Joanna Rostek is an Apl. Prof. Dr. at Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, with a focus on English Literary and Cultural Studies . She has held interim professorships at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2021-2022) and Universität Leipzig (2024-2025), and guest professorships at the University of Vienna (2023) and other institutions. Her work bridges literary analysis with economics, gender, and migration studies , establishing her as a leading figure in transdisciplinary research .
Dorothy Johnson is the Roy J. Carver Professor of Art History at the University of Iowa, specializing in 18th- and 19th-century French and European art. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on Romanticism, art and anatomy, myth in French art, and visual culture. She has authored influential books like Jacques-Louis David: Art in Metamorphosis and edited volumes such as Jacques-Louis David: New Perspectives . Johnson’s awards include the Regents’ Award for Faculty Excellence and the Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Humanities Research Award. She has lectured globally, including the Bettie Allison Rand Lectures at UNC Chapel Hill, and served on the College Art Association Board. Her work appears in journals like The Art Bulletin and Art History . Her recent articles explore themes like anatomy teaching in 18th-century France, Romantic mythologies in David’s work, and the role of the boudoir in visual culture. She has held fellowships at the Camargo Foundation and the Obermann Center. Johnson is also recognized for mentoring, receiving the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award in Humanities and Fine Arts.
Y. David Chung is a Professor at the Stamps School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan, where he also serves as Director of the MFA Graduate Program. He is additionally Core Faculty at the Nam Center for Korean Studies and was a Michigan Faculty Fellow at the Institute for the Humanities in 2009-10. In 2013, he held the position of Kim Koo Visiting Professor at Harvard University. Chung received his M.F.A. from George Mason University in 2002 and his B.F.A. from the University of Virginia, the Corcoran College of Art and Design in 1988. As a visual artist and filmmaker, Chung's work explores Korean American identity, cultural memory, and diaspora experiences through various mediums including film, multimedia installations, drawings, prints, and public artworks. His artistic practice combines traditional techniques with new digital imaging technologies, creating works that bridge cultural divides and examine historical narratives. His research particularly focuses on the Korean diaspora experience, with significant attention to the Koryo Saram (Koreans of Central Asia) who were forcibly deported by Stalin in 1937. Chung's artistic output over the past two decades demonstrates a consistent engagement with themes of cultural identity, memory, and displacement. His work has evolved from traditional printmaking and drawing to incorporate video, digital media, and large-scale installations, often addressing the Korean American experience and broader issues of migration and cultural adaptation. His documentary film work, particularly 'Koryo Saram, The Unreliable People,' represents a significant contribution to understanding the historical experiences of Koreans in the former Soviet Union. National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund-Artist at Giverny Fellowship Best Documentary Award from the National Film Board of Canada (2007) Washington Mayor's Art Award Helmut K. Stern Professorship, Institute for the Humanities Korean American Alliance Artist Award Professor Chung has received significant grant support for his artistic work, including funding from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at the University of Michigan for projects like 'Pyongyang' and the 'Koryo Saram Project.' He has also been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the MidAtlantic Arts Foundation, and the Artslink Foundation for collaborative projects in Kazakhstan. His work has been commissioned for public art installations including the Rosslyn Metro Station in Virginia and the New York City Public Art Program. Chung has served as Artist-in-Residence at numerous institutions including Duke University, Williams College, Wellesley College, and the University of California Berkeley.
Toby Sisson is an Associate Professor of Visual and Performing Arts at Clark University, specializing in drawing, painting, printmaking, and curatorial projects. She holds a B.F.A. from the College of Visual Arts (Minnesota) and an M.F.A. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her work explores race, identity, and hybrid cultural traditions through abstract forms and encaustic techniques. Sisson has exhibited internationally, including at the Worcester Art Museum, Provincetown Art Association, and Teda Contemporary Art Museum in China. She has been recognized with awards such as the Hodgkins Prize (2011) and Hayden Fellowship (2015), and thrice nominated for Clark’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Education: B.F.A., College of Visual Arts, Saint Paul, MN (2003) M.F.A., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2009) Research Interests: Abstract art’s role in societal dialogue, race and ethnicity, material experimentation, and community-based art. Awards & Grants: Individual Creative Research Grant (Higgins Institute, 2025–2026) Faculty Development Grant (Clark University, 2025–2026) Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America (Brown University, 2023) Teaching & Mentorship: Courses include Drawing, Painting, Studio Topics, and Contemporary Directions. She advises student projects and fosters inclusive pedagogy. Labs/Teams: Director of Clark’s Studio Art Program (2015–2024), member of the Dark Room research cluster, and board member of ArtsWorcester.
