Jessie DeGrado is an Assistant Professor in Ancient Middle East Studies at the University of Michigan. Specializing in the intersection of history, religion, and imperial dynamics in the ancient world, DeGrado combines postcolonial theory with Assyriology and Hebrew Bible analysis to create innovative interpretations of Near Eastern antiquity. Ph.D., University of Chicago (2018) Research focuses on Neo-Assyrian empire interactions, gender in ancient religious institutions, and cultural transmission in the Levant DeGrado's publications examine: Assyrian artistic representations of conquered peoples Gender roles in Mesopotamian religious authority Imperial rhetoric in biblical texts Material evidence of ancient magical practices Key methodological approaches include comparative analysis of Mari and Emar rituals, paleographic study of early Aramaic inscriptions, and deconstructing Orientalist legacies in Assyriological scholarship.
apl. Prof. Dr. Heike Sternberg-el Hotabi has served as Associate Professor (apl. Prof.) in the Department of Egyptology and Coptic Studies at the University of Göttingen since 2000. She previously held visiting positions at the University of Graz (2000-2010) and interim professorships in Basel (1999) while directing the DFG-funded Prosopographical Lexicon of Non-Royal Women of the New Kingdom (1999-2005). Education & academic milestones: 1974-1978: Undergraduate studies in Egyptology, Coptology and Assyriology, Göttingen & Tübingen 1980: M.A. Göttingen 1983: Ph.D. Tübingen 1995: Habilitation, Göttingen Research focus: Her work concentrates on Egyptian religion of the 1st millennium BCE, especially temple texts and decorative programs of the Greco-Roman period, Horus stelae, gender-specific prosopography, and cultural contacts under Persian rule. She combines philological analysis of hieroglyphic, Demotic and Coptic sources with broader questions of religious history and syncretism. Publication profile: Across five monographs and c. seventy articles she has treated royal annals, funerary religion, divine kingship, and the transformation of script and myth in Late Antique Egypt. Recent papers continue her long-term editorial commitment to the Göttinger Miszellen and the TUAT series, illustrating an enduring interest in editing and contextualising primary sources. Editorial & collaborative roles: Co-editor, Texte aus der Umwelt des Alten Testaments (Egyptology section), 1980-2000 Co-editor, TUAT.NF , since 2001 Editorial board, Göttinger Miszellen , since 2004 Member, Graduate School 896 “Images of Gods – Images of God – Worldviews” Advisory Board, journal Abgadiyat , Bibliotheca Alexandrina She currently advises from her office at Heinrich-Düker-Weg 14, 37073 Göttingen, and can be contacted at hsternb@uni-goettingen.de .
Susan Erickson is a Professor of Art History at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, affiliated with the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters and the Department of Language, Culture, and the Arts. Her teaching spans Art History/Applied Art and Human Centered Engineering Design, with office hours held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00pm to 3:00pm or by appointment. Her academic foundation includes: Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota M.A. from the University of Minnesota Dr. Erickson's research focuses on Ancient China through the lens of Chinese Art History, specializing in Han Dynasty material culture. Her work examines jade pendants, tomb architecture, funerary practices, and ritual monuments like Que pillars, bridging archaeological evidence with cultural interpretation. This scholarship explores how material objects mediated social, political, and spiritual dimensions in early Chinese society. Her publication trends from 2003-2018 reveal deep specialization in Han Dynasty archaeology, with consistent contributions to journals (*Archives of Asian Art*, *Arts Asiatiques*) and major exhibition catalogues. Key thematic patterns include systematic analysis of jade artifacts, spatial organization of tombs, death rituals, and sacred site monuments across Henan and Sichuan provinces. Her work demonstrates enduring collaboration with institutions like Cambridge University Press and museum curators.
