Ricki O'Rawe is a Senior Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast's School of Arts, English and Languages. He specializes in Hispanic literature, art, and cultural studies, with a focus on Argentine literature, surrealism, and decolonial aesthetics. His research intersects themes of spirituality, political aesthetics, and identity in Latin American contexts. PhD Supervision Areas: Argentine Literature, The Fantastic in Art, Hispanic Surrealism, Religion & Art, Decolonial Approaches Current Research Project: 'Women and Religion in the Hispanic World' (2019–present) He actively engages in academic networks such as the International Society for the Study of Surrealism and organizes conferences like the Society for Latin American Studies Annual Conference (2023). His work has been recognized with the AHSS Faculty Research Initiatives Fund Award (2017). Key contributions include analyses of Samanta Schweblin's political narratives, Borges' poetry, and Remedios Varo's feminist surrealist art. He also explores coloniality in contemporary art through writings on the Turner Prize and pandemic-era religious imagery in Hispanic art.
Dr. Troy Michael Bordun is a part-time lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia and a researcher in contemporary art cinema, celebrity studies, and comics studies. He teaches courses at Concordia University, including Film Analysis and Sociology of Culture. PhD in Cultural Studies, Trent University His research spans superhero comics and philosophy, film theory, and cultural studies. He explores topics like Deleuzian ethics in superhero narratives, haptic visuality in art cinema, and the sociology of online pornography. Recent publications analyze superhero ethics, sensory aesthetics in European cinema, and celebrity authenticity. He curates film festivals and exhibitions on adult cinema and cultural themes. 2018 CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching 2021 SSHRC Explore Grant 2023 Research Strategic Initiative Grant Bordun’s grants support his work on superhero philosophy and cultural studies. He has contributed to journals such as Studies in European Cinema , Porn Studies , and REDEN .
Dr Kirstin Mills is Senior Lecturer and Director of the Master of Research and Graduate Diploma of Research in the Faculty of Arts at Macquarie University. She holds a PhD and a BA (Hons, First Class) in Literature from Macquarie University, with her doctoral thesis entitled "Imagined Worlds: the Role of Dreams, Space, and the Supernatural in the Evolution of Victorian Fantasy" (2014). She has led the design and implementation of innovative graduate research programs including the Graduate Diploma of Research which launched in 2025. Dr Mills earned her PhD in English Literature from Macquarie University with a thesis examining dreams, space, and the supernatural in Victorian fantasy literature. Her undergraduate honors work focused on psychology and epic fantasy in Beowulf and Tolkien. She maintains active involvement in academic leadership through positions on the University's Graduate Research Management Committee and as Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Arts Research Training Committee. Dr Mills' research specializes in Gothic and fantastic literature with particular focus on the long nineteenth century and its twenty-first century adaptations. Her work explores intersections between Gothic literature and historical, cultural, and technological contexts, examining representations of space, the supernatural, and the sciences of the mind. This includes studies of nineteenth-century theories of dreams and consciousness, Victorian mathematical concepts of the fourth dimension, digital adaptations of Gothic literature, Gothic animal studies, and gender in Gothic narratives. She has published on authors ranging from Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Mary Shelley to contemporary digital vampire texts. Analysis of Dr Mills' recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach connecting Gothic studies with science, psychology, and digital media. Her work spans Victorian Gothic and the occult, Frankenstein and undead sciences, and theories of dreaming in Romantic literature. She consistently examines how literature engages with scientific concepts of life, death, and consciousness, demonstrating expertise in both historical context and contemporary adaptations. Editor of "Advances in Nineteenth-Century Research" (Routledge/Taylor and Francis) Series Editor for the "International Nineteenth-Century Studies Association Book Series" with Clemson University Press Board Member of the Australasian Horror Studies Network Board Member of the International Nineteenth-Century Studies Association Dr Mills supervises PhD and Master of Research students in Gothic and fantastic literature and their adaptations. She has developed curriculum for advanced research training units including FOAR8010 Research Writing, FOAR8020 Research Theory, and FOAR8030 Research Methods. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary connection, creative thinking, and building supportive academic communities. She has presented on research supervision at conferences and contributes to professional development for researchers. Dr Mills maintains active engagement with both academic and public communities. She contributes regularly to Macquarie's "The Lighthouse" magazine with articles on Dracula, Wednesday, Beetlejuice, Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, and Victorian-era TV shows. She provides commentary for newspapers, has been interviewed on ABC and 2SER Radio about ghost stories and adaptations, and speaks at public events including at the State Library of New South Wales. She appears regularly on the "From the Lighthouse" podcast and serves as an accredited Mental Health First Aider and member of Macquarie's Ally Network.
