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Per-Henning OlssonView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Swedish music history (18th century)
• Swedish music history (20th century)
• Music analysis of pop music
• +3 more

Per-Henning Olsson is a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University's Department of Musicology, where he has served as Director of Studies for Advanced Level since July 2025. Previously, he held significant administrative roles including Director of Studies for the undergraduate program (2013-2018) and Head of Department (2018-2024). He earned his doctorate in 2013 with a dissertation titled A Symphonic Oddity: A Study in Allan Pettersson's Symphony Composition , establishing his expertise in Scandinavian musical traditions. His research encompasses two primary domains: Swedish music history spanning the 18th and 20th centuries, and analytical methodologies applied to popular music—particularly tempo and rhythm structures in rock and pop genres. A dominant focus of his scholarship involves the comprehensive study of Swedish composer Allan Pettersson, resulting in extensive critical editions of his orchestral works. Olsson's publications demonstrate sustained scholarly engagement with Pettersson's oeuvre, including critical editions of 15 symphonies, multiple concertos, and a complete works compilation. His analytical work extends to biographical studies of Swedish composers like David Wikander and Anders Eliasson. The publications reflect consistent methodological approaches in music editing, historical contextualization, and structural analysis of large-scale compositions.

Kenneth ParilleView profile

Associate Professor

• Children’s Literature
• Cartoons, Comics, and Graphic Novels
• Nineteenth-Century American Literature
• +3 more

Kenneth Parille is an Associate Professor in the English Department at East Carolina University. His work focuses on 19th-century American literature, children’s literature, and graphic novels. He has published widely on topics such as boyhood, gender, and pedagogy in historical contexts, including monographs like Boys at Home and edited volumes like Daniel Clowes: Conversations . He also contributes a monthly column to The Comics Journal . Education: B.A., Central Connecticut State University M.A. and Ph.D., University of Virginia Professor Parille’s research explores intersections of gender, childhood, and literary form. His analyses of authors like Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and graphic novelist Daniel Clowes highlight how literature reflects societal norms and challenges. His scholarship bridges historical analysis with contemporary cultural critique, particularly in examining masculinity and education in antebellum America. His publications demonstrate a sustained engagement with 19th-century American texts and visual media, emphasizing how form (e.g., serials, comics) shapes cultural narratives. His work on boyhood and disciplinary practices in literature has influenced discussions on gender and pedagogy. He teaches courses such as Advanced Studies in Children’s Literature and Mystery Fiction, reflecting his commitment to both scholarly and pedagogical innovation.

Dana VuckovicView profile

Lecturer

• 19th Century French Literature
• Literary Canonization
• Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Dana Vuckovic is a DPhil (PhD) Student at the University of Oxford, affiliated with Brasenose College. She also held a teaching role as Lectrice d’anglais at Université Paris-Nanterre during the 2022-2023 academic year. Her research focuses on the canonization and institutional recognition of Honoré de Balzac as a classic writer, exploring tensions between commercial success and academic prestige, as well as the interplay between serialized novels, theatrical adaptations, and cinematic legacy. Education: Dana holds an MA and an iBA from York University’s Glendon College, both in France-related disciplines, likely in French literature or language. These degrees form the foundation of her expertise in 19th-century French literary culture. Research Interests: Her work interrogates the classic-popular dialectic, arguing that Balzac’s texts transcend antinomies through their omnipresence in literary, journalistic, and cinematic fields. Key themes include the socio-cultural implications of literary canons, the role of adaptation in sustaining a text’s relevance, and the historical dynamics of roman vs. roman-feuilleton in 19th-century France. She builds on scholarship by David Bellos, Alain Viala, and others to re-examine definitions of 'classic' literature in modern contexts. Grants & Awards: Dana’s research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC Canadian Scholarship, 2022–2026). This funding enabled her to conduct archival research in Paris at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) and the Maison de Balzac during the 2022–2023 academic year. Teaching: She served as French Tutor at Brasenose College (2021–2022) and as Lectrice d’anglais at Université Paris-Nanterre (2022–2023), reflecting her bilingual expertise and pedagogical engagement.

