Kyle Clark is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Michigan Library's Book Arts Studio, where he combines his expertise in conservation, book arts, and education. He has held internships at Uppsala University and Emory University, and currently serves as interim manager of the Book Arts Studio while providing instruction and course support. Education MFA in Book Arts from University of Alabama MLIS in Archival Studies from University of Alabama BS in Art Education from University of North Georgia Kyle's research focuses on book arts education and book history, with a particular emphasis on craft-based investigation and historical binding traditions. His work bridges material culture studies with practical bookbinding techniques. He has contributed to publications on Greek manuscript binding traditions and is preparing a forthcoming study on contemporary bookbinding education in American institutions. His teaching spans venues like The Morgan Conservatory, Wayne State University, and the Robert C. Williams Papermaking Museum. Current Roles: Conservation Technician at University of Michigan Library, Interim Manager of the Book Arts Studio, and part-time instructor.
Ruhi Tyson serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Education at Stockholm University, where he is actively involved with the Vocational and Educational Training (VET/YL) research group. He also holds an associate professor position at IPD and the Waldorf University College, and maintains a practical connection to his field as a bookbinding teacher at the Kristofferschool in Bromma. His research interests center on vocational education and training, with particular focus on Bildung (formation/education), practical wisdom, and vocational excellence. Tyson has developed a distinctive research framework called 'vocational Bildung didactics' that employs narrative case studies to investigate practical knowledge in vocational contexts. His work bridges theoretical educational philosophy with practical craft education, examining how workshop environments function as educational spaces. Tyson's publications reveal a strong engagement with Waldorf/Steiner educational approaches, analyzing how vocational excellence and practical wisdom can be cultivated through educational practices. His research demonstrates how vocational practices intersect with cultural practices, providing insights for curriculum development in vocational education. His scholarly contributions include empirical explorations of vocational Bildung, examinations of excellence in vocational practice, and investigations into how Waldorf educational principles apply to vocational contexts. His work often employs narrative methodologies, focusing on 'extreme and paradigmatic cases' to extract practical knowledge about vocational wisdom. Ruhi Tyson possesses both academic and craft credentials, holding a doctorate in education alongside a journeyman's certificate in bookbinding. This dual background informs his unique perspective that values both theoretical understanding and practical knowledge in educational contexts.
Alberto Campagnolo holds the position of Lecturer at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, affiliated with the Research Unit History of Church and Theology. He is also: Head of the Expertise Centre for Books & Heritage Member of LECTIO – KU Leuven Institute for the Study of the Transmission of Texts, Ideas and Images in Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance His research focuses on book history, manuscript studies, and codicology, with particular expertise in medieval bookbindings (Carolingian and Romanesque) and the material culture of manuscripts. He is actively involved in cultural heritage conservation, applying digital humanities approaches through tools like VisColl for documenting codex structures. His work also explores imaging techniques for fire-damaged parchment and biocodicological analysis. Campagnolo's recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on the material aspects of medieval manuscripts, especially from Cambrai and Fleury. Key themes include bookbinding structures, endband techniques, and the cultural history of bindings. He integrates digital tools (VisColl, VCEditor) and advanced imaging for conservation, while also contributing to materials science in heritage contexts, such as the assessment of light dome systems for surface characterization. He leads the Expertise Centre for Books & Heritage at KU Leuven and is a member of LECTIO, which studies the transmission of texts and ideas from antiquity to the Renaissance. His collaborative work spans international institutions, including presentations at conferences in Copenhagen, Yerevan, and Naples.
