Dr. Hilary Kalmbach is an Associate Professor in Middle East History at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities, specializing in culture, religion, and art of the modern Middle East and North Africa. Her research explores Islamic modernization, gender dynamics in religious authority, and the transnational impact of educational reforms. University of Sussex since 2013 (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor) Founding Director of the Middle East and North Africa Centre (MENACS) 2015-2017 Princeton University (AB, Near Eastern Studies 2004) University of Oxford (MSt 2006, DPhil 2012) Research Themes Islamic Authority: Pioneering work on female religious leadership in Syria and Egypt Egyptian Modernization: Analysis of Dar al-'Ulum's role in cultural/political transformations Cultural History: Series editor for 6-volume Cultural History of the Middle East and North Africa Scientific Recognition BRISMES Graduate Article Prize (2007) Invited keynote speaker at major international conferences Advisory roles for academic and media projects Academic Contributions Founded interdisciplinary MENACS research center Secured funding from Pears Foundation and academic societies Developed university curriculum pathways and innovative teaching modules
Dr. Claudia Sofia Varela Capela Granjo Ferreira is an Assistant Professor at the School of Education of Viseu (Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Portugal). She holds a doctorate in Literary Studies from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (2015), with a dissertation on "Of the Profane and the Sacred in Miguel Torga." Her academic career spans multiple institutions, including the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo. PhD in Literary Studies, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (2015) Master's in Applied Foreign Languages, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (2008) Bachelor's in Portuguese and English (Teaching), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (2006) Dr. Ferreira's research focuses on Portuguese literature , particularly the works of Miguel Torga, Agustina Bessa-Luís, and Maria Velho da Costa. She explores themes of the profane and sacred , gender representation , ecocriticism , and narrative theory . Her publications analyze intertextuality, postcolonial discourse, and the intersection of feminist theory with literary form. She has presented at major conferences such as the International Subversive Literature Congress (2023), Musas em Ação Seminar (2023), and International Conference on Contemporaneous Violence (2023). Her teaching portfolio includes courses in Portuguese Language , Literature for Children , Creative Writing , and Linguistics across institutions in Portugal and Germany. Dr. Ferreira serves on evaluation juries for Childhood Support Technical Higher Education at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu and has contributed to public intellectual life as a columnist for publications like Subversa and Portugal Post . Her work bridges academic rigor with cultural dissemination, particularly in Luso-Brazilian literary exchange .
Mariannick Guennec is a Lecturer in Spanish at the University of South Brittany (UBS), specializing in Costa Rican 20th-century literature and identity construction. Affiliated with the Heritage and Creation in Text and Image (HCTI) research group, she combines literary analysis with cultural and historical perspectives. Doctoral thesis on Fabián Dobles' political commitment in literature Master's degree in Spanish with focus on Afro-Costa Rican representation Coordinator of ERASMUS+ exchanges with Spain, Portugal, and Latin America Her research examines identity formation in Latin American literature, focusing on political engagement, indigenous representation, and biblical intertextuality. Recent publications include interdisciplinary studies on urban narratives and cultural hybridity. Selected publications highlight her expertise in Costa Rican socio-political themes, with a particular emphasis on 20th-century literary responses to historical events. Her work bridges literary criticism with cultural studies, emphasizing marginalized identities. Co-editor of special journal issues on Latin American urban studies Contributor to collective volumes on popular/scholarly culture dynamics
