Signy Lynch is an Assistant Professor in English and Drama at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and a graduate faculty member at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies. Her research focuses on contemporary intercultural/diasporic performance, Black theatre, participatory performance, audience research, and critical theatre criticism in Canada. Education : PhD and MA from York University, Hon. BA from Queen’s University Her work explores the intersections of digital media and intercultural performance, including immersive theatre practices and audience dynamics in pandemic-era performances. She co-edits Canadian Theatre Review and investigates epistemic violence in traditional criticism frameworks. In the 15 most recent publications , Lynch examines topics like racial dynamics in theatre criticism, intermedial performance technologies, audience complicity in Indigenous storytelling, and pandemic-era performance adaptations. Her articles appear in Theatre Research in Canada , Contemporary Theatre Review , and New Theatre Quarterly . Awards : Barbara Godard Prize (2021), Governor General’s Gold Medal (2022), CTCA Outstanding Critical Essay runner-up (2022) Lynch co-directs the Centre for Spectatorship and Audience Research and serves on Cahoots Theatre’s board. Her SSHRC-funded research addresses hiring equity in Canadian theatre academia and reimagines critical dramaturgy for digital futures.
Douglas Morrey is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts , University of Warwick , specializing in Contemporary French Literature and French Cinema . His email is D.J.Morrey@warwick.ac.uk , and he works in the Faculty of Arts Building, Fourth Floor. He holds degrees from the University of Warwick (BA, MA, PhD). His research spans Toxic Masculinity in post-1968 French literature, Neoliberalism and Cultural Critique , and Film Studies , particularly the works of Jean-Luc Godard, Claire Denis, and Jacques Rivette. Current Research: Toxic masculinity in French literature, neoliberalism's impact on French cultural discourse Collaborations: Co-organizing research networks on masculinities with Prof. Bradley Stephens and a neoliberal critique symposium with Prof. Oliver Davis His recent publications analyze Jean-Luc Godard's political cinema , Jacques Rivette's film theory , and Juliette Binoche's aging roles . He supervises PhD projects on topics like French horror cinema, neoliberalism in literature, and queer fiction. He teaches modules on French cinema and identity crises in French novels.
Barry Sheils is Professor in the Department of English Studies at Durham University, specializing in modern and contemporary literature with intersecting interests in affect theory, ecological thinking, and psychoanalysis. His research particularly examines W.B. Yeats, Irish modernism, and transnational poetics. Prior to joining Durham in 2016, he held fellowships at University College Dublin (Irish Research Council) and Warwick University's Institute of Advanced Study, following lectureships at Swansea University. He earned his doctorate from Warwick University and BA from Trinity College Dublin. Sheils' research explores: The interaction of literary style with ecological consciousness and meteorological themes Affective dimensions of modern writing, especially shame and anxiety Transnational exchanges in modernist literature Psychoanalytic approaches to cultural production Contemporary reformulations of modernist legacies in digital culture His publications demonstrate sustained engagement with environmental humanities, Irish studies, and aesthetic theory, frequently employing interdisciplinary frameworks connecting literary analysis with cultural history and philosophy. Honors include: Irish Research Council Fellowship Early Career Fellowship, Warwick Institute of Advanced Study Keynote at Swedish National Forum for English Studies (2017) He currently supervises four doctoral students researching modern literature and serves as Associate Director of Durham's Centre for Culture and Ecology. As Chair of the Undergraduate Board of Examiners since 2019, he oversees modules on post-war fiction, Yeats, literary psychoanalysis, and shame studies.
Stacy Holman Jones is a Professor of Theatre and Performance in the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash University. With over 23 years of academic experience, she has developed an international reputation for leadership in performance studies, particularly in feminist and queer theory, new materialist research, and critical arts-based methodologies. Her educational background includes a PhD in Communication/Performance Studies from the University of Texas at Austin (2001), an MA in Communication from California State University Sacramento (1996), and a BA in Humanities (1988). Professor Jones's research focuses on performance as socially, culturally, and politically resistive and transformative activity. She is a recognized leader in critical autoethnography and has published over 100 articles, book chapters, and editorials, as well as authored, co-authored, and edited 14 books including the influential Handbook of Autoethnography (2013, 2021) and Queering Autoethnography (2018). Her work spans cultural critique, social inclusion, education, resilience building, designing for social impact, and enhancing health and wellbeing among minoritarian communities. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward creative ecological approaches to mental health, collaborative autoethnographic methods, and innovative design for social impact. Her research increasingly integrates performance studies with mental health applications, particularly in educational settings, while maintaining strong connections to queer theory, new materialisms, and critical autoethnography. International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry's Special Career Award National Communication Association's Distinguished Service Award in Performance Studies Janice Hocker Rushing Early Career Research Award Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender Feminist Teacher/Mentor Award Over the Rainbow Recommended Book List for Queering Autoethnography (2019) International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry Qualitative Book Award, Honourable Mention (2020) Multiple Good Design Awards for 'The Tomorrow Party' (2024) Professor Jones has been part of 3 successful ARC applications totaling $1,353,604, including as Lead CI for DP200102876 Staging Australian Women's Lives (2020-2023). She is currently accepting PhD students with supervision interests in theatre and performance studies, social change and social justice, and health and wellbeing research. She serves as the founding editor of Departures in Critical Qualitative Research and has been actively involved in professional organizations including serving as President of the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (2015-2018). Her current research activities include multiple collaborative projects such as 'Playing Transitions - Settling and Belonging in School together' (2024-2027), 'Learning Creates: Tomorrow Party' (2024), and 'Canopy: Creative partnerships for policy advocacy in Climate and Health' (2024), demonstrating her commitment to interdisciplinary, impact-focused research that bridges theory and creative practice.
