Lance Jenott is a Senior Lecturer in Classics and Religious Studies at Washington University, serving as Director of Religious Studies. He holds a PhD from Princeton University. His research focuses on Ancient Christianity, Second Temple Judaism, Biblical Studies, and Classical civilizations, with expertise in Greek and Coptic languages. He co-authored The Monastic Origins of the Nag Hammadi Codices (2015) and authored a Hermeneia Series commentary on the Gospel of Judas (forthcoming). Recent courses include a Freshman Seminar on Sexuality in Early Christianity, analyzing teachings from Jesus, Paul, early church leaders, and apocryphal texts. His work integrates contemporary gender and sexuality theories with historical analysis. Publications include articles on Coptic texts, manuscript culture, and monastic environments, as well as translations of early Christian apocrypha. Jenott’s interdisciplinary approach bridges religious studies, classics, and textual analysis.
Emore Paoli is a Full Professor in the Department of International Human and Social Sciences at the University of Perugia, where he teaches Latin language, literature, and European cultural foundations. His academic focus lies in medieval Latin literature, particularly hagiography and religious culture in Umbria, with extensive contributions to the study of saints, manuscripts, and spiritual traditions. His research interests include Latin Literature, Medieval Religious Culture, Hagiography, Manuscript Studies, and Umbrian History . Paoli has published widely on the cults of saints such as San Fortunato, Angela da Foligno, and Iacopone da Todi, analyzing how sanctity was constructed through texts, liturgy, and political strategies in medieval Italy. He has contributed to major scholarly series and edited critical editions of medieval works, including the Catalogus sanctorum by Petrus de Natalibus and the Memoriale of Angela da Foligno. The most recent publications highlight enduring themes in his scholarship: the development of sainthood , manuscript transmission , vernacular adaptations of mystical texts , and the interplay between theology and political authority . His work bridges philology, history, and religious studies, with a strong regional focus on Umbria and central Italy. Among his notable contributions are critical editions, introductions, and analyses in volumes published by the Centro Italiano di Studi sull’Alto Medioevo and SISMEL. He has also authored entries in the Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani , affirming his recognition in Italian academic circles. Paoli has advised on manuscript cataloging, notably the medieval holdings of Todi’s Leonii Library, and collaborates with leading scholars such as Enrico Menestò. While no formal students or grants are listed, his sustained output and editorial roles indicate a central presence in medieval Italian studies. He is actively teaching courses in Latin and cultural history as of the 2025–2026 academic year.
Miguel Olmos is a Professor at the University of Rouen Normandy, affiliated with the UFR Letters and Human Sciences. He holds an accreditation to supervise research (2005) from the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III and previously served as a Research Fellow at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (1989-1992). His research focuses on Spanish literature (19th-20th centuries), poetics, literary criticism, rhetoric, and the history of reading. He has directed ERIAC (Lab EA 4705) from 2011 to 2019 and co-edited digital publications like TDH . His work spans critical editions, theoretical studies, and comparative analyses of Hispanic authors, with notable contributions to the study of Valle-Inclán, Jorge Guillén, and Rosa Chacel. Education & Academic Roles: Accreditation to Supervise Research (2005), University of Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III Research Fellowship (FPI), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (1989-1992) Director of ERIAC (2011–2019) Research Interests: Olmos explores modern Spanish literature’s intersections with poetics, rhetoric, and cultural history. His work analyzes narrative structures, poetic influences (e.g., Mallarmé’s impact on Spanish poets), and the socio-political dimensions of literary production. He emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, integrating philology, comparative studies, and cultural theory. Recent Work Trends: His recent articles (2018–2022) focus on vulnerability in narrative , intertextual dialogues (e.g., Cervantes/Flaubert), and marginalized voices (e.g., gypsy figures in Valle-Inclán). He also examines the evolution of song in Hispanic culture and the role of voice in literary criticism. Grants & Collaborations: Olmos collaborates with institutions like Galatasaray University and co-leads projects on Rouen’s phenomenology school and genetic editions of ancient texts. His editorial roles include managing Pandora and Sinapia series. Labs/Teams: Active in ERIAC’s research axes, particularly Spaces, Cultures, Politics and Philosophy in the City . Engaged in digital initiatives like eGesta and FIBIA archives.