Sarah Lynn Malena serves as Associate Professor of History and Museum Studies Program Coordinator at St. Mary's College of Maryland. An accomplished ancient historian and archaeologist, she specializes in the cultures of the eastern Mediterranean with fieldwork experience in Jordan and Israel. Dr. Malena's research focuses on how intercultural relations in the ancient world impacted social and ideological change. Her scholarly profile encompasses historical and archaeological studies of the southern Levant, religion and mythology of the ancient world, intercultural trade and exchange, diplomatic marriage in the Late Bronze and Iron Ages, identity formation, and state formation in antiquity. Her current major project, Fertile Crossroads , examines elite exchange networks in the southern Levant during the early Iron Age (ca. 1100-800 BCE), investigating how interactions shaped the developing identities and states of the Philistines, Israelites, Phoenicians, Edomites, and other regional groups. Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on diplomatic relations, cultural exchange, and the complex interplay between textual and archaeological evidence in understanding ancient societies. Society of Biblical Literature's Regional Scholar, 2020 Dr. Malena offers courses on the history of the ancient Mediterranean and the cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the southern Levant (encompassing modern Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan). She is particularly noted for her expertise in working with challenging ancient sources including myth, epic, and material remains. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. and M.A. in History from the University of California, San Diego (2015 and 2003, respectively), and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Iowa (1996).
Duygu DURMUŞ serves as a full-time Lecturer in the Handicrafts Department at Kazım Karabekir Technical Sciences Vocational School , Kafkas University since 2021. Her academic foundation includes a Master's Degree in History from Kafkas University (2019) focusing on Urartian burial traditions, and a BA in Archaeology and Art History from Pamukkale University (2013). Education Background: MA, History, Kafkas University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2016-2019) BA, Archaeology and Art History, Pamukkale University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (2009-2013) Research Expertise: Dr. DURMUŞ specializes in Ancient History and Art History with concentrated research on the Urartian Kingdom, Bronze/Iron Age archaeology, and cultural heritage of the Aras Basin. Her methodological approach blends traditional field surveys with digital reconstruction techniques, particularly examining settlement patterns, burial mounds (kurgans), rock carvings, and ancient water systems. Recent work demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary integration of historical analysis, 3D modeling, and cultural studies. Publication Trends: Her 13 publications (2022-2025) reveal a consistent focus on Eastern Anatolian archaeology, with growing emphasis on Minuahinili culture, Urartian religious practices, and cultural route mapping. The works show methodological evolution from site-specific analyses toward regional synthesis and digital documentation, particularly evident in 2024-2025 outputs. Research Projects: As active researcher in four projects: Investigation of Defense Systems in Turkish-Russian Conflicts (2025-2027) Ancient Water Systems in the Middle Aras Basin (2025-2026) Urartian Surface Surveys in Ağrı-Iğdır (2019-2022) Her fieldwork directly informs publications on settlement models and kurgan traditions. Teaching & Professional Engagement: Instructs Atatürk's Principles across multiple faculties while presenting research at national conferences including the Aras Culture and Art Symposium (2022) and Çatalhöyük Scientific Congress (2025). Her scholarly impact is reflected in 18 citations and an h-index of 3.
Professor John T. Koch (PhD, Harvard 1985) is a Senior Fellow and Project Leader at the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies (CAWCS), University of Wales. An interdisciplinary expert in Celtic studies, historical linguistics, and archaeogenetics, he has led major AHRC-funded projects like Culture and Celtic Speech and Atlantic Europe in the Metal Ages . His work spans linguistic reconstruction, Bronze Age Europe, Celtic mythology, and ancient DNA analysis. Education : PhD in Celtic Languages and Literature, Harvard University (1985) Affiliation : CAWCS, University of Wales Role : Senior Fellow and Project Leader His research bridges linguistics, archaeology, and genetics, focusing on Celtic origins, Tartessian inscriptions, and Celto-Germanic vocabulary. Recent publications reflect collaborations with geneticists and archaeologists, emphasizing the archaeogenetic revolution's impact on Celtic studies. Koch is a leading voice in the Celtic from the West theory, challenging traditional models of Celtic expansion. Koch's articles reveal a strong interdisciplinary focus. These works analyze Bronze Age maritime networks, linguistic contact zones, and genetic dispersals, with recurring themes such as Celtic mythology, ancient DNA data interpretation, and epigraphic evidence from Iberia and Britain. Scientific Awards and Honors : Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) Grants and Leadership : Koch directed two AHRC-funded projects on Celtic languages and Atlantic Europe's prehistory. He co-founded and organized international forums on Celtic origins, archaeogenetics, and linguistics, including events at Oxford, Aberystwyth, and Uppsala. His supervision includes PhD research on Pictish inscriptions, Classical Celtic references, and Welsh phonology.
