Professor Max Deeg is a leading scholar in Buddhist Studies at Cardiff University , holding a personal chair since 2009. With a career spanning institutions in Germany, Austria, and the UK, his research focuses on transcultural Buddhist history from India to East Asia, Chinese Buddhist travelogues , and interreligious encounters in medieval China. He has held visiting positions at universities in Japan, Nepal, the US, and Germany, and currently directs the Centre for the History of Religion in Asia (CHRA) . PhD from University of Würzburg (1990) Dr. phil. habil. in Religious Studies (1998) Full Professor at University of Vienna (2002-2006) His research explores Buddhist narratives as tools for constructing religious identity, foundation myths in trans-Himalayan contexts, and terminology evolution in Chinese Buddhist translations. Recent publications analyze Indian Buddhist monasticism through Chinese sources and religious concepts like xin (trust) across Buddhist, Manichaean, and Christian traditions. Awarded the KHK Visiting Research Fellowship (2016) and a DAAD Scholarship (1986-87) , Prof Deeg contributes to editorial boards of major journals. He supervises PhD students and teaches Buddhist Studies , Life of the Buddha , and Chinese Buddhist Texts .
Bunty Avieson is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Media at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD and MPhil from Macquarie University, specializing in media theory and literary analysis. Her research focuses on Bhutanese media development, Wikipedia's societal impact, and the intersection of journalism with literary practices. PhD Thesis: Media development in Bhutan during its democratic transition MPhil: 'The Poetics of Paranoia' exploring self-construction through Derrida and Nagarjuna Research Interests: Her work spans media policy in Bhutan, Wikipedia's role in knowledge equity, and the ethics of memoir writing. She has published extensively on Bhutan's media evolution and co-edited volumes on memory mediation and trauma narratives. Articles Trends: Recent work examines lifestyle journalism identity, Wikipedia's pandemic-era contributions, and Bhutan's unique digital media strategies. Earlier research explored Bhutan's transition from oral traditions to social media under Gross National Happiness principles. Awards: Vice-Chancellor's PhD Commendation (2013), Ned Kelly Awards for crime fiction (2001-2003) Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator in the Bhutan-Wiki Project (DECRA-funded), co-developed the Australian Colonial Narrative Journalism Database. Received grants for Tamil diaspora storytelling and Bhutan media studies. Professional Roles: Wikimedia Australia Vice President, member of journalism education associations, and former editor of Woman's Day.
Aydogan Kars is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at Monash University, affiliated with the Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies. His research focuses on medieval and modern Islamic mysticism, Sufi theology, and interreligious dialogue. Kars has led or co-led seven major research projects, including studies on Sufi genealogies, religious literacy, and the intersection of AI with human selfhood. He holds prestigious awards such as the Monash Faculty of Arts Dean’s Research Award (2021) and a Doctoral Fellowship from the Orient-Institut (2015). Kars actively contributes to academic governance as an editorial board member for the Journal for the Academic Study of Religion and peer reviews for journals like Religions and Journal of Islamic Ethics . His research interests span Islamic philosophy, mystical texts, and comparative theology, with notable work on apophatic theology in medieval Islam. Kars supervises PhD students and collaborates internationally on projects exploring Sufi traditions across Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and modern contexts.
Stephen F. Teiser is the D.T. Suzuki Professor in Buddhist Studies and Professor of Religion at Princeton University. He holds the Old Dominion Research Professor title in the Humanities Council (2022-2023). His work focuses on Buddhist rituals, Chinese religious history, and the intersection of Indian and Chinese religious traditions. Teiser delivered lectures at Fudan University, shaping his research into broader scholarly discourse. His book Ritual and the Study of Buddhism (2022) explores Buddhist rituals in Chinese contexts, emphasizing cross-cultural and methodological insights. His research bridges medieval Chinese religious practices with modern academic frameworks, addressing topics like funerary rituals, lay communities, and textual interpretation. His academic contributions span Buddhist historiography, ritual studies, and East Asian religious history. Notable works include analyses of the Ghost Festival, Dunhuang liturgies, and comparative religious texts. Teiser’s interdisciplinary approach highlights the adaptation of Buddhism in Chinese culture and its global scholarly relevance. Awards: Old Dominion Research Professor (2022-2023) Teiser’s research also engages with collaborative international projects, such as co-editing volumes on divination and East Asian manuscripts. His work emphasizes the importance of language and cultural context in interpreting religious practices, making his scholarship foundational for understanding Buddhism’s evolution in China.