Boyan Manchev is a Professor at the Department of Art Studies and Cultural History at New Bulgarian University and a Guest Professor at the Berlin University of the Arts and Hollins University . His work spans Ontology, Philosophy of Art, and Political Philosophy , with a focus on Modal Ontology and Philosophical Fantastic . He has held academic positions since 2002 and received his Doctor of Sciences degree in 2022. Books: Over 20 monographs including World and Freedom (2023), What is Ontology? (2023), and The End of Contemporary Art? (2023). Research: Explores intersections of Philosophy, Art, and Politics , with emphasis on Metamorphosis, Super-Critique, and Radical Aesthetics . Projects: Co-founder of Meteor association, organizing conferences, artistic installations, and collaborative ventures in Performance, Visual Arts, and Theater .
Professor Pablo Brescia is a faculty member in the Department of World Languages at the University of South Florida. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara (cum laude), and a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from UCSB (2000). His expertise spans Latin American literature, film, and cultural studies, with a focus on authors like Borges, Cortázar, and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. He has authored books such as Borges. Cinco especulaciones (2015) and edited volumes like Cortázar sampleado (2014). His creative works include short story collections under his own name and hybrid texts under the pseudonym Harry Bimer. His research interests include narrative theory, microfiction, and the intersection of sports and culture. He has received the 2013 Status of Latinos' USF Faculty Award and the 2010 Jamie Bishop Memorial Award for his contributions to fantastic literature studies. Brescia also writes a cultural column El alma por el pie for sub-urbano (Miami) and has published widely on topics ranging from Maradona's cultural legacy to the aesthetics of minimalism in literature. His recent scholarship explores themes such as technological ethics in film ( Sleep Dealer analysis), Kafkaesque elements in Juan José Arreola's work, and the reception history of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. He maintains an active publishing record with over 100 academic articles and creative works since the early 2000s.
Dr. Marie-Claire Barnet is a Researcher at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University. Her work focuses on 20th-21st Century French Literature, Visual Art, Gender Studies, and Critical Theory, with a particular emphasis on the intersections of autobiography, self-portraiture, and word-image interactions. Research Themes: Contemporary French literature, feminist reinterpretation of art, interdisciplinary approaches to visual culture, and theoretical engagements with space/gender. Key Collaborations: Co-editor of special issues on women’s spatial conceptualizations, contributor to studies on Agnès Varda and Marie NDiaye. Her recent publications (2020) analyze plural readings in film, gender critiques in museum contexts, and collaborative narrative frameworks. Earlier works explore surrealism’s legacy, suburban geographies in French cinema, and the fantastic in women’s writing.
Louise McDonald is a Senior Lecturer in English at Newman University's Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies. She earned her BA and MA from the University of Birmingham, followed by a PGCE and PhD from Leicester University. Specializes in twentieth century women’s literature , particularly middlebrow fiction Pioneer in Victorian literature-to-film adaptations analysis Published a landmark monograph on Clemence Dane in 2020 Teaches modules on Victorian Gothic , American cultural identity , and film reading Administrator for the Middlebrow Network Her research focuses on gender politics in female middlebrow writing (1900-1950) and screen adaptations of Victorian literature . She supervises PhD/MRes students in Victorian literature and culture while contributing to foundation humanities education. Key publications include Clemence Dane: Forgotten Feminist Writer of the Inter-war Years (Routledge, 2020) and multiple entries in The Literary Encyclopedia. She presented at major conferences at the University of London and University of Chester, exploring topics like domestic conservatism in Dane's work and submerged sexualities in Edwardian fiction .
Professor Ingo Cornils is a leading scholar in German Studies at the University of Leeds, where he holds the position of Professor in the Department of German within the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. His academic leadership includes roles as Head of Department, Director of Student Education, and Digital Education Lead. He is an internationally recognized expert on Hermann Hesse, German science fiction, and the 1968 student movement, with a strong focus on utopian and dystopian thought in literature and film. First Staatsexamen (MA) in English, German, and Pedagogy Second Staatsexamen (PGCE) PhD from the University of Hamburg His research centers on the intersections of politics, utopia, and the fantastic in German literature. He has published extensively on Romanticism, science fiction, and the cultural memory of 1968. His monograph Writing the Revolution (2016) reframes '1968' as a mythic identity construct, while Beyond Tomorrow (2020) explores how German SF engages with ethical challenges of technology and climate change. He co-edited New Perspectives on Contemporary German Science Fiction (2022) and Hermann Hesse’s Global Impact (2024), highlighting transcultural and interdisciplinary dimensions of German literature. His recent publications reveal a growing interest in climate fiction, artificial intelligence, and digital culture, often through the lens of Hesse’s enduring relevance. These works combine literary analysis with philosophical inquiry, emphasizing how speculative narratives help societies anticipate and navigate uncertain futures. Shortlisted for Leeds University Union Partnership Awards (2016, 2021) Cornils has supervised PhD and MA students on topics ranging from protest gentrification to Hesse’s reception in Japan. He has secured grants for innovative teaching, including the German dissertation as a research project, and led the 'Languages for All' initiative. He regularly contributes to public discourse through blog posts, conferences, and media engagement. He is co-editor of literatur für leser:innen and active in professional networks such as the International Hermann Hesse Society and the German Studies Association. He leads research groups on the transcultural fantastic and German world literatures, and continues to develop new projects on Günter Grass, Hesse’s parables, and AI in German literature. His work bridges academic scholarship with public intellectual engagement, shaping both pedagogy and research in German Studies.
