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Christa JonesView profile

Professor

• Francophone Literature
• Postcolonial Studies
• North African Literature
• +7 more

Christa Jones is a Professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Utah State University, within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She has been a faculty member since 2008, advancing from Assistant to full Professor by 2019. Her academic background includes a PhD and MA in French Literature from Washington University in Saint Louis and a BA in French and English Literatures from Universität des Saarlandes. PhD, French Literature, Washington University in Saint Louis, 2006 M.A., French Literature, Washington University in Saint Louis, 1996 B.A., French and English Literatures, Universität des Saarlandes, 1994 Her research centers on colonial and postcolonial North African Francophone literature, film, and music, with a strong focus on Maghrebi cultural expression, fairy tales, and women's voices. She explores themes of identity, decolonization, and narrative form across genres. Her work bridges literary analysis with cultural and gender studies, often highlighting underrepresented voices in Francophone contexts. The 15 most recent scholarly outputs reflect a consistent engagement with Francophone North Africa, particularly Algeria and the Maghreb. Her publications span literary studies, film, music, folklore, and pedagogy, with recurring keywords including postcolonial studies, cultural identity, and Francophone literature. Subfields such as Maghrebi oral traditions, feminist narratives, and cinematic social critique demonstrate the interdisciplinary breadth of her scholarship. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through multiple honors: Researcher of the Year, Department of World Languages and Cultures, 2024 Researcher of the Year Award, LPSC, Utah State University (2017, 2011) Advisor of the Year Award, LPSC, 2009 GEM Seed Grant, $5,000, 2009 CARE Award, $1,902, 2017 Multiple travel and research grants from USU and affiliated centers Outstanding Professor Award, University of Nebraska, 2008 Christa Jones has been an active mentor and advisor, recognized with the Advisor of the Year Award in 2009. She has secured significant grant funding for research, including interviews with filmmaker Merzak Allouache and the development of study abroad programs. Her professional service includes editorial roles, participation in NEH seminars, and leadership as Associate Department Head (2015–2017). She continues to co-edit major scholarly volumes and is deeply involved in curriculum development, particularly in business French and cultural studies. While no formal lab or research team is mentioned, her editorial projects and collaborative research indicate leadership in scholarly communities focused on Francophone studies, folklore, and North African cultural production.

Asli NiyaziogluView profile

Associate Professor

• Ottoman History
• Cultural History
• Dream Studies
• +3 more

Asli Niyazioglu is an Associate Professor in Ottoman History at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Oriental Studies and a Fellow by Special Election. Originally from Istanbul, she taught there for nearly a decade before joining Oxford. She completed her studies at Harvard University and held a research fellowship in Berlin. Her research focuses on cultural history of the early modern Ottoman Empire, with special emphasis on three interconnected domains: Dream narratives and their role in historical biography Urban imaginaries and community formation in Istanbul Life writing practices among Ottoman scholars and poets She is currently developing a monograph exploring how imagination shaped urban communities in early modern Istanbul, examining how poets, scholars and Sufis created shared cultural spaces through dream interpretation and biographical traditions. Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on Ottoman cultural history with recent work examining: Cosmographical interpretations of Istanbul's ancient monuments (2023) Sufi spatial practices and urban experience (2021) Biographical traditions as community-building tools (2017)

• Neurobiology
• Neuroscience
• Cortical Plasticity
• +4 more

Joshua Trachtenberg is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) . His research focuses on understanding how early sensory experiences shape synaptic and network connectivity in cortical circuits, particularly in the visual system. Key Research Areas: Mechanisms of experience-dependent cortical plasticity Role of vision in neural circuit development Molecular pathways in autism-related models Inhibitory interneuron dynamics Long-term in vivo imaging of dendritic spines Recent Publications highlight studies on dendritic spine clustering, critical period plasticity, and retinal cell type evolution, with methodologies spanning multi-photon imaging and single-cell transcriptomics. Funding Highlights: NIH R01EY027407 (Disinhibition & Visual Plasticity) NIH R01EY023871 (Inhibitory Circuit Regulation) NIH R01MH082935 (PTEN-Associated Autism Models) Labs & Collaborations include work with the Silva, Golshani, and Geschwind groups, focusing on synaptic stability, cortical dysfunction, and autism-related protein studies.

