Find Academic Supervisors

Philip M. KanfushView profile

Associate Professor

• Literacy Instruction
• Behavioral Disorders
• Special Education
• +5 more

Dr. Philip M. Kanfush is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education at Saint Vincent College, where he also serves as Executive Director of the Bearcat B.E.S.T. Program. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctoral Level and Certified Brain Injury Specialist, he holds licenses in Pennsylvania and Alabama. Ed.D., Special Education (West Virginia University, 2010) M.Ed., Special Education (University of Pittsburgh, 2003) M.Div., Systematic Theology (Saint Vincent Seminary, 2000) M.A., Scriptural Theology (Saint Vincent Seminary, 1999) B.A., Secondary Education with dual majors in Economics and Sports Medicine (University of Pittsburgh, 1985) His research focuses on literacy instruction for neurodiverse learners , life skills training for individuals with multiple disabilities , and behavioral disorder interventions . Recent publications examine direct instruction methodologies, embedded field experiences in teacher development, and historical documentation of stained glass art in religious contexts. Dr. Kanfush teaches graduate courses in inclusionary education, assessment for low-incidence disabilities, and statistics/research design, alongside undergraduate classes in reading instruction, autism spectrum disorders, and behavioral analysis.

• Religious Studies
• History of Religions
• Comparative Religion
• +3 more

Nurullah Haydar Yurduseven is a Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Sciences, Faculty of Theology, Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi since 2024. He previously held Research Assistant positions at İslami İlimler Fakültesi (2019-2024) and Hitit Üniversitesi (2012-2019). Anadolu University - BA (Theology) 2003-2007 The University of Manchester - MA (Religions and Theology) 2010-2011 Hitit University - PhD (Philosophy and Religious Sciences) 2012-2023 His research focuses on Religious Studies and History of Religions , with particular emphasis on Early Christian theology, comparative religious terminology, and Turkish folk religious practices. His work explores intersections between ancient Egyptian civilization and Christological concepts, Jewish-Christian relations, and Islamic cultural anthropology in Anatolia. Recent publications reveal trends in Abrahamic faiths comparison , syncretic Anatolian belief systems , and missionary activities across historical and contemporary contexts. He contributes to multi-volume academic encyclopedias while maintaining focus on primary religious texts analysis. Despite lacking formal awards listings, his academic trajectory demonstrates expertise in interdisciplinary religious studies combining theological analysis with historical and sociological methodologies. Currently, no advisees are documented in available records.

Daniel L. PalsView profile

Professor

• Religious Studies
• Comparative Religion
• History of Religion
• +5 more

Daniel L. Pals serves as Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences. He also directs both the MALS Program and Graduate Studies within the department. His institutional roles demonstrate significant academic leadership within religious studies at this major research university. Professor Pals specializes in the theoretical frameworks for understanding religion, with particular focus on comparative analysis of religious traditions and the historical development of religious thought. His research spans Western religious traditions with significant contributions to understanding Christianity in America, the evolution of religious theory from Victorian anthropology to contemporary paradigms, and critical examinations of biblical scholarship. His work consistently engages with both reductionist and non-reductionist approaches to religious phenomena. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent scholarly output spanning nearly two decades, with particular emphasis on theoretical approaches to religion (as evidenced by his 'Nine Theories' and 'Ten Theories' books), American religious history, and historical analysis of religious institutions. His work shows strong engagement with both classical theorists (Tylor, Frazer, Durkheim, Weber) and contemporary religious scholarship, demonstrating intellectual breadth across multiple religious traditions and historical periods. As Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Pals oversees the academic development of graduate students in Religious Studies, guiding research in comparative religion, historical analysis, and theoretical frameworks. His leadership as Interim Chair demonstrates administrative responsibility for the entire department's operations, curriculum development, and faculty coordination.

