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Julie RakView profile

Professor

• Life Writing
• Autobiography
• Diaries and Journals
• +9 more

Julie Rak is the HM Tory Chair and Professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta. She holds a BA and PhD from McMaster University and an MA from Carleton University. Her research focuses on auto/biography, life writing, and nonfiction in North America, with specialties in gender, Canadian literature, and publishing studies. She has authored or co-edited numerous books, including False Summit: Gender in Mountaineering Nonfiction (2021) and The Routledge Introduction to Auto/biography in Canada (2023). Rak’s academic roles include interim Chair of the EFS Department (2023–2024) and leadership in the Stories of Change research group. She has received prestigious awards such as the J. Gordin Kaplan Award (2023) and the Killam Annual Professorship (2017–2018). Her research explores marginalized narratives, including Inuit literature and digital life writing, with a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses on autobiography, gender theory, and Canadian literature. She actively supervises research projects and supports student initiatives like the Roger Smith Undergraduate Research Award. Rak’s work bridges academic rigor with public scholarship, with over 90 media engagements. Education: PhD in English, McMaster University MA in Canadian Studies, Carleton University BA in English, McMaster University Grants & Projects: SSHRC Insight Grant for Government Agents, Literary Agents: Inuit Books and Government Intervention, 1968–1985 Leadership in the Stories of Change initiative Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2022) Henry Marshall Tory Chair (2019–2025) 2024 Visiting Professor at Merton College, Oxford

Lucia DolceView profile

Professor

• Japanese Buddhism
• Medieval Japanese Religious Culture
• Ritual Studies
• +7 more

Lucia Dolce serves as the Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhism within the Department of Religions and Philosophies at SOAS University of London, part of the School of History, Religions and Philosophies. Her academic base is room 342 in the Russell Square: College Buildings campus. Her educational background includes: Laurea MA (University of Venice) PhD (Leiden University) Professor Dolce's research centers on two interconnected projects: first, the discourse on the body in medieval Japanese Buddhist rituals and its connections to continental Tantric practices, emphasizing ritual fluidity and performative theory applications; second, contemporary Buddhism-Shinto syncretism with focus on revival of premodern practices in Kyoto shrines. She also examines Tokyo's urban pilgrimage routes like the Seven Gods of Fortune, analyzing institutional negotiations and religious marketing dynamics. Her journal articles (1992-2023) consistently explore ritual knowledge transfer in Japanese Buddhism, with recent works on scriptural repurposing and tantric exegesis highlighting material culture and practice-centered approaches. Earlier publications establish foundational studies on Nichiren Buddhism's esoteric dimensions, astrological cults, and celestial body worship, revealing enduring thematic threads across three decades of scholarship. Scientific awards: No awards listed in provided text Advising and grants: She currently supervises four PhD candidates: Rachel Williams (Japanese Secularity), Haruka Saito (Repentance Rituals), Sooyeun Yang (Korean Astrological Buddhism), and Yeonju Lee (Korean Nationalism). Previous supervisees include twelve PhD graduates such as Emanuela Sala (2022, Sannō Shintō), Ronit Wang (2022, Thai Hell Parks), and multiple 2011 completions. Dolce led the Newton Fellowship-associated project 'The Lucky Gods of Tokyo' (2014-2016), investigating spatial politics in Buddhist-Shinto pilgrimage networks.

Prita MeierView profile

Associate Professor

• Art and architecture of Africa
• Port cities and visual cultures of the Indian Ocean world
• Comparative urbanism
• +4 more

