Tithe Systems Professors and Supervisors

Kain RogerView profile

Professor

Graz University of TechnologyAustria

Professor Kain Roger is a distinguished academic in historical geography and cartography. He currently served as Dean and Chief Executive of the School of Advanced Study at the University of London (2010–2017), following roles such as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter (2002–2010) and Montefiore Professor of Geography at the University of Exeter (1991–2010). His research focuses on maps and mapping history, urban planning, and historical geography. He holds a Higher Doctorate (DLit) in History from the University of London (1998). Education: DLit in History, University of London (1998) Research Interests: Historical cartography, urban planning history, cadastral systems, and regional geography. Dr. Kain has received numerous awards, including the CBE (2005), McColvin Medal (1996), and Nebenzahl Prize (1991). He has collaborated extensively with Dr. Richard Oliver since 1987, producing landmark publications such as British Town Maps: a History and The Enclosure Maps of England and Wales . He has held leadership roles in the British Academy and Royal Geographical Society, shaping research policy and academic governance. Key Contributions: Pioneered studies on tithe maps, enclosure maps, and historical urban cartography.

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Abdulmelik KUTLUAYView profile

Assistant Professor

Ankara Social Sciences UniversityTurkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdulmelik KUTLUAY is a faculty member at Ankara Social Sciences University, Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Department of Basic Islamic Sciences. His research focuses on Islamic economics, Islamic finance, debt law, principles of jurisprudence, and Islamic legal history. He has published works on Zakat and Ushr (tithe) calculations, participation banking, and takaful (Islamic insurance). Bachelor's Degree, Theology, Ankara University (2013-2015) Master's Degree, Fundamental Islamic Sciences, Istanbul University Institute of Social Sciences (2016-2018) PhD Candidate, Islamic Law, Istanbul University Institute of Social Sciences (2018-2024) Bachelor's Degree, Economics, Anadolu University (2018) His research explores the intersection of Islamic jurisprudence and modern economic systems, particularly debt law, participation banking, and classical fiqh (jurisprudence). He investigates the application of Islamic legal principles to contemporary financial challenges and historical developments in Islamic law. Recent publications analyze Zakat nisab (threshold) calculations for agricultural products, Ushr determination across different crops, and economic jurisprudence in Islamic legal history. His work bridges classical Islamic legal theory with modern economic practices. He teaches courses related to Islamic law and has received training at the Haseki Religious High Specialization Center under the Presidency of Religious Affairs. No scientific awards are currently documented for his work.

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Piotr PlisieckiView profile

Assistant Professor

John Paul II Catholic University of LublinPoland

Dr. hab. Piotr Plisiecki is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ancient, Byzantine and Medieval History, Faculty of Humanities, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. His work bridges Medieval History , Church History , and Archaeology , with a focus on Poland's cultural heritage . Academic Affiliation: John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin Research Areas: Parochial Networks, Tithe Systems, Medieval Archaeology, Historical Methods His peer-reviewed publications span books and articles, including works on medieval Lublin , the Polish church's origins , and Byzantine influences . He has also organized international conferences on Church-State dynamics and contributed to educational grants in Brazil. Scientific Awards: Multiple Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Teaching scholarships (2012-2025) MFA Educational Grant (2023) for Brazil-based historical workshops His outreach includes radio interviews on topics like Mieszko I's Baptism and collaborations with National Institute of Heritage on archaeological expert teams.

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Magnus BohmanView profile

Associate Professor

Umea UniversitySweden

Magnus Bohman serves as Associate Professor (currently on leave) in the Unit of Economic History within the Faculty of Social Sciences at Umeå University. His research focuses on Scandinavian economic and agricultural history, particularly examining rural societies, ecological challenges, and institutional transformations from the early modern period through the 19th century. Bohman's research interests center on agricultural history , ecological crises in historical contexts , and Nordic rural development . His work explores how societies managed environmental challenges during periods of agricultural transformation, with particular attention to famine relief mechanisms, forest management, and the role of civil society organizations in rural governance. His studies often employ detailed archival analysis of tithe records, agricultural societies, and regional economic patterns across southern Sweden and northern Scandinavia. His scholarly contributions reveal consistent patterns across three major research trajectories: (1) ecological challenges during agricultural revolutions, (2) institutional responses to rural crises, and (3) long-term transformations in Nordic agricultural systems. These works demonstrate methodological sophistication in using unconventional historical sources like parish tithe registers and agricultural society records to reconstruct past economic conditions. Bohman maintains active scholarly engagement through publications in leading historical journals including Scandinavian Economic History Review , Scandia , and Agricultural History Review , with recent work focusing on the 1860s famines in northern Sweden and early attempts at rural governance through associations in 19th-century Sweden.