Luis Menéndez-Antuña is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Boston University School of Theology. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Core Doctoral Faculty at the Graduate Theoretical Union. His work focuses on queer and postcolonial interpretations of biblical texts, emphasizing liberation theologies, cultural studies, and critical theory. He holds a PhD from Vanderbilt University, with earlier degrees from institutions in Spain, including the Universidad Pontificia Comillas and Salamanca. His research explores contemporary issues through biblical lenses, such as queer identity formation, colonialism, and trauma. Key publications include *Thinking Sex with the Great Whore* (Routledge, 2018) and *Bridging the Interpretive Abyss* (forthcoming 2025). He received the 2021 Diamond Award for integrative scholarship from the Society of Biblical Literature for his work on Markan crucifixion narratives. Menéndez-Antuña has engaged in activism around HIV advocacy, prison reform, and community organizing, informed by his involvement in Latin American Liberation Theology. His teaching includes courses on queer theory, colonialism, and biblical ethics. Grants include support from the Hispanic Theological Initiative/Luce Foundation and the Louisville Institute. Current projects include a second monograph on New Testament studies post-cultural studies turn and academic activism around reparations and social justice. He advises through Boston University’s theology program and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on interpretive frameworks that bridge biblical scholarship with contemporary social movements.
Professor Maria Woźniakiewicz-Dziadosz, PhD, is a distinguished academic at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS), where she has held the title of Professor since 1999 and became a full professor in 2004. Affiliated with the Faculty of Philology and the Department of Literary Theory and Anthropology, she is renowned for her expertise in 19th- and 20th-century Polish literature, literary theory, and narrative structures. M.A. in Polish Philology (UMCS, 1963) PhD (UMCS, 1972) under Prof. Maria Żmigrodzka Habilitation (UMCS, 1987) on Politics and Romantic Novel Structures Her research spans literary theory , focusing on drama, theme, musicality of texts, mimetic fiction, and the evolution of novel forms. She has explored autobiography, epistolary literature , and contemporary narrative trends , particularly “the margins of the novel form.” Her work often intersects with historical context , analyzing how ideology, culture, and communication shape literary works. The articles she has published reflect her deep engagement with literary communication , narrative innovation , and theoretical frameworks . Key themes include the role of musical elements in storytelling, thematic organization of texts, and the evolution of literary forms from Romanticism to postmodernism. She has also contributed to Slavic studies, comparative literature, and the analysis of epistolary pastiche. Her scientific distinctions include multiple Awards of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the prestigious Gold Cross of Merit in 1984. These accolades highlight her impact on Polish literary scholarship. Supervised 9 PhD theses on topics like ideological novel forms, apocryphal literature, and myth-making in post-war fantasy (2001–2015) Editorial roles with journals like Slavica and Annales UMCS
Dr. Licia Di Giacinto is a Researcher at the Department of East Asian Studies at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, affiliated with CERES (Center for Religious Studies) and the Käte Hamburger Kolleg Dynamics in the History of Religions. Her research focuses on Sinology with an emphasis on Daoist thought, early Chinese religious texts, and the intersection of religion and history in premodern China. She leads Subproject A02 within the Collaborative Research Center CRC 1475 'Metaphors of Religion' and contributes to projects like 'Entangled Religions'. Her work explores topics such as Daoist concepts of harmony, Confucian apocrypha, and interreligious encounters in medieval China. She has published extensively in journals like Entangled Religions , Monumenta Serica , and Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft . Di Giacinto’s research integrates textual analysis with interdisciplinary approaches to religious history. She has held roles as Principal Investigator, Project Leader, and Research Associate across multiple initiatives, including the Dynamics in the History of Religions series and the CERES Research Department.
Zlatko Pleše is a Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), specializing in Early Christianity, Gnosticism, and Late Antiquity. He holds a PhD from Yale University (1996) and the University of Zagreb (1996), with additional degrees from both institutions. His research focuses on ancient philosophy, early Christian texts, Coptic literature, and Platonism. Education: Ph.D., Classics, Yale University, 1996 Ph.D., Philology/Philosophy/Theology, University of Zagreb, 1996 M.Phil., Yale University, 1990 M.A., University of Zagreb, 1989 B.A., University of Zagreb, 1985 Research Interests: Early Christianity and Classical Culture Gnosticism and Hermetism Ancient Rhetoric and Hermeneutics Plutarch and Middle Platonism Coptic Language and Literature Publications include critical editions of Coptic texts, studies on Gnostic cosmology, and collaborative works like *The Apocryphal Gospels* (2011). His recent work explores Platonism’s influence on Gnostic treatises and ancient hermeneutical practices. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bern (since 2018). Research highlights include editing the *Discourses of Apa Shenoute* and analyzing Gnostic dualism in classical contexts.