Valerie Hansen is the Stanley Woodward Professor of History at Yale University's Department of History. She specializes in Chinese history to 1600, the Silk Road, and global medieval connectivity. Her research bridges legal, religious, and economic dimensions of pre-modern societies. Hansen’s work includes groundbreaking books such as The Year 1000 (2020), redefining globalization’s origins, and The Silk Road: A New History (2012), integrating archaeological and textual sources. She led the Luce Foundation-funded Silk Road Project (1995–1998), unifying Turfan artifacts. Her articles span legal pluralism in Silk Road cities, Liao dynasty material culture, and Viking exploration’s global impacts. Awards include American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellowship (2021) and Collège de France lectureship (2019). Hansen collaborates internationally, editing volumes on textiles as money and Song-Yuan studies. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, blending history with archaeology and art.
Dr. Noga Ganany serves as University Associate Professor in the Study of Late Imperial China at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge, and holds dual roles as Governing Body Fellow and Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College. Her scholarship centers on cultural history of Ming-Qing China (1400-1900), specializing in literature, religion, and book history with emphasis on print culture's role in religious practices. Education: PhD, Columbia University (2018) Research Focus: Dr. Ganany investigates the interplay between writing and worship in late-Ming hagiographic literature, examining how commercial publishing reshaped reverence for cultural icons and influenced pilgrimage. Her work extends to conceptualizations of death/afterlife through figures like King Yama, bridging literary analysis, religious studies, and historical context with material culture of the book. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2013-2023) reveal consistent engagement with religious narratives in late imperial China, particularly netherworld journeys, hagiographic texts, and tomb art. Her scholarship demonstrates interdisciplinary methodology combining textual analysis with visual/material sources, highlighting print culture's transformative role in religious practices and icon veneration. Academic Leadership: She actively supervises graduate research in late-imperial Chinese literature and religions, currently guiding Ilay Golan's PhD on overseas sailor religious traditions. Dr. Ganany organizes two major sponsored lecture series: 'Book Culture in Buddhism and Beyond' (Glorisun Global Buddhist Network) and the 'Yin-Cheng Distinguished Lecture Series on Buddhism' (Tzu Chi Foundation), fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue in Buddhist studies.
Remco Breuker is a Professor of Korean Studies at Leiden University’s Humanities Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), specializing in medieval Korean and Northeast Asian history, North Korean affairs, and contemporary issues. His research bridges historical analysis with modern geopolitical challenges, particularly focusing on marginalized voices and historical narratives. He leads ERC-sponsored and LeidenAsiaCentre-funded projects on Manchurian histories and North Korean forced labor in the EU. Breuker holds a PhD from Leiden University and has held post-doctoral and visiting researcher roles at institutions like the Australian National University. Education: MA in Japanese Studies (Leiden University, 1997) MA in Korean Studies (Leiden University, 1997) MA in Korean History (Seoul National University, 2001) PhD in Korean History (Leiden University, 2006) Research Interests: Breuker’s work examines medieval Korea’s Koryŏ dynasty, Northeast Asian historiography, and modern North Korean political dynamics. He translates modern Korean literature into Dutch, emphasizing marginalized perspectives and cultural hybridity. Recent projects include analyzing North Korean forced labor networks and reinterpreting ancient Manchurian histories’ contemporary relevance. Awards: 2010 KNAW Heineken Young Scientist Award Academy of Korean Studies Translation Grants (2010, 2008) NWO VENI Research Grant (2008) Advisees & Grants: Supervises PhD candidates researching Korean-Vietnam War linkages, Japanese-Korean relations, and North Korean forced labor. Secured grants exceeding €600,000 for translation projects and interdisciplinary research. Leads LIAS initiatives and serves on Leiden’s Slavery Studies Association. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the History as Social Practice project and the Slavery Studies Leiden network, fostering collaborative research on historical narratives and modern exploitation systems.
Mark Halperin is a Professor of Chinese and Department Chair of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Davis. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (1997). His research focuses on Medieval Chinese literature, religion, and literati culture, with particular emphasis on Chinese conceptions of fatherhood and interreligious dynamics in pre-modern China. Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (1997). Research interests encompass: Medieval Chinese literature and its religious contexts Buddhist and Daoist traditions in literati culture Gender and religious practice in Song China Confucian and Daoist textual traditions His publications explore themes such as Buddhist hagiographies, Song Dynasty religious interactions, and Daoist movements. Recent work includes a translation of Lu Rong's Ming Confucian's World (2022) and articles on medieval Chinese religious narratives. No scientific awards listed. No advising/grant details provided. No labs or teams explicitly mentioned in the profile.
