Prof. Dr. Jan Eckel is a Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the University of Freiburg . His academic career includes prior professorships at the University of Tübingen (2016-2021) and the University of Cologne (2015-2016). He researches human rights history , transnational politics , and globalization discourses since the late 19th century. Research Focus: Interactions between state/non-state actors, Cold War dynamics, decolonization, and ethical governance frameworks. Grant Involvement: DFG-funded projects, including SFB 923 sub-project on globalization narratives (1990s-2000s). His 15 most recent publications analyze globalization discourses, human rights evolution, and transnational conflict resolution, with keywords spanning 20th-Century History , Political Science , and Conflict Studies . Scientific Awards include the 2024 Opus Magnum Scholarship and multiple honors for historical analysis excellence. He advises seven doctoral students in contemporary history and globalization studies.
Derek H. Kiernan-Johnson is a Teaching Professor at the University of Colorado Law School, specializing in Legal Writing , Appellate Advocacy , and Judicial Opinion Writing . He has taught courses on legal reasoning, document design, and narrative techniques in legal argumentation since joining the faculty in 2007. JD, University of Michigan Law School BA, Princeton University (Religion, Dramatic Performance, Music) His research explores intersections of narrative theory , visual rhetoric , and legal persuasion , with a focus on typography, historical legal contexts, and the performative aspects of law. Publications examine Bluebook overlaps, narrativity in legal writing, and rhetorical influence on judicial decisions. Notable scholarly contributions include analyses of Supreme Court indifference , craft whiskey regulation , and typographic storytelling in legal briefs. He has no listed scientific awards or student advisees in the provided materials. Professional background includes clerking for Justice Michael L. Bender of the Colorado Supreme Court and six years of legal practice at Caplan and Earnest, LLC, representing public-school clients in diverse legal settings.
Jesook Song is a Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto. She serves as Department Chair and Graduate Chair (Tri-Campus), focusing on sociocultural anthropology, contemporary urban transformation, and welfare issues including homelessness, youth unemployment, and single women's housing in East Asia, particularly South Korea. PhD in Cultural Anthropology (2003), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign B.A. in Education Science, Yonsei University Her research examines neoliberal capitalism's impact on welfare systems, labor practices, and gendered experiences in urban South Korea. Key themes include: Financial techniques in everyday life Post-development welfare states Gendered care work in public policy Homelessness and urban marginality Single women's spatial autonomy Recent publications analyze pandemic-era welfare policies, financial subjectivity, and urban marginality. Her books include Living on Your Own (2014) and On the Margins of Urban South Korea (2019). American Anthropological Association Sylvia H. Forman Prize (2002) Academy of Korean Studies Distinguished Paper Award (2010) She has advised graduate students Sophia Jaworski, Celeste Pang, and Kristina Alda, while securing multiple grants from SSHRC, Korea Foundation, and Academy of Korean Studies for research on financial techniques in everyday life and welfare systems.
Fay Yarbrough is the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Graduate Programs and William Gaines Twyman Professor of History at Rice University's School of Humanities. She specializes in 19th-century Native populations of the U.S. Southeast and Indian Territory, focusing on Indigenous-African diaspora interactions. Her research examines tribal sovereignty, race formation, and gender through legal frameworks and colonial dynamics. Education: PhD (Emory University), MA (Emory University), BA (Rice University). Teaches courses on Civil War history, Native history, African American history, and gender studies. Key works include Race and the Cherokee Nation (2008), Choctaw Confederates (2021), and co-edited Gender and Sexuality in the Indigenous Americas (2011). Explores topics like Cherokee marriage laws, Choctaw Civil War participation, and colonial gender manipulation. Affiliated with Rice's Center for the Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality and Center for African & African American Studies. Active in promoting interdisciplinary research on race, Indigenous sovereignty, and gender in historical contexts.