Brian JansenView profile

Assistant Professor

• Media Studies
• Literary Criticism
• Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Brian Jansen is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maine with a joint appointment in the Department of English and the Department of Communication and Journalism. His research focuses on media studies, literary criticism, and critical cultural studies, particularly examining labor dynamics, neoliberalism, and the intersection of performance art with political ideologies. He holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of Calgary (2018), an MA from the University of Windsor (2011), and a BA from the University of Waterloo (2009). Education: PhD, English Literature, University of Calgary, 2018 MA, English Literature and Creative Writing, University of Windsor, 2011 BA (Honours), English Rhetoric and Professional Writing, University of Waterloo, 2009 His work explores how labor intersects with capital and neoliberalism, with a unique focus on American professional wrestling as a lens to analyze cultural tensions. He has published widely on authors like David Foster Wallace, George Saunders, and Vladimir Nabokov, alongside studies on young adult literature and performance studies. His scholarship appears in journals such as Comparative American Studies , Journal of Popular Culture , and ESC: English Studies in Canada . Publications highlight themes of authenticity in performance, spatial theory in urban narratives, and ethical dilemmas in dystopian fiction. His recent work interrogates how neoliberalism shapes cultural production and labor narratives. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his research demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary analysis bridging literary criticism and social theory.

Matthew JonesView profile

Professor

• Classical Music
• Chamber Music
• Viola Performance
• +3 more

Matthew Jones is a Professor of Viola and Head of Chamber Music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He holds a first-class mathematics degree from the University of Warwick and studied violin at the Royal College of Music. His career spans international performance as a soloist and chamber musician, with notable groups including Ensemble MidtVest and the Bridge Duo. He has premiered works by composers like Tolibkhon Shakhidi and Gordon Crosse, and his recordings include Naxos albums such as Britten: Reflections , recognized by BBC Music Magazine. Jones also teaches the Alexander Technique and Kundalini Yoga, aiding musicians' performance wellness. Research interests include performance health, improvisation, and reviving neglected viola repertoire. He has presented workshops globally for orchestras like the European Union Youth Orchestra and institutions such as Indiana University. Awards include the RWCMD William Walton Fellowship and recognition from the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. Jones directs Pro Corda's Intermediate Course and maintains involvement with outreach programs like Live Music Now!. His discography features over 20 albums, emphasizing British and contemporary compositions. Recent performances include engagements at Carnegie Hall, Forbidden City Concert Hall, and festivals in Greece and Norway.

• Cinema Studies
• Film History
• Scottish Cultural Studies
• +3 more

John Caughie is an Adjunct Professor affiliated with the School of Culture & Creative Arts at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on early cinema history, particularly in Scotland, exploring themes such as film exhibition in small towns, regional film culture, and the intersection of cinema with literature and television. He is a leading editor of the 2018 book Early Cinema in Scotland , which examines the nation’s film heritage. Caughie’s work bridges historical analysis and cultural studies, analyzing how Scottish identity is represented in early films and how local audiences engaged with cinema. His scholarship spans film historiography, media theory, and interdisciplinary approaches to cinema’s relationship with other art forms. Notable contributions include exploring the 'clutter of phenomena' in film history and investigating the role of television in serial storytelling. He has also developed digital projects like the Early Cinema in Scotland, 1896–1927 website, showcasing archival materials. Caughie’s publications cover over a decade, from 2006 to 2019, reflecting his sustained engagement with media history and theory.

Ursula Ganz-BlaettlerView profile

Part-Time Lecturer

• Cultural Studies
• Media Studies
• Narratology
• +3 more

Ursula Ganz-Blaettler is a part-time lecturer in Sociology at the University of St. Gallen. Her academic work bridges the Humanities and Social Sciences, focusing on cultural history, media studies, and narrative analysis. She has co-authored a seminal book on the historical Society of the Herren zu Schützen in Lucerne, exploring its 400-year political and social role in Swiss urban history. Her research spans medieval studies, film theory, gender analysis, and healthcare communication, with notable contributions to understanding patient-clinician interactions in breast cancer treatment. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers and book reviews across media studies, cultural theory, and historical sociology. Publications Highlights Main co-authored book: *Gesellschaft der Herren zu Schützen Luzern* (2015) – a definitive historical analysis Key articles: 'Offenheit, geteilter Konsens' (2021) on healthcare communication, 'Knowledge gaps in oncoplastic breast surgery' (2020) in *The Lancet Oncology* Media studies work includes analyses of fan culture, reality TV (*DSDS*), and narrative form in film/television Research Interests Combine historical methodologies with contemporary cultural critique, particularly in: Medieval urban institutions Film narrative structures Gender representation in media Health communication dynamics Her interdisciplinary approach connects historical analysis with modern media phenomena, evidenced by collaborative projects and international academic networks.