Prita Meier is an Associate Professor of Art History at New York University's College of Arts & Science , affiliated with the Department of Art History & the Institute of Fine Arts. Her work bridges African art history, Indian Ocean world studies, and global modernity frameworks. Education: Ph.D. (2007) in History of Art, Harvard University M.A. (2000) in History of Art, University of Iowa B.A. (1996) in Art History, University of Florida Research Interests focus on the visual and architectural cultures of Africa, particularly Swahili Coast port cities, exploring globalization's cultural dimensions, Islamic art, and photography histories. Her work interrogates spatial-temporal dynamics in African modernity and colonial art frameworks. Scientific Awards include CASVA Senior Fellowship, NEH Implementation Grant (with Allyson Purpura), Mellon Collaborative Grant (with Kenny Cupers), Clark Art Institute Residential Fellowship, and Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship. Notably, she declined the National Humanities Center Fellowship and Stanford Humanities Fellows Program. Publications highlight Indian Ocean trade networks, Swahili Coast architecture, and photography's global circulation. Recent works (2020-2017) examine infrastructure as identity, oceanic materiality, and itinerant art historiography. Earlier articles (2016-2009) analyze porcelain trade, modernist discontents, and Swahili funerary practices. Contact: spm9@nyu.edu | 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003

Ruth HollidayView profile

Professor

• Cultural Sociology
• Body Studies
• Cosmetic Surgery
• +6 more

Professor Ruth Holliday holds the position of Professor of Gender and Culture at the University of Leeds since 2006, where she has also served as Director of Studies for the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, Director of Research and Innovation, and Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the School of Sociology and Social Policy. Previously, she worked at Staffordshire University and Birmingham City University, and served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Her research expertise spans cultural sociology, body studies, material culture, medical tourism, and gender relations, with a focus on low fertility and East Asian cultural contexts. Her academic qualifications include a PhD in Sociology and a BA in Electronics and Management Science. She has contributed to over 50 articles and 7 books, including the award-winning Beautyscapes (2019), which explored global cosmetic surgery tourism and won the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness Book Prize in 2020. Her work on kitsch aesthetics and visual methodologies has also been influential, particularly in understanding class, gender, and race through taste politics. Ruth’s current research projects include studying low fertility cultures’ impacts on gender identities and a project on the cultural meaning of the penis in gender construction. She teaches modules such as Theorizing Gender and Contested Bodies at the MA level, emphasizing critical approaches to gender and embodiment. Key Projects: ESRC-funded 'Building Capacity in Visual Research' and collaborative work on medical tourism in East Asia and Europe. Awards: 2020 Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness Book Prize. Supervision: Active in mentoring PhD students researching the body, intimacy, and low fertility in China and Korea. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, cultural studies, and visual methodologies, with a commitment to ethnographic fieldwork and global comparative analysis.

Asma MehanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Architectural Humanities
• Critical Urban Studies
• Cultural Heritage
• +6 more

Asma Mehan, Ph.D. , is an Assistant Professor at the Huckabee College of Architecture, Texas Tech University , with a Ph.D. in Architecture, History, and Project from Politecnico di Torino (2017). Her work bridges architectural humanities and critical urban studies , focusing on urban inclusivity, heritage preservation, and climate justice. She authored two books— Tehran: From Sacred to Radical (2022) and Kuala Lumpur: Community, Infrastructure, and Urban Inclusivity (2020)—and leads the Coordination Team of the AESOP Young Academics network. Education: Ph.D. in Architecture, History, and Project, Politecnico di Torino (2017) Her research spans spatial justice , feminist placemaking , and heritage studies , addressing issues like oil urbanism , digital citizen participation , and resilient housing . Articles highlight her interdisciplinary approach to urban resilience, AI integration, and socio-environmental equity. She has held fellowships including the FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus and NIAS-KNAW Urban Citizenship Fellowship. Scientific Awards: AESOP Young Academics Award European Architectural History Network (EAHN) Fellowship Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) Grant ZK/U Berlin Researcher-in-Residence SAHGB Award Dr. Mehan has taught at TU Delft and Politecnico di Torino, guest lectured at TU Munich and Deakin University, and conducted visiting research in Switzerland, Australia, and Berlin. Her work appears in over 50 publications across English, Persian, and Italian, emphasizing critical pedagogy , collaborative design , and policy toolkits for urban inclusivity.

