Professor Agnieszka Zabłocka-Kos is a faculty member at the Institute of Art History, University of Wrocław, specializing in Central European architectural history and urbanism. Her work focuses on 19th-20th century architecture, with particular emphasis on Wrocław/Breslau, including post-war reconstruction, national identity construction, and sacred space design. Professor, University of Wrocław Specialist in 19th-20th century Central European architecture Director of postdoctoral internships (NCN FUGA III) Recipient of multiple Rector's awards for research and teaching Research Themes: Urban development in Central Europe, political architecture in Poland/Germany, sacred architecture of the 19th century, post-war modernism, industrial architecture revitalization. Her students have produced award-winning theses on topics like Wrocław urban blocks, Silesian architects, and post-industrial adaptations. Scientific Contributions: Notable works include the edited volume Architecture in the 'long' 19th century (2019), multiple articles on Breslau's architectural conflicts, and international projects on Central European sacred architecture. She has supervised 33 master's and 5 doctoral theses, with several student works published as books. Dettloff Prize for dissertation (1992) Rector's awards for research and didactic achievements International projects with universities in Berlin, Freiburg, and Leipzig Advisor for Wrocław's Monument Office and City Development Bureau Her teaching integrates interdisciplinary approaches, linking art history with political, economic, and social contexts. She promotes student research popularization through conferences, exhibitions, and publications.
James J. O’Hara is the George L. Paddison Professor of Latin at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His academic journey includes a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He has held significant roles, such as Department Chair (2003-2007), Director of Graduate Studies, and President of the Vergilian Society. His research focuses on Greek and Latin poetry, with a special emphasis on the Augustan period, epic, didactic literature, and satire. Education highlights include studies at the College of the Holy Cross (A.B., 1981) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 1986). He taught at Wesleyan University before joining UNC in 2001, where he has contributed extensively to teaching and scholarship. Research interests span Latin poetry, particularly Vergil, Catullus, Lucretius, and Ovid. Notable works include Death and the Optimistic Prophecy in Vergil’s Aeneid (1990), True Names: Vergil and the Alexandrian Tradition of Etymological Wordplay (1996), and Inconsistency in Roman Epic (2007). Current projects explore teaching authority in didactic and satirical works. Publications include over 40 articles and book reviews, with a focus on Vergilian studies, Lucretian analysis, and classical pedagogy. Recent lectures address topics like Aeneid Book 8 and Horace’s Ars Poetica . Grants/Awards: James Gilmore Fletcher Whitton Faculty Fellowship (2012), Loeb Classical Library Fellowship (2015-2016), SUTASA Teaching Award (2013). Students: Directed 15+ M.A. and Ph.D. theses, including works on Lucan, Lucretius, and Vergilian reception. Labs/Teams: Collaborative projects include the Focus-Hackett Aeneid commentary series and editorial work for Vergilius . Active in professional organizations like the Vergilian Society and Classical Association of the Middle West and South.
Angelika Malinar, Professor of Indology at the University of Zurich and member of its Gender Studies Department, specializes in Hinduism, Indian philosophy, and Sanskrit literature. Her work spans historical and modern contexts, with a focus on epic texts and Indo-European exchanges. She co-edits the Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism and contributes to the University Research Priority Program "Asia and Europe." PhD and habilitation from University of Tübingen Researcher at Tübingen, Berlin, and London Her research integrates Sanskrit epics, philosophical traditions, and modern Hindu identity. Recent publications analyze Mahābhārata theology, ritual practices, and cross-cultural interpretations. She explores how texts like the Bhagavadgītā and Nārāyaṇīya bridge ritualism, aesthetics, and individual authority. Key article trends examine cosmological monotheism , epic decision-making , and colonial reinterpretations . Her editorial roles include interdisciplinary volumes on time, purity, and Indo-European cultural dialogues. As a Senior Lecturer at SOAS and Professor in Zurich, she has led projects on monastic institutions, rasas, and canonical formation. Her work contextualizes Indian philosophy within global frameworks, notably nineteenth-century German Indology.