Mark BurnettView profile

Professor

• English Renaissance Drama and Culture
• Shakespeare Studies
• Shakespeare and Film
• +4 more

Mark Burnett Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen's University Belfast, Mark Burnett is a leading scholar in Shakespeare studies, film adaptation, and early modern literature. He is the founder of the Sir Kenneth Branagh Archive and a fellow at the George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice. His research focuses on global Shakespeare adaptations, early modern drama, and the intersection of film with cultural politics. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his extensive academic output reflects deep expertise in Renaissance studies. He has authored/co-authored over 20 books, including seminal works like Shakespeare and World Cinema (2013) and 'Hamlet' and World Cinema (2019). His edited volumes and series (e.g., Shakespeare and Adaptation ) further cement his influence in the field. Research interests include: global Shakespeares, film adaptation theory, early modern cultural history, and Irish studies. Recent work emphasizes cross-cultural adaptations in South Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, with a focus on ethical filmmaking and cultural representation. His articles explore topics like Asian Shakespearean adaptations, filmic historiography, and the intersection of Shakespeare with social justice. Notable projects include the Hamlet and World Cinema initiative and collaborations with institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library. Awards: Fellow of the English Association, Royal Irish Academy membership, Mellon Foundation Fellowship, and Sustained Excellence Teaching Award Grants: Supported by AHRC, British Academy, European Commission, and the Huntington Library Supervision: Open to PhD applications in global Shakespeares, early modern literature, and film adaptation Labs/Teams: Sir Kenneth Branagh Archive, Mitchell Institute's Religion, Arts, and Peacebuilding Theme

• Crime Fiction
• True Crime
• Gender Studies
• +7 more

Dr. Abby Bentham serves as a Lecturer in English and Theatre at the University of Salford's School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies, where she has taught since 2014. An active member of the English Research Centre, she concurrently leads the international "Evil Women" conference series and holds a board position with Progressive Connexions, a global interdisciplinary research network. Her academic foundation includes a BA in English (1997), MA in Literature, Culture, and Modernity (2009; thesis: Negotiating Masculinity in Crime Films of the New Hollywood Period ), and PhD (2014; thesis: Empathy for the Devil: The Poetics of Identification in Psychopath Fiction ). She further holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (2020) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Bentham's research interrogates representations of aberrant psychology and crime across media, specializing in how creative techniques foster empathetic identification with transgressive figures. Her work spans gender studies, psychoanalysis, evil aesthetics, crime fiction, true crime, puppetry, and transmedia storytelling, frequently examining the intersection of violence and narrative form. This interdisciplinary approach is reflected in her publications ranging from academic monographs to crime journalism. Her recent scholarly output—including the 2022 edited volume Divergent women and numerous true crime magazine features—demonstrates consistent thematic focus on female deviance, criminal psychology, and media ethics. These works reveal evolving methodological trends incorporating psychoanalytic frameworks with cultural studies, particularly analyzing television adaptations like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos . As an educator, Bentham teaches across all academic levels including core modules in Performance Studies, Crime Writing, and The Female Gothic. She actively supervises PhD candidates on topics related to crime, evil, and narrative poetics while leveraging 15+ years of commercial experience in advertising and PR to enhance her pedagogical approach to written and visual communication. Her professional engagements extend through memberships in the International Crime Fiction Association, Madness & Literature Network, and British Puppet Guild, alongside recent invited lectures at Nottingham Trent University (2024) and Ferris State University (2024) on true crime media and puppetry.

Candida RifkindView profile

Professor

• Comics and Graphic Narratives
• Canadian Literatures and Cultures
• Life Writing
• +4 more

Candida Rifkind is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Winnipeg, specializing in comics studies, Canadian literature, and life writing theory. She holds a PhD in English from York University and has established herself as a leading scholar in graphic narrative studies with a particular focus on Canadian contexts. Her research interests span comics and graphic narratives, Canadian literatures and cultures, life writing/autobiography, and screen and cultural studies. She approaches these fields through feminist theoretical frameworks, examining questions of representation, identity, and cultural production in visual narrative forms. Rifkind's scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with the evolving field of comics studies, with recent publications exploring refugee narratives, migrant experiences, Indigenous comics, and the intersection of biography with visual forms. Her work shows increasing attention to global perspectives while maintaining a strong Canadian focus. Comics Studies Society 2020 Edited Book Prize (Honourable Mention) 2016 Gabrielle Roy Prize for Canadian literary criticism 2009 Ann Saddlemyer Award for Canadian theatre scholarship F.E.L. Priestley Prize for best essay in English Studies in Canada As Past President of the Comics Studies Society and editorial board member for several major journals including Canadian Literature and Studies in Canadian Literature, Rifkind plays an active role in shaping scholarly conversations in her fields. She co-edits the Wilfrid Laurier University Press book series Crossing Lines: Transcultural/Transnational Comics Studies and is currently working on Graphic Refuge: Mobility and Visuality in Refugee Comics (forthcoming 2024). Her collaborative projects, including Indigenous Comics and Graphic Novels: An Annotated Bibliography, demonstrate commitment to building scholarly resources for the field.