Jack HalberstamView profile

Professor

• Gender Studies
• Queer Theory
• Feminist Studies
• +4 more

Jack Halberstam is a Professor of Gender Studies and English at Columbia University, specializing in queer theory, feminist studies, and cultural critique. His research explores intersections of gender, sexuality, and societal norms, with notable works like Female Masculinity and The Queer Art of Failure . Halberstam’s Wild Things: The Disorder of Desire (2020) examines queer ecologies and anarchy, while Trans*: A Quick and Quirky Account of Gender Variance (2018) redefines gender fluidity. He received the 2018 Arcus/Places Prize for scholarship linking gender, sexuality, and urban design. His academic journey includes influential critiques of pop culture in Gaga Feminism (2012) and early explorations of gothic horror in Skin Shows (1995). Halberstam’s forthcoming work The Wild Beyond: Music, Architecture and Anarchy continues his exploration of queer theory’s boundaries. Beyond publications, his teaching focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to gender and literature at Columbia University. Research Focus: Queer temporality, gender variance, cultural criticism, and the built environment. Recent Projects: Investigating anarchist frameworks in queer studies and the role of architecture in gender expression.

Andrew Francis-TanView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Education
• Labor Economics
• Demography
• +4 more

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.

Przemysław KordosView profile

Professor

• Modern Greek Literature
• Cypriot Culture
• Comparative Literature
• +5 more

Przemysław Kordos is a Professor at the University of Warsaw , affiliated with the Faculty of Liberal Arts , where he serves as Coordinator for the Development of the Modern Greek Philology Program . He holds two PhDs in Humanities (2007, 2019) and was awarded the Loukis Papaphilippou Seat of Advancement in Modern Greek scholarship. Education: MA in Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology (University of Warsaw, 2001) MS in Sociology (University of Warsaw, 2002) PhD in Humanities (University of Warsaw, 2007) Second PhD in Humanities (University of Warsaw, 2019) His research interests span: Contemporary Modern Greek and Cypriot literature Polish-Greek cultural relations (philhellenism) Social and ethnographic issues in Greece and Cyprus Travel literature analysis Fantasy literature's cultural implications His scientific work reveals a focus on linguistic assimilation in foreign language learning (via fMRI studies), historical parallels between Polish and Greek independence movements, and critical analyses of Cypriot folk culture's politicization. Key scientific awards include: Loukis Papaphilippou Seat (University of Warsaw) Internships at EKPA and IKY (Greece) Scholarships at IMXA (Greece) and MUNI (Czech Republic) His academic contributions include cataloging 60+ Polish travel accounts to Greece, analyzing the shift from travel literature to tourism discourse, and examining the Hellene-Romios dichotomy's role in modern Greek identity construction.

• Cultural Studies
• Critical Québec Studies
• Contemporary Literatures and Cultures (France, Canada, Francophone World)
• +10 more

Pierre-Luc Landry is an Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies at the University of Victoria (UVic), where he has been based since 2019 on the traditional territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. He is affiliated with UVic’s Media Studies and Cultural, Social and Political Thought programs. His academic career spans teaching at Cégep de l'Outaouais, Université Laval, University of Ottawa, and the Royal Military College of Canada. Landry holds a PhD and MA in research-creation from Université Laval, following a B.A. in literature studies and a historical foundation from Cégep du Vieux-Montréal. Education: PhD in Research-Creation (Université Laval), MA in Research-Creation (Université Laval), BA in Literature Studies (Université Laval), Cégep du Vieux-Montréal (history) Research Affiliations: Director of Colonialisme, culture & critique / Colonialism, Culture & Critique; Director of Groupe de travail et d’expérimentation sur l’indiscipline; Regular Member of Esthétique et politique de l’image cinématographique (EPIC); Associate Member of Équipe de recherches en études queer au Québec (ÉRÉQQ) Landry’s research integrates queer activism, cultural critique, and creative experimentation. His work spans queer theories, settler colonial studies, Indigenous literature, and media studies, often blending scholarly analysis with artistic practice. His publications include critical essays, experimental texts, and novels that interrogate human behavior, temporalities, and marginalized identities through magical realism and existential themes. Notable awards include the Ottawa Book Prize (2016) for *Les corps extraterrestres* and the APFUCC Best Book Award (2021) for *QuébeQueer*. He received a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship and was a finalist for the Gabrielle-Roy Prize and Radio-Canada Readers’ Prize. Landry co-hosts the podcast J’habite où je lutte with Vanessa Jérome, exploring political resistance and queer lived experiences. Key Themes: Queer resistance, anti-assimilationism, research-creation, political essays, and LGBTQ+ cultural production Media & Artistic Work: Podcast co-host, webzine creator, and multidisciplinary artist