Dr. Lorenzo Livorsi is a researcher in the Humanities Faculty at the University of Bamberg, Germany, currently working on the ERC Consolidator Grant project "AntCoCo." He holds a PhD in Classics and Ancient History from a joint program between the University of Kent, University of Reading, and University of Bristol, and previously studied at the University of Pisa and the Scuola Normale Superiore. BA in Humanities / Classics, Università di Pisa (2010–2013) MA in Classical Philology and Ancient History, Università di Pisa (2013–2015) Specialized Diploma in Classical Philology and Ancient History, Scuola Normale Superiore (2010–2015) PhD in Classics and Ancient History, University of Kent / Reading / Bristol (2016–2021) His research focuses on late Latin poetry , late antique hagiography , papal epistolography , and the reception of classical literature in Late Antiquity . He is particularly interested in the literary and stylistic features of religious texts and has a strong passion for Latin paleography and manuscript traditions . His work often explores intertextuality, panegyrical models, and the transformation of classical genres in Christian contexts. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory centered on late antique Latin literature, especially the works of Venantius Fortunatus and papal letters. His articles span philology, legal history, textual criticism, and digital humanities, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor. He frequently engages with manuscript evidence, translation practices, and the ideological use of classical forms in ecclesiastical settings. Dr. Livorsi has received numerous competitive awards and fellowships, including: Full scholarship at the Scuola Normale Superiore (2010–2015) DAAD One-Year Grant (Hamburg, 2019–2020) OeAD Ernst Mach Grant (Vienna, 2020–2021) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the RomanIslam Center (Hamburg, 2021–2022) Prize for MA Thesis in Latin Philology (2016) He has held teaching and research roles at UK and German institutions and is actively involved in digital humanities projects such as Cursor for prose rhythm analysis. He has advised on editions, contributed translations, and published in top-tier journals. His current work continues to advance the philological and literary study of late antique constitutions and religious texts. Dr. Livorsi is part of a vibrant research team at the University of Bamberg, collaborating with scholars like Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. Peter Riedlberger and other experts in late antiquity. His projects integrate traditional philology with innovative digital tools, contributing to both classical scholarship and broader historical understanding.
Alison Knight is a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Studies in the Department of English at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her research spans biblical interpretation, religious migration, and literary culture in early modern and nineteenth-century England. She is affiliated with the School of Humanities and contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship bridging literature, history, and religious studies. Her research interests include early modern biblical interpretation, religious migration to England in the sixteenth century, the history of the book, translation studies, and humanist scholarship. She explores the intersections of literature, religion, and transnational religious history, with a focus on figures such as John Donne, George Herbert, and M.R. James. Her work also examines the 1881 Revised Version of the Bible and nineteenth-century concepts of 'Bible English'. The recent articles and publications by Alison Knight reflect a consistent focus on the cultural and literary dimensions of biblical texts in early modern and Victorian England. Her work spans metaphysical poetry, biblical metaphor, translation, and the reception of apocryphal texts, demonstrating a deep engagement with both literary form and religious thought across centuries. Distinguished Publication Award, John Donne Society (2020) Ecclesiastical History Society Book Prize (2023) Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2024) John R. Roberts Award, John Donne Society (2011) Alison Knight has served as Principal Investigator on multiple research projects, including the Leverhulme-funded 'Stranger Churches: Hate Speech and Religious Refugees in Early Modern England' and the current project 'Jewish Advocacy and Edward Lively's On the Translation of the Old Testament'. She has also contributed to public engagement through invited talks, peer review for journals and publishers, and participation in public outreach such as museum podcasts. Her academic service includes membership on peer review panels and editorial work. She is involved in research centered at interdisciplinary hubs such as the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at Cambridge and contributes to ongoing scholarly conversations through publications, conferences, and collaborative projects. Her work is supported by major funding bodies including the Leverhulme Trust and the European Research Council.
Dr. Adelina Angusheva-Tihanov is a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester's Russian and East European Studies unit. Holding a PhD in Medieval Slavic Literature (University of Sofia, 1995) and a postdoctoral Licence in Medieval Studies (Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 2002), she specializes in Byzantine-Slavic cultural exchange, medieval medicine, and Balkan folk traditions. BA in History and Theory of Culture (University of Sofia) MA in Slavic Studies (University of Sofia) MA in Medieval Studies (Central European University/SUNY) PhD in Medieval Slavic Literature (University of Sofia, 1995) Her research examines rhetorical genres, apocryphal texts, and liturgical rhetoric in medieval Slavic contexts. Current projects include analyzing Gregory Camblak's unedited sermons and Byzantine polemics in Slavic manuscripts like Gaster 2082. Recent publications focus on divinatory texts, hagiographical narratives, and the evolution of medieval language in Balkan contexts. Her awards include the 2017 John D Bell Book Prize and multiple international research grants. John Rylands Research Institute Collaborative Grant (2019-2020) Andrew Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship (2001-2002) Open Society Fund Research Grant (1999) She contributes to academic collaborations with institutions in Bulgaria, Canada, and the US, including the Hilandar Research Library and the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies.
