their historical contexts. A recurring theme is the interplay between written word and material object, evident in studies of Marian sculptures, Vadstena Abbey’s liturgical books, and pre-Viking fibula inscriptions. His work integrates traditional philological close reading with modern digital approaches, advocating what he terms “the art of reading slowly.” Research Groups & Projects Member of the Umeå Group for Premodern Studies Principal investigator of the project Imitatio Mariae (2010–2013) Contact E-mail: jonas.carlquist@umu.se Phone: +46 90 786 66 24 Office: Humanisthuset, corridor HUM.K.2, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden