Charles Athanasopoulos is an Assistant Professor of African American and African Studies & English at The Ohio State University. His research focuses on intersections of Black rhetorics, media, and culture, with expertise in The Black Radical Tradition, Rhetorical Theory, and Cultural Critique. He earned his Ph.D. in Rhetoric & Communication from the University of Pittsburgh. His work analyzes racial progress, public symbols, and post/Ferguson America through lenses of iconoclasm and critical race theory. Education: Ph.D., Rhetoric & Communication, University of Pittsburgh. Research interests span Black American and Diasporic Cinema, Afro-Caribbean and Greek-Roma identity critiques. He has published in venues like Lateral: The Journal of the Cultural Studies Association and Western Journal of Communication. His 2024 book Black Iconoclasm explores dismantling racial symbols in public discourse. Recent articles address Fanonian thought, anti-racist campus rhetoric, and transnational Blackness studies. His publications critically engage with visual activism, film analysis, and decolonial theories. Current projects include studies on sonic rhetorics in Black women’s music and global race discourses in Mediterranean contexts.
Daniel Medin serves as Professor at The American University of Paris within the Department of Comparative Literature and English History and Politics, joining the faculty in January 2010 after teaching positions at Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Free University Berlin. His academic credentials include: PhD, Washington University in St. Louis MA, Washington University in St. Louis BA, University of Connecticut Professor Medin's research centers on contemporary international fiction and the global reception of Franz Kafka , with significant contributions to Central European literary studies. His scholarly focus extends to autobiographical writing , editorial practices for translated fiction , and small prose forms , consistently examining cross-cultural literary exchange through interdisciplinary lenses that bridge literature, history, and translation theory. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced trajectory toward edited volumes spotlighting global literary voices across European, Asian, and Latin American traditions. His work demonstrates sustained engagement with translation as cultural mediation and Kafka's enduring legacy in contemporary writing, frequently connecting literary analysis with musical composition through collaborations with composers and musicians. His distinguished recognition includes: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship As director of the Center for Writers and Translators and editor of the Cahiers Series, Professor Medin cultivates transnational literary networks through institutional leadership rather than traditional grant-funded research. His extensive involvement with literary prizes—including the International Booker Prize and European Union Prize for Literature—complements his editorial work at publications like Music & Literature and Schreibheft. He actively shapes contemporary discourse through the Center for Writers and Translators, organizing events that connect authors, translators, and scholars across linguistic boundaries. His recent festival appearances at Cheltenham, Bergen, and Dublin highlight ongoing commitment to examining Kafka's relevance and fostering dialogue about global literary trends.
Ruxandra Paul is a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at Amherst College, where they teach courses ranging from introductory to advanced levels including POSC 470: International Migrations and Politics and POSC 436: European Democracy. Their academic work bridges political science, migration studies, and European Union politics, with a particular focus on how mobility transforms national politics and international relations. Education: PhD (Government), Harvard University A.M. (Government), Harvard University B.A., summa cum laude, PBK (Political Science - International Relations; French), Williams College Paul's research examines how migrations transform national politics and international relations, with particular attention to European citizenship enabling free movement across borders. Their work explores political developments in a world where people's experiential space transcends national territories, especially focusing on Central and Eastern Europe. Current research projects include "Citizens of the Market: Free Movement and Political Change in Central and Eastern Europe" (under contract at Oxford University Press) and studies on pandemic politics, cyberpolitics, and aging/ageism. Paul's publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output in migration politics, with a concentration on European contexts. Their work spans theoretical contributions on transnational citizenship and practical analyses of migration crises, showing an evolving focus from foundational migration studies toward contemporary challenges including pandemic politics and digital governance. Scientific Awards and Affiliations: Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University - Visiting Scholar and Local Affiliate Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Chateaubriand Fellowship of the French Government Weatherhead Center for International Affairs research grant Krupp Foundation research grant Certificate of Excellence in Teaching, Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning Paul has received multiple competitive research grants and teaching awards, demonstrating excellence in both research and pedagogy. Their teaching portfolio includes innovative courses like POSC 109: Pandemic Politics: Democracy versus Disease and POSC 239: Acceptable Prejudice: Age, Aging, Ageism, reflecting their commitment to connecting academic research with contemporary issues. Outside of formal academic work, Paul teaches fitness classes (Barre and Barre Cardio) at the Amherst Gym and maintains diverse interests including music, dance, art, and long-distance running.