Enikő Hajnalka KovácsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Book of Psalms
• Psalms Exegesis
• Individual Lament Songs
• +2 more

Dr. Enikő Hajnalka Kovács is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Old Testament Studies , Faculty of Theology, Gáspár Károli Reformed University. Her academic work focuses on the Book of Psalms, Hebrew language, and Old Testament exegesis, with a specialization in individual lament psalms and their theological implications. Education: PhD in Theology (2013–2016), Protestant Theologian (2008–2012), both from Gáspár Károli Reformed University. Her research integrates Biblical Hebrew philology with pedagogical approaches to religious education, emphasizing textual analysis and cultural contextualization. She has presented at numerous international theological conferences and conducted research at institutions like Tyndale House (Cambridge) and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Recent publications analyze Psalms' composition, metaphorical language, and theological themes, reflecting her expertise in Hebrew poetry and Old Testament interpretation. She supervises Master's theses on topics like biblical commentary and religious pedagogy, contributing to Reformed identity formation through scriptural study. Professionally, she has served as Adjunct Lecturer (2016–2021) and University Assistant Professor (2021–2022). Her additional activities include organizing theological conferences and participating in archaeological fieldwork in Israel.

Mehmet Sadık GürView profile

Assistant Professor

• Arabic Language and Eloquence
• Islamic Mysticism
• Comparative Semitic Languages
• +4 more

Dr. Mehmet Sadık Gür is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Eastern Languages and Literatures at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. His academic roles include Deputy Head of Department (2025-Present) and former Head of Department (2014-2017). Arabic Language and Eloquence Islamic Mysticism Comparative Semitic Languages Classical Arabic-Islamic Cosmology History of Science Translation Studies His recent publications focus on Semitic language classification, Arabic manuscript translation, and cross-cultural analysis between Turkish and Jewish communities. He contributes to academic journals like Sufiyye as an editor and redactor, and has participated in international conferences on Middle Eastern studies.

Şehmus DemirView profile

Professor

• Quranic Studies
• Tafsir (Quranic Commentary)
• Islamic Theology
• +7 more

Professor Şehmus Demir is a prominent scholar in Islamic Studies currently serving as Rector of Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University since 2023. Previously, he held significant administrative positions including Vice Rector and Dean at Gaziantep University (2014-2021), and has been a Professor in the Department of Basic Islamic Sciences at the Faculty of Theology since 2009. His academic journey began at Atatürk University where he earned his Doctorate in Commentary (1995-2002), MA in Tafsir (1993-1995), and Licence in Theology (1989-1993). His research interests span multiple dimensions of Quranic studies with particular focus on Tafsir (Quranic commentary), Quranic sciences, history of Quranic interpretation, modern approaches to Quran, Islamic economics, and religious education. Professor Demir has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between Quran and science, contemporary approaches to Quranic interpretation, and the historical development of tafsir literature. His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on both traditional Islamic scholarship and contemporary applications. Recent publications show increasing engagement with modern challenges including environmental ethics from Quranic perspective, contemporary educational methodologies based on Quranic principles, and the role of theology faculties in contemporary society. His work bridges classical scholarship with modern academic approaches to Islamic studies. As a supervisor, Professor Demir has guided numerous doctoral and master's students through their academic journeys, with recent theses addressing topics such as Quranic educational methods, translation challenges, historical analysis of tafsir literature, and contemporary applications of Quranic principles in various fields. Professor Demir has held leadership roles including President of the Turkey Theology and Islamic Sciences Faculties Deans Council (2023) and President of Ilahiyat Akademi Journal (2015). He has also contributed significantly to academic discourse through his editorial work and numerous conference presentations both nationally and internationally. His administrative career includes substantial contributions to university governance, having served on multiple boards and committees at Gaziantep University, and previously at Atatürk University where he held positions including Department Head and Program Coordinator. His leadership extends to international academic cooperation through roles as Erasmus and Farabi Coordinator.