Yue Yue is a Lecturer in Chinese-speaking World Studies at the University of Western Brittany, affiliated with the Heritage and Creation in Text and Image (HCTI) research unit within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. She has founded and directed the Chinese Bachelor's and Master's programs, established the East Asian Studies program, and created the Zhoushan Student Association. Her interdisciplinary work bridges Chinese civilization with contemporary societal analysis through textual and visual culture. Education: Doctor of Human Sciences and Societies, INALCO, Paris DEA in History and Civilizations, School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences, Paris Chinese CAPES teaching qualification Research Focus: Dr. Yue investigates civilizations of the Chinese-speaking world through four interconnected lenses: contemporary human emotions , societal attitudes , human relationships with economic/political systems , and cultural representations in texts/caricatures . Her work uniquely combines analysis of Chinese caricature (historical and pandemic-era), Tibetan literature, women's studies (Nüshu script), and herbal symbolism (lotus psychology), revealing how cultural artifacts reflect societal transformations and intercultural dialogues. Publication Evolution: Her scholarly output has shifted from historical caricature studies (2007-2013) toward contemporary transnational themes since 2018, increasingly examining Chinese diaspora experiences, political satire in exile, and cross-cultural comparisons (e.g., Tibetan-Breton literary parallels). Recent works demonstrate growing engagement with digital media's role in political expression and pandemic-related collective trauma, while maintaining foundational focus on Chinese cultural symbols. Scientific Recognition: Prix Bourse Aguirre-Basualdo for outstanding research project Academic Leadership: As Director of Studies for Applied Foreign Languages since 2021, she mentors Master's students in research design and co-organizes international colloquia. Her program-building achievements include founding UBO's Chinese language degrees and exchange partnerships with Chinese universities. She has curated exhibitions like Herbes asiatiques dans tous leurs états (2016) and organized science festival activities exploring maritime lexicon and herbal culture. Research Environment: Within HCTI laboratory (EA 4249), she cultivates collaborative spaces for examining Chinese cultural production through student-led initiatives and international networks. Her current projects integrate visual culture studies with migration narratives, emphasizing how satire and symbolic systems negotiate identity in globalized contexts.
Philip Roscoe is Professor of Management at the University of St Andrews , where he serves as Director of Research for the School of Management. His research focuses on the sociology of markets and finance , examining how market innovations and 'market thinking' organize society. Key themes include the cultural economy of markets , financial market ethics, and the role of fiction in shaping market futures. His recent publications include How to Build a Stock Exchange (2023) and contributions to the 2024 edited volume Market Studies: Mapping, Theorizing and Impacting Market Action . He has held visiting fellowships at the Australian National University and CAPAS Heidelberg , and advocates for participatory, impactful scholarship that bridges academic research with public discourse. 2023 : Completed What are Markets For? (Bristol University Press) 2024 : Co-edited field-defining Market Studies volume 2025 : Visiting fellowship at Australian National University Philip's work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work), 12 (Sustainable Cities), and 13 (Climate Action) through analyses of market structures and their societal impacts. His empirical work spans organ markets, online dating algorithms, and financial journalism, while his teaching includes the UK's few Sociology of Finance modules. Scientific awards include his selection as AHRC BBC Radio 3 New Generation Thinker (2011). He actively supervises postgraduate research in market sociology and participates in public media through podcasts, radio essays, and debates.
Amy Fuller is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Humanities at Nottingham Trent University (School of Social Sciences). Her academic focus spans Early Modern Spain and Mexico , with specialization in religious drama, spiritual conquest narratives, and cultural identity formation during colonization. Member of the Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland NTU Centre for the Study of Religion and Conflict NTU Centre for Public History, Heritage and Memory Her research explores the intersection of Counter-Reformation theology and Mexican origin myths , particularly how colonial histories were rewritten to legitimize Spanish dominance while reshaping indigenous identities. She investigates religious syncretism through festivals, dramaturgy, and biblical reinterpretations. Recent publications include a 2019 article in History Today analyzing empire myths and a 2015 monograph on Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz’s auto sacramentales. Her work reveals patterns in colonial historiography , gendered religious narratives , and transatlantic cultural exchange . Dr. Fuller contributes to public history through History Today magazine, podcasts, and BBC Radio 4 appearances. She supervises M3C-funded PhD projects on Spain-Mexico relations (with University of Nottingham and University of Leicester) and teaches modules like HIST20417: The Eagle and the Snake .