Alexey Vladimirovich Vdovin is a Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), working within the Faculty of Humanities and School of Philological Sciences. He began his tenure at HSE in 2012 and has accumulated 15 years of scientific and teaching experience. His academic journey includes a Doctor of Philology degree from HSE (2023), a PhD from the University of Tartu (2011), and his initial degree in 'Russian language and literature' from Vyatka State Humanitarian University (2007). He has held significant roles including Deputy Dean for Science at the Faculty of Humanities (2018-2020) and serves on numerous academic councils and committees. Vdovin's educational background demonstrates both depth and international perspective. After completing his undergraduate studies at Vyatka State Humanitarian University in 2007, he pursued doctoral studies at the University of Tartu, where he earned his PhD in 2011 with a dissertation on 'The concept of 'chapter of literature' in Russian criticism of the 1830-1860s.' His academic development has been enriched by numerous international experiences, including visiting researcher positions at Selwyn College, University of Cambridge (2019), Jordan Center at New York University (2017), and multiple research stays at Humboldt University in Berlin through the Aurora Erasmus Mundus program. Professor Vdovin's research focuses on Russian intellectual history, the history of ideas, the Russian Empire, Russian literature of the 19th century, and nationalism studies. His work particularly examines the formation of the Russian literary canon, representations of peasants in literature, and the relationship between literature and society. He has authored approximately 80 articles and 4 monographs on 19th-century Russian literature, culture, and criticism, with works on major figures like Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Goncharov, Belinsky, Chernyshevsky, Dobrolyubov, and Nekrasov. His recent book 'Monsters at the Threshold: Dracula, Frankenstein, Viy and Other Literary Monsters' (2024) demonstrates his expanding interest in literary archetypes and cultural phenomena. Vdovin has received numerous awards and recognitions for his scholarly work, including the Moscow Government Prize for young scientists (2017), multiple 'Best Teacher' awards (2013-2015, 2017-2024), and recognition as a winner of HSE's competition for best Russian-language scientific works (2022, 2024). He has also received various letters of gratitude from HSE administration, the Faculty of Humanities, and the School of Philology for his contributions to academic life. As an advisor, Vdovin has supervised numerous student research projects, including Smirnova T.V.'s 2014 master's thesis on 'Representation of 'Russianness' and 'Otherness' in Russian essays of the 1840s.' He has also served as a curator for HSE's Personnel Reserve Program at the School of Philological Sciences and has been actively involved in dissertation councils. His research has been supported by significant grants, including a 2024-2025 Russian Science Foundation grant 'The Genre of 'Peasant Life Story' in Russian Literature Before 1861: Poetics, Plots, Socio-Cultural Functions' (No 24-28-00184) and a 2018-2020 RFBR grant on 'State and Literary Institutions: From Peter I's Reforms to the 'Great Reforms.' Professor Vdovin is actively engaged in academic communities beyond HSE, serving as editor-in-chief of the HSE preprint series 'Literary Studies' and participating in the Big Project 'Literature and Society: An Experience of Sociocultural Description.' He is also involved in public scholarship, frequently giving public lectures through platforms like 'Arzamas,' 'Postnauka,' and 'Stradarium,' and appearing on the 'Observer' television program (Culture channel). Since 2015, he has been a mentor at Maya Kucherskaya's Creative Writing School, bridging academic scholarship with creative practice.
Jocelyn Saidenberg is a Lecturer specializing in comparative literature, ancient poetry, and interdisciplinary studies. She holds a doctoral degree in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research integrates linguistics, social anthropology, and psychoanalysis to analyze didactic poetry’s transformative potential, as seen in her dissertation Echo Otherwise on Lucretius’s atomic poetics. Her creative work includes multiple poetry collections and essays exploring themes like displacement, existential inquiry, and interdisciplinary art. Key publications span academic interviews and poetry anthologies, with notable works such as kith & kin (2018), Dead Letter (2015), and Shipwreck (2013). Dr. Saidenberg has received prestigious awards including the Frances Jaffer Award and the American Academy of Poets Greenwald Prize (2001). Her creative and critical outputs reflect a sustained engagement with language’s capacity to interrogate human experience across historical and cultural contexts.