Chiara Ruzzier is a distinguished researcher specializing in medieval writing practices, manuscript studies, and biblical transmission. Holding a Doctorate from the University of Namur (Belgium), she maintains an active research profile with significant contributions to the understanding of medieval libraries, book production, and religious manuscript traditions. Her research interests focus on medieval manuscript production , particularly examining Bible manuscripts from the 11th to 15th centuries. She investigates textual typology in Benedictine libraries, material choices in written artifacts, and the evolution of portable Bibles during the 13th century. Her work bridges historical analysis with codicological and bio-codicological approaches to understand the physical aspects of medieval books. Ruzzier's publication trends reveal a consistent focus on manuscript materiality and biblical transmission , with increasing attention to methodological approaches in analyzing written artifacts. Her recent work (2021-2025) demonstrates sophisticated interdisciplinary methods combining historical research with material analysis of manuscripts. Prix Duchalais de l'Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (2024) As Principal Investigator on multiple research projects including "Entre tradition et innovation : les manuscrits de la Bible romane" (2015-2019), Ruzzier has secured substantial research funding. She actively participates in the academic community through numerous workshops, seminars, and conferences at prestigious institutions including Collège de France, ENS-Ulm, and KU Leuven. Her scholarly network spans European research institutions with particular emphasis on Belgian and French academic circles. Ruzzier's research connects medieval manuscript studies with contemporary approaches to material culture, contributing significantly to our understanding of how religious texts were produced, transmitted, and preserved in medieval Europe.
Simona Inserra is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at the University of Catania, where she holds a position in Archives, Bibliography, and Library Science (HIST-04/C). She teaches courses such as History and Conservation of Books, Digital Archives, Conservation of Archival and Book Assets, and Digital Libraries across undergraduate and graduate programs. She is actively engaged in research, leadership, and international collaboration. Her educational background includes a Laurea in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, a Master in Ancient Book Studies, and specialized training in book conservation. She has also completed advanced courses in paleography, linked data, and book history at institutions including Oxford University. Her research focuses on the production and circulation of early printed books, especially incunabula in Sicilian libraries, provenance studies, library history, author libraries, and conservation of library materials. She explores biblioteconomia sociale, fundraising, and crowdfunding as tools for library sustainability. Her work combines historical analysis with digital and community-based approaches to heritage valorization. The recent publications and conference presentations reflect a strong trend in incunabula studies, digital library projects (like MeMo and CODICIS), and community engagement. Her work spans historical research, technical conservation, and innovative funding models, emphasizing both scholarly rigor and public participation in cultural heritage. PRIN 2020 research funds for MeMo - Memory of Montecassino project ERASMUS PLUS funding for CODICIS project PIACERI research incentive funds (2020-2022) STARTING GRANT funds for CAT-INC project CHANCE funds from University of Catania (2020) FFABR funds from MIUR (2017) She advises numerous graduate students on topics ranging from book conservation to archival studies and incunabula research. She leads the Catania research unit for the MeMo project and participates in the national PRIN project Excerpta. She has coordinated multiple international Erasmus+ training initiatives and serves on scientific committees for journals and book series. Her leadership extends to institutional roles, including delegate for the Third Mission and former delegate for the Department Library. She is deeply involved in academic and professional communities, organizing conferences, seminars, and training workshops. She collaborates with institutions such as the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Sapienza University of Rome, and the CERL. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of National History for Eastern Sicily and the Centro Studi Belliniani, and a full member of AIB, SISBB, and the Oxford Bibliographical Society.
János Kósa (born May 16, 1962) serves as an Assistant Professor at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in Budapest, where he has held faculty positions continuously since 1999. His academic credentials include: DLA in Theory and Practice of Painting, Hungarian University of Fine Arts (2008) Postgraduate artist training diploma, Hungarian College of Fine Arts (1992) University painting diploma and secondary teaching qualification, Hungarian College of Fine Arts (1989) Vocational bookbinding certification, Secondary School of Fine and Applied Arts, Budapest (1980) Kósa's artistic research centers on contemporary painting practices that critically examine technology's impact on cultural identity through recurring robotic motifs and satirical urban landscapes. His work synthesizes postmodern theory with Hungarian visual traditions to explore memory, historical consciousness, and societal transformation in post-socialist contexts. His exhibition catalogs from 1999-2007 reveal consistent thematic development across three decades, demonstrating evolving technical mastery in oil painting while maintaining critical engagement with technological metaphors and national cultural narratives within Central European contemporary art. Major honors include: Munkácsy Award (2014) Barcsay Award (1994) Derkovits Scholarship (1993-1996) St. Stephen Award (1989) Kósa maintains active exhibition presence with over 20 solo shows since 1990, and his works are permanently housed in national institutions including the Hungarian National Gallery and Ministry of Foreign Affairs collections.