Gaurav Kankanhalli is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, where he holds the prestigious Ben L. Fryrear Early Career Faculty Fellowship. His academic journey began at the University of Oxford where he earned both his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics and Management and an M.Sc. (with Distinction) in Financial Economics, before completing his Ph.D. in Finance at Cornell University's SC Johnson Graduate School of Management in 2020. His educational background demonstrates exceptional academic achievement across prestigious institutions: Ph.D., Finance, Cornell University (2020) M.Sc. (with Distinction), Financial Economics, University of Oxford B.A. (Hons.), Economics and Management, University of Oxford Kankanhalli's research program centers on empirical corporate finance with a distinctive focus on how uncertainty shapes corporate behavior. His work examines how firms respond to various forms of uncertainty including political events like Brexit, economic shocks like the pandemic, and technological disruptions. He has developed a sophisticated methodological approach that leverages natural experiments to isolate causal effects in corporate decision-making. His publication record demonstrates remarkable productivity with multiple papers in top-tier finance journals including the Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, and American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. His research portfolio reveals a cohesive theme exploring how uncertainty affects asset allocation, hiring practices, innovation strategies, and financing decisions. As a recipient of the Ben L. Fryrear Early Career Faculty Fellowship, Kankanhalli has received significant institutional recognition for his research potential. His work has also garnered attention through presentations at major finance conferences and working paper circulation through the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Kankanhalli teaches Corporate Finance at the undergraduate level at the University of Pittsburgh, bringing his cutting-edge research insights into the classroom. His current working papers suggest continued exploration of innovation dynamics, technological progress, and the relationship between uncertainty and industry structure, indicating a research trajectory focused on fundamental questions in corporate finance with real-world policy implications.
Hinrich Julius is Professor of Civil Law and Legal Dialogue with Emerging Countries at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Law since March 2010, coordinating the EU-funded "China-EU School of Law" project. Previously, he held full professorships at Hochschule Wismar (1997-2000) and Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg (2000-2004), and served as head of GTZ's legal cooperation office in Beijing (2004-2009). His academic journey includes law studies at FU Berlin and University of Hamburg, legal clerkship at Hamburg Higher Regional Court with a London placement, and a 1994 PhD on self-employment in construction. Research Focus: Julius specializes in Transformation and Law, particularly Chinese legal development within civil, economic, and property law frameworks. His work examines legal harmonization in emerging economies, focusing on China's civil code evolution, property rights reforms, and international trade regulations. He analyzes how socialist legal systems adapt Western concepts through comparative lenses, emphasizing institutional cooperation and practical implementation challenges in transitional societies. Publication Trends: His 2003-2009 publications reveal concentrated expertise in Chinese legal modernization, with 80% addressing property law, civil code development, and foreign trade systems. Key themes include the interplay between continental European legal traditions and Chinese reform, institutional capacity building through international cooperation, and the practical realities of legal transplants. His collaborative work demonstrates consistent engagement with German-Chinese legal dialogue. Scientific Recognition: No specific awards are documented in the source material, though his EU project coordination indicates significant research leadership. Academic Service: As coordinator of the China-EU School of Law initiative, Julius manages substantial international grant funding. While specific advisees aren't listed, his professorial role entails supervising doctoral candidates in comparative law and legal transformation studies. His office (Law House Room A425) operates with secretary support for administrative functions. Research Infrastructure: Julius leads the dedicated "Legal Dialogue with Emerging Countries" professorship unit, centered on EU project coordination and German-Chinese academic exchange. The position maintains direct institutional links with Chinese legal education bodies through the China-EU School of Law framework.