Dr. Hannah Zdansky is an Assistant Professor of English at Belmont Abbey College, specializing in medieval languages, literatures, and manuscript studies. Her research focuses on cross-cultural connections in medieval Britain and Ireland, particularly exploring multilingualism, religion in literature, and medieval reading practices. She holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.A. from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Her expertise spans Old and Middle English, French, Irish, Welsh, and Latin, with a methodological focus on digital humanities and the history of the book. Dr. Zdansky’s work examines how medieval literary and material cultures were shaped by multicultural interactions, including studies on medieval manuscripts, the role of women in literary production, and the intersection of religion with secular narratives. Her recent scholarly engagements include presentations on topics like the transnational dimensions of medieval texts, the interplay between sacred and secular themes in works such as Gui o Bharbhuic , and comparative analyses of Welsh and English manuscript traditions. Her publications span peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries, and book reviews, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary medieval studies. Dr. Zdansky teaches a wide range of courses, from Old English Language and Literature to Irish History, emphasizing close textual analysis and historical context. She has advised numerous students through independent studies and thesis work, fostering academic rigor and intellectual curiosity in her classroom.
Christopher Rundle is a Professor of Translation at the University of Bologna, Department of Interpreting and Translation , and a Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, Centre for Translation and Intercultural Studies . His career spans over 30 years in academic and research roles focused on translation history under totalitarian regimes, audiovisual translation, and interdisciplinary methodology. PhD, MA, and BA in Translation Studies Co-founder of the History and Translation Network Co-editor of the Routledge Research on Translation and Interpreting History book series Research interests include translation history in Fascist Italy and European Communism , theory of translation historiography , and subtitling practices . His publications explore censorship, ideological influence, and cultural exchange. Notable projects include the Subtitle Project and SDH Project on subtitling standards. Key publications: Publishing Translations in Fascist Italy (2010), The Routledge Handbook of Translation History (2021), and The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Methodology (2022) Editorial roles: inTRAlinea , Chronotopos , and ri.tra journal His scientific awards include an Honorary Research Fellowship at the University of Manchester. He also explores dialect and music through collaborations like the Chris Rundle Band and the album Pianura Blues .
Elaine M Shenk is a Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Department of Languages and Linguistics at Saint Joseph's University. Her work focuses on sociolinguistic phenomena in language contact settings, emphasizing language ideologies, bilingualism, and policy debates across Puerto Rico and the United States. Education : PhD in Spanish-Linguistics from the University of Iowa; MA in Spanish-Linguistics from the University of New Mexico; BA in Liberal Arts from Eastern Mennonite University. Her research explores the symbolic values and political dimensions of language contact, with a focus on Puerto Rican communities, U.S. legislative discourse, and educational contexts. She examines metaphors in language-status dynamics, sociolinguistic variation in intermediate classrooms, and the historical evolution of language policies in Congressional bills. Recent publications address language ideologies in Puerto Rican migration, metaphors in language debates, and policy frameworks. These works span sub-fields like language legitimation campaigns, bilingual education strategies, and discourses on protectionism versus receptivity in language officialization. Scientific Awards : 2019 Ed Brady SJ Faith in Action Award 2019 Alpha Sigma Nu Teaching Award 2016 Honorable Mention, AATSP Outstanding Scholarly Publication Award Multiple research grants including the Michael J. Morris Grant (2014) Service-learning and curriculum development grants (2012-2010)
Virginia Ferreiro Basurto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), where she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in psychology, with a strong focus on gender equality and gender-based violence. She is actively involved in postgraduate coordination, including the Chair of Gender Violence Studies and the Summer University of Gender Studies at UIB. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands Coordinator, Chair of Gender Violence Studies, UIB Coordinator, Summer University of Gender Studies, UIB Member, Gender Studies Research Group (ESTUDEGE), UIB Education: Degree in Pedagogy, University of the Balearic Islands Master’s in Inclusive Education, University of the Balearic Islands Doctoral Candidate in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, University of the Balearic Islands Dr. Ferreiro Basurto’s research centers on gender perspectives in the Information Society, with emphasis on ICT-related social-digital exclusion of women and sexist cyberviolence. Her work explores implicit and explicit attitudes toward gender-based violence, bystander intervention, street harassment, and the myth of romantic love as a justification for abuse. She has contributed extensively to academic discourse through publications and participation in national and international conferences. The trend in her recent scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on gender-based violence in both physical and digital environments. Her articles analyze youth perceptions of cyberaggression, the role of bystanders in intimate partner violence, and methodological advancements in measuring supportive attitudes toward violence. The interdisciplinary nature of her work spans psychology, sociology, gender studies, and digital humanities, often informed by empirical data from Spanish populations. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. She has been involved in multiple research projects funded by national and international institutions, including the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, FECYT, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Fundación BBVA, and Instituto de la Mujer. These projects cover themes such as critical thinking development in education, citizen involvement in violence prevention, and intervention programs for abusers. She also advises and supervises master’s theses and final degree projects, particularly in gender-focused postgraduate programs. Dr. Ferreiro Basurto is a member of the Gender Studies Research Group (ESTUDEGE) at UIB, a consolidated R&D&I group dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on gender, violence, and digital society. Her collaborative work involves designing and evaluating gender-sensitive educational and intervention programs.
