Nadia Guessous is an Associate Professor and Chair in the departments of Arabic, Islamic, & Middle Eastern Studies and Feminist & Gender Studies at Colorado College. Her research focuses on transnational feminist theory, postcolonial/decolonial thought, and critical Muslim/MENA studies. She explores themes such as secular feminism in Morocco, affect and power, and the decolonization of knowledge. Her current book project, The Tragedy of Progress , examines the intersection of postcolonial secular feminism and the legacies of colonial modernity in Morocco. Education: PhD in Anthropology, Columbia University (2011) MA in Anthropology, Columbia University (2001) BA in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst (1996) Research Interests: Transnational politics of gender/sexuality Religion and secularism Memory, embodiment, and affect Decolonial methodologies Awards & Fellowships: Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, Rutgers University (2012–2014) Recipient of multiple teaching awards at CC Teaching & Mentorship: Known for interdisciplinary courses like Critical Feminist Methodologies and Gender & Sexuality in the Modern Middle East Former Visiting Lecturer at Amherst College, Columbia/Barnard, and Princeton
David Burn is a Professor and Program Director of the POC Archeologie, Kunstwetenschappen en Musicologie (AKM) at the Faculty of Arts, KU Leuven. His research focuses on Heinrich Isaac and Renaissance musicology, with specializations in polyphony, liturgical chant, and source-critical studies. He leads multiple projects on medieval and Renaissance courtly song, Jesuit musical heritage, and multilingualism in early song. Burn supervises doctoral research and teaches courses on music history, analysis, and digital musicology. His editorial work includes co-editing the Journal of the Alamire Foundation . Research Interests: Polyphony, liturgical music, 15th–16th century Imperial lands, source studies, early music analysis. Teaching: Courses include 'Analysis in Context: Music to 1750', 'Music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance', and 'Research Colloquia in Musicology'. Projects: Promoting studies on Trouvère music, Jesuit musical inheritance, and Scottish polyphony. He actively contributes to academic conferences and publishes on topics like Czech National Library manuscripts and Low Countries musical traditions.
Cristina Dondi serves as a Full Professor in the Department of Modern Literature and Culture at Sapienza University of Rome's Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. Her academic work centers on the history of the book with specialized expertise in incunabula (15th-century printed books), early book trade networks, and digital humanities methodologies. She teaches the "History of the Book" course for Global Humanities students, delivering lectures in person at Rome's Faculty of Arts and Philosophy during the 2024-2025 academic year. Her research spans material evidence of early printed books, Venetian printing practices, Dante's textual circulation, and library transformations during religious secularization. She pioneers digital approaches through projects like 15cBOOKTRADE and CERL, developing visualization tools for historical book movement data and collaborative digital infrastructures. Her work bridges traditional book history with computational analysis, emphasizing how physical artifacts reveal cultural and commercial networks. Analysis of her 2021-2023 publications shows consistent integration of digital tools with historical scholarship, particularly regarding Italian incunabula circulation and MEI database applications. She frequently examines Venetian commercial practices, Dante's reception, and collaborative digital resource creation, demonstrating how visual analytics transforms understanding of pre-modern book economies. Scientific Awards: No specific awards were documented in the provided sources. Professor Dondi leads significant research initiatives including the 15cBOOKTRADE project and Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL) collaborations, which involve multi-institutional teams developing digital ecosystems for book historical research. These projects generate scholarly publications, digital tools, and educational resources while securing substantial research funding for infrastructure development and international conferences. She actively shapes the CERL digital ecosystem and 15cBOOKTRADE project framework, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between historians, librarians, and computer scientists. Her current work focuses on expanding Material Evidence in Incunabula (MEI) applications and creating open-access platforms for analyzing early print culture across European collections.