Paolo Poccetti is a full Professor of Comparative Philology at the University of Rome 2 'Tor Vergata' since 1990 and an Associated Professor of languages of Ancient Italy at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale'. His research focuses on Greek, Latin, and fragmentarily attested languages of ancient Italy, with a particular emphasis on comparative philology. Member of Societa Italiana di Glottologia Member of Société des Etudes Latines (Paris IV-Sorbonne) Member of Istituto di Studi Etrusclzi Member of Société de Linguistique de Paris Member of Indogermanische Gesellschaft Poccetti’s publications explore epigraphy, linguistic analysis, and cultural practices in ancient Italy. His recent work addresses synchronic procedures in Sabellic poetic texts, inscribed bronze tablets like the Tabula Bronzea di Roccagloriosa , and semantic-pragmatic relations in adversative structures. He has co-authored extensively on coordinative syntax, negation types, and theonomics in ancient Italic languages. As editor, he has curated the Ricerche sulle lingue di frammentaria attestazione series and proceedings of international conferences on ancient Italic onomastics. His research bridges historical linguistics, epigraphy, and cultural archaeology, offering critical insights into the linguistic diversity of pre-Roman Italy.
David Martinez-Chico is a Research Fellow at the University of Valencia's Department of Prehistory, Archaeology and Ancient History within the Faculty of Geography and History. He currently holds an Atracció de Talent Fellowship at the University of Barcelona (2025-2026) and previously received the Margarita Salas Fellowship at the Universities of Valencia and Girona (2022-2024). His research focuses on ancient numismatics, Mediterranean archaeology, and Roman military-economic systems. Dr. Martinez-Chico earned his PhD in Numismatics from the University of Valencia in 2020 with the thesis "Los tesoros imperiales de Hispania," supervised by Dr. Pere Pau Ripollès Alegre. He completed his Master's degree in Archaeology at the University of Valencia in 2017 and his Bachelor's degree in History at the University of Murcia in 2016. His academic journey reflects a deep specialization in Mediterranean historical archaeology with increasing methodological sophistication. Martinez-Chico's research interests span Classical Archaeology, Ancient Numismatics (particularly Greek and Roman), and Historical Materialism. His work examines the intersection of coinage, military organization, and economic systems in the ancient Mediterranean world, with particular focus on how coins, riches, and lands were distributed among soldiers and warriors from Late Pharaonic through Early Medieval times. His publications reveal intricate connections between monetary systems and military logistics across the Mediterranean basin and its peripheries, from Central Europe to the Sahara margins. His recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation, including the development of the AMALIA algorithm for lead isotope analysis, which has enhanced understanding of Roman metallurgical practices. Analysis of coin hoards from Spain, Yemen, Iraq, and Turkey provides evidence for trade networks, military campaigns, and economic practices that challenge traditional narratives about cultural isolation in antiquity. Atracció de Talent Fellow at the University of Barcelona (2025-2026) Margarita Salas Fellow at the Universities of Valencia and Girona (2022-2024) Editor of "Coins, Riches and Lands. Paying for Military Manpower in Antiquity and Early Medieval Times" (2025) Co-author of over 50 scholarly publications in international journals Martinez-Chico actively collaborates with international researchers on numismatic and archaeological projects. His work on clipped siliquae in Southern Spain has transformed understanding of late Roman monetary practices, while his research on Byzantine solidi hoards provides crucial evidence for Mediterranean economic connections during political transitions. His interdisciplinary approach combines traditional archaeological methods with advanced scientific techniques to reconstruct ancient economic systems. As a member of the GRAM Archaeological Research Group on the Mediterranean, Martinez-Chico contributes to regional archaeological projects while maintaining international connections. His current research examines the relationship between military organization and economic systems in Late Antiquity, with particular focus on the transformation of Roman military pay structures during the 4th-5th centuries CE.