Sidra KamranView profile

Assistant Professor

• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Labor Studies
• Social Class Analysis
• +4 more

Sidra Kamran is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon. She holds a PhD from The New School for Social Research (2022) and a BA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (2011). Her research focuses on intersections of work, gender, sexuality, and class in Pakistan, particularly in beauty and retail sectors. She explores how marginalized women navigate public spaces in a context of low female labor participation. Current projects include a book on service economy labor and digital practices on TikTok. Her work has been funded by ACLS, Wenner-Gren Foundation, and others. Teaching specialties include global gender studies, qualitative methods, and South Asian sociology. Courses taught address topics like gender in South Asia, labor dynamics, and feminist theory. She emphasizes critical analysis of social norms and structures in her pedagogy. Research highlights include analysis of 'digital purdah' on TikTok and spatial practices of urban workers. Awards include the 2021 Cheryl Allyn Miller Award Honorable Mention. Her interdisciplinary approach combines ethnography with digital media studies.

Merlin SellerView profile

Lecturer

• Game Studies
• Film Studies
• Screen Cultures
• +7 more

Merlin Seller is a Lecturer in Design and Screen Cultures at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh College of Art, appointed in 2019. They teach theory and historical/cultural context across Film, Comics, Media and Game Studies. Seller co-founded the Game Worlds research cluster within the Centre for Data, Culture and Society. Education: MA from St Andrews University MSt from Oxford University PhD from University of East Anglia (UEA) on transmedia works between film, photography and painting in interwar England Seller's research interests span Game Studies, Film Studies, Horror, Non-human theory, and Queer/Trans approaches to games. Their work explores (Post-)Phenomenology, visuality in games, and the representation of nonhuman entities in screen-based media. Seller identifies as a proudly pansexual and trans academic with a background in Art History and Visual Cultural Studies. Analysis of Seller's publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus bridging Game Studies with critical theory. Their work frequently examines the intersection of nonhuman perspectives, queer theory, and phenomenological experience in games and film. Recurring themes include temporal mechanics, ecological consciousness, and the materiality of digital interfaces, demonstrating a consistent engagement with contemporary theoretical frameworks in media studies. Seller supervises PhD students including Yun Lu, Trina Tian (Siyu), and Danni C. Pascuma. They also teach courses such as 'Design, Play and Games,' 'Contemporary Cinema,' and 'Introduction to Queer Studies,' while supervising Honours dissertations. Seller co-organized the 'Affecting Game Space' conference through the Game Worlds research cluster. Their creative practice includes plein air paintings of videogame environments and dark comedy comics focused on speculative futures, visible through their portfolio at dearplayer.org.