Carmen Meinert holds the Chair for Central Asian Religions and serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Religious Studies (CERES) at Ruhr University Bochum. She is Principal Investigator of the ERC-funded BuddhistRoad project and coordinates the Climate and Culture publication series. Her academic foundation includes research and studies at universities in Bonn, Hamburg, Beijing, Chengdu, Vienna, and the Institute of Advanced Study in the Humanities, Essen. Research Focus: Meinert's scholarship centers on the transfer of Buddhism across Central Asia, with emphasis on Tantric rituals, manuscript traditions (Dunhuang/Kharakhoto), and religious syncretism. Key themes include: Medieval religious networks and sacred space formation Buddhist-Daoist/Tibetan-Chinese doctrinal exchanges Ritual adaptation and esoteric practices Buddhism's intersections with art, violence, and human rights Cultural dimensions of climate change Publications: Her extensive corpus examines Buddhist transmission along Silk Road networks, with recent works analyzing Tantric ritual texts, sacred geography under Tangut rule, and cross-cultural religious encounters. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on manuscript evidence and comparative frameworks. Awards & Fellowships: Käte Hamburger Kolleg Visiting Research Fellowship Research Leadership: Meinert directs multiple initiatives: ERC project BuddhistRoad (dynamics of religious transfer) CRC 1475 'Metaphors of Religion' Subproject A03 (ritual-textual networks) Climate and Culture publication series (6 volumes) She previously led projects on Dzogchen tradition development and rNying ma codification. Current work integrates Central Asian religious studies within global comparative frameworks.
Robert L. Chard is a Professor of Chinese Classics and Tutorial Fellow in Chinese at St Anne's College, University of Oxford. He is affiliated with the China Centre, a leading institution for East Asian studies. His research focuses on the cultural history of Confucianism, Confucian ritual studies (禮學), and the intersection of religion, politics, and military history in early China and premodern East Asia. He teaches courses on classical Chinese texts, historical methodologies, and Chinese religious traditions. His recent scholarship explores Confucian ritual authority in early China, the role of Confucian temples in Japanese domain (han) education systems during the Tokugawa period, and transnational intellectual exchanges between China and Japan. He has published extensively on topics such as ritual practices, temple symbolism, and the socio-political dimensions of Confucian learning. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his work demonstrates deep engagement with primary sources and cross-cultural analysis. He advises students in classical Chinese studies and oversees tutorial programs at St Anne's College.
Gaston Bacquet is a Lecturer in Education Studies at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, specializing in Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy. A Chilean teacher trainer and educator based in Scotland, he also holds qualifications as a meditation and yoga instructor. With extensive international teaching experience across K-12 and higher education systems in Chile, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, the US, and UK, his work bridges practical pedagogy and theoretical innovation. His educational background includes a DipTESOL from Trinity College London, an MA in TESOL from the Institute of Education (UCL), and a PhD in Education from the University of Glasgow. Bacquet currently teaches in the MSc/MEd Education Studies program and leads the undergraduate Asian Religions course, while supervising dissertation students across the School of Education. Research interests center on nonviolence as transformative educational practice, with emphases on decolonial approaches, contemplative pedagogy, and inclusion of minoritized groups. His work integrates Buddhist philosophy, indigenous wisdom traditions, and international perspectives to challenge Western epistemological dominance. Key methodological commitments include participatory action research and qualitative approaches that prioritize community voices. Recent publications reveal evolving trajectories from language education toward decolonial nonviolence frameworks, with increasing focus on Global South contexts, indigenous knowledge systems, and teacher preparation. His 2024-2025 work shows intensified engagement with Buddhist-Christian dialogue, indigenous contributions to peace education, and practical applications of nonviolence in classroom power structures. As a supervisor, Bacquet mentors Master's students in inclusion, nonviolence, and educational ethics, welcoming PhD proposals aligned with his research interests. His professional activities span editorial roles with Cogent Arts and Humanities and SAGE Open , alongside active participation in international scholarly networks including the Comparative and International Educational Society and the European Network for Buddhist-Christian Studies. Professional affiliations reflect his interdisciplinary reach: British Educational Research Association (2021-present), American Educational Research Association (2022-present), International Society for Contemplative Research (2023-present), and the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (2025-present). His conference presentations consistently address nonviolence pedagogy, decolonial curriculum development, and participatory research ethics across global contexts from Chile to New Zealand.