Lora SariaslanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Modern and Contemporary Art
• Migration Studies
• Museum Studies
• +6 more

Dr. Lora Sariaslan is an Assistant Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at Utrecht University's Department of History and Art History, affiliated with the Humanities Research Institute. She holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam and has extensive curatorial experience globally, including roles at the Dallas Museum of Art and Istanbul Modern. Her academic work focuses on transnational art practices, migration, urban mapping, and postcolonial studies. Sariaslan teaches courses such as Curating the Art Exhibition: Past, Present and Future and contributes to programs like the Art History of the Low Countries (RMA). Education: B.A. Art History, Knox College, Illinois M.A. Art History, University of Texas at Austin Ph.D., University of Amsterdam ( Pins on the Map: Urban Mappings in European-Turkish Contemporary Art ) Research Interests: Modern/contemporary art's intersection with migration, cultural identity, and urban space. She explores how artists negotiate belonging through transnational practices, particularly in post-Yugoslav Europe and Turkey. Her work bridges curatorial praxis and academic research, emphasizing critical museum studies and heritage politics. Recent Themes in Publications: Focus on humor in Turkish contemporary art, geopolitical affect through 'oriental rugs,' and artistic responses to displacement. Her articles analyze artists like Mounira Al Solh, Nilbar Güreş, and Servet Koçyiğit, highlighting themes of memory, spatial politics, and cultural hybridity. Affiliations: Member of International Association of Art Critics (AICA), National Correspondent for European Museum Forum (EMF-Turkey). Curatorial projects include Uncharted (Bergen, 2023) and the Mardin Biennial (2012). Teaching & Training: Oversees courses on global art history, museum studies, and transcultural encounters. Previously taught at University of Texas at Austin and University of Amsterdam.

Dawn LyonView profile

Professor

• Sociology of Work
• Sociology of Time
• Urban Sociology
• +6 more

Professor Dawn Lyon is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent's School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. She joined the university in 2006, previously working at the University of Essex, European University Institute, Paris V, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her PhD in Sociology was completed at the European University Institute in 2003. She has held visiting roles at institutions including the Australian National University and Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research focuses on the sociology of work, time, and everyday life, with a particular emphasis on rhythmanalysis. She has pioneered audio-visual ethnography in studies like Billingsgate Fish Market and led projects on pandemic time during the COVID-19 crisis. Her work explores how work rhythms intersect with temporal and spatial organization, using innovative methods such as 'feel tanks' and creative participatory approaches. Lyon is a Leverhulme Research Fellow and has taught modules on qualitative research, visual sociology, and the sociology of time. She supervises doctoral students in areas ranging from labor markets to digital technologies and voluntary action. Her research has been supported by grants from the British Academy and others. Publications span over 50 entries in journals like Sociological Review and Time & Society , books including What is Rhythmanalysis? (2019), and edited collections. She serves on the editorial boards of Qualitative Research and Time & Society . Lyon’s work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding time, space, and social change. Collaborative projects like Imagine Sheppey and A Day at a Time highlight her commitment to community engagement and methodological innovation.

• Ecological Design
• Urban Planning
• Sustainability
• +6 more

Frederick Steiner serves as Dean and Paley Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. A globally recognized leader in ecological design and urban planning, he previously led the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture for 15 years. His academic roles span teaching at Penn, Arizona State University, and Tsinghua University. A Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, he has held prestigious fellowships including a Rome Prize at the American Academy in Rome. Steiner earned his PhD and MA in City & Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, alongside a BS in Design and MRP from the University of Cincinnati. He co-founded the Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism & Ecology, advancing sustainable design principles. His research focuses on ecological urbanism, megaregion planning, and sustainable land management, with notable contributions to the Sustainable SITES Initiative. His work integrates ecological science with urban development, emphasizing resilience and equity. Key areas include climate adaptation, historic preservation, and community-driven planning. He has advised on major initiatives like Austin’s Comprehensive Plan and the University of Texas campus strategy. Steiner’s accolades include an honorary MPhil from the College of the Atlantic and the UC College of Design’s Outstanding Alumni Award. His publications explore topics from McHarg’s legacy to megaregional governance, reflecting a commitment to bridging ecological and urban systems.