David Brodbeck is a Professor in the Department of Music at the University of California, Irvine. His research and teaching focus on Central European music and musical culture during the long nineteenth century, as well as rock music. He has published extensively on composers such as Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Brahms, exploring connections between biography and musical analysis, and has extended his scholarship to intertextuality in rock recordings by the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania (1984) Previous faculty: University of Pittsburgh, University of Southern California His research spans from technical analysis of Brahms's symphonic and chamber works to broader social questions, including antisemitism in Wagnerian circles, cosmopolitan patriotism in Austro-Hungarian music, and the role of Heimat in Goldmark's compositions. His forthcoming monograph Brahms Patriotic and Political (2025) continues this political and cultural exploration. His publications have garnered significant recognition, including the Virgil Thomson Award for Outstanding Book in Music Criticism and the American Musicological Society's Award for Excellence in Jewish Studies and Music. He has also received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and grants from the American Council of Learned Societies and the American Philosophical Society. Brodbeck's work bridges historical, analytical, and cultural methodologies, with a focus on music's intersection with politics and identity. He has served as President of the American Brahms Society, underscoring his leadership in Brahms scholarship.
Joanne L. DeTore is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication at the College of Arts and Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach campus. She previously held academic and leadership roles at Eastern Florida State College, including Chair of the Department of Communications, and served as the University Director of Diversity Initiatives from 2007 to 2010, overseeing diversity programs across all campuses. Education: Harvard Graduate Certificate, Harvard University (2022) Ph.D., Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1998) M.A., College of Saint Rose (1990) B.S., Syracuse University (1987) Her research and teaching focus on diversity and inclusion, gender, race, ethnicity, motherhood, crisis communication, public relations, STEM/aviation and women, popular culture, film, and cross-cultural communication. Her interdisciplinary work bridges humanities and social sciences, emphasizing inclusive pedagogy and cultural critique. She has contributed extensively through scholarly articles, poetry, and book reviews, reflecting a unique blend of academic and creative expression. The recent publications show a strong thematic trend in identity, embodiment, cultural narratives, and educational engagement. Her work spans literary creativity, critical review, and empirical research in communication pedagogy, indicating a broad scholarly impact across humanities and education disciplines. Scientific Awards: Mentor of the Year for the College of Arts and Sciences (August 2024) Dr. DeTore has served as a mentor and advisor, recognized for her contributions to student development. While specific grants are not detailed, her role as former University Director of Diversity Initiatives suggests leadership in institutional programs and initiatives. Her academic trajectory reflects sustained engagement in both teaching excellence and diversity leadership. She is actively involved in scholarly and creative communities, contributing to journals such as Ovunque Siamo: New Italian-American Writing and VIA: Voices in Italian Americana , indicating affiliation with Italian-American cultural and literary networks.
Mathias Benedek is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Graz, Austria. He directs the Creative Cognition Lab and is actively involved in several research networks, including the "Complexity of Life" profile area, the "Brain and Behavior" research network, and the "FUTURE EDUCATION" research network at the University of Graz. His research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying creative thinking, with particular emphasis on the role of memory processes, metacognition, and eye movement patterns during creative ideation. Dr. Benedek's work bridges psychological theory with empirical research methods including eye tracking, neuroimaging, and computational modeling of creative processes. His research has important implications for understanding how creative potential develops and how it can be assessed and nurtured in educational and professional contexts. Dr. Benedek's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on creative cognition across multiple dimensions. His recent work has expanded into emerging areas such as human-AI collaboration for creative tasks, automated assessment of creativity using large language models, and the relationship between physical activity and creative performance. His research shows a strong trajectory toward more ecologically valid methods for studying creativity in real-world contexts, moving beyond traditional laboratory paradigms. Seraphine Puchleitner Anerkennungspreis (PhD Supervision Award), University of Graz, 2021 William-Stern-Preis, German Psychological Society, 2019 Research Prize, University of Graz, 2017 Research Prize (Publication Category), Initiative Gehirnforschung, 2016 Berlyne Award, Division 10, American Psychological Association, 2015 Dr. Benedek has demonstrated strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers, as evidenced by his 2021 PhD Supervision Award. His research has been supported by multiple grants from national and international funding bodies, though specific grant details are not provided in the available information. His professional service includes leadership roles in the Initiative Gehirnforschung Steiermark since 2010 and active membership in several psychological societies across Europe and North America. Dr. Benedek leads the Creative Cognition Lab at the University of Graz, which employs a multidisciplinary approach to studying creative processes. The lab integrates methods from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to investigate the mechanisms underlying creative thought. Current research projects examine the relationship between eye movements and internal cognitive processes, the development of automated assessment tools for creativity, and the application of creativity research to educational contexts.