Hartmut Rosa holds the Professorship of General and Theoretical Sociology at Friedrich Schiller University Jena since 2005. He serves as Director of the Max Weber College in Erfurt and leads multiple DFG-funded research groups including the Collaborative Research Center TRR 294 'Structural Change in Property'. A leading theorist in social acceleration and resonance theory , he combines temporal analysis with democratic theory and critical sociology. Born: August 1965 Current: Director of Max Weber College Key Positions: New School for Social Research affiliation His research spans : Social acceleration across technological, cultural, and experiential dimensions Resonance as alternative to alienation Democratic theory under time pressure Modernity diagnostics Critical theory foundations Recent article themes include: Digital self-tracking motivations (2021) - intersection of big data and temporal ethics Corona crisis as temporal disruption (2020) - rethinking economic priorities Acceleration's impact on democracy (2005-2023) - temporal overload analysis World relations theory (2011-2022) - new materialist approaches Major scientific awards : 2023 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (Germany's highest research honor) 2018 Erich Fromm Prize for Social Psychology 2018 Paul Watzlawick Ring of Honor 2016 Tractatus Prize for Philosophical Essays He leads multiple research projects : SFB TRR 294 Subproject C06 'Making Things Available' DFG Priority Programme on Aesthetic Eigenzeiten Research Group 'Land Grabbing, Acceleration, Activation' VW Foundation project on 'Aporias of Perfection' in acceleration
George Palacios, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of Languages at Clemson University's College of Arts and Humanities. His work focuses on racialization and multiculturalism in Latin American nation-states through an Afro-diasporic lens, examining socio-political mobilizations and cultural expressions reshaping identities across Latin America and the Global South. Education: Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Pittsburgh (2013); M.A. in Spanish from Purdue University (2004). Courses taught include Hispanic Literary Texts, Latin American Cultural Studies, and Spanish Language Immersion programs. Research Interests: Afro-Latin America, Colombian and Brazilian Literatures, US-Latin American Relations, and Global South Cultural Dynamics. He has published extensively on Afro-Colombian intellectual figures like Manuel Zapata Olivella, earning the 2021 Best Book Award from the Asociación de Colombianistas and the 2022 Clemson University Research Award. Articles and Books: His 2020 monograph Manuel Zapata Olivella (1920-2004) analyzes Zapata Olivella's radical political thought. Recent works critique mestizaje narratives and explore Blackness in colonial contexts. Articles appear in Revista de Estudios Colombianos , PALARA , and Escritos . Awards: Recognized for scholarly excellence in Afro-Latin American studies, including awards highlighting his contributions to decolonial theory and cultural critique. Professional Activities: Maintains an active research profile via Google Scholar (FTvxUjgAAAAJ) and engages in international academic collaborations.