• Russian Literature
• Soviet Literature
• Slavic Studies
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Reyhan Çelik is a full professor at Akdeniz University, Faculty of Letters, Russian Language and Literature Department since 2023, with prior associate professor (2015–present) and assistant professor (2007–2015) positions at Erciyes University. She holds a doctorate in Russian Language and Literature from Ankara University (2007) and has authored/co-authored over 64 publications. Education: PhD (2007), Ankara University MA (2001), Ankara University BA (1995), Ankara University Research Focus: 20th-century Russian literature War narratives Siberian and village themes Gender studies Migration and cultural identity Comparative Turkish-Russian literary analysis Academic Leadership: Head of Russian Language and Literature Department (Akdeniz University, since 2018) Scientific Projects Committee Member (Akdeniz University, since 2019) Key Publications (2014–2021): World War II memory in Soviet works Gender representation in Ulitskaya and Yevtushenko Ecological themes in Astafyev and Aitmatov Analysis of Gumilyov’s orientalist perspectives Conference Participation: Chair/speaker at 20+ international conferences Peer reviewer for journals: RumeliDE, Karadeniz, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitü Dergisi

Stephen ShapiroView profile

Professor

• American Literature
• Cultural Studies
• Marxism
• +7 more

Stephen Shapiro is Professor of English Literature at the University of Warwick, specializing in American literature, cultural studies, and Marxist theory. His academic journey began with a chemistry degree in New York State before shifting to English literature, with studies at Birmingham University's Department of Cultural Studies and research at the Gramsci Institute in Rome. Prior to Warwick, he taught at Harvard University, the New School, and John Jay College for Criminal Justice (CUNY), and has held prestigious fellowships including a Fulbright at Saarland University (1997-98), a Royal Shakespeare Company/Capital Fellowship (2008-09), and fellowships at UC Irvine, Heidelberg University, and Babeș-Bolyai University. First degree in Chemistry (New York State) Graduate studies in English Department of Cultural Studies (Birmingham University, England) Research at Gramsci Institute in Rome Shapiro's research spans American literature, cultural studies, Marxism, world-systems analysis, urban studies, spatial theory, and television studies. His current book projects include The Cultural Fix: Marx and the Organic Composition of Capital , which bridges French and English editions of Marx's Capital , and The Twist: Capital, Data, and Cultures of the Intersectional Left , analyzing contemporary capitalist temporalities. He is also working on a critical edition of Charles Brockden Brown's Memories of Stephen Calvert , examining early American literature's treatment of male-male sexuality. His scholarship consistently connects literary analysis with political economy, exploring how cultural forms engage with capitalist structures. Shapiro's recent publications reveal a trajectory from traditional literary studies toward increasingly interdisciplinary work that integrates world-systems theory, digital capitalism, and intersectional politics. His scholarship demonstrates a consistent engagement with Marxist theory while expanding into analyses of algorithmic governance, zombie studies, and the cultural politics of horror. The 2020-2025 publications show particular focus on how literary and cultural forms interact with contemporary crises of capitalism, including data-driven neoliberalism, resurgent fascism, and intersectional left movements. Best Collection Award 2019, British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies (BACLS) Honorable Mention, BAAS prize for best book in American Studies published during 2008 Shapiro has been actively involved in collaborative scholarly projects, particularly through his work with Philip Barnard on Charles Brockden Brown editions and with the Warwick Research Collective (WReC). He co-founded the Warwick Centre for Global Jewish Studies and has contributed to institutional initiatives including the successful application for Warwick's Race Equality Charter Mark (Bronze). His editorial work spans numerous collections that bridge literary studies with political economy, cultural theory, and world-systems analysis. Shapiro is a founding member of the Warwick Research Collective (WReC), which has produced influential work on combined and uneven development in world literature. He serves on the university's Race Equality Taskforce and was instrumental in securing Warwick's Race Equality Charter Mark. His involvement with the WReC demonstrates his commitment to moving beyond traditional literary and cultural studies frameworks toward more globally oriented, politically engaged scholarship that connects literary analysis with economic and ecological concerns.

Maria RizzarelliView profile

Professor

• Literary Criticism and Comparative Literature
• Literature and Visual Culture
• Literature and Journalism
• +11 more