Tish McMullan is a Research Fellow in Neuroscience at the School of Psychology, University of Sussex. Her research investigates the neurovascular basis of cognitive function and impairment, with a focus on vascular contributions to dementia. Her key research interests include: Neurovascular Function Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Vascular Contributions to Neurodegeneration Effects of Hypoxia and Reduced Cerebral Blood Flow Genetic Risk Factors (APOE4) in Brain Health Preclinical Models of Vascular Dementia McMullan's recent work (2023-2025) spans from experimental studies in awake mice to multi-disciplinary commentary on preclinical research. Her publications highlight the synergy between vascular health, genetic factors, and lifestyle in dementia pathogenesis, contributing to the understanding of mechanisms and research methodologies in the field.
Marie Cronqvist is a Professor of Modern History at Linköping University , affiliated with the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS) and the Division of History, Arts, and Religious Studies . Her research focuses on Cultural and Media History , particularly Swedish and European Cold War narratives, Civil Defence , Psychological Defence , and Transnational Broadcasting . Research Interests: Cold War Sociotechnical Imaginaries Media Tactics and Psychological Defense Apocalyptic Imaginaries in Historical Context Digital Humanities and Media Infrastructure Teaching: Undergraduate and graduate seminars in History Third Cycle Education Coordinator Supervision of PhD students in Media and Historical Studies Scientific Awards: Elected to the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences (KVA), Class X (2019) Jubilee Award, Royal Society for the Humanities at Lund (2021) Visiting Professorship at Bournemouth University (2024–2026) Projects: Soundscapes of Warning (2024–2026): Investigates auditory civil defense systems LiU Hub for Apocalyptic Imaginaries : Cross-disciplinary collaboration Entangled Media Histories (EMHIS) : International network on Cold War media
Murray Leeder is an ATS Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, specifically within the Department of English & Film Studies. His academic role focuses on teaching foundational and specialized courses in film analysis, including Introduction to Film Study, The French New Wave, and Special Topics in Film Studies. Leeder's research explores diverse dimensions of cinema and media, with emphases on: Horror cinema aesthetics and cultural significance Television prestige and narrative complexity Genre evolution and hybridity across media Cultural representations in gothic and supernatural narratives His scholarly work consistently examines how media forms engage with historical contexts and cultural identities. Analysis of Leeder's recent publications reveals concentrated investigations into: The intersection of horror tropes with social commentary Evolution of prestige television in the streaming era Cultural reinterpretations of genre classics Critical studies of directors and media auteurs This body of work demonstrates methodological consistency in analyzing media through historical, industrial, and cultural lenses.
Paul Von Blum is a Senior Lecturer Emeritus in the Department of Communication at UCLA. He holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley and an A.B. in Political Science from San Diego State University. His research examines art and culture as vehicles for social and political commentary, with recent focus on African American cultural expression and civil rights history. He curated exhibitions including 'Places of Validation: Los Angeles African American Art 1945-1980' and authored books such as Resistance, Dignity, and Pride: African American Artists in Los Angeles . His teaching integrates visual media with critical social analysis.
Annick Pellegrin is a Sessional Lecturer of French at the University of British Columbia, affiliated with the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies within the Faculty of Arts. Her research focuses on Franco-Belgian, Mexican, and Argentinian comics, with an emphasis on themes such as coloniality, nationalism, gender representations, and cultural memory. She also examines the socio-political contexts of comics creation and reception, including authors' rights and digital comics. Dr. Pellegrin holds a dual PhD in French Studies and Spanish and Latin American Studies from The University of Sydney (2014), alongside a BA (Languages) (Honours I) from the same institution (2009). Her educational background includes four majors: French, Spanish, Italian, and Linguistics, with joint honours in Spanish and Latin American Studies and French Studies. Her research interests span Bandes dessinées (Franco-Belgian), historietas (Mexican and Argentinian), decolonial thought, gender studies, and the intersection of comics with historical memory. She has contributed to journals like European Comic Art and Studies in Comics , and co-edited a special issue on the work of Argentinian cartoonist Fontanarrosi. Pellegrin is actively involved in academic service, serving as a columns and articles editor for Comics Forum and on the editorial board of Studies in Comics . Her work bridges comparative literature and visual culture, with a focus on how comics reflect and challenge cultural narratives.