Monika SpringbergView profile

Researcher

• Arabic and Islamic Studies
• Material culture of the Islamic world
• Quran manuscripts
• +1 more

Dr. Monika Springberg is a Research Associate at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Münster, where she has been employed since 2009. Previously, she served as a lecturer at the same institute from 2000 to 2005 and worked in private sector management from 2006 to 2008. She holds a Master of Arts (1989) and Doctorate (1998) in Islamic Studies from the University of Münster, with supplementary studies in Romance Studies, Ancient History, and Modern History, including research visits to Ain Shams University (Cairo) and the University of Cádiz. Her research focuses on three interconnected domains: Material culture of the Islamic world : Examining artifacts and daily objects to understand sociocultural practices Quran manuscripts from South Asia : Investigating textual transmission and material aspects of Islamic scriptures History of Islamic South Asia : Analyzing historical developments across the Indian subcontinent Her publications demonstrate consistent scholarly engagement with Islamic material culture and historiography. Early works focused on pre-Islamic Arabian history and garment traditions, while recent editorial projects explore intercivilizational dynamics. A notable progression toward contemporary issues of conflict and coexistence is evident in her 2022 edited volume.

• Constitutional Law
• Evidence Law
• Legal History
• +5 more

Professor Keith Thompson serves as Professor of Law at The University of Notre Dame Australia's Sydney Campus School of Law, specializing in Constitutional Law, Evidence Law, Legal History, and Law and Religion with particular expertise in religious freedom and confession privilege. Education: LLB (Hons), University of Auckland M Jur, University of Auckland PhD, Murdoch University Dip Export, IMD (Hons) ACIArb (London) Notary Public qualification Research Focus: His scholarship centers on Religious Confession Privilege , Jury Vetting , and Theosis (deification), examining historical and contemporary intersections of law and religion. Current editorial projects include Current Issues in Constitutional Law and Law and Love , with frequent analysis of Book of Mormon legal narratives and religious freedom frameworks across Australia, the US, and Singapore. Scholarly Trends: Recent publications reveal sustained emphasis on religious freedom in educational contexts, constitutional challenges to religious practices, and historical foundations of legal principles. A distinctive thread connects Latter-day Saint theology with legal analysis, particularly regarding confession privilege and religious identity preservation in institutional settings. Academic Leadership: Professor Thompson has supervised 3 PhD completions, 2 LLM (research) completions, and 38 undergraduate honors/directed research projects. He secured approximately $400,000 in research funding for SEIROS, an economic think tank he founded, demonstrating commitment to both theoretical and applied legal scholarship. Community Integration: Beyond academia, he serves as Managing Director of SEIROS and National Public Communications Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with decades of church leadership service complementing his legal advocacy in religious freedom submissions to parliamentary committees.

Zacharias Frey-ShoukryView profile

Academic

• New Testament Studies
• Creation Theology
• Gender Ethics
• +7 more

Dr Zacharias Frey-Shoukry is Research Associate at the Chair of New Testament Studies, University of Rostock, working within the DFG-funded project “Gender Variants: Revisions of Gender Constructions in Textual Traditions”. Since 2024 he also serves as Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Greifswald. His scholarly profile combines philological precision, digital-humanities methods, and ethical engagement with Scripture. Education 2012 – 2019: Protestant Theology, University of Marburg – Magister Theologiae & Church Examination (Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck) 2022: Dr theol., University of Mainz – Dissertation “Creation in the Gospel of John” supervised by Prof. Dr Ruben Zimmermann & Prof. Dr Esther Kobel Research Interests Dr Frey-Shoukry’s work is positioned at the intersection of textual criticism, creation theology, and gender ethics. Creation theology in early Judaism and Christianity forms the backbone of his monograph and numerous articles, while gender-related textual criticism drives his current Habilitation project on the figure of Junia and gendered variants in the New Testament tradition. He integrates digital humanities —corpus linguistics, semantic analysis, and manuscript databases—to illuminate reception histories of biblical texts. Additional foci include war-and-peace studies, eco-hermeneutics, and the ethical afterlives of Scripture. Awards & Recognition DFG research grant (2024–) for “Gender Variants” project Invited lecturer and peer-reviewer for leading journals in New Testament studies Teaching & Supervision Dr Frey-Shoukry teaches introductory and advanced courses on the Gospels, Pauline letters, and inter-religious dialogue at both Rostock and Greifswald. Courses planned for 2025/26 include The Gospel of Mark , Women and Men in Paul , and The New Testament and the Qur’an , delivered in hybrid formats to encourage broad participation. Labs & Collaborations He collaborates with the Rostock Department “Knowledge – Culture – Transformation” and participates in multiple international scholarly societies (SNTS, SBL, EABS, WGTh), fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue between theology, digital humanities, and ethics.