Robin Moore is a Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on the intersections of music, race, nationalism, and socialist art aesthetics in Latin America and the Caribbean. He has authored significant works including Nationalizing Blackness , Music and Revolution , and Music of the Hispanic Caribbean . Key Research Areas: African Diaspora music, Cuban music, Caribbean music, race relations in music, music curriculum reform Academic Contributions: Co-author of Danzón: Circum-Caribbean Dialogues in Music and Dance , which explores the hybrid origins of danzón and its influence on early jazz in New Orleans Scientific Awards: Béla Bartók Award for Outstanding Ethnomusicology Book Robert M. Stevenson Award from the American Musicological Society
Edward K. CHAN is Professor of American Studies in Waseda University's School of Culture, Media and Society and Department of Transcultural Studies, where he has served since 2018 after holding academic positions at Aichi University, Nagoya University, and Kennesaw State University. His career demonstrates sustained transnational engagement with American cultural production through Japanese institutional frameworks. His educational trajectory includes a PhD in English from the University of Rochester (2004), MA in English from California State University, Fullerton (1993), and BA in English from the University of California, Riverside (1989). CHAN's research interrogates the racialized foundations of utopian thought, particularly examining how white nationalist movements construct utopian visions through neoliberal frameworks. His scholarship spans American literature, film studies, and transnational cultural consumption, with special focus on science fiction, dystopian narratives, and the intersection of race with family ideology. This work reveals consistent patterns in how racial hierarchies are naturalized through cultural production across historical periods. His publication trajectory demonstrates deepening engagement with white power ideology, evolving from foundational work on 1970s utopian subjectivity to contemporary analyses of neoliberal whiteness. The 2023 monograph 'White Power and American Neoliberal Culture' represents a culmination of this research arc, systematically documenting the convergence of economic restructuring and racialized utopianism in 21st-century America. His scientific recognition includes: University College Distinguished Research & Creative Activity Award (2010, Kennesaw State University) Eugenio Battisti Award for Best Article in Utopian Studies for 2006 (2007, Society for Utopian Studies) As President of the Society for Utopian Studies (2024-present), he mentors emerging scholars through international symposia like the 2024 'Utopia/Dystopia, Race, Nation' event funded by Waseda University grants. His teaching portfolio encompasses comprehensive undergraduate and graduate instruction in American literature, film studies, and postcolonial theory, with 2025 syllabi showing active course development. He currently leads the 'Racial Utopianism and Cultural Representation' research project, fostering international collaborations between Japanese and global scholars while supervising graduate research in transcultural studies through Waseda's Department of Transcultural Studies.
Dr. John Severn is a Research Fellow at Macquarie University's Department of International Studies: Languages and Cultures. His career spans academia, law, and translation, with a focus on theatre internationalization, Shakespearean adaptation, and community engagement. Education: PhD in Theatre Studies and English, University of New South Wales MA(Hons) in Shakespeare and Theatre, University of Birmingham LLB(Hons) in Law and French, University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh BA(Hons) in Theatre Studies and Opera Studies, University of Manchester/Rose Bruford College CertHE in Scottish Gaelic language and culture, University of the Highlands and Islands His research explores theatre and internationalization through opera, musicals, and Shakespearean adaptation. He investigates how performing arts foster inclusive/exclusive communities and addresses barriers to participation. His work intersects European cultural history, arts policy, and transnational practices. Recent publications highlight trends in Shakespearean operatic adaptation, Australian theatre censorship, and decolonial processes in performance. His co-edited works include The Routledge Companion to Theatre and Internationalization and Theatre and Internationalization: Perspectives from Australia, Germany, and Beyond . Dr. Severn collaborates with institutions like the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and the Goethe-Institut Australia. He founded the research cluster 'Staging Migration in Berlin' and co-organizes international conferences on theatre internationalization.
Kass Banning is an Associate Professor at the Cinema Studies Institute , University of Toronto. Her research interrogates aesthetics, screen alterity, and minor cinema movements across diasporic, Indigenous, and queer contexts. She contributes to critical discourses on cultural translation, transnational analytics, and affect theory. Teaching areas: Critical race theory, migratory aesthetics, documentary media, and moving image installations Co-founded journals: CineAction , Borderlines Current projects: Co-leading the Image/Movement/Sound quadrant for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation-funded Aesthetic Education: A South-North Dialogue Her scholarship spans Canadian women's cinema , Black British cinema , and collaborations with artists like John Akomfrah and Isaac Julien . She serves on the executive of the Film Studies Association of Canada .
Vasudha Narayanan is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of Florida, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bombay and has held leadership roles including President of the American Academy of Religion (2001-2002). Her research focuses on Hindu traditions in India, Cambodia, and America, with particular emphasis on visual culture, gender, and material religion. Educated at the Universities of Madras, Bombay, and Harvard, her work explores themes such as Hindu temple architecture in Cambodia, diasporic religious practices, and gendered expressions of devotion. She has authored nine books, including co-editing the Brill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism , and has been supported by grants from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEH, and ACLS. In 2023, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her research interests span Khmer art history, Bhakti poetry, and the intersection of religion with environmental ethics. She co-founded the Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions (CHiTra) at UF, dedicated to advancing scholarship on Hindu culture. Her recent work examines the cultural and religious exchanges between India and Cambodia, as well as the role of performance and ritual in diasporic Hindu communities. Notable awards include the University of Florida’s Teacher Scholar of the Year (2010). Her articles analyze topics ranging from temple iconography to gendered devotional practices, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary and globally oriented religious studies.