Sara HackenbergView profile

Professor

• 19th Century British Literature
• 19th Century American Literature
• Narrative Mystery
• +7 more

Sara Hackenberg is a Professor and M.A. Literatures Program Coordinator in the Department of English Language and Literature at San Francisco State University. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Her research focuses on 19th-century popular literature and culture, including serial fiction, narrative mystery, sensational fiction, media culture development, and silent film studies. Education: Ph.D., Stanford University Research Interests: Explores intersections between literature and visual culture, Victorian women's writing, and the evolution of media forms. Specializes in analyzing how narrative mystery traditions intersect with broader cultural shifts. Active in teaching Victorian literature, literary theory, and the history of the novel. Teaching Areas: Courses include Victorian literature and culture, detective fiction, 19th-century mystery traditions, and the vampire narrative in literature. Contact: Located in HUM 329, reachable via email . Office hours available through course syllabi or direct contact.

Lene Marite JohannessenView profile

Professor

• American Literature
• Postcolonial Studies
• Cultural Memory
• +3 more

Lene Marite Johannessen is a Professor at the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Bergen. Her research focuses on American literature, postcolonial studies, cultural memory, and aesthetic imaginaries. She has authored and edited numerous publications, including books like Site-Seeing Aesthetics: California Sojourns in Five Installations (2020) and Emerging Aesthetic Imaginaries (2018). Her work explores themes such as migration, exile, and the intersection of literature and visual culture. Key research interests include the analysis of cultural memory in texts like Julie Otsuka’s The Buddha in the Attic , postcolonial literature, and the role of aesthetics in contemporary media. She has presented lectures on topics ranging from ‘The Future of Remembering in a small town in the American South’ (2019) to ‘American Studies in Norway’ (2021). Her publications frequently address transnational and spatial dimensions of literature, including studies of Chicano literature, oral traditions, and the American Dream. She co-edits volumes like Microdystopias: Aesthetics and Ideologies in a Broken Moment (2022) and contributes to interdisciplinary debates on cultural production and methodological frameworks. Johannessen’s work bridges literary analysis with broader cultural and philosophical questions, emphasizing the role of aesthetics in shaping cultural narratives and identities. Her research groups include the University of Bergen’s Film, Television, and Visual Culture cluster, reflecting her engagement with media studies.

• Romance Philology
• Romance Linguistics
• Medieval Literature
• +15 more

Gaetano LALOMIA is a Full Professor of Romance Philology and Linguistics at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania, where he also serves as Deputy Director. He holds a distinguished academic position and is actively engaged in teaching, research, and institutional leadership. University: University of Catania School: Department of Humanities Department: Department of Humanities Academic Rank: Professor Emails: glalomia@unict.it , glalomia@gmail.com Office: 115, Studio 206 Office Hours: Monday 8:00–10:00, Thursday 9:00–11:00 (in person) He earned his degrees in Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures (1988) and Modern Literature (1991) from the University of Catania, where he also completed his PhD in Literary and Linguistic Sciences. His academic journey progressed from a contract professor and researcher to national qualification as Associate Professor in 2013 and Full Professor in 2017. 1988: Graduated in Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures (Spanish specialization) 1991: Graduated in Modern Literature 1991: Admitted to PhD program at University of Catania 1992: Qualified and appointed as teacher in Spanish Language and Civilization 2002: Appointed Researcher in Romance Linguistics and Philology 2014: Joined University of Catania as Associate Professor 2017: Achieved national qualification as Full Professor His research focuses on medieval narrative literature across Sicilian, Italian, Castilian, Catalan, and French traditions, with emphasis on short stories and romances. Key themes include the Calila e Dimna , Decameron , and Mille e una notte , analyzing humor, conflict, deception, metaphorical conceptualization (especially “love” and “anger”), and East-West literary transmission. He has also studied medieval romances with attention to chronotope, genre mixing, prison motifs, and revenge, with recent work on Alexander’s novel, including editorial issues and spatial representation. His research projects include ARA (Atlas of Alexander’s Novels, 2014) and Eros romanzo e moderno (2020–2022). The recent publications reflect a strong trend in comparative medieval narrative, frame stories, gender representation, myth adaptation, and transmediality. Topics span from syntactic analysis of Conde Lucanor to visual interpretations of Dante, feminist readings of Maria de Zayas, and the evolution of Aladdin from One Thousand and One Nights to film. The recurring keywords are medieval literature, narrative structure, cultural transmission, gender, and reception studies. He is an active member of several scholarly associations: AHLM (Asociación Hispánica de Literatura Medieval) SIFR (Italian Society of Romance Philologists) – National Board Member IAS (International Arthurian Society) He has held significant academic and administrative roles, including Rector’s Delegate for Erasmus Institutional Coordination (2019–2021), Coordinator of the Foreign Languages and Literatures Section (2016–2020), and President of the Degree Course in Comparative Languages and Literatures (2019–2021). He serves on the editorial board of «Critica del Testo». He mentors a large number of graduate students, as evidenced by the extensive thesis archive, covering diverse topics in medieval and modern literature, narrative forms, and cultural studies. He leads university-funded research projects and continues to publish critical editions and scholarly analyses, maintaining a vibrant research profile. His institutional affiliations and leadership roles are centered at the University of Catania, particularly within the Department of Humanities. He is deeply involved in curriculum development, international collaboration (Erasmus), and academic governance, contributing to the strategic direction of his department and degree programs.