Laura Quick is an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow of Theology and Religion at Worcester College. Her academic work bridges biblical studies with comparative ancient Near Eastern literary culture, focusing on the intersection of language, gender, and ritual in the Hebrew Bible. Research Focus: Beauty and aesthetics in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near East; body symbolism in biblical and Dead Sea Scroll texts; philological gender analysis; ritual and liturgical studies Academic Roles: Editorial Board, Hebrew Studies; Steering Committee, Philology in Hebrew Studies (SBL); External Member, Sheffield Institute for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies Recent publications examine topics ranging from cosmetic practices in Esther and Ruth to the mythological background of Isaiah 14. Her scholarship frequently engages with Deuteronomy, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Septuagint studies, employing comparative methods to analyze textual strategies and cultural exchange. She teaches Hebrew poetry, ritual, and liturgy, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate theological education at Oxford.
Prof. Dr. Christopher Markiewicz is a leading scholar in Ottoman and Islamic Studies at Ghent University's Department of Languages and Cultures (affiliated with the Department of History). He previously held positions as Associate Professor at University of Birmingham and Junior Research Fellow at Exeter College, University of Oxford. His research centers on the political, social, and intellectual history of the Ottoman Empire (15th-17th centuries), with special emphasis on state formation, diplomatic cultures, and the interplay between Islamic law and governance. Education PhD in Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, University of Chicago (2015) Magna cum laude dissertation award from Middle East Studies Association (2016) His scholarship explores the transition from medieval Islamic political fragmentation to early modern imperial consolidation , focusing on how Persian émigrés shaped Ottoman sovereignty and diplomatic practices. Current research investigates pious endowments (waqf) through an ERC Starting Grant (2023-2028) , analyzing their role in Ottoman state-building. Scientific contributions include: Winner of Malcolm H. Kerr Dissertation Award (2016) Principal Investigator for Islamic Endowments project Series Editor for The Ottoman Empire and the World (I.B. Tauris) Trustee of EJW Gibb Memorial Trust Member of British Institute at Ankara committees His 2023-2024 teaching includes courses on Middle East politics and global historical developments. Publications reveal evolving research from waqf taxation controversies to diplomatic gift-giving protocols, with consistent focus on cross-cultural exchange and historiographical evolution.
Dagmar Abendroth-Timmer is a Professor in Romance Studies - Didactics at the University of Siegen, Faculty I. She is a leading figure in foreign language didactics, with a strong focus on action-oriented teaching, multilingualism, teacher education, and digital learning environments. Her research is deeply international, involving collaborations across Europe through projects like LANGSCAPE, ENROPE, and ViMuLEnc. University: University of Siegen School: Faculty I Department: Romance Studies - Didactics Position: Professor Email: abendroth@romanistik.uni-siegen.de Her research interests include foreign language didactics, multilingual and intercultural education, teacher professionalization, empirical research methods, and digital learning. She has made significant contributions to the development of action-oriented language teaching models, particularly in digital and multilingual contexts. Her recent publications explore virtual multilingual encounters, translanguaging, and identity formation in language classrooms. The recent articles reflect a strong trend toward digitalization in language education, with a focus on virtual exchange, teacher training in digital environments, and the role of multilingualism in online learning. There is a consistent emphasis on reflective practice, identity, and critical pedagogy across her work. She is actively involved in academic leadership, serving as a network consultant for LANGSCAPE and coordinating international projects. She has contributed to numerous edited volumes and special journal issues, particularly on plurilingualism and teacher education. Dagmar Abendroth-Timmer supervises research assistants and contributes to curriculum development in teacher education. She is engaged in ongoing research projects such as ViMuLEnc, which explores virtual multilingual learning encounters, and drama pedagogy in language teaching. Her work bridges theory and practice, aiming to enhance both teacher training and classroom instruction in foreign languages.