Professor Robert Vilain is Senior Tutor at St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford, and Lecturer in German at Christ Church. Previously, he held the position of Professor of German and Comparative Literature at the University of Bristol (2010–2023) and served as Director of the South, West & Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (2020–2023). He was Warden of Wills Hall (2015–2018), overseeing welfare and pastoral care. Vilain earned his DPhil in comparative literature from Christ Church, where he also studied French and German as an undergraduate in the 1980s. His research focuses on comparative literature, modernist poetry, and the avant-garde, with a particular emphasis on Rainer Maria Rilke, Yvan Goll, and Hugo von Hofmannsthal. His work bridges German, French, and Austrian cultural contexts, exploring themes like spirituality, exile, and interdisciplinary art forms. Education: Bachelor of Arts (French and German), Christ Church, Oxford Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Comparative Literature, Christ Church, Oxford Research Interests: Vilain’s studies delve into modernist lyricism, the avant-garde’s interplay with visual and musical arts, and the reception of German and French literary figures in transnational contexts. He is renowned for his analyses of Rilke’s spiritual and existential themes, as well as his examinations of Yvan Goll’s exile writings and Hofmannsthal’s engagement with 20th-century political history. Publications: His scholarly works include edited volumes on Austrian cultural identity, translations of Rilke’s texts, and critical studies on figures like Hermann Bahr and Georg Trakl. His recent articles explore Rilke’s engagement with Venice, Beethoven, and Rome, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Labs/Teams: As Senior Tutor, Vilain oversees academic and pastoral affairs at St Hugh’s, fostering an inclusive intellectual environment. He collaborates with institutions like the South, West & Wales DTP to support doctoral training in the humanities.
Theodore Levin serves as the Arthur R. Virgin Professor of Music at Dartmouth College, with significant international engagements including Senior Advisor to the Aga Khan Music Programme and former Executive Director of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project. His work bridges academic research and cultural advocacy across Central Asia and Siberia. His educational foundation includes a B.A. from Amherst College and both M.F.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University. Levin's research centers on ethnomusicological fieldwork examining the intricate relationships between sound, environment, and cultural identity among nomadic communities, with particular focus on spiritual practices and oral traditions along historical Silk Road routes. His publications reveal consistent thematic trajectories exploring musical preservation in rapidly changing societies, the ecological dimensions of sound production, and cross-cultural dialogue through artistic exchange. These works collectively document endangered traditions while analyzing their contemporary revitalization through international cultural development frameworks. As an educator, Levin teaches world music and American 'roots' music courses at Dartmouth, mentoring students in ethnographic methodologies. His professional activities extend to shaping global cultural policy through former leadership at Open Society Foundations' Arts and Culture sub-board, demonstrating sustained commitment to integrating arts into international development paradigms. Levin maintains active involvement with international initiatives including the Aga Khan Music Programme, where he contributes to preserving musical heritage across Muslim contexts through performance, education, and documentation projects that connect traditional artistry with contemporary creative expression.
Darren Jorgensen is a Lecturer at the UWA Design School , University of Western Australia, specializing in twentieth century and contemporary art. His research bridges Australian art, Aboriginal art, Chinese art, and experimental music, with a focus on critical theory and poststructuralism. PhD in Science Fiction and the Sublime Co-founder of Guan Kan journal on contemporary Chinese art Contributor to Dispatch Review and Artlink His research projects examine illustrated literature from remote Aboriginal communities and art from Australian pastoral stations. He has collaborated on ARC-funded initiatives exploring Indigenous art conditions and digital transformations of Australian art databases. Recent writings analyze post-industrial music, science fiction aesthetics, and cross-cultural art practices. Recent Research Trends : Darren's 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) span exhibition reviews, book critiques, and cultural analyses. Key themes include: Transnational Australian-Chinese art dialogues Aboriginal art's relationship to land, heritage, and decolonization Industrial/post-industrial music influences in visual art Critical theory applications to contemporary art practices Illustrated literature as cultural document Scientific Awards : Best Small Exhibition Catalogue (2019) for collaborative curatorial work Teaching & Supervision : Supervises postgraduate and honours students across diverse topics including Aleister Crowley's esoteric art, whale acoustics, and continental philosophy's impact on aesthetics. His teaching philosophy integrates Kant, Isabelle Stengers, and poststructuralist theory. Research Collaborations : Collaborates with institutions across Australia and internationally, particularly through projects like the Beijing Realism exhibition and remote Aboriginal art studies. Maintains active research networks in art history, critical theory, and experimental practices.