Karoline Kjesrud is an Associate Professor at the Department of Archaeology, University of Oslo, specializing in interdisciplinary medieval studies combining philology, art history, and archaeobotany. She works on cultural phenomena related to nature, religion, and knowledge through analyses of texts, images, and material culture. Research focuses on plant knowledge in Viking and medieval Norway, human-animal relations, and cultural heritage preservation Leading the Nordic People and Plants project and co-organizing archaeobotanical databases Collaborates with international institutions via Erasmus+ and other networks Her recent publications explore topics like medieval food rituals, plant symbolism, and right-wing appropriation of historical symbols. She serves as leader of Collegium Medievale and board member of Middelalder Oslo . Participates in the interdisciplinary REA:Life project for pharmaceutical innovation using cultural heritage Organizes exhibitions like Arv and Wake for Fehn Active in the Norse Hagiography Network and Arthurian Society
Graham Oliver is Professor of Classics and Professor of History at Brown University, where he teaches courses in Greek history, literature, and epigraphy. He previously taught at the University of Liverpool from 1994 to 2013 before joining Brown. His academic affiliations include the Department of History and the Classics department, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise. Professor of Classics, Brown University Professor of History, Brown University Former Faculty, University of Liverpool (1994–2013) Education: DPhil in Ancient History, University of Oxford, 1995 BA Literae Humaniores, University of Oxford, 1989 Graham Oliver specializes in Ancient Greek history, with a particular focus on epigraphy, the political economy of Athens, and Hellenistic society. His research spans from the Archaic to the Roman periods, with special attention to the Athenian polis, food supply, war, and commemoration. He has a strong interest in the reception of ancient Greek culture, especially in the 18th century and modern practices of memorializing war dead. His work bridges classical studies with broader cultural and historical analysis. His recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with economic and social history, inscribed documents, and comparative cultural memory. Themes across his articles include mobility in the Hellenistic world, market regulation in Athens, and the interplay between ancient and modern commemorative traditions. His editorial work on Cultures of Commemoration highlights his innovative approach to memory studies across eras. Scientific Awards and Honors: British School at Athens, Visiting Fellow (2012) St John's College, Oxford, Visiting Scholarship (2010) École Normale Supérieure, Paris, Visiting Professor (2006) Arts and Humanities Research Board Senior Research Fellowship (1999–2004) Craven Fellow, University of Oxford (1992–1993) Lady Margaret Hall Scholarship, Oxford (1988–1989) Charles Oldham Scholarship, Oxford (1988) Oxford University Essay Prize (1987) Graham Oliver has secured significant research funding from organizations such as the Loeb Classical Library Foundation, the British Academy, and the University of Liverpool. He has directed international graduate programs in epigraphy at Oxford and the British School at Athens. His current research includes a major edition of Athenian public inscriptions from 321–301 BCE for the Inscriptiones Graecae series, reflecting his leadership in epigraphic scholarship. He is affiliated with several scholarly societies, including the British Epigraphy Society, the Association Internationale d'Épigraphie grecque et latine, the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies, and the American Society of Greek and Latin Epigraphy, underscoring his active role in the global classics community.