Manuel Ortuño Arregui is a Professor at the University of Murcia's Faculty of Letters, affiliated with the Department of Prehistory, Archaeology, Ancient History, Medieval History, and Historiographic Sciences and Techniques. He holds concurrent positions as Professor at the San Pablo Higher Institute of Religious Sciences (Catholic University of Valencia) and the Center for Near Eastern and Late Antiquity Studies (CEPOAT). Additionally, he serves as Secretary General of the Cor Christi Theological Institute of Alicante and sits on the scientific committee of the Institut Isabel de Villena d'Estudis Medievals i Renaixentistes (IVEMIR-UCV). Education: PhD in Intercultural and Historical Transfers in Medieval Europe (University of Alicante, 2017) Diploma of Advanced Studies in Latin Philology (2006) Bachelor of Humanities (University of Alicante, 2002) Graduate in History, Antiquity specialization (University of Alicante, 1999) Research Focus: Dr. Ortuño's work centers on interdisciplinary studies of early Christianity, Latin textual traditions, and medieval intellectual history. His primary investigations examine: 1) Linguistic and philological dimensions of Christian Latin literature; 2) Theological evolution in the Iberian Peninsula (14th-16th centuries); 3) Transmission of classical knowledge through medieval manuscripts; and 4) Christian humanism's intersection with Mediterranean cultural exchanges. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2013-2022) demonstrate consistent focus on three domains: 1) Analysis of Latin biblical and patristic texts (50%), 2) Medieval philosophical/theological discourse (30%), and 3) Historical studies of religious practices (20%). Methodologically, they prioritize textual criticism, semantic analysis, and contextual historiography, with recurring examination of figures like Augustine, Ramon Llull, and Vincent Ferrer. Academic Service: Dr. Ortuño coordinates international conferences including the 1st Conference on Early Christianity within the Roman Empire (2021) and serves on editorial boards for journals such as ArtyHum , eHumanista/IVITRA , and Laus Hispaniae . He collaborates with research groups across five institutions, notably the Antiquity and Christianity group at the University of Murcia.
Daniil Pleshak is a Researcher at the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tübingen. He is affiliated with the Emmy Noether research group 'Religious Conflict and Mobility between Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Byzantium and the wider Mediterranean, 700-900'. His academic background includes extensive training in Byzantine studies, classical languages, and historical anthropology. Education: Promotion (PhD), Universität Tübingen (2021) MA in Bibelsprachen (Bible Languages), Staatliche Universität Sankt Petersburg (2017) BA in Bibelsprachen, Staatliche Universität Sankt Petersburg (2015) Additional training: Byzantine Greek Summer School (Boğaziçi University), 'Aspirantura' in Byzantinistik (St. Petersburg State University), and specialized summer schools in Judaistik and linguistics. Research Focus: Pleshak specializes in Byzantine history and literature, with emphasis on epistolography, rhetoric, encomia, religious conflict, and mobility. His work examines cultural and textual transmission across the Mediterranean, utilizing philological and historical methods to analyze Byzantine sources. Publication Trends: His recent articles (2015–2020) focus on Byzantine poetry (particularly George of Pisidia), apocryphal literature, linguistic analysis of ancient Greek texts, and cultural aspects of sexuality/space in antiquity. Methodologically, they blend philology, narratology, and socio-historical analysis. Academic Engagement: Pleshak has presented at international conferences including Oxford University, Central European University, and King's College London, covering topics like zoological knowledge diffusion, religious warfare, and Byzantine literary genres.