Pablo García MartínezView profile

Research Fellow

• Sociohistorical Cultural Processes
• Galician Studies
• Iberian Literatures
• +3 more

Pablo García Martínez is a Ramón y Cajal Research Fellow at University of Santiago de Compostela's Institute of the Galician Language and Faculty of Philology . His research focuses on 20th-century Iberian cultural processes through sociohistorical analysis of exilic communities. PhD in Latin American, Iberian and Latino Cultures from City University of New York (2018) Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at Friedrich-Alexander University (2020-2021) His work centers on: Anti-fascist humanism in transatlantic contexts Galician, Catalan and Basque exile experiences Print culture as historical resistance Recent articles examine Luís Seoane's anti-fascist humanism and Eduardo Blanco-Amor's linguistic nationalism , with broad implications for cultural memory studies. Scientific awards include: Ramón y Cajal Fellowship Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship He has presented at major institutions including Columbia University , Harvard University , and Oxford University , while curating exhibitions at Fundación Luis Seoane and Larreta Museum . His editorial work includes critical editions of Galician exile literature.

Paul LombardiView profile

Professor

• Music and Mathematics
• Post-tonal Theory
• Music Composition
• +2 more

Paul Lombardi is a Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the University of South Dakota within the College of Fine Arts, where he has established a distinguished career bridging creative composition and theoretical scholarship. His internationally performed works span orchestral, chamber, and solo genres, while his research focuses on the mathematical foundations of music, earning him recognition including the Belbas Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018) and multiple American Prize in Composition awards. Dr. Lombardi's academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Music Composition from the University of Oregon (2004) M.M. in Music Composition from California State University, Sacramento (1998) B.M. in Music Theory and Composition from California State University, Sacramento (1996) A.S. from College of the Siskiyous (1994) His research centers on Music and Mathematics , investigating how mathematical structures inform compositional processes and theoretical frameworks. In Post-tonal Theory , he examines harmonic innovations in 20th-21st century music through analytical lenses like rotational arrays and octatonic polysemy. His compositional practice manifests these concepts in works performed globally by ensembles including the Kiev Philharmonic and Playground Ensemble, with recordings released through major labels such as Parma Recordings and Capstone Records. Recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory where theoretical investigations directly inform creative output. Compositions like Tunnels of Words (2024) and Unwoven (2024) demonstrate advanced notational techniques explored in theoretical works such as Feathered Beams (2021) and Serial N-Cubes (2013), which analyze beam notation systems and multi-dimensional serial structures through mathematical modeling. His honors include: Third Place, Orchestra Division, American Prize in Composition (2014) Winner, Renée B. Fisher Piano Composition Competition (2011) Belbas Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching, USD (2018) American Prize in Composition (2024, 2020) Donald Aird Composers Competition honorable mention (2019) Dr. Lombardi has secured significant commissions including the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium work honoring George Crumb's 75th birthday, and his compositions have been featured at Society of Composers, Inc. conferences and international festivals across six continents. He maintains active research collaborations with ensembles like the Hundredth Monkey Ensemble for experimental performance practices.