Tom Mole serves as Professor of English Literature and Book History and Principal of Van Mildert College at Durham University. A Fellow of both the English Association and Royal Historical Society, his career spans appointments at the University of Bristol, University of Glasgow, McGill University, and the University of Edinburgh where he directed the Centre for the History of the Book. His research centers on Romantic and nineteenth-century poetry through interdisciplinary lenses of book history, material culture, and celebrity studies. Mole examines how Romantic authors were received in later periods, emphasizing physical artifacts and cultural practices that shaped literary legacy. His work bridges literary criticism, historical scholarship, and the sociology of texts. Publications consistently explore textual materiality and cultural transmission, with The Secret Life of Books (2019) and What the Victorians Made of Romanticism (2017) demonstrating his signature approach to books as dynamic cultural objects rather than static texts. Scientific recognition includes: Elma Dangerfield Prize (2009) for Byron’s Romantic Celebrity Saltire Award for best research book (2017) for What the Victorians Made of Romanticism High commendation for the DeLong Prize from SHARP Mole previously led the Interacting with Print Research Group at McGill University and directed Edinburgh's Centre for the History of the Book. While current advising activities and grant funding aren't detailed in available sources, his editorial work on The Broadview Introduction to Book History (2017) establishes foundational resources for the field.
Eve Kaaret serves as a Visiting Lecturer and Head of the Accessories and Binding Studio at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, Department of Accessory Design. Her office is located at North street 7, room B511, with contact email eve.kaaret@artun.ee. Her professional focus centers on Accessory Design and Bookbinding, where she leads the Accessories and Binding Studio dedicated to advancing craftsmanship and design methodologies in these disciplines. The studio functions as both an educational and creative hub for specialized techniques within the academy's design curriculum. No information is available regarding student advising, research grants, scientific awards, or educational background in the provided institutional sources.
Lizzie Ridout is a Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University, specializing in Graphic Design, Typography, and Illustration. She holds a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from Falmouth College of Arts (2000) and an MA in Communication Art & Design from the Royal College of Art, London (2002). Her research explores cultural deconstruction through art, focusing on language, archives, and material processes. Notable projects include In Absentia (2010), an investigation into disappearing words, and Bideford Black: The Next Generation (2015), a pigment-based environmental project. She has exhibited internationally and held residencies at the British Library and Women’s Studio Workshop, NY. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014), Peninsula Arts Fellowship (2010) Teaching: BA Graphic Design, MA Illustration, MA Communication Design Her work bridges art and design, often using interdisciplinary methods to interrogate cultural narratives. Recent publications include Message: Mapping Eclecticism Through Practice (2013) and contributions to Semiotics & Visual Communication (2014).
Sylvia Waltering is a Senior Lecturer in Photography at the School of Digital Arts (SODA), Manchester Metropolitan University. Her interdisciplinary practice combines photography, text, installation, and artists’ books to explore themes of belonging, cultural identity, and domestic space. Her work investigates the narrative potential of objects and spaces, often addressing gender dynamics and dislocation through autobiographical lenses. Her exhibitions include international venues such as the King St. Stephen Museum (Hungary), Phoenix Gallery (Brighton), and FLOW Gallery (London). Key artifacts include a to z of an affair (2012) and Orlando (2012), held in public collections across the UK, Denmark, Hungary, Australia, and the USA. She co-founded Battenburg Press and was shortlisted for the Manley Library Artists’ Book Award (2011). Recent projects include The Mrs Day Collections (2024) and Here/There (2024), extending her exploration of spatial narratives and cultural memory. Her research bridges visual art practices with critical discourse on identity and place.