Jane Garnett is a Tutor in Modern History at Wadham College, University of Oxford. She holds affiliations with the Faculties of History and Theology, and contributes to the interdisciplinary MSt in Women’s Studies. Her research spans intellectual, cultural, and religious history since the 19th century, with a focus on gender, visual culture, and diasporic communities. Co-author of Spectacular Miracles (2013), analyzing miracle-working images in Italy Co-edited works on religion and diaspora in modern cities (2013-2016) Contributed to debates on economic ethics and Christian moral philosophy Led Leverhulme Trust-funded project on diaspora and religious identity in East London (2011-2015) Her methodological approach integrates interdisciplinary frameworks, collaborating with historians, social scientists, and art historians. She has organized public exhibitions in Britain and Italy, exploring visual experience and cultural identity. Jane Garnett’s scholarly contributions earned the ACE/Mercers' Book Award (2014) and recognition in Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor's Diversity Awards (2022). Supervises postgraduate research in British/European history, Women’s Studies, and History of Art Teaches courses on feminist research, Victorian intellectual history, and art in France
Rachel Marion Scott is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion and Culture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, within the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. She is also affiliated with ASPECT (Alliance of Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought), reflecting her interdisciplinary engagement with political and ethical theory in Islamic contexts. Her research centers on Islamic political thought, modern Islamic law, constitutional development in Muslim-majority countries, and personal status law. She has made significant contributions to understanding the interplay between religion and the nation-state, particularly in Egypt. Her scholarly work explores how religious authority is negotiated in constitutional frameworks, the evolution of Islamic legal thought, and the role of institutions like al-Azhar and the Muslim Brotherhood in shaping political discourse. Professor Scott’s publications reveal a sustained focus on the dynamics of Islamic law in modern governance, with a particular emphasis on Egypt’s constitutional history and legal reforms. Her work bridges religious studies, political science, and legal theory, addressing themes such as secularism, religious pluralism, citizenship, and hermeneutics. The articles show a trajectory from broader studies of political Islam to more nuanced analyses of constitutionalism, gender, and religious authority. She has authored two major monographs: The Challenge of Political Islam: Non-Muslims and the Egyptian State (Stanford University Press, 2010) and Recasting Islamic Law: Religion and the Nation State in Egyptian Constitution Making (Cornell University Press, 2021), both of which are central to contemporary scholarship on Islam and governance. While no formal list of awards is provided in the text, her publications with leading academic presses indicate recognition and scholarly impact in her field. Rachel M. Scott advises graduate students and contributes to academic mentorship through her leadership roles. As department chair, she oversees curriculum development, faculty collaboration, and interdisciplinary initiatives. There is no explicit mention of external grants, but her research output suggests engagement with funded scholarly projects or institutional support. She is affiliated with research initiatives related to Islamic studies, political thought, and constitutional law, particularly through her work with ASPECT and the Department of Religion and Culture. These affiliations support collaborative scholarship on ethics, cultural thought, and the role of religion in public life.
Kristin Soraya Batmanghelichi is a Professor in Middle East Studies at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages (IKOS), Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo. She is a feminist scholar with a PhD from Columbia University and has held academic positions at Leiden University, Columbia University, and Princeton University. Her research focuses on gender, sexuality, cyberactivism, and political Islam in Iran and the broader Middle East. PhD in Iranian Studies, Columbia University (2013) MA in Human Rights and MA in Middle Eastern Studies, Columbia University (2004, 2007) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Religion, Culture and Public Life (IRCPL), Columbia University (2016–2017) Visiting Lecturer, Leiden University (2014–2016) Her research interests include feminist theory, postcolonial studies, cyberactivism, women's movements, and the politics of class, sex, and race in the Middle East. She explores how gendered public spaces and digital platforms shape resistance and identity in Iran. Her work bridges activism and academia, particularly through feminist engagements with digital culture and diasporic politics. Her recent publications and monograph Revolutionary Bodies: Technologies of Gender, Sex, and Self in Contemporary Iran (2021) examine the intersections of technology, gender, and selfhood in Iran. Articles span topics such as cyberfeminism, government morality, and feminist challenges on social media, reflecting a strong focus on digital publics and feminist epistemology in the Iranian context. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Independent Research Fund Denmark (2023–2026), Co-PI President's Global Innovation Fund, Columbia University (2017) Whiting Foundation Dissertation Fellowship (2011–2012) Columbia University Jackson Fellowship (2008–09) Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (2006) Multiple research and travel fellowships from Columbia University and the Houtan Foundation She has supervised master’s theses and taught courses such as Iran in the World , Gender & Revolutions , and Fieldwork in the Middle East . She is Co-PI on a major Danish-funded project on diasporic Iranian politics and digital publics (2023–2026). She has co-organized international conference series on populism and pluralism across Amman, Tunis, Paris, and New York. She is an original member of the Theory of the Margins Collective in Oslo and founder of the Digging Collective , both of which support critical and interdisciplinary feminist scholarship.