J. Andrew Deman is an Associate Professor in the Teaching Stream at the University of Waterloo, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts. His research spans Graphic Narrative, Comics, Manga, Anime , and Professional Communications , with a focus on gender, sexuality, and cultural representation. PhD in English from the University of Waterloo MA and HBA from Lakehead University Deman’s research interrogates gender subversion in superhero comics (e.g., X-Men ), healing manga (iyashikei), and LGBTQ+ representation in youth-oriented media. His work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement through the SSHRC-funded Sequential Scholars project and a podcast on Sexuality and Gender in Manga . Key publications include The Claremont Run: Subverting Gender in the X-Men (Eisner Award, 2024) and analyses of Julie Doucet, Phoebe Gloeckner, and Superman. His awards include multiple SSHRC grants, the Warren G. Ober Award for Teaching, and the Eisner Award. SSHRC IDG (2025-2029) SSHRC IDRG (2018-2020) Jack Gray Graduate Fellowship (2006) Eisner Award (2024) Deman’s teaching prioritizes safety, inclusion, and critical engagement with emerging texts. He is currently finalizing a manuscript on BDSM in Chris Claremont’s X-Men titled The Claremont Kink .
Kevin Carrico is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies at Monash University and Research Director for the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics. He holds a PhD in Sociocultural Anthropology from Cornell University (2013), focusing on nationalist identification through China's Han Clothing Movement. His research focuses on nationalism theories, ethnic relations in China, Hong Kong politics, and Tibetan history. Notable works include The Great Han: Race, Nationalism, and Tradition in China Today (2017) and Two Systems, Two Countries (2022), the first English-language study of Hong Kong's independence movement. Current projects include ethnographic research on pro-China activists in Taiwan. His work is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Australian Research Council, and Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. He translates Tibetan and Chinese works, including Tsering Woeser's Tibet on Fire and Guan Jun's Silencing Chinese Media .曾为香港苹果日报专栏作家，该报于2021年因政治压力关闭。His media contributions appear in Foreign Policy, the Age, and Hong Kong Free Press. He supervises PhD students researching compatible topics in Chinese politics, nationalism, and cultural studies. Grants include two major projects (2018-2024) on Hong Kong nationalism construction.
Neal R. Feigenson serves as the Lynne L. Pantalena Professor of Law at Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he has been a faculty member since 1987. He teaches core courses including torts, evidence, civil procedure, and visual persuasion in the law, blending doctrinal instruction with interdisciplinary perspectives on legal cognition. Education: BA, University of Maryland JD, Harvard University Professor Feigenson's scholarship fundamentally explores how cognitive and social psychology shapes legal decision-making processes, with particular emphasis on the transformative impact of visual and multimedia evidence in courtroom settings. His research investigates juror perception biases, the psychological mechanisms behind legal blame attribution, and the evolving challenges posed by digital evidence presentation in both physical and virtual courtrooms. This work bridges empirical psychological research with practical legal theory to address critical issues in evidence evaluation and judicial procedure. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a concentrated focus on virtual legal proceedings, demonstrating how video evidence framing influences juror judgments about police conduct and damage awards. His scholarship consistently examines the tension between technological innovation in evidence presentation and foundational legal principles of fairness, credibility assessment, and human interaction within the justice system. Scientific Awards: No specific scientific awards, fellowships, or major honors are documented in the available sources. While detailed information about student advising and research funding is unavailable, Professor Feigenson maintains an active scholarly profile with over 60 publications. His professional activities center on teaching and research within Quinnipiac's law school, where he maintains an office in the School of Law and Education building (Room 110C) and welcomes media inquiries regarding his expertise in legal psychology and evidence law.
Dr. Jenny Benham is a Reader in Medieval History and Co-director of the Centre for Medieval Studies at Cardiff University. Her research focuses on medieval diplomacy, international law, and espionage, with a particular emphasis on treaty negotiations and legal practices. She holds fellowships from the Royal Historical Society and the Higher Education Academy. Education: BA, MA, and PhD in Medieval History from the University of East Anglia. Professional roles include project officer for the AHRC-funded 'Early English Laws' and Research Associate at the University of Copenhagen's Centre for Studies of Legal Culture. Research interests span medieval international law, espionage networks, and