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Edd V. TaylorView profile

Associate Professor

University of ColoradoUnited States

Edd V. Taylor is an Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research explores the intersection of youths' everyday cultural practices and mathematical thinking, with a focus on equity in mathematics learning and achievement. He investigates how cultural knowledge can be leveraged to design more inclusive classroom practices and professional development programs. Dr. Taylor holds a PhD (2005), MA (1998), and BA (1992) in Cognition and Development and Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. His work spans diverse settings including corner stores, classrooms, churches, and professional development initiatives. Key research interests include cultural responsiveness in STEM education, interdisciplinary approaches to learning (e.g., dance and computing integration), and addressing systemic inequities in mathematics education. His articles in journals like the Journal of the Learning Sciences and Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education highlight themes such as religious practices influencing mathematical development and anti-racist curricular reforms. Dr. Taylor has contributed to national committees for organizations like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Association of Mathematics Teachers Educators (AMTE), advocating for equity-focused policies. His research also extends to embodied learning strategies and the role of context in mathematical perseverance. Labs/Teams: Collaborations include studies on creative computing (e.g., Danceon project) and interdisciplinary STEM education initiatives aimed at bridging cultural practices with formal learning environments.

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Benjamin BromanView profile

Assistant Professor

Purdue UniversityUnited States

Benjamin Broman is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Purdue University and a faculty member of the Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program. He holds a Ph.D. (2024) and M.A. (2019) in Political Science from Duke University. His research focuses on the origins and evolution of political and economic institutions, emphasizing legitimacy dynamics and the intersection of religion and politics. He employs formal theory and quantitative historical analysis, with a geographic focus on the British Isles. Methodologically, he explores interpretive challenges in historical social science research. Dr. Broman’s work examines judicial institutions, indirect governance, and institutional change. His research has been published in journals such as Journal of Theoretical Politics , Journal of Historical Political Economy , and Public Choice . His recent studies include analyses of the Irish Tithe War, Glorious Revolution religious purges, and the mechanisms of judicial independence. He also investigates cooptation strategies in colonial contexts and the role of feud systems in legal institution development. His advising and grants include contributions to the Cornerstone program’s interdisciplinary initiatives. He maintains affiliations with historical political economy networks and is engaged in research on early modern governance structures in the British Isles.

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Rhodri EvansView profile

Lecturer

Aberystwyth UniversityUnited Kingdom

Rhodri Evans is a Lecturer in Education at Aberystwyth University's School of Education. His work focuses on historical political geography, national identity formation, peripheral nationalist movements, and rurality's impact on education. He coordinates study abroad opportunities for students and holds a PhD from Aberystwyth University, where his research examined Welsh national identity through student radicalism in the 1960s. Education Background: BScEcon in History & International Politics (Aberystwyth, 2015) MA in Welsh History (Aberystwyth, focused on the 1890s Tithe War protests) PhD in Historical Political Geography (Aberystwyth, 2021) Research Interests: National identity dynamics Radical civil society participation Rural education challenges Welsh language preservation His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and reduced inequalities. Publications highlight pandemic impacts on education systems and Welsh-language initiatives. Collaborations include Welsh Government reports on bilingual education and pandemic response strategies. Grants & Advising: Coordinates student exchange programs but lists no formal advisees. Active in policy-oriented research projects. Labs/Teams: Engaged with Aberystwyth's School of Education initiatives on multilingual education and rural development.

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Anna-Riikka KAUPPINENView profile

Assistant Professor

Graduate Institute of International and Development StudiesSwitzerland

Anna-Riikka KAUPPINEN is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, holding the Pictet Chair in Finance and Development. She is also a Faculty Affiliate at the Centre for Finance and Development and the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy. Her expertise spans political economy, economic anthropology, and the intersections of religion, finance, and state-building in West Africa. She earned her PhD in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2018) and held a Research Associate position at the University of Cambridge (2018–2021). Her research focuses on economic sovereignty, Christian financial networks, and the digital transformation of financial services in Ghana and beyond. Key themes include fiscal relations, taxation, and the political dimensions of capitalist institution-building in Africa. Recent projects explore mega-church investments in West African economies and the ethical dimensions of work and expertise in urban contexts. She has published widely in journals like American Anthropologist and Africa , and contributed to edited volumes on economic anthropology and fiscal studies. Anna-Riikka is an associate editor of Suomen Antropologi and actively involved in the Anthropology of Tax Network. Her interdisciplinary work bridges anthropology, economics, and policy studies, addressing issues of economic justice, state-building, and globalization.