Luke Brown is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Manchester. He previously served as Deputy Editor of Granta magazine and commissioning editor at Tindal Street Press. His novels include 'My Biggest Lie' (2014) and 'Theft' (2020), both exploring themes of unreliable narration and social inequality. His research examines sceptical realism in fiction, narrative manipulation, and the intersection of plot construction with authentic character representation. Brown focuses on narrators whose self-deceptions mirror their manipulations of readers, particularly through first-person perspectives that explore contemporary social divisions. Brown's literary criticism and fiction address power dynamics across class, gender, and geographic divides, with recent work investigating narrative techniques for representing inequality within traditional novel structures. He commissions and publishes fiction for Serpent's Tail imprint and organizes the Centre for New Writing's visiting speaker program. Brown regularly reviews for major publications including the Financial Times, London Review of Books, and Times Literary Supplement.
Eric Nyquist is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Art Center College of Design's Illustration Department, teaching courses such as Portfolio Design Lab (ILL-453, ILL-455) and Illustration Strategies (ILL-361A). He holds a Young Innovator Alumni Award from Art Center (2009) and has exhibited globally. Nyquist's work merges organic and industrial themes, using classical methods like etching and serigraphy alongside digital processes. His research explores environmental sustainability, aerospace innovation, and the intersection of art with science/technology. Education: Art Center College of Design - BFA in Illustration Research Interests: His art disrupts conventional boundaries between nature and industry, often focusing on threatened ecosystems (e.g., California's San Joaquin Valley) and aerospace collaborations (NASA JPL). Projects blend manual printing techniques with digital layering to create dense, analytical narratives. Artistic Trends: Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaborations (Stanford Impact Labs, NOAA/WARRN) and explores contemporary themes like climate change through detailed botanical and mechanical imagery. His 2024 exhibitions include 'Mother Lode' and 'Thank You For Your Feedback,' showcasing layered ecological narratives. Awards: Clio Award D&AD Pencil AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers Multiple Society of Illustrators recognitions Collaborations & Grants: Commissioned by NASA JPL, Netflix, and The New York Times Worked with artists Beck, Doug Aitken, and Jeff VanderMeer Recipient of Stanford Impact Labs art grants for social innovation projects Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Stanford's Social Innovation Lab on visualizing complex societal challenges. Active in Art Center's academic programs, mentoring students in both traditional and digital illustration techniques.
Mickalene Thomas is a prominent contemporary artist and Senior Critic at the New York Academy of Art. She received her BFA from Pratt Institute (2000) and MFA from Yale University School of Art (2002). Thomas has held significant positions including Yale School of Art Presidential Visiting Fellow in Fine Arts (2020) and Pauli Murray College Associate Fellow at Yale University (2020). She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Brooklyn Museum and MoMA PS1. Thomas's artistic practice spans painting, collage, photography, video, and installations that explore female sexuality, beauty, and power through the lens of Black female identity. Her work draws on art history and popular culture to create a contemporary vision that challenges traditional representations. She is particularly known for her elaborate paintings composed of rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel that command space while dissecting the intersecting complexities of Black and female identity within the Western canon. Thomas's artistic output shows a consistent focus on Black female representation, art historical appropriation, and the exploration of beauty standards. Her work often features elaborate compositions that incorporate rhinestones and mixed media elements to create visually striking portraits that challenge conventional representations of Black women in art history. She frequently references art historical works while inserting contemporary Black female subjects, creating dialogues between past and present. USA Francie Bishop Good & David Horvitz Fellow (2015) Anonymous Was A Woman Award (2013) Brooklyn Museum Asher B. Durand Award (2012) Timehri Award for Leadership in the Arts (2010) Pratt Institute Legends Award (2022) Artistic Impact Award, Newark Museum (2022) As an educator and mentor, Thomas has significantly influenced emerging artists through her teaching position at the New York Academy of Art and her various curatorial projects. She co-founded the Pratt>FORWARD 'Artist in the Market' incubator for post-graduate students, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the next generation of artists. Her work has been exhibited extensively in major institutions worldwide, including The Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Brooklyn Museum.