Law Alsobrook is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He holds an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design and a BA from New College, University of Alabama. His research explores narrative studies, design semiotics, and visual communication, with a focus on embodiment and consciousness in digital media. He teaches courses ranging from design fundamentals to advanced topics like Visual Narrative and Interactive Design. Education: MFA in Graphic Design, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), USA BA in New College, University of Alabama, USA Research Interests: Alsobrook investigates the interplay between narrative, consciousness, and embodiment. Key areas include: Narrative phenomenology and its impact on mediated consciousness Semiotics in visual communication Embodied cognition in design practices Publications: His work spans speculative research and artistic journals, focusing on themes like augmented reality, asemic writing, and narrative structures. Recent grants include explorations into urban data narratives and augmented reality applications. Awards: Notable recognitions include a Bronze Medal for Teaching & Outreach (2009) and a poetry chapbook finalist award (2015). His collaborative projects, such as Variable There , highlight interdisciplinary innovation. Teaching and Grants: Alsobrook has led courses in design technology and pedagogy, and directed grants totaling over $60,000 for projects like Augmented Reality and Lines in the Sand . He co-edits Diode Poetry Journal and contributes to VAYAVYA , exploring intersections of philosophy and design.
Adam Bookbinder is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University's School of Professional Studies, where he teaches in the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media. He brings over two decades of award-winning experience as a creative director in the magazine and media industry. Education: SUNY Binghamton University FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) His expertise lies in publishing and media design, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and editorial innovation. He has shaped the design direction of globally recognized magazines including Travel + Leisure , Saveur , Departures , Vanity Fair , and Rolling Stone . His teaching emphasizes practical design skills for modern publishing platforms. Adam has been honored with numerous accolades, including ASME and Henry Luce awards, with multiple recognitions for Best Design of the Year and Best Cover of the Year . He currently consults for leading media companies such as Hearst and Meredith and works with emerging businesses in travel, lifestyle, and culinary media. He teaches the course Design Skills for Publishing: Introduction to Photoshop and InDesign (PUBB1-GC3370), equipping students with essential tools for the publishing industry. He is actively engaged in both academic instruction and professional media innovation, bridging industry practice with academic training.
Katja Liebig is an Artistic-Technical Lecturer at the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, specializing in bookbinding and packaging techniques within the Communication Design program of the Department of Design. She is based at the Weißenhof Campus in the Old Building, Room 112. Her role focuses on integrating technical craftsmanship with communication design, emphasizing artistic applications in bookbinding and packaging. Her work contributes to the practical and theoretical training of design students.
Yasin Çakmak serves as an Associate Professor at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University's Faculty of Fine Arts, holding dual appointments in the Department of Traditional Turkish Arts and Department of Bookbinding. His career is dedicated to preserving and advancing Turkey's intangible cultural heritage through academic practice. His academic qualifications include: Licence (Bachelor's) in Traditional Turkish Arts from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (2005-2010) Degree (Master's) from the Institute of Social Sciences with thesis (2010-2013) Proficiency in Arts (Doctorate in Arts) from the Institute of Fine Arts (2015-2020) Professor Çakmak's research centers on Traditional Turkish Arts , with specialized expertise in Bookbinding , Islamic Calligraphy , and Ottoman Book Arts . His work integrates historical conservation techniques with contemporary applications, particularly in paper marbling (Ebru) and historical manuscript preservation . This research preserves critical elements of Turkey's artistic legacy while adapting traditional methods for modern contexts. He maintains professional English proficiency (YÖKDİL score: 65.0, 2017) for international scholarly engagement.
Dr. Ali Riza Ozcan serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Traditional Turkish Arts at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University's Faculty of Fine Arts, specializing in Calligraphy and Illumination. His career bridges academic scholarship with practical mastery of Ottoman-era writing systems and book arts. His academic foundation includes: Licence in Traditional Turkish Arts (1984-1988), Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Master's Degree in Illumination (1988-1991), Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Institute of Social Sciences Proficiency in Arts in Old Writing (1991-1996), Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Institute of Social Sciences Research focuses on Ottoman calligraphy (hat) and illumination (tezhip), with deep analysis of historical scripts, monumental inscriptions, and traditional crafts like ebru and bookbinding. His work examines 16th-17th century calligraphers, technical evolution of writing systems, and cultural contexts of Islamic visual arts, integrating historical methodology with artistic practice. Publication trends reveal sustained engagement with Ottoman book arts across three decades. Recent works (2020-2023) investigate 17th century calligraphic lineages and Hagia Sophia's monumental inscriptions, while mid-career publications (2009-2015) explore illumination techniques and master calligraphers. The corpus consistently addresses technical precision, historical documentation, and cultural preservation within Turkish artistic heritage.