Dr. Frank Gerits is Assistant Professor of International History at Utrecht University and Research Fellow at the International Studies Group, University of the Free State, South Africa. He specializes in the international history of Global North-South relations, focusing on climate justice, existential risks (climate change, pandemics, extinction), and ideological dimensions of decolonization. A graduate of the European University Institute (PhD, 2014), he has held academic positions at NYU, the University of Amsterdam, and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and serves as Senior Editor for History and International Relations at the European Journal of American Studies. Research Interests: Gerits' work interrogates how ideological frameworks shape global responses to existential risks. His first book, The Ideological Scramble for Africa (Cornell, 2023), examines Cold War-era ideological competition over postcolonial Africa. He co-founded UU Decolonisation Group (now part of UU Centre for Global Challenges) and leads two research collectives: The Political Environment (environmental politics) and Network on Anticolonial Thought (Netherlands-wide collaboration). Prominent Research Themes: Climate Justice as ideological construct Historiography of decolonization Postcolonial security frameworks Belgian/Netherlands colonial legacies Cultural Cold War diplomacy Non-Aligned Movement and African unity Scientific Awards: National Research Foundation of South Africa Scarce Skills-Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016-2018) Agnese N. Haury Postdoctoral Scholarship (2015, NYU) Grants: NWO Open Competition Project (2023-2024): 'Moral Empire: Belgium and the Global South, 1830-2020' AHRC Development Grant (2020-2023): 'Regionalism in East Africa' University of Padova Project (2024-2026): 'African Non-Alignment and Environmental Justice' Public Engagement: Gerits contributes to public debates through op-eds in NRC Handelsblad , The Washington Post , and Belgian outlets, appearing on VPRO Radio and AlJazeera. His work has been featured in Aeon , The Conversation , and Africa is a Country .
Dr. Maria Kager is a Researcher at Utrecht University's Institute for Language Sciences within the College of Humanities. Her work focuses on Modernist and Postmodernist literature , particularly through comparative analysis of James Joyce, Irish literature, and bilingualism. She holds a PhD in Literary Studies from Rutgers University with a joint doctorate from the University of Antwerp. Education : PhD (Rutgers/University of Antwerp), Comparative Literature (University of Amsterdam) Research Themes : Modernist linguistics, taboo language in fiction, cognitive bilingualism, maternal narratives, and interdisciplinary literary analysis Kager's publications span scholarly journals like Studies in the Novel and Journal of Modern Literature , alongside popular works in De Groene Amsterdammer and De Nederlandse Boekengids . Recent projects include a monograph on bilingualism in modernist fiction. Scientific awards include the Joost Zwagerman Essay Prize (2021) for her maternal essay Milk . She participates in Princeton University's International Network of Comparative Humanities (INCH).
Johannes Feichtinger is a historian and current interim Director of the Institute of Culture Studies at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) , with a focus on modern and contemporary history, cultural studies, and the history of science. He studied at the University of Graz, earned his doctorate (1999) and habilitation (2011) at the University of Vienna, and has held visiting positions at the University of Arkansas (1999-2000) and the University of Vienna (2016-2017). His academic career at ÖAW began in 2004, where he leads projects on colonial reappraisal , Habsburg knowledge production , and scientific change in Austria . A corresponding member of the Austrian Division of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2015, he has co-edited monumental works like The Austrian Academy of Sciences 1847–2022 (2022, 1,845 pages). Education : University of Graz (History, German, Media Studies), University of Vienna (Dr. phil. 1999, Habilitation 2011) Key Research Areas : Global History of Science, Habsburg Empire, Postcolonial Theory, Memory Studies, Academic Institutional History His publications reveal trends in transnational knowledge exchange , academic complicity during National Socialism , and post-WWII institutional renewal . He has received prestigious awards like the Karl von Vogelsang State Prize and Theodor Körner Prize . Feichtinger's work bridges disciplinary boundaries, connecting cultural history with scientific evolution and political contexts through projects like the Prosopographic Research Platform Austria and the ÖAW Colonial Initiative . Scientific Awards : Karl von Vogelsang State Prize Theodor Körner Prize Josef Buttinger Prize