Jeffrey S. Lidke is a Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Berry College. He holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado (1990), M.A. (1996), and Ph.D. (2000) in South Asia Religion and Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. A Fulbright Dissertation Fellow to Nepal (1996-97), his research focuses on Nepalese Tantra, South Asian religious traditions, and the intersection of contemplative practices with neuroscience. His major works include The Goddess Within and Beyond the Three Cities (2017) and Viśvarūpa Maṇḍir: A Study of Chaṅgu Nārāyaṇa (2017). Key research areas include Śākta Tantra's political theology, Abhinavagupta's monistic philosophy, and the neuroscientific implications of Tantric meditative practices. His work bridges textual analysis with ethnographic fieldwork in Nepal and India. Education: B.A., Religious Studies, University of Colorado (1990) M.A., South Asia Religion and Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara (1996) Ph.D., South Asia Religion and Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara (2000) Research Interests: Indian and Nepalese Tantra Kashmir Śaivism Cognitive Neuroscience of Contemplative Practices Embodied Mysticism in Art and Dance Maṇḍala Theory and Political Theology Key Contributions: Pioneered studies on the Sarvāmnāya Tantra system Explored neuroscientific applications of Tantric meditation Edited volumes on South Asian religious practices and ecology Awards: Fulbright Dissertation Fellowship (1996-97) Professional Activities: Co-editor of Southeast Review of Asian Studies Interviews on Tantric philosophy and Yoga-Neuroscience connections
Toomas Laarits is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University, where he joined in 2019. His research lies at the intersection of asset pricing, financial intermediation, and monetary policy, with a focus on investor behavior, safe assets, and macroeconomic announcements. Education: PhD in Financial Economics, Yale University, 2019 MPhil in Financial Economics, Yale University, 2017 MA in Financial Economics, Yale University, 2016 AB in Mathematics, Harvard University, 2010 His research investigates puzzles in financial markets, such as the pre-FOMC announcement drift, retail investor behavior, and the role of safe assets in times of crisis. By combining empirical analysis with theoretical modeling, he explores how investors interpret public information, the hedging demand for Treasuries, and the impact of fiscal stimulus on equity markets. His interdisciplinary work also extends into financial history, examining the 1930 downturn and the evolution of financial architecture. The most recent research articles show a strong trend toward understanding decision-making under uncertainty, the role of information in asset pricing, and the behavior of retail investors using novel datasets such as browser activity. His work frequently appears in top finance journals and receives media attention from outlets like the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the text. Professor Laarits has advised or collaborated with researchers such as Marco Sammon and has been involved in multiple high-impact projects with leading scholars including Gary Gorton, Viral Acharya, and Robin Greenwood. While no formal grants are listed, the scope and publication record suggest active funding. He teaches Foundations of Finance at the undergraduate level and contributes to the academic life at NYU Stern through research and mentorship. Labs and Research Teams: No formal lab is mentioned. However, his extensive co-authorship network indicates active participation in collaborative research groups focused on financial economics, macro-finance, and market microstructure.