Syed Haider is a Lecturer in World Cinemas at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies, University of East Anglia (UEA). He is actively involved in research, teaching, and public intellectual engagement, with a focus on South Asian screen cultures, postcolonial theory, and identity formation through cinema. He is accepting PhD students and contributes to academic and public discourse through publications, conferences, and invited lectures. Academic Background: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Languages and Cultures of South Asia – SOAS, University of London Master of Arts in Intellectual and Cultural History – Queen Mary University of London Bachelor of Arts in English – Queen Mary University of London PGCE in English – Institute of Education Certificate in Spiritual, Religious and Cultural Care – University of East London Research Interests: Dr Haider’s research centers on the intersections of cinema, identity, religion, and postcolonialism. His work explores how aesthetic experiences in film—particularly Hindi cinema—can foster alternative identities that transcend rigid confessional or discursive boundaries. Key themes include Muslim representation in Bollywood, Sufi aesthetics, gender and sexuality, and the role of cinema in public sociology. Research Trends: His publications from 2010 to 2022 reveal a consistent focus on the representation of Muslims in Indian cinema, often through a postcolonial lens. He examines how films construct national identity, negotiate modernity, and depict religious and cultural alterity. His more recent work expands into pandemic-era cultural responses, spiritual humanism, and the sociological role of independent cinema. The articles show a deep engagement with identity, aesthetics, and critical theory, bridging film studies with sociology, religious studies, and gender discourse. Scientific Engagement: Regular presenter at international conferences such as IAFOR, British Sociological Association, and Film Criticism Conferences. Keynote speaker at events including the LATE Conference (BFI, London) and public lectures at institutions like Homerton College, Cambridge. Guest lecturer at universities including Westminster and Royal Holloway. Advising and Grants: Dr Haider is currently accepting PhD students and has supervised or mentored students through guest lectures and academic outreach. While no specific grants are mentioned, his research output and public engagement suggest active scholarly funding or institutional support. His work has been cited over 60 times (Scopus), indicating academic impact. Research Groups and Networks: He is a member of the Media Equality research group at UEA and participates in interdisciplinary networks such as Landscape Surgery (Royal Holloway). His collaborative work with scholars across the UK, India, and Saudi Arabia reflects a transnational academic presence.
Karine Bertrand is an Associate Professor jointly appointed to the Department of Film and Media and the Cultural Studies Program at Queen's University. She holds a Ph.D. and focuses on transnational cinemas, Indigenous cinemas, Quebec cinema (particularly migrant identities and filmmakers in Hollywood), intercultural collaborations, and road movies. Her research also explores letter writing in films and post-memory narratives. She co-directs the Politics and Aesthetics of the Image (EPIC) research group and leads the SSHRC-funded Archive/Counter-Archive project collaborating with Inuit filmmakers. Educations : Ph.D. (2013). Research Interests : Quebec cinema, Indigenous cinemas (especially Inuit and women filmmakers), transnational film movements, road movies, intercultural collaborations, oral practices in cinema, and the role of epistolary forms in documentary/fiction. Her work emphasizes decolonial approaches, cultural memory, and community-based filmmaking. Key Projects : Leading the Archive/Counter-Archive initiative with Inuit collective Arnait Video Productions and filmmaker Marie-Hélène Cousineau; collaborating with Wapikoni Mobile and INAAC; co-directing the EPIC research group. Affiliations : Co-Director of the Politics and Aesthetics of the Image group at the University of Ottawa; member of the Vulnerable Media Lab at Queen's University.