Dr. Christine Oefele is a Postdoctoral Researcher (Habilitation) at the Institute for New Testament Studies at the University of Bern. Her primary academic affiliations include the Theological Faculty of the University of Bern and Basel, and she serves as an Adjunct instructor at the Bern University of the Arts. Her research intersects biblical studies, liturgical theology, and musicology, with a focus on the Gospel of Mark, apocalyptic literature, orality/performance criticism, and theological Bach research. Academic Training: Doctorate in New Testament (Bern/Basel, 2018), Master of Theology (Basel, 2012), Bachelor of Theology (Basel, 2010), and formal music training at Schola Cantorum (Basel) and Richard Strauss Conservatory (Munich). Research Interests include: Apocalyptic Literature: Habilitation project Acoustics of Revelation . Gospel of Mark: Narrative structure, oral performance, and intercultural readings. Orality/Performance: Analyzing biblical texts as oral compositions. Theological Bach Research: Biblical themes in Bach's Passions. Liturgical Studies/Hymnody: Church music and worship design. Scientific Awards : Dewetteanum award for best doctoral research (University of Basel, 2018). Teaching Activity spans courses in New Testament exegesis, interculturality, and hymnology at the Universities of Basel, Bern, and Bern University of the Arts (since 2016). She also co-led interdisciplinary projects like Projekt Johannespassion 2016 and delivered invited lectures on theology of hearing.
Florence Jullien is a CNRS Research Director (DR2) at the Center for Research on the Iranian World (CeRMI) since 2024, focusing on the history of Syriac monasticism (4th–14th centuries). Her work spans Late Antique and medieval Christian traditions, intercultural exchanges, and critical editions of Syriac texts. Educational Qualifications: Doctorate in Religious Sciences (EPHE V, Paris, 2000) Qualification by the National Council of Universities (section 21, 2005, 2010) Accreditation to Direct Research (MMSH, Aix-en-Provence, 2007) Her research explores Syriac Christian monasticism, female monasticism, and intercultural transmissions between East and West. Current projects include critical editions of the Book of Monastic Founders , studies on the Persian monk Mar Giwargis, and collaborations with institutions like the University of Padua, Ghent, and the Bose Monastic Community. Scientific Awards: 2009 Prix Jean Bordin (Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres) 2003 Prix Salomon Reinach (Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres) Administrative & Editorial Roles: Co-responsible for Sourc-e-book (TransPerse ANR program) Editorial Secretary of Cahiers de Studia Iranica Member of committees for Res Orientales , Abstracta Iranica , and the Society for Syriac Studies
Dr. Brandon Hawk is a Professor in the Department of English at Rhode Island College, where he has been teaching since 2015 after joining as an Assistant Professor. His academic journey progressed through Associate Professor (2020-2024) to his current full Professor position (2024-present), with prior experience as a Post-Doctoral Teaching Associate at the University of Tennessee (2014-2015). Dr. Hawk's educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from the University of Connecticut (2014), an M.A. in Medieval Studies from the same institution (2009), and a B.A. in English from Houghton College (2007), supplemented by specialized training at the First Summer School on Christian Apocryphal Literature at Université de Strasbourg (2012). His research centers on biblical apocrypha in Anglo-Saxon England, particularly the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew and related texts, examining how medieval communities adapted, translated, and transmitted religious narratives. He has pioneered the concept of 'transmission studies' to analyze textual circulation across cultural boundaries. Notably, Dr. Hawk bridges academic scholarship with public engagement through his analyses of Star Wars and medieval manuscript traditions, making medieval studies accessible to broader audiences. His scholarly output reveals a clear evolution from focused textual studies toward interdisciplinary approaches combining traditional philology with digital humanities tools. Recent publications demonstrate increasing attention to transmission networks, digital methodologies for manuscript analysis, and cross-cultural reception of religious narratives, while maintaining his core focus on how medieval communities engaged with texts beyond the biblical canon. Dr. Hawk's contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards: Multiple Faculty Scholarship and Development Grants from Rhode Island College for digital research initiatives Book Subvention Award from the Medieval Academy of America Most Valuable Professor Award from the Rhode Island College Athletics Department University of Connecticut Humanities Institute Dissertation Fellowship As an educator, Dr. Hawk has developed innovative courses spanning traditional medieval literature to specialized topics like 'Star Wars and Theory.' He currently serves as Director of the Liberal Studies Program and Director of Graduate Studies in English at Rhode Island College. His grant activity reflects a sustained commitment to building digital infrastructure for medieval studies, including the Sources of Old English and Anglo-Latin Literary Culture project. Dr. Hawk co-directs the Digital Research Center at Rhode Island College and serves as Director of the Sources of Old English and Anglo-Latin Literary Culture project. His collaboration with Dot Porter at the University of Pennsylvania on the 'Sacred Texts: Codices Far, Far Away' video series has gained significant public attention, appearing in Forbes , Space.com , and The Daily Pennsylvanian . This work exemplifies his unique ability to connect academic medieval studies with contemporary popular culture through media appearances, podcasts, and contributions to major outlets like The Washington Post and The Conversation .