Wendy Salmond is a Professor of Art at Chapman University, holding the Martha Weidlein Masters Professorship in Art within the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She specializes in Russian and Soviet art, design, icons, architecture, the Romanov Family, and Russian Revolutionary Culture. Dr. Salmond received her academic training with a BA (Hons I) in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Otago in New Zealand (1978), followed by an MA in Slavic Languages and Literatures (1983) and a PhD in Art History (1989), both from the University of Texas at Austin. Professor Salmond is a renowned scholar of Russian and early Soviet art, architecture, and design, with particular expertise in exploring the intersection of diverse cultural traditions in Russia and the formation of national identity. Her research spans the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, and Russian modernism, with a current focus on transformations in the perception and function of icons in Russia, from objects of devotion to works of art. She has made significant contributions to the study of Russian icons through extensive writing, lecturing, and curatorial work, including serving as a visiting curator at Hillwood Museum and Gardens and guest curator for exhibitions at Hillwood and The New York Public Library. Analysis of Professor Salmond's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Russian religious and secular art, particularly icons and their evolving cultural significance. Her work spans historical periods from Imperial Russia through the Soviet era, with particular attention to the intersection of religious tradition and modern artistic movements. The 2020 publication 'Eternity in Low Earth Orbit: Icons on the International Space Station' demonstrates her innovative approach, examining how Russian Orthodox icons have been incorporated into the International Space Station as sacred objects, connecting terrestrial religious traditions with space exploration. Among her notable honors, Professor Salmond holds the Martha Weidlein Masters Professorship in Art at Chapman University. She has also been recognized through invitations to curate major exhibitions and edit significant scholarly volumes on Russian art. Professor Salmond teaches courses on European modernism, graphic design history, gender and Western art, art history methods, and Russian art, design, and visual culture of the Imperial and early Soviet era. Her teaching emphasizes close visual analysis, sustained discussion, and the development of research skills. As a prolific translator of texts on Russian art and culture, she has edited volumes on Sergei Konenkov, the Bolshevik sales of Russian art in the 1920s and 1930s, and the reception of Art Nouveau in Russia. Her scholarly work extends beyond traditional academic boundaries through her active engagement with museum curation and public scholarship, creating bridges between academic research and public understanding of Russian art and culture.
Dr. Caglar Ezikoglu is a Lecturer in International Relations at the School of Social Science and Humanities, University of Wolverhampton (FABSS). He holds a PhD in International Politics (Aberystwyth, 2019) and an MA in European Politics (Sussex, 2013). His academic journey spans institutions including Leeds Beckett University (Visiting Lecturer, 2023-2025), University of Birmingham (Teaching & Research Fellow, 2023-2025), and Cankiri Karatekin University (Lecturer, 2019-2023). Education: PhD, International Politics, Aberystwyth University (2014-2019) MA, European Politics, University of Sussex (2012-2013) MA, Political Science, Ankara University (2009-2012) BA, Political Science, Ankara University (2005-2009) Ezikoğlu’s research synthesizes populism , authoritarianism , and political behavior with a regional focus on Turkey , the Middle East , and comparative historical studies (e.g., Ancient Rome). His work interrogates themes such as democratic erosion , religious freedom , and media’s role in political hegemony . Recent publications (2024-2025) bridge political theory , comparative case studies , and public policy analysis , often critiquing authoritarian trends in Turkey and beyond. His upcoming book compares Catonism in Rome to Erdogan’s populism , while a 2024 article in Intellectual Discourse examines economic voting behavior collapse in Turkey. Scientific Awards: Nominated for BISA Early Career Excellence Teaching Prize (2024) Nominated for PSA Sir Bernard Crick Teaching Prize (2024) Awarded British Academy’s GLOBAL TALENT VISA (Exceptional Promise, 2025) Received a Turkey Fellowship (2023-2024) Awarded BISA Conference Bursaries (2015-2017) He serves as Co-Convenor for the PSA International Relations Specialist Group and Editor for Open Theology (Web of Science Q1). As a Country Expert for V-Dem (2021-2025) and Senior Commissioning Editor for E-International Relations (2017-2020), he contributes to global academic networks.