Alexander HsuView profile

Academic

• History
• Religion
• Asian Studies
• +5 more

Alexander Hsu is an Assistant Teaching Professor affiliated with the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion and the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. His roles include academic advisor and program manager at the Ansari Institute. Research Focus: Hsu studies early Buddhist scriptures in medieval China, integrating manuscript studies genre theory cultural history to analyze how texts reflect transformations in religious reading practices. His current book project investigates the use of anthologies to 'economize' the Buddhist scriptural canon.

Martin GaneriView profile

Lecturer

• Theology of Religions
• Hindu Philosophy
• Vedanta
• +3 more

Rev Dr Martin Ganeri OP serves as an Official Fellow and Lector at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, teaching Sacred Scripture, Phenomenology, Theology of Religions, and Archaeology. His academic credentials include: MA in Classics and Oriental Studies (University of Cambridge) MPhil in Ancient Indian Archaeology (University of Cambridge) DPhil in Theology (University of Oxford) Ganeri's research pioneers comparative theology between Hindu thought and Western theism, specializing in Ramanuja's Vedanta tradition. His work bridges phenomenological analysis with archaeological insights into religious practices, emphasizing interfaith dialogue and scriptural interpretation across cultural boundaries. This interdisciplinary approach integrates historical, philosophical, and theological methodologies to explore religious pluralism. His sole highlighted publication, "Hindu Thought and Western Theism: The Vedanta of Ramanuja" (2015), establishes foundational connections between Eastern and Western theological frameworks, reflecting consistent focus on Vedantic philosophy within comparative religious studies. The work demonstrates methodological rigor in cross-cultural theological analysis. As an advisor, Ganeri mentors students in theology and religious studies, though specific names aren't documented. He actively contributes to Oxford's academic ecosystem through Blackfriars Hall's scholarly initiatives and Dominican intellectual traditions.

E. D. BurnsView profile

Professor

• Missiology
• Biblical Spirituality
• Christian Missions
• +6 more

E. D. Burns serves as a Professor of Missiology and Spirituality at Asia Biblical Theological Seminary. A long-term missionary active in the Middle East, East Asia, Alaska, and Southeast Asia, he combines missional outreach with theological education. His work focuses on developing indigenous theological resources and training pastors and missionaries for underserved regions. Education: Ph.D. in Biblical Spirituality & Christian Missions (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) M.Div. in Historical Theology & Biblical Studies (Western Seminary) M.A. in TESOL (Biola University) M.A. in Evangelism & Christian Formation (Wheaton College) B.A. in Biblical Studies & TESOL (Moody Bible Institute) His research bridges missiology and spirituality, emphasizing transcultural gospel engagement and spiritual formation for global ministry. Current publications address themes like karmic contexts, faith resilience, and the historical legacy of figures such as Adoniram Judson. Recent works explore the intersection of Christian missions with cultures of shame, fear, and bondage. The Great Commission framework underpins his theological analysis, advocating for spiritual abiding amidst cross-cultural service. Burns has contributed extensively to missional literature, with books on topics including evangelism, apologetics, and biblical piety. His forthcoming titles continue to address theological foundations and practical ministry applications.