Prof. Anja Müller-Wood holds a Professorship in English Literature at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2003. She earned her Ph.D. (1995) from Philipps-Universität Marburg and completed her Habilitation (2002) at the University of Trier. Her research focuses on early modern English literature (16th-17th centuries), 19th-20th century English literature, and interdisciplinary fields like narratology, stylistics, and literary linguistics. She teaches advanced BA/MA courses on these topics and co-leads core modules like 'Introduction to Literary Studies' and 'Colloquium' for literature and education students. Her work explores intersections between literature and cultural identity, particularly in post-Reformation religious dynamics and narrative form. She actively supervises theses aligned with her research areas. Her recent publications include analyses of Jacobean drama, cognitive approaches to narrative, and studies on Angela Carter and Ian McEwan. She serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Literary Linguistics and maintains academic profiles on ResearchGate and academia.edu. Research emphasizes cognitive narratology, examining how literary forms interact with human cognitive processes. She also investigates transnational cultural exchanges in early modern and modern British literature, blending historical analysis with contemporary theoretical frameworks.
Darcie Dennigan is Associate Professor In Residence in the Department of English at the University of Connecticut, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds an MFA in Poetry from the University of Michigan (2002) and a BA in English from University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1998). Her creative practice spans poetry, experimental fiction, and performance texts, with specializations in nature writing, absurdist traditions, and hybrid literary forms. She has received numerous awards including the Howard Foundation Fellowship and Poetry Society of America prizes. Her performance collaborations include works with Wilbury Theatre Group and composer Jason Thorpe Buchanan, exploring themes through innovative theatrical forms and operatic adaptations.
Tijana Rakic is Associate Professor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management at De Montfort University, affiliated with the School of Humanities and Performing Arts. She leads the Tourism and Hospitality subject area and the BA (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management program. Her research expertise spans visual research methods, heritage and identity in tourism, art and tourism, visual cultures of leisure and events, and sustainability in tourism. She employs creative methodologies including visual ethnography, narrative analysis, and multimodal research. Her recent scholarly output reflects a strong trend toward interdisciplinary and visually oriented research in tourism, with a focus on representation, identity, and methodological innovation. She has contributed significantly to advancing visual methods in tourism and leisure studies through edited volumes, journal special issues, and multimedia outputs. Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Tijana Rakic is an experienced PhD supervisor and welcomes research students in her areas of expertise. She chairs the Geographies of Tourism and Leisure Research Group at the Royal Geographical Society and serves as co-editor of the Routledge book series 'Current Developments in the Geographies of Leisure and Tourism'. She is also a member of the editorial boards of Tourist Studies , Tourism Geographies , International Journal of Tourism Cities , Finnish Journal of Tourism Research , and Consumer Behaviour in Tourism and Hospitality . Her creative research outputs include co-produced documentaries and a co-curated exhibition, highlighting her commitment to public engagement and knowledge dissemination beyond traditional academic formats.
Prof. Dr. Gerd Bayer is a faculty member at the Department of English and American Studies, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. He holds the academic rank of Professor and has been an Akademischer Direktor since 2016, with an außerplanmäßiger Professor title since 2017. His educational background includes an M.A. and 1. Staatsexamen in English and American Studies and Geography from FAU (1998), a Ph.D. (2003), and a Habilitation (2012). Current research focuses on Restoration prose fiction, Holocaust literature/film, postmodernism, and epistolary culture. Grants include the Thyssen-Foundation Grant (2018-2023) and DFG Grant (2009-2012). He has served on editorial boards for journals like The Journal of Popular Culture and Humanities (Switzerland) , and as Associate Editor for The Journal of Postcolonial Writing (2012-22). Peer review activities span 25+ journals and publishers, including Cambridge University Press and Routledge. His supervision includes Christof Beer (2021), Jaroslaw Jasenowski (2024), and others. He is currently on leave from April to September 2025 and will deliver a keynote on metal documentaries in Sevilla (June 2025).