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Sarah Jane GibbonView profile

Lecturer

University of the Highlands and IslandsUnited Kingdom

Dr Sarah Jane Gibbon is a part-time Lecturer in Archaeology and Project Officer with ORCA at the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute (Orkney College). Her research focuses on medieval and later Orkney, particularly Christianity, maritime pilgrimage, and early modern trade. She holds a PhD in Archaeology (2006) from the UHI/Open University on parish formation in the Orkney Earldom. Her work integrates landscape analysis, historical records, and GIS mapping to explore cultural heritage and community identity. Education: B.A. History & Archaeology, University of Glasgow (1998) M.Res. ‘Norse Castles in Orkney’, University of Glasgow (1999) PhD ‘Origins of the Parochial System in Orkney’, UHI/Open University (2006) Research Interests: Medieval/Norse landscapes of belief and power Maritime pilgrimage and St Magnus cult Early modern trade networks in Orkney/Shetland Traditional song culture as social history Historiography of Orkney and antiquarian influences Projects: Co-Director: Landscapes of Change (Rousay Clearances) PI: Looking In From The Edge (LIFTE) project ‘Is the Wirk a Castle?’ archaeological investigation Teaching: Leads modules on Early Medieval Archaeology, Scottish Historical Archaeology, and Research Skills. Supervises undergraduate/postgraduate research projects. Labs/Teams: Active with ORCA (Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology), collaborating on interdisciplinary projects with historians, geographers, and heritage managers.

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Heli HuhtamaaView profile

Assistant Professor

University of BernSwitzerland

Heli Huhtamaa is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bern , affiliated with the Department of Economic, Social and Environmental History . Her research bridges historical and climate sciences, focusing on the interplay between climate variability and societal dynamics. Research Focus: Climate history, historical climatology, environmental history, and interdisciplinary studies linking past climate changes to socioeconomic impacts. Key Projects: Leading the VolCOPE (ERC Starting Grant) and DEBTS (SNSF Ambizione) projects, analyzing volcanic eruptions' long-term effects on agrarian economies. Awards: Recognized with the Prize for the Humanities (Finnish Academy of Science), Young Researcher Award 2018 (University of Eastern Finland), and a Highly Commended honor from the Journal of Historical Geography . Publications highlight her work on climate extremes, tree-ring analysis, and socioeconomic resilience in pre-industrial societies. Her 2022-2023 articles explore eruption clusters, harvest failures, and methodological innovations in climate-society nexus studies.

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Csaba Sarnyai MateView profile

Associate Professor

Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary

Csaba Sarnyai Mate is an Associate Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Gáspár Károli Reformed University, Hungary. He has also held academic positions at Kodolányi János College and the University of Szeged. His work is deeply rooted in historical and religious studies, with a strong focus on institutional and minority dynamics. Research Interests: Sarnyai Mate specializes in 19th–20th century Hungarian and European church history, particularly examining the relationship between state and church, Catholic autonomy, and the political and religious aspirations of minorities. His scholarly work extends to the history of religious studies, globalization’s impact on religious phenomena, and political thought in modernity. The articles he has published reflect a consistent engagement with themes of church autonomy, minority rights, religious identity, and historical transitions in Central Europe. His work combines rigorous archival research with conceptual analysis, often bridging religious, legal, and political history. Scientific Awards and Honors: Bolyai János Research Fellowship Békésy György Postdoctoral Fellowship MTA-Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Multiple OTKA Research Grants Master Teacher Gold Medal (2019) Advising and Grants: He has supervised doctoral students, including Vasas Ilona Gyöngyi, and led significant research projects such as the OTKA-funded study on Romanian political systems and Catholic autonomy in Transylvania (2008–2014). His work has been supported by national and international funding bodies, reflecting its academic impact. Labs and Teams: He has collaborated closely with Prof. András Máté-Tóth on the history of Hungarian religious studies and has been involved in multi-institutional projects focusing on Hungarian minorities and modern political thought. He is a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and has contributed to several scientific associations and editorial boards.

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Sigrun Høgetveit BergView profile

Professor

UiT The Arctic University of NorwayNorway

Sigrun Høgetveit Berg is a Professor of Ancient History at the Department of Archaeology, History, Religious Studies and Theology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Her research focuses on church and society during the Middle Ages, the Reformation centuries, and early modern times, particularly in northern regions. She contributes to the research group Creating the New North (CNN) under the Center for Arctic Humanities. Current affiliations: UiT The Arctic University of Norway Research focus: Medieval ecclesiastical structures, Nordic Reformation, historical legal systems Teaching: Courses on Norwegian history before 1750, Reformation studies, and medieval source analysis Her recent publications analyze legal and religious transformations in the Nordic region, including studies on canon law, tithes, and the implementation of Magnus Lagabøte's Landslov. These works intersect with themes of cultural identity, political integration, and social practices in medieval and early modern periods. She holds leadership roles in Tromsø Internasjonale Litteraturfestival (2024–) and Tromsø mållag (2025–), and serves on editorial and research boards including Historisk tidsskrift (2023–) and forskning.no (2019–2025).

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