Sarah Dodd is a Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. Her work bridges classical and contemporary Chinese literary traditions with a focus on the fantastic, science fiction, and cinematic expression. Education: PhD in Classical Chinese Ghost Stories, University of Leeds MPhil in Modern Chinese Literature, University of Leeds BA in Chinese and International Relations, University of Leeds Her research centers on the fantastic in Chinese fiction and film, particularly exploring how themes of monstrosity, fantasy, and science fiction manifest across historical and modern contexts. She employs comparative and transcultural frameworks to analyze narrative structures and cultural symbolism in both classical texts like Pu Songling's Liaozhai zhiyi and contemporary speculative fiction. Sarah Dodd plays a key role in fostering academic and creative exchange through her position as deputy director of the Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing , where she organizes events, translation competitions, and a monthly book club. She is also a core organizer of the Transcultural Fantastic research project, which promotes interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue on fantastic traditions globally. Scientific and Academic Leadership: Deputy Director, Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing Organizer, Transcultural Fantastic Research Project She supervises several postgraduate researchers working on topics related to Chinese literature and translation. Her teaching includes modules on world literature, Chinese and East Asian culture, fiction, cinema, and translation, reflecting her broad interdisciplinary engagement.
Anne Nesbet is a Professor and Department Chair in Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. Her expertise spans Russian and Soviet literature, film studies, and children's literature, with a particular focus on Sergei Eisenstein, early Soviet culture, and cross-cultural narratives. Education Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, University of California, Berkeley D.E.A. in General & Comparative Literature, Universite de Paris – III Research Interests Dr. Nesbet explores intersections between literature and film, emphasizing silent and early sound cinema from France, Germany, and Russia. Her work delves into Soviet cinema's architectural symbolism, Gogol's literary legacy, and comparative analyses of Eastern and Western cultural movements, including GDR history. Publication Trends Her publications span from 1988 to 2020, focusing on Soviet film theory (particularly Eisenstein), comparative literary analysis, and children's/YA fiction. Recent works (2012-2020) include award-winning novels blending historical and fantastical elements, while scholarly works examine spatial representation, montage theory, and transnational cultural exchanges. Teaching She teaches graduate seminars on 1920s literature, Eisenstein's and Vertov's films, and children's literature theory, alongside courses on Russian novels, literary theory, and Soviet-American cultural intersections.
Amanda Howell is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science , Griffith University. Her research and teaching focus on gender, genre, and screen aesthetics within sociohistorical frameworks, particularly examining 'body genres' like horror, action, and musicals in 21st-century cinema and television. Education: PhD (1996), MA (1989), BA Highest Honours (1985) Key Research Themes: Female monsters in horror, historical imagination in screen media, music's role in constructing masculinity, gothic and science fiction genres, feminist approaches to transmedia storytelling Grants: Denmark Independent Research Fund (2018-21), Griffith University Internal Grants (2015-17, 2005-06) Collaborations: Co-edited special issues and book collections with scholars like Stephanie Green and Linnie Blake Her recent work includes the co-authored monograph Monstrous Possibilities (2022) and co-edited Hallucinatory Histories (2024), which analyze horror's intersection with gender, trauma, and historical critique. She actively supervises PhD candidates exploring topics such as Queer Cinema , transmedia fandoms , and screen horror's cultural work . Scientific Awards: None explicitly listed in the provided text.
César García Álvarez is a Professor at the Universidad de León , affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters and the Department of Artistic and Documentary Heritage . His research focuses on Art History with particular emphasis on Renaissance symbolism , cathedral iconography , and the interplay between geometry and symbolism in architectural contexts. He earned his doctorate in 1999 with a thesis on Fantastic Iconography and Symbolism in the Renaissance . Primary Affiliation : Universidad de León Research Group : HUMTC HUMANISTAS His publications highlight a deep engagement with Gaudí's architectural symbolism, medieval and Renaissance art, and the hermeneutics of artistic spaces. Notable works include analyses of the Cathedral of León and Gaudí's Palacio Episcopal de Astorga . He explores themes like symbolic geometry , allegorical dimensions , and artistic deception across diverse mediums such as furniture, paintings, and musical instruments. His research spans interdisciplinary domains, connecting art history with philosophy (e.g., Nelson Goodman, Arthur Danto), literary analysis (Don Quixote's symbolic infinity), and material culture . He has contributed to debates on just transition policies in Europe and Latin America, though this appears tangential to his core art historical work.