Xin Wen is an Associate Professor of Premodern Chinese History and History at Princeton University, holding dual appointments in the Department of East Asian Studies and the Department of History. He serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies and is affiliated with the Humanities Council and Behrman Faculty Fellows. His research focuses on medieval China and Inner Asia, particularly the Silk Road’s diplomatic networks and urban/cultural transformations in Chang’an. He earned a B.A. from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), an M.A. in Pre-modern Chinese History (Tang dynasty) from Peking University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Inner Asian and Altaic Studies from Harvard University. Xin Wen’s work bridges historical analysis with archaeological evidence, using multilingual Dunhuang documents and excavated texts to explore trans-Eurasian connections. His first book, The King’s Road: Diplomacy and the Remaking of the Silk Road , reinterprets the Silk Road as a diplomatic rather than commercial network. His second book project examines Chang’an’s post-Tang urban decline and cultural revival, funded by the American Council of Learned Societies. Collaborations include a study of Zoumalou’s third-century administrative documents with Brian Lander and Ling Wenchao. His research interests emphasize diplomatic history, Silk Road studies, urban transformation, and the interplay between memory and place. He actively publishes in journals like T’oung Pao and Journal of Silk Road Art and Archaeology , and his Chinese articles appear in leading journals such as Lishi yanjiu and Beijing daxue xuebao . Awards include the American Historical Association Prize for his first book. Grants and Funding: ACLS fellowship for his second book project. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with international scholars on Zoumalou documents and contributes to Brill’s publication efforts.
Nalini Rao is an Associate Professor of World Art at Soka University of America. Her academic career includes positions at the University of Southern California, University of Hawaii Hilo, and California State Universities. She specializes in Indian art, archaeology, and religious studies, focusing on Hindu monasteries, relic worship, and pre-modern royal iconography. Education: PhD in Art History from UCLA (1991), PhD in Ancient History and Archaeology from University of Mysore (1981), MA in History of Art from University of Marathwada (1973). Research Interests: Hindu monastic institutions, Buddhist art, royal iconography, and maritime archaeology. She explores intersections between art, religion, and power in pre-modern India. Key Themes in Publications: Analysis of Vijayanagara royal imagery, Jain architecture in Sravanabelagola, and ritual symbolism in South Indian festivals. Her work bridges archaeology, art history, and cultural anthropology. Awards: Includes the IGNCA Award for Narrative Art (2014), PBRC Research Award (2010), and multiple fellowships for art history research. Teaching & Outreach: Courses span World Art, Asian Art History, and contemporary visual culture. Curated exhibitions on Indus Valley Civilization and modern Indian art.
Jeffrey Shoulson is Professor of English at Brandeis University, serving concurrently as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. His academic career spans roles at the University of Connecticut, Middlebury College, and University of Pennsylvania. Ph.D., Yale University M.Phil., University of Cambridge B.A., Princeton University Specializing in early modern literature and culture, Shoulson's research examines Jewish-Christian intellectual encounters (16th-17th centuries), Bible translation history, and religious cultural intersections. His work bridges literary analysis with historical research on cultural intermediaries. Recent publications analyze early modern moral frameworks (2025), Renaissance global networks (2019), and comparative inquisitorial practices (2023). Articles demonstrate expertise spanning religious ritual (2022), diasporic identity (2017), and Hebraic influence on English literature (2015). Doris and Simon Konover Chair of Judaic Studies (2012-2017) Ruth and Lillian Marino Chair (2014) Salo W. Baron Prize (2002) Fulbright Fellowship (1989-1990) Shoulson's administrative leadership includes directing undergraduate studies while maintaining active research. He has held prestigious fellowships at the Katz Center for Judaic Studies and Fulbright programs.
Professor Yoshihiro Watanabe is affiliated with Waseda University's School of Culture, Media and Society, holding a Doctorate in Literature from the University of Tsukuba. He serves as Specially Appointed Trustee for Cultural Advancement (2023-present) and Principal of Waseda Saga Junior/Senior High School (2018-present). His research focuses on Classical China's formation , Confucian philosophy , and Three Kingdoms history , with significant contributions to understanding Han Dynasty aristocracy, historical perception, and cross-cultural analysis. Key research areas include Classical Chinese historiography Major awards: 2017 Omae Memorial Academic Prize, 2002 Oriental Society Award Current projects: Interdisciplinary study of Classical China (2016-2027) Research trends show consistent focus on Three Kingdoms political/military thought Classical Chinese philosophical texts Historical narrative techniques Confucianism's role in governance Chinese-Japanese cultural exchange Comparative analysis of classical sources Scientific contributions : Author of 12 monographs including Formation of Classical China (2019) Published 51 peer-reviewed articles Principal investigator for three major grants (2005-2016) Regular media contributor for NHK programs since 2008