Dr. Christian Speer is a Researcher at the Institute of History, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, where he serves as Scientific Coordinator and Deputy Project Manager of the DFG long-term project 'Index Librorum Civitatum. Index of City Books of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, an Instrument for Basic Historical Research.' He also holds the position of Equal Opportunities Officer for the Faculty of Philosophy. His academic career has been dedicated to medieval and early modern urban history, with particular focus on the documentation systems of German cities. Speer completed his Master of Arts at the Technical University of Dresden and the Università Degli Studi in Rome, specializing in Medieval History, Ancient History, and Art History. He earned his doctorate from the University of Regensburg in 2009 with the thesis 'Piety and Politics. Urban Elites in Görlitz between 1300 and 1550,' which was published as part of the Hallische Beiträge zur Geschichte des Mittelalters und der Frühen Neuzeit series. Prior to his current position, he held research appointments at the Max Planck Institute for History Göttingen, the Herzog-August-Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel, and the Thuringian University and State Library Jena. His research interests center on urban documentary practices during the late Middle Ages and Early Modern Period, with particular expertise in city books (Stadtbücher), legal records, and administrative documentation. Speer has made significant contributions to the study of urban elites, religious practices, and the interplay between local governance and religious institutions in Central European cities, particularly Görlitz and other cities in Silesia and Upper Lusatia. His work often bridges the gap between textual scholarship and social history, examining how documentary practices reflected and shaped urban society. Analysis of Speer's publications reveals a consistent focus on source criticism and historical editing, with particular attention to the Liber vetustissimus Gorlicensis (the oldest Görlitz city book) and related documentary traditions. His scholarship demonstrates methodological sophistication in handling medieval and early modern sources, with increasing attention to comparative urban history and the transregional connections between Central European cities. Recent work shows expansion into legal history and criminal justice systems of pre-modern urban communities. Chairman of the Association for the History of Silesia (www.vfgs.eu) Member of the Board of the Silesian Cultural Foundation (www.kulturwerk-schlesien.de) Member of the Historical Commission for Silesia (www.hiko-schlesien.de) Treasurer of the Carl Heinrich von Heineken Society Speer has collaborated on multiple exhibitions including 'Life and Work of Ludwig Eduard Nollau (1810-1869)' and '...so that nothing perishes. The manuscript collection of Georg Rörer (1492-1557) as a treasure of the Reformation.' His research has been supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) through multiple long-term projects focused on historical source materials. He has also contributed to the third Saxon State Exhibition 'Via Regia' in Görlitz, responsible for church history, Reformation, and science history content. As Scientific Coordinator of the 'Index Librorum Civitatum' project, Speer oversees a major international effort to catalog and analyze city books from across Europe, creating a fundamental research tool for historians of urban development. His work connects with broader scholarly initiatives in digital humanities through the online cataloging of historical manuscripts.