María Victoria Albornoz, Ph.D., is a faculty member in the Spanish Department at Saint Louis University-Madrid, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis and an Honors B.A. in Literature from Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá. Her academic work is deeply rooted in contemporary Spanish American literature, with a focus on narrative form, trauma, and cultural identity. Education: Ph.D. in Spanish (2004), Washington University in St. Louis M.A. in Spanish Literature (1998), Washington University in St. Louis Honors B.A. in Literature (1997), Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá Her research interests include contemporary Spanish American narrative, the short story, historical novels, Colombian literature of the 20th and 21st centuries, bodily transgression, posthumanism, and the representation of violence and trauma. She explores how literature reflects and processes social and psychological upheavals, particularly in the context of Latin American conflict and identity. Her work often engages with feminist theory, narrative psychology, and postcolonial thought. Her recent publications analyze works by authors such as Samanta Schweblin, Laura Restrepo, and Juan Gabriel Vásquez, focusing on themes like posthuman identity, fragmented narratives, and the psychological impact of violence. The articles show a consistent engagement with trauma, monstrosity, and the limits of language and representation in fiction. Scientific Awards and Honors: Distinguished Faculty Award, 2020 Annual Distinguished Alumni Award, 2020 Finalist, III Concurso Nacional 'Relatos de Mujeres Viajeras', 2011 Finalist, XVII Premio de Narrativa 'Miguel Cabrera', 2010 Finalist, XXII Certamen Literario 'Joaquín Lobato', 2009 Finalist, XXI Premio Ana María Matute, 2009 First Place, Premio Internacional de Cuento Casa de Teatro, 2005 Accesit, Premio Internacional Julio Cortázar, 2004 Dean of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship, 2002-2003 Helen Fe Jones Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1999 Dr. Albornoz has been actively involved in academic advising and conference presentations, with recent appearances at LASA, AATSP, and FOGO. While no formal grants are listed, her research output and recognition indicate a sustained scholarly trajectory. She has also contributed to creative writing anthologies and published her own short story collection. Her work bridges literary criticism and creative expression, reflecting a deep commitment to both scholarship and the literary arts.
Casey Drosehn Gough is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at North Central College, where she teaches literature and translation studies. Holding a PhD in Comparative Literary Studies from Northwestern University and a BA from Williams College, she specializes in Modernisms and the Global Avant-Garde through a Latin Americanist lens. Educational background: BA (Williams College), PhD (Northwestern University - Comparative Literary Studies) Research Focus: Translation theory and practice Comparative Modernisms and avant-garde movements Latin American literature and visual culture James Joyce adaptations in the Americas Postcolonial studies Labor movement histories Publication Trends: Her scholarship explores intersections between literary Surrealism, early conceptualizations of world cinema, and Argentine author Roberto Arlt. Current research investigates creative adaptations of James Joyce's works in the Americas. Teaching: Instructs English 110 and serves as Spanish instructor, integrating multilingual perspectives into her pedagogy.
Clelia Scala is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Drama at Queen's University's Dan School of Drama and Music. She specializes in mask and puppet design, costume design, shadow puppetry, installations, collage, and illustration. Her interdisciplinary work explores themes of the fantastic, uncanny, and human interaction with nature. Scala has collaborated with institutions such as Carousel Players, Odyssey Theatre, Yale University, and the Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta. She has been honored with the 2019 Established Artist Award from the City of St Catharines and supported by grants from the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and others. Her research interests blend theatrical design with visual art, emphasizing metamorphosis and storytelling. Recent projects include Jars (a puppet play about eating) and Pataphysical Masks: Faces for a Possible Future . Scala teaches design courses at Queen’s University and leads community workshops on puppet-making and large-scale installations. Her work has been exhibited in galleries across Canada and the U.S., including the Woodstock Art Gallery and the Center for Puppetry Arts. Scala’s creative practice spans film, theatre, and visual art. Notable works include Mr. Elephant’s Party , Birds (Aristophanes adaptation), and Goatsong: a Meditation , a shadow puppet film addressing childhood trauma and societal cruelty. She is also a sought-after collaborator for experimental theatre and puppetry productions, such as Xperimental Puppetry Festival and Voix de Ville .