Amelia F Rauser serves as the Charles A. Dana Professor of Art History and Senior Associate Dean of the Faculty at Franklin & Marshall College, where she bridges academic leadership with groundbreaking scholarship in eighteenth-century visual culture. Her institutional affiliation centers on the Department of Art History within the broader liberal arts framework of the college. Rauser's educational foundation includes a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and MA/PhD degrees from Northwestern University, establishing her interdisciplinary approach to art historical research. Her research explores Eighteenth-Century Art , Fashion History , and Political Caricature through innovative lenses like material culture and sensory studies . The award-winning book The Age of Undress: Art, Fashion, and the Classical Ideal in the 1790s examines neoclassical fashion as a radical political statement, connecting draped garments to contemporary debates on liberty, race, and gender. Her work consistently reveals how clothing functions as ideological battlegrounds, notably analyzing madras cloth as cultural appropriation and black bodies in neoclassical whiteness . Recent projects like the co-curated exhibition Artful Nature: Fashion and Theatricality demonstrate her commitment to interdisciplinary public scholarship. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications shows a decisive shift toward materiality studies (2020-2022), with concentrated exploration of textile properties (transparency, drapery, muslin), bodily experience, and sensory dimensions of neoclassical aesthetics. Earlier works established foundational research on caricature's origins and the visual culture of war, but her current trajectory emphasizes fashion as a site of political resistance and identity formation. Rauser's scholarly recognition includes: Charles A. Dana Distinguished Professorship (2022) Bradley R. Dewey Research Award (2020) Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (2018-19) NEH Enduring Questions Grant (2014) NEH Summer Stipend (2012) CPC/Mellon Award (2008) As Senior Associate Dean and past president of the Historians of Eighteenth-Century Art and Architecture (HECAA), she has secured significant external funding while pioneering curricular innovation like the first-year humanities course What is the Examined Life? . Her collaborative approach extends to co-curating exhibitions with scholars like Dr. Laura Engel and developing digital resources such as the Artful Nature online exhibition. Rauser maintains active engagement with public audiences through lectures at institutions like the National Arts Club and Lewis Walpole Library, alongside features in Atlas Obscura and History Buffs that translate complex scholarship into accessible narratives about topics ranging from Yankee Doodle to tuberculosis 'fashion'.
Joseph Strickland is an Associate Professor of Photography & Digital Media and Chair of the Digital Media Art & Design department at King University. He holds an MFA in Photography from Utah State University (2012) and a BS in Technical Photography from Appalachian State University (2007). His work explores social issues through architectural spaces devoid of human presence, particularly focusing on post-industrial landscapes and the status of manufacturing in America. His research has been showcased in international exhibitions, including the CICA Museum in South Korea and the Onishi Gallery in New York City. Strickland’s exhibitions include solo and group shows across venues such as Northeast State Community College, Longford Digital Arts (Ireland), and the Slemp Gallery. His writings and interviews have appeared in journals like Ink & Letters and Edge of Faith , alongside blogs like the American Society of Media Photographers. He actively curates projects that blend academic, community, and international art dialogues. As Chair of Digital Media Art & Design, Strickland oversees departmental initiatives and maintains a studio practice rooted in critical engagement with cultural and architectural landscapes. His work has been featured in over 20 exhibitions since 2015, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to photography and digital media.
Roter Su is a Lecturer and Subject Leader in Film and Moving Image Production at Kingston University. He holds a BA (Hons) in Film and Moving Image Production and a practice-based PhD focusing on cultural identity through documentary. His work bridges artistic practice with academic research, emphasizing postcolonialism, postmodernism, and the intersection of cultural resistance and adaptation. Education: PhD in Practice-Based Research (Documentary Filmmaking) – Kingston University (2017) BA (Hons) Film and Moving Image Production – Kingston University Research Interests: Roter explores cultural identity formation in liminal spaces, particularly among first-generation Taiwanese immigrants in the UK. He employs documentary as a tool to examine how individuals balance cultural heritage with local adaptation. Current research investigates athletes' and body performers' identities through psychology, sports science, and sociology, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration with specialists in these fields. Projects & Collaborations: Director of Be Your Own Competition (2019-), exploring body performance through a meta-ethnographic lens. EU-funded Safe You Plus (2018-19) and Safe You (2017), addressing youth safety via video production. Collaborations with Imperial College London, Hammersmith United Charity, and institutions across Europe on community-focused projects. Teaching & Advising: Roter emphasizes technical, theoretical, and conceptual development in students, guiding them to create work reflecting real-world engagement. He advises on documentary practices and cross-disciplinary methodologies. Labs & Teams: Engages in collaborative networks including ERASMUS+ initiatives and UK-based charities, leveraging filmmaking to address societal issues.