Karl Bell is an Associate Professor in Cultural and Social History at the University of Portsmouth, specializing in supernatural and environmental history, folklore, and Victorian popular culture. He joined in 2007 after teaching at the University of East Anglia. Co-director, Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures Co-Principal Investigator, 'From Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green' (Lloyd’s Register-funded, 2025-2031) Former director, Supernatural Cities project (2016-2022) Education: PhD in History, University of East Anglia (2007) MA in Modern History, Birkbeck College, University of London (2001) BA Hons in Modern History, Anglia Ruskin University (1992) His research explores the relationship between modernity, enchantment, and the Gothic, with a focus on coastal environments, psychogeography, and the revival of folklore in contemporary culture. He has authored books like the award-winning The Legend of Spring-heeled Jack and The Magical Imagination . Recent publications examine maritime haunting, urban Gothic mindscapes, and the evolution of supernatural narratives. His work bridges historical analysis with literary and cultural studies, emphasizing affective landscapes and storytelling. Scientific Awards: Outstanding PhD Supervisor Award, University of Portsmouth (2017) He has secured AHRC funding for 'Lost Voices: Spiritualism in the First World War' (2017) and leads the Lloyd’s Register-funded 'From Sail to Steam' project (2025-2031). As founder of Portsmouth Darkfest (2016-2021), he fostered academic-creative collaborations and developed the Portsmyth app. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including the MA Victorian Gothic distance learning program, and serves on editorial boards of Revenant and Coastal Studies and Society .
Andrew Francis-Tan serves as Assistant Dean (Student Affairs) and Senior Lecturer at the LKY School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Previously, he was associate professor of economics at Emory University. His academic journey spans prestigious institutions including the University of Chicago where he earned his Ph.D. in economics, establishing his foundation in quantitative research methods. Francis-Tan's research program focuses on education, labor economics, and demography, with particular emphasis on patterns of inequality and public policies designed to empower vulnerable populations. His work explores how factors such as race, gender, and religion influence social identities and outcomes across diverse contexts, especially in Asia and Latin America. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economics, sociology, and public policy to address complex social challenges. His extensive publication record shows a clear research trajectory examining ethnic identity formation, religious dynamics under restrictive regulation, gender empowerment effects, and affirmative action policies. The publications span multiple high-impact journals across disciplines including Political Science, Sociology, Public Health, and Economics, demonstrating the cross-cutting relevance of his work. As an educator, Francis-Tan teaches advanced quantitative methods courses for PhD students (PP6706), education economics and policy (PP5196), and principles of economics for policy (PP5001). His teaching portfolio reflects his expertise in applying economic frameworks to policy analysis and his commitment to training the next generation of policy professionals with rigorous analytical skills.
Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar serves as Associate Professor of History at Brown University, specializing in modern South Asia, decolonization, and visual archives. Her interdisciplinary work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary art and public engagement, notably through her acclaimed book The Long Partition and the Making of Modern South Asia (2007). Her educational background includes a PhD from Columbia University (2003), MA from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor (1997), and BA from Wellesley College (1992). As Director of Brown's South Asian Studies Program (2012-2016), she co-organized the Brown-Harvard Pakistani Film Festivals and founded the Theory from the South reading group. Zamindar's research critically examines decolonization, displacement, and statelessness through visual and oral histories. Current projects include a graphic novel collaboration with Sarnath Banerjee on Gandhi and Abdul Ghaffar Khan (supported by the Salomon Research Grant) and the Anticolonial solo exhibition at Karachi's Canvas Gallery (2023), exploring anticolonial resistance on the Indo-Afghan border. Her publications reveal evolving interdisciplinary trends: early works focus on Partition refugees and borders, while recent scholarship (2020-2023) emphasizes repair, statelessness architectures, and secularism in South Asian art. Recurring themes include border politics, visual culture, and decolonial methodologies across historical and contemporary contexts. Scientific recognition includes: National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (2009-10) Fulbright Research Scholar (2008-9) Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Award (2022-23) Visiting Fellow at FU Berlin's Center for Affective Societies (2020-21) She actively engages public scholarship through collaborations with Primary Source, RISD Museum, Lahore Museum, and media appearances on BBC Radio's Museum of Lost Objects . Her teaching portfolio includes courses like Resisting Empire: Gandhi and the Making of Modern South Asia and Art History from the South , reflecting commitment to decolonial pedagogy. Zamindar co-leads the Decolonial Initiative on Migration of Objects and People and continues developing her graphic novel project while expanding the Art History from the South series through collaborations with scholars like Tapati Guha-Thakurta.