Vance Byrd is an Associate Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Pennsylvania , with a secondary appointment in History of Art. He serves as Special Advisor in the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty (2024–2025) and is completing an Ivy+ Mellon Leadership Fellowship. Education: Ph.D., M.A. University of Pennsylvania B.A., University of Georgia Research Interests: Byrd’s work focuses on late-eighteenth- and nineteenth-century German literature , visual and print culture , media history , and commemoration . He engages with race, gender, and sexuality studies , environmental humanities , and the history of books and periodicals . His scholarship examines how panoramic media, illustrated journals, and printed materials shaped cultural memory and identity. Scientific Awards: New Directions Fellowship, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (2019) Residential Fellow, National Humanities Center (2021–2022) Getty Scholar, Getty Research Institute (2021–2022) Ivy+ Mellon Leadership Fellow (2024–2025) Grants and Affiliations: His research has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Fulbright Commission, and the Quadrangle Historical Research Foundation. He serves on editorial boards for Monatshefte , The German Quarterly , and the Signale book series, and participates in international academic networks like the Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies.
Dan Heaton is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Capital University, where he has built a distinguished 30+ year career. Based in Huber Spielman Hall, Room 33, he is renowned as "Dr. Dan" for his dynamic mentorship and creative leadership, with contact email dheaton@capital.edu. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Performance Studies from Louisiana State University M.A. in Communication Studies from Louisiana State University B.A. in Communication Arts-Theatre and English-Literature from Carson-Newman University A.A. in Liberal Arts from Anderson University Dr. Heaton's research centers on autobiographical performance and communication pedagogy , with expertise in storytelling, improvisation, and community-engaged theatre. His work bridges academic theory and practical application through over 60 directed productions and 100+ Fat Tuesday Debutantes comedy shows, emphasizing performance as a tool for social change and identity exploration. His publications (1993-2005) reveal consistent innovation in narrative performance and communication education , with recurring themes of identity politics, cultural critique, and pedagogical experimentation. Articles frequently integrate popular culture with critical theory, demonstrating applied scholarship in classroom and community contexts. Key recognition includes: Leslie Irene Coger Award for Distinguished Performance (National Communication Association) Dr. Heaton actively mentors students through CU Theatre productions and the Masquers Outreach Ensemble, prioritizing collaborative creation. His sabbatical project featured the nationally toured one-person show "Almost Paradise," adapting contemporary poetry about pop culture figures into transformative performance experiences. He sustains impact through the Masquers Outreach Ensemble and Fat Tuesday Debutantes program, extending pedagogical reach into community performance festivals and regional conferences.
Rosanne Carlo is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the College of Staten Island (CUNY), specializing in rhetoric and composition. She holds a PhD from the University of Arizona and has expertise in rhetorical theory, ethos, material rhetorics, and place-based writing. Her research examines how material surroundings and geographic spaces shape ethical identity. She is the Program Coordinator for the MA in English Program and co-directs the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program. Her work bridges pedagogical innovation with critical theory, emphasizing student voice and antiracist practices. Key publications include Transforming Ethos (2020) and analyses of queer identifications in Grey Gardens . She teaches across undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on peer review and workshop-based learning. Dr. Carlo’s research interests extend to the intersection of material culture and rhetoric, with a focus on how physical spaces and objects influence character development. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates feminist theory, queer studies, and environmental humanities. Recent scholarship explores antiracist pedagogy, spatial literacies, and the emotional dimensions of literacy narratives.
Jez Coram is a Lecturer in Digital Media Practice at the University of Leeds , School of Media and Communication. He holds a practice-led PhD in Fine Art, Film, and Digital Cultures from Newcastle University, supervised by leading figures in the field. With a background in the third sector, he has extensive experience in multimedia design, research, and community engagement. Research Focus: Expanded essay film, socio-cultural-techno perceptions, climate futures, hybrid documentary practices, and sustainability. Current Projects: Co-Investigator on the Polycrisis Research Network (Horizons Institute); leads the longitudinal study Essaying the Gare with Mick Schofield. Teaching and Professional Roles: Currently teaches on the BA Digital Media programme. Previously a Teaching Assistant at Newcastle University and a facilitator in community art projects like For the Love of People . Professional memberships include the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and Advance HE (FHEA). Artistic Outputs: 15+ films/installations (2012–present) blending personal testimony, archive material, and speculative environments. Notable works: The Black Prince , Capteur , The Derealisation Effect , and We're All Someone's Daughter, We're All Someone's Son (Grenfell solidarity project). Grants and Collaborations: Funded by Horizons Institute, Arts Council England, Screen Yorkshire, and Freedom Studios. Collaborations span institutions like West Yorkshire Playhouse, Justice4Grenfell Campaign, and Purple Patch Arts board.