J. Albert HarrillView profile

Professor

• New Testament Studies
• Early Christianity
• Roman Social History
• +6 more

J. Albert Harrill is a Professor of History at The Ohio State University , where he has been affiliated with the Department of History since at least 2010. Holding a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christian Literature from the University of Chicago , Harrill specializes in the intersection of New Testament , early Christianity , and Roman social history , particularly focusing on ancient slaves and marginalized communities . Education: Ph.D., New Testament and Early Christian Literature, University of Chicago His research explores social and cultural dynamics in early Christian texts, with significant contributions to slavery studies through works like Slaves in the New Testament (2006) and The Manumission of Slaves in Early Christianity (1995). He also investigates ethnic fluidity in Ephesians, exegetical methodologies , and classical literary topoi in patristic writings. Recent Publications examine: Ephesians as a circular letter 1 Corinthians 7:21 and evolving scholarship on Pauline slavery Atheist catalogues in classical and Christian contexts Architectural ekphrasis in Roman culture Origen's exegetical techniques Scientific Awards: 2021 Sphinx and Mortar Board Outstanding Faculty 2019 Honors Faculty Service Award in Arts and Sciences 2017 Clio Award for Distinguished Teaching in History 2012 Distinguished Teaching Award in Religious Studies (Indiana University) With nearly 35 years of teaching experience , Harrill has received consistent recognition for courses on Paul's apostleship , historical Jesus , Greek/Roman slavery , and ancient Roman religion . He maintains active academic engagement through the Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean World .

• Geographies of the body
• Feminist theories of embodiment
• Emotions
• +3 more

Dr. Rachel Colls is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Durham University and a Fellow of the Institute for Medical Humanities. Her research focuses on geographies of the body, feminist theories of embodiment, obesity critiques, consumption practices, and clothing. She has published extensively on bodily politics, fat activism, and public health discourses. PhD & MA in Geography (University of Sheffield) Her work interrogates the sociomaterialities of fat bodies, bodily governance through BMI metrics, and affective experiences in retail and educational spaces. Recent publications address air travel accessibility and feminist pedagogies. She supervises postgraduate students and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects concerning bodily rights and health policies. Key article trends include critical obesity studies, feminist interventions in human geography, and the politics of bodily representation across spatial contexts. She employs qualitative methodologies informed by Judith Butler, Elisabeth Grosz, and non-representational theory. Supervised: Rosie Haffenden (MRes)

Lucy FraserView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Fairy Tale Studies
• Comparative Literature
• Gender Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Lucy Fraser is a Senior Lecturer in Japanese at the School of Languages and Cultures , University of Queensland. Her work bridges Japanese and English literary traditions with a focus on fairy tales, gender studies, and animal-human relationships. Her research explores: Transnational adaptations of fairy tales Gender representations in Japanese literature and manga Literary translation and cross-cultural connections Environmental narratives through fictional animal depictions Recent publications examine fairy tale fashion translation (2024), border-crossing narratives (2023), and animal symbolism in classical/modern Japanese texts (2022). She co-edited The Routledge Companion to Gender and Japanese Culture (2020) and supervises PhD projects on feminist discourse, queer narratives, and cross-cultural modernity. Dr. Fraser's translation work includes Tsushima Yuko’s Tōkina-to (2020) and collaborations on shojo manga gender studies (2018). She previously received funding for technology-enhanced Japanese language assessment (2019).

Yimin ZhaoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Geography
• Critical Urban Theory
• State Theory
• +6 more

Dr. Yimin Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Durham University, specializing in urban peripheries, spatial politics of urban change, and authoritarian urbanism in China and Asia. He employs interdisciplinary lenses of language, materiality, and everyday life to analyze urban transformations. Editor of City and Corresponding Editor of International Journal of Urban and Regional Research Trustee of the Urban Studies Foundation Founder and Co-Editor of 城识 UrbanSense, a WeChat-based platform for critical urban knowledge His research spans three interconnected themes: (1) spatio-temporal dynamics of urban peripheries in Asian cities, (2) global-local articulations of Chinese urbanism, and (3) authoritarian urban governance. He has contributed to debates on speculative urbanism, micropolitics of infrastructure, and translational urban theory. Recent publications include studies on Beijing’s green belts, Forest City in Malaysia, and Chengdu’s pandemic-era street governance. Zhao’s work often intersects with state theory, political economy, and critical sociology. While no formal scientific awards are listed in his profile, his editorial and knowledge mobilization efforts highlight his disciplinary leadership.