Prof. Dr. Karin Polit is a full professor and head of the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the Asia-Orient-Institut, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tübingen. She has been in this position since April 2018 and is actively involved in research, teaching, and academic supervision. Her work is deeply rooted in ethnographic fieldwork in South Asia, particularly India. Education: B.A. in Anthropology, James Cook University, Australia (1998) Magister Artium in Anthropology (2001) Promotion (Ph.D.), University of Heidelberg (2006), topic: 'Ethnographic Reflections on Practices of Gender and Agency among Dalit Women in the Central Himalayas' Habilitation and Venia Legendi in Anthropology, University of Heidelberg (2015) Her research focuses on ritual, performance, gender, caste, medical anthropology, youth culture, and cultural heritage . She explores how global and local inequalities shape education, art, and resistance, with special attention to mental health, reproductive loss, and media in New Delhi and the Himalayas. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates ethnography, film, and sensory studies. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in ritual dynamics, embodiment, heritage politics, and youth agency in South Asia. Her work often examines how tradition and modernity intersect in religious festivals, political contexts, and personal identity. She frequently collaborates with scholars such as Prof. Gabriele Alex and Christiane Brosius. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Venia Legendi Award, University of Heidelberg (2015) Margarete von Wrangell Fellow, South Asia Institute (2014–2018) Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Study, JNU, New Delhi (2012–2013) Baden-Württemberg Certificate for University Didactics (since 2012) Prof. Polit has supervised numerous Master’s and PhD students, including Pallabi Roy and Gaurav Lamichhane, and has led research projects funded by the DFG and international networks like AROGYAM. She has also contributed to academic service through editorial roles and guest professorships at institutions in Germany, India, and the Netherlands. Her audiovisual work, including ethnographic films, enhances public engagement with anthropological knowledge. She leads the department's research on South Asian societies and continues to expand collaborative networks across Europe and South Asia.
Prof. Dr. hab. Marzena Górecka is a Full Professor at the Department of German-Language Literature and Culture , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin . Her academic career includes habilitation (2006), Erasmus teaching assignments at the University of Freiburg (Switzerland), and leadership of the INTERREG III C project Language Bridges (2004-2006). Education: University of Lublin (Humanities), University of Zurich (Germanic Philology), University of Perugia (Italian Studies) Degree: Licentiata Philosophiae (1995), Doctorate in German Medieval Literature (1999) Research Focus: German medieval mysticism (Mechthild von Magdeburg, Hildegard von Bingen), Swiss German-language literature of the 20th century (Meinrad Inglin, Albin Zollinger), and literary translation theory with emphasis on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI's Opera Omnia . She explores mystical anthropology, cultural boundaries, and the interplay between theology and literature. Recent Trends: Analysis of postmodern literary spirituality, translation challenges of theological texts, and cultural memory in European border regions. Her 2023 publications examine educational crises through religious pedagogy and contemporary social critique in Swiss literature. Key Awards: Feniks National Literary Award (2014, 2013), Ministerial Individual Scholarship (MEiN), Landes&Gyr Foundation Research Stipend (Switzerland) Academic Service: Active in international research (SNSF Berlin evaluation), editorial leadership for Opera Omnia Ratzinger , and conference organization on European values and migration. She serves on the Polish Ministerial Expert Panel for academic promotions.
Dr. Susanne Ehrich (born 1977) is a Research Fellow and academic coordinator at the Institute of History , University of Regensburg , since 2012. As academic coordinator of the Forum Mittelalter since 2007, she specializes in interdisciplinary medieval research with focus on apocalyptic commentaries , German religious poetry , and text-image analysis . She co-edits the Forum Mittelalter-Studien series. Education: German Studies, Catholic Theology, Romance Studies (Regensburg & Pisa, 2002); First State Examination for secondary school teaching; German as a Foreign Language Certificate Research Interests center on medieval eschatological frameworks, vernacular biblical poetry, and the interplay between textual and visual media in apocalyptic traditions. Her work examines how religious texts were adapted across Teutonic Order communities and urban contexts. Publications focus on Middle High German apocalypse manuscripts, urban cultural analysis, and interdisciplinary methodologies. Key trends include text-image relationships , didactic elements in religious poetry , and eschatological historiography . Scientific Awards: Doctoral grant from the Cusanuswerk (Bishop's Study Fund, 2003–2007) Editorial Roles: Co-editor of Forum Mittelalter-Studien series since 2009; collaborative projects with Prof. Dr. Jörg Oberste and other medievalists.