Maria Rizzarelli is a Full Professor of Literary Criticism and Comparative Literature at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania. She teaches Literary Theory, Literature and Visual Culture, and Cultural Journalism. Her research focuses on intermediality, particularly the intersections of literature with photography, cinema, and journalism, as well as gender studies and digital humanities. Education: PhD in Italian Studies (Lexicography and Semantics of Literary Italian), University of Catania, 2001 Laurea in Modern Literature, University of Catania, 1998 (110/110 cum laude) Laurea in Philosophy, University of Catania, 1994 (110/110 cum laude) Her research interests center on 20th-century Italian literature, with emphasis on hybrid genres and the interplay between text and image. She explores how literary works engage with visual media, particularly in the works of authors like Pasolini, Calvino, Sciascia, and Goliarda Sapienza. Her work often addresses gender, performance, and the construction of identity across media. The most recent articles reflect a strong trend in intermedial studies, visual culture, and feminist literary criticism. Themes such as phototexts, simulacra of women, cinematic adaptation, and the 'double talent' of actress-writers recur across her publications. Her scholarship bridges literary analysis with visual theory, media studies, and cultural history. Scientific Awards: Kinomata Prize 2021 for Love and War: Intermedial Paths between Literature and Cinema FFABR 2017 (MIUR funding for scientific productivity) Bando per il Progetto giovani ricercatori 2001 (University of Catania) Maria Rizzarelli supervises PhD students, including Viviana Triscari and Ida Scebba. She has received research grants from the University of Catania and MIUR, leading projects such as Phototexts: Rhetoric, Poetics and Cognition and DIRIS: Disobedienti, ribelli, sovversive nelle letterature tra Oriente e Occidente . She is also the scientific coordinator of the PRIN 2020 project on phototexts and the Catania unit of the PRIN 2017 D.A.M.A. project on actress-writers. She co-founded and co-directs the journal Arabeschi. International Journal of Studies on Literature and Visuality and its book series I quaderni di Arabeschi . She also leads the research group on literature and visuality and coordinates seminars for the Med Photo Fest. Her editorial roles include membership in the scientific committees of Studi Novecenteschi , Studi Pasoliniani , and Over the Rainbow .

• Sociology of Education
• Democratic Education
• Social Justice and Equity
• +3 more

Stewart Riddle is a Professor in the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland . His research focuses on the democratisation of schooling systems , increasing access and equity in education , and schooling’s response to critical social issues in complex contemporary times. Research Interests include: Sociology of Education Democratic Education Social Justice and Equity Alternative Schooling Research Methodology English Curriculum and Pedagogy Publications from 2025–2024 examine education policy aporia , relational pedagogy , democratic curriculum design , and critical literacy , with a focus on Australia and Thailand. Key keywords span Education Policy , Relational Teaching , Youth Identity , and Curricular Justice . Teaching : Courses include EDX3270 English Curriculum and Pedagogy in Upper Primary , EDS2210 Junior Secondary English Curriculum and Pedagogy , and EDS4110 Senior Secondary English Curriculum and Pedagogy . He supervises doctoral research on topics like teacher autonomy , student engagement , and alternative education frameworks . Affiliations : Member of the Australian Association for Research in Education and English Teachers' Association of Queensland ; affiliated with the Centre for Heritage and Culture at UniSQ.

• Transnational Literary History
• European Myth of the Emotional Subject
• Bucolic Poetry and Pathos
• +6 more

Karin Peters is a Full Professor of Romance Literature and Cultural Studies with a Focus on Ibero-Romania at the University of Bonn since 2023. Her academic journey includes a habilitation at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (2021-2022), a doctorate from LMU Munich (2010), and a Magister Artium from the same institution (2006). Her research spans transnational literary history, affect theory, pastoral poetry, and intersections of gender and politics in Spanish and Argentinian literatures. Key projects include co-editing The Face as Scene. Virtuality and Embodiment of Affect and leading the network 'Comic Literacies. Cultural Techniques of the Comic' at KWI Essen. She has supervised doctoral work on Iberoamerican Baroque theater and published extensively on Roland Barthes, Georges Bataille, and contemporary Latin American narratives. Her recent publications analyze the European myth of the emotional subject, pastoral masks in Cervantes, and affective economies in 18th-century literature. She has received scholarships from DAAD, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, and e-fellows.net, and actively contributes to academic organizations including the Romanistenverband and the Bonn Center for Dependency Studies.

Jennifer J. HeiszView profile

Associate Professor

• Behavioral neuroscience of learning and memory
• Cognitive sciences
• Mental health
• +6 more