R. Angus K. Smith is a Professor of Greek Archaeology at Brock University, specializing in Bronze Age Greece with a focus on Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. He holds a BA from Dartmouth, MPhil from Cambridge, and MA/PhD from Bryn Mawr. Research: Pottery analysis, mortuary archaeology, identity studies in the Aegean Bronze Age. Fieldwork: Associate director at Gournia (Crete), co-director at Ayia Sotira (Greece), and Khavania Archaeological Project participant. Leadership: President of Niagara Peninsula Society (Archaeological Institute of America), Board member of Canadian Institute in Greece. His publications emphasize Minoan-Mycenaean transitions, chamber tomb geoarchaeology, and ritual practices. Key works include studies on Gournia pottery sequences, Ayia Sotira cemetery analyses, and Late Minoan III funerary traditions. He actively presents at Archaeological Institute of America meetings and contributes to INSTAP and Oxford University Press volumes. Service: Member of the Managing Committee for the Institute of Aegean Prehistory Study Center (East Crete), and representative to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. He collaborates with institutions like the Canadian Institute in Greece and the Institute for Aegean Prehistory.
Antonis Kotsonas is an Associate Professor of Mediterranean History and Archaeology at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW), New York University. He serves as Faculty Secretary for AY2025-26 and on the PhD Admissions Committee. His research focuses on material culture and socio-economic history of Greece and the Mediterranean from the Early Iron Age to the Roman period, with fieldwork in Crete, the Cyclades, Euboea, Macedonia, and Latium. He co-directs excavations at the ancient city of Lyktos in Crete. Education: Ph.D. (University of Edinburgh), M.Phil. (University of Cambridge), B.A. (University of Crete). Research Interests: Pottery production/consumption, state formation, trade networks, identity, memory, materiality of writing, and the relevance of antiquity to modern discourse. Key publications include studies on Greek and Roman pottery, inscriptional evidence, and cross-cultural archaeological synthesis. Kotsonas has held fellowships such as the Loeb Classical Library Foundation (2017-2018) and received the Rising Star Award (2018). He has taught at institutions including the University of Cincinnati and King’s College London, and served as Curator at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam. Professional Roles: Area Editor for the Wiley Encyclopedia of Ancient History, co-editor of high-impact archaeological volumes. His excavations and publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Mediterranean socio-economic dynamics and material culture.
Kathlyn Cooney is a Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at University of California, Los Angeles. She specializes in Egyptian art and archaeology with particular focus on 21st Dynasty funerary practices, coffin reuse strategies, and gender studies in ancient Egypt. Ph.D. in Egyptian Art and Archaeology, Johns Hopkins University (2002) B.A. in German and Humanities, University of Texas at Austin (1994) Her research explores the socioeconomic dimensions of funerary arts, craft specialization patterns, and gender dynamics in both governance (Hatshepsut studies) and funerary contexts. She has authored several influential books including Recycling for Death (2024), Ancient Egyptian Society (2022), and The Cost of Death (2007). Publications demonstrate consistent engagement with coffin reuse patterns (2018), funerary economy (2012), and gender transformation in death contexts (2010). Recent work analyzes 21st Dynasty coffin modifications and their sociohistorical implications. She teaches courses on ancient Egyptian civilization, art and architecture, and gender/power dynamics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Active in public scholarship through lectures, book signings, and media appearances, she maintains a visible academic presence through platforms like Academia.edu (48,929 public views, Top 4% scholar).
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.
Federico Zangani is a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge's Department of Archaeology and a Junior Research Fellow at Homerton College . His work bridges Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and Global History. BA (First Class), University of Oxford (2014) PhD in Egyptology, Brown University (2020) Specializing in globalization, imperialism, and mobility during the Late Bronze Age, Zangani's research focuses on Egypt's interactions with the Levant and Mediterranean. His publications challenge traditional narratives about Dynasty 18's imperial success, arguing instead for a decentralized diplomatic system. Key trends in his work include cross-cultural analysis of religious reforms (e.g., Akhenaten vs. Nabonidus), material culture exchange patterns (as seen in Uluburun shipwreck studies), and the role of global cities in ancient statecraft. His 2023 book Globalization and the Limits of Imperialism redefines Amarna diplomacy's significance.