Josef Förster is a researcher and department head at the Centre for Classical Studies, Institute of Philosophy, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague. He holds a Ph.D. in Medieval and Neo-Latin Studies from Charles University (2008) and has served as the head of the Department of Neo-Latin Studies since 2016. His academic career spans over two decades of dedicated research in Neo-Latin literature and related fields. His educational background includes: 1985-1989: Gymnázium Kolín 1989-1990: Charles University, Prague (Czech language and literature - Russian language) 1990-1997: Charles University, Prague (Czech language and literature - Latin language, Mgr.) 2001-2007: Charles University, Prague (Latin medieval studies and Neo-Latin studies, Ph.D.) Dr. Förster's research focuses on Neo-Latin literature in the Czech lands, particularly Baroque humanism. His work encompasses critical editions, translations, and interpretations of selected Neo-Latin genres including travelogues, dramas, scholarly correspondence, and poetry. He has made significant contributions to the study of Baroque drama in the Czech lands and historia litteraria in 18th century Bohemia. His research also extends to specialized medical terminology in Latin, where he has taught at the 2nd Medical Faculty of Charles University since 2000. His scholarly output demonstrates a strong trend toward analyzing Neo-Latin dramatic works, particularly Jesuit and Franciscan theater of the Baroque period. He has published extensively on Czech contributions to Neo-Latin drama, including works on Johann Christian Alois Mickl, Carolus Kolczawa, and Václav (Remedius) Prutký. His research often bridges historical, literary, and cultural analysis of Central European Latin literature, with particular attention to the reception of classical models in Bohemian contexts. Among his scientific recognitions: 2001-2002: Honorable mention in the prose category of the J. Levý Competition for translation of Arbeo of Freising's "Life and Martyrdom of St. Jimram" Dr. Förster has served as principal investigator for several significant research projects, including the current GAČR 22-00477S grant (2022-2024) on "Early Modern Bohemia Litteraria: Genre Differentiation of Neo-Latin Literature in the Czech Lands." He has also contributed to the critical edition project of Johann Peter Cerroni's "Scriptores Regni Bohemiae." His international collaborations include research stays in Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Munich, Graz, Dresden, and Leipzig. He has been actively involved in academic service, serving as Secretary of the Centre for Classical Studies (2005-2016) and member of various committees. He regularly participates in international conferences and has presented research in multiple countries across Europe. His department maintains an active research agenda in Neo-Latin literature, historia litteraria, and related fields, contributing significantly to the understanding of Latin literary production in the Czech lands from the late humanism through the Enlightenment.
Alicja Bielak is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFIS PAN), where she has been employed since 2020. She is affiliated with the Centre for the History of Renaissance Knowledge and conducts research within the ERC Project "From East to West, and Back Again. Student Travel and Transcultural Knowledge Production in Renaissance Europe" (PI: Valentina Lepri). Prior to this position, she was a lecturer at the Artes Liberales Faculty, University of Warsaw from 2018 to 2021. Dr. Bielak completed her literary studies degree in 2015 and earned her PhD in cultural and religious studies from the University of Warsaw in 2019. Her academic background reflects a deep engagement with early modern European intellectual traditions, particularly focusing on the intersections of literature, religion, and visual arts in the Polish-Lithuanian context. Her research specializes in early modern literature with particular emphasis on book history, emblematics, Reformation studies, and knowledge transfer in Renaissance Europe. Dr. Bielak's work explores cultural exchanges between Poland and Western Europe, examining how ideas, artistic forms, and religious concepts traveled across borders. She has made significant contributions to understanding emblem studies in religious contexts, the transmission of knowledge through student mobility, and the literary production of Polish Renaissance figures like Daniel Naborowski and Marcin Hińcza. Her methodology combines literary analysis, religious history, and art historical approaches to provide comprehensive insights into early modern European culture. Dr. Bielak's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on emblem studies, Reformation history, and early modern book culture. Her work examines Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's intellectual history with particular attention to religious dissent, meditative practices, and the visual representation of ideas. She has published extensively on the function of emblems in religious and secular contexts, the role of student travel in knowledge production, and the literary output of key Polish Renaissance figures. START Scholarship from the Foundation for Polish Science (2022) Herzog August Bibliothek Fellowship in Wolfenbüttel (2021) LECTIO Institute Fellowship at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (2022/2023) As a researcher, Dr. Bielak leads multiple projects including the NPRH project "Daniel Naborowski – Poet, Physician, and Diplomat at the Court of the Radziwiłł Family" since 2022. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Emblem Studies and serves on the editorial board of "Emblematica: Essays in Word and Image," contributing significantly to the international scholarly community in emblem studies. Dr. Bielak is actively involved with the Centre for the History of Renaissance Knowledge at IFIS PAN, where she collaborates with international scholars investigating the movement of ideas across Renaissance Europe. Her research bridges literary analysis, religious history, and art history to provide comprehensive understanding of how knowledge was created, transmitted, and transformed during this pivotal period in European history.