Michael Warner is the Seymour H. Knox Professor in the Department of English at Yale University, where he holds a prominent position in literary and cultural studies. His work bridges scholarship, theory, and public intellectual engagement across disciplines such as early American literature, queer theory, and the sociology of secularism. His research focuses on the interplay between media, reading practices, and the formation of social worlds. Warner explores how publics and counterpublics emerge through print culture and communication, with significant contributions to understanding the evangelical public sphere and the cultural roots of secularism in America. His interdisciplinary interests extend to new media, intellectual property, and political discourse. The recent articles reflect a strong trend in cultural and literary theory, with deep attention to public discourse, identity formation, and interpretive practices. Warner's work consistently engages with philosophical and historical dimensions of literature, often challenging normative frameworks in reading and social belonging. Co-editor, Varieties of Secularism in a Secular Age (Harvard University Press, 2010) Author, The Evangelical Public Sphere in Eighteenth-Century America (forthcoming, University of Pennsylvania Press) Author, Publics and Counterpublics (Zone Books, 2002) Author, The Trouble with Normal (Harvard University Press, 2000) Editor, The Portable Walt Whitman (Penguin, 2003) Warner has advised numerous graduate students and has been involved in major scholarly collaborations, though specific names are not listed. He has received support for his research through academic lectureships, including the Rosenbach Lectures (2009), and editorial projects with leading university presses. His work continues to influence both literary studies and social theory. He is associated with advanced research in secular culture and public discourse, particularly through his current book projects and lecture series. His intellectual leadership positions him at the center of debates on religion, modernity, and democratic public life.
Dr. Kerstin Steiner is an Associate Professor at the Law School, La Trobe University. She holds adjunct roles at the University of Melbourne's Asian Law Centre and Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society. Her leadership roles include Director of Research (2021), Acting Head of Law School (2019), and mentorship in promotions programs. Education: PhD, Melbourne University LLM, Melbourne University LLB, University of Bielefeld, Germany Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, Monash University Research Interests: Dr. Steiner specializes in comparative legal studies focusing on Southeast Asia, particularly intersections of law with politics, economics, and society, with a strong emphasis on Islam's role in judicial systems. She has conducted groundbreaking work on legal pluralism, religious governance, and anti-corruption frameworks in Malaysia and the Philippines. Key Research Trends: Her recent work (2023-2025) highlights evolving legal challenges in Southeast Asia, including digital hate speech mitigation, Islamic financial systems, and constitutional reforms in pluralistic societies. Earlier research (2017-2020) centered on corruption dynamics (e.g., 1MDB scandal), Shariah court systems, and gender equity in legal frameworks. Awards: VC Cultural Quality Award (2024), Distinguished Scholar Award (PHISO, 2018), Multiple Research Excellence Awards (2017) Grants: $100k+ for international study tours; ARC Discovery Project (2016-2020) on Islam, Law, and the Philippine State Labs/Teams: La Trobe Asia Steering Committee, International Legal Studies Research Group (ILSRG), Working Group on Islamophobia
.jpg)