• History of Pre-Islamic Arabia
• Early Islamic History
• Islamic Theology
• +3 more

Assoc. Prof. Pavel Pavlovitch, PhD, is a permanent Associate Professor at the Department of Arabic Studies and Semitology within the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". He holds a PhD in History (awarded in 1998) and an academic title of Associate Professor (2005), specializing in medieval Islamic history and pre-Islamic Arabian culture. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences – Doctoral education in History (1998) Sofia University – Doctoral degree in Arabistics (1994) Baghdad University – Bachelor's in History (1992) His research spans pre-Islamic Arab history , origins of Islamic theology , interreligious dynamics , and methodological approaches to Qur'anic and Hadith studies . Publications analyze early Islamic legal developments, gender norms, and historical-philological criticism of religious traditions. Recent academic activities focus on Qur'anic terminology , stoning practices , and cross-confessional influences . He has held editorial roles at Orientalia and Manas journals, and participated in over 20 international conferences including ICANAS and European Arabists' Congresses. Scientific Awards Andrew Mellon Fellowship (Madrid, 2008) Gerda Henkel Scholarship (Berlin, 2013-2015) As a multilingual scholar fluent in Arabic, English, Hebrew, Persian, Polish, and Russian, Pavlovitch bridges Eastern and Western academic traditions. His leadership of Sofia University's Department of Arabic Studies since 2012 demonstrates institutional impact.

• Eastern Christianity
• Syriac Studies
• Coptic Literature
• +5 more

Philip Michael Forness serves as a Senior Lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies within the Research Unit History of Church and Theology. He is an active researcher with numerous ongoing projects through 2029-2032 and maintains membership in LECTIO – KU Leuven Institute for the Study of Text Transmission and the Faculty Council of Theology and Religious Studies. His research centers on Eastern Christianity with specialized focus on Syriac and Coptic literary traditions, manuscript cultures, and translation history in Late Antiquity. Forness investigates how Eastern Christian communities maintained identity through textual production, particularly examining Syriac Orthodox institutional development, intercultural exchanges, and the transmission of classical heritage within non-Chalcedonian contexts. Forness's recent publications (all 2025) reveal consistent thematic patterns across multiple disciplines: religious studies, manuscript cultures, and translation history. His work demonstrates sophisticated analysis of Syriac homiletics, epistolary traditions, and the geographical spread of Eastern Christian textual cultures. Key projects include critical editions of Syriac texts, studies of Philoxenus of Mabbug's correspondence, and investigations into Julian the Apostate's reception in Coptic literature. As an active academic, Forness contributes to major reference works and edited volumes while presenting at international conferences across Europe. His ORCID identifier is 0000-0003-0577-4892 . Forness teaches specialized courses including History of Eastern Christianity (A05G6A), Coptic I (A07N6A), and Coptic II (A07N7A), training students in both historical contexts and linguistic analysis of Eastern Christian traditions. His research methodology combines philological rigor with cultural historical analysis, particularly examining how translation practices shaped religious identity formation in multilingual environments.

• Medieval Bulgarian Literature
• Hagiography
• Byzantine Studies
• +3 more

Assoc. Prof. Nevena Gavazova is an academic at the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo , affiliated with the Faculty of Modern Languages and the Department of Bulgarian Literature . Her research focuses on Medieval Bulgarian Literature , Hagiography , Byzantine-Slavic Cultural Exchange , and Orthodox Theology . Project leader for Digitization Lab at the University Library (2024) Co-organizer of international conferences on Athonite-Slavic spiritual traditions Research Interests center on analyzing Old Bulgarian manuscripts , hagiographic texts , and Byzantine religious philosophy . Her work bridges medieval ethics , spiritual biographies , and Slavic philology , with a focus on intertextuality between Ladder of Divine Ascent and Bulgarian literature. Recent publications (2013–2025) examine 14th-century saints' lives , manuscript translations , and ascetic practices like fasting and charity. She contributes to cultural heritage preservation through digitization initiatives and international symposiums. Projects include: Digitization Lab for educational and research resources (2024) International Symposium Tarnovo Literary School (2021, 2023) Editorial work for Fragmenta Hellenoslavica journal