Dr. Jennifer J. Heisz is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University. She directs the NeuroFit Lab which examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition across the lifespan, including young adults, older adults, and individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Her research has attracted over $1 million in funding and has significant implications for mental health interventions. Dr. Heisz received her B.Sc. in Honours Biology & Psychology summa cum laude from McMaster University (2000-2004), followed by a Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour from McMaster University (2005-2010). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Brain Health and Aging at the Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre (2010-2013). Dr. Heisz's research focuses on the intersection of physical activity, brain function, and mental health. Her work investigates how different types and intensities of exercise impact cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and neurological health. She has made significant contributions to understanding how exercise can prevent and treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, dementia, and cognitive decline associated with aging. Her research often employs innovative methodologies including orienteering (which combines physical exercise with navigation challenges) to examine the interactions between physical activity and cognitive training. Dr. Heisz's recent publications reveal a strong focus on translating exercise science into practical applications for mental health across diverse populations. Her work spans university students, older adults, individuals with ADHD, and those at risk for dementia. A recurring theme is identifying optimal exercise protocols for specific cognitive and mental health outcomes, with particular attention to factors like intensity, timing, and type of physical activity. Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging Early Researcher Award from the Government of Ontario Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award Dr. Heisz has supervised numerous graduate students through her role as instructor for courses including Cognitive Neuroscience of Exercise, Neurophysiology, and Health Psychology. Her research program has secured significant funding, including an Insight Development Grant to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise breaks in classrooms. The NeuroFit Lab has developed evidence-based exercise toolkits for mental health, particularly relevant during the pandemic. As director of the NeuroFit Lab, Dr. Heisz leads a community-driven research program that focuses on understanding how cellular changes impact psychological function. Her team's innovative approach combines neuroscience, kinesiology, and psychology to develop practical interventions that promote mental and physical health across the lifespan, including the development of the book 'Move the Body, Heal the Mind' which synthesizes research on exercise for brain health.

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• +8 more

Dr. George Dragoi is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, with affiliations to the Wu-Tsai Institute and the Dragoi Lab. He investigates the interplay between externally driven and internally generated neural representations to understand memory formation and spatial navigation. MD: Grigore Popa University of Medicine, Romania (1994) PhD: Behavioral and Neural Science, Rutgers University (2002) Postdoctoral Studies: Picower Institute, MIT His research focuses on hippocampal-neocortical networks, preconfigured neuronal assemblies, and generative grammars in the brain. He employs large-scale electrophysiology, optogenetics, and computational analysis to study memory mechanisms across development and adulthood, with implications for schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent publications highlight his work on Euclidean geometry’s role in hippocampal development (2024), memory reactivation during sleep (2024), and predictive coding in hippocampal circuits (2021). Collaborators include Usman Farooq, John Krystal, and Susumu Tonegawa.

Mathis RichterView profile

Researcher

• Higher cognition
• Concept representation
• Dynamic Field Theory
• +9 more

Dr. Mathis Richter is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Neuroinformatics (INI), part of the Faculty of Computer Science at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. He has been affiliated with the INI since 2008, progressing from Research Assistant to Research Associate, and currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher since July 2018. At the INI, he contributes to both the Embodied Cognition group and the Autonomous Robotics group, led by Prof. Dr. Gregor Schöner. Dr. Richter earned his Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D. equivalent) in Engineering from Ruhr-Universität Bochum between 2011 and 2018, following an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Applied Computer Science from the same institution. His academic journey includes an exchange year at the University of Birmingham, UK. His research centers on higher cognition, specifically concept representation, how concepts combine to form complex mental scenes, and the neural mechanisms organizing cognitive operations in time. Using Dynamic Field Theory as his primary framework, he develops mathematical models explaining how neural populations represent objects and concepts. His work demonstrates how these cognitive models connect to sensory-motor systems, often implemented on robotic platforms to validate their autonomy and functionality. Analysis of Dr. Richter's publications reveals a consistent focus on neural dynamic modeling of cognitive processes, with particular emphasis on spatial relations, language grounding, and embodied cognition. His research trajectory shows increasing sophistication in modeling complex cognitive phenomena while maintaining strong connections to robotic implementations. As an educator, Dr. Richter has taught Lab courses in Autonomous Robotics across multiple terms since Winter 2015/2016 and has delivered Lectures in Computational Neuroscience: Neural Dynamics since Winter 2018/2019. His teaching directly reflects his research expertise in neural dynamics and cognitive systems. Dr. Richter actively participates in interdisciplinary research that bridges cognitive science, neuroscience, computer science, and robotics, contributing to the INI's mission of understanding how organisms generate behavior and cognition through interaction with their environments.

Nicholas LynchView profile

Professor

• Urban Cultural Geography
• Built Environment
• Circular Economy
• +2 more

Dr. Nicholas Lynch is a Professor of Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland. As an urban cultural geographer, he investigates social and cultural dynamics of built environments, focusing on historic building reuse, circular economy applications, and sustainable community development. Research examines adaptive reuse of institutional buildings (churches, lighthouses), circular economy implementation in construction, and sharing economy models like libraries of things. His work combines spatial analysis with sustainability transitions in urban contexts. Current projects analyze material flows in urban reuse centers and community-oriented circularity in building sectors. Fieldwork includes studies across Canada examining heritage preservation, demolition practices, and sustainable resource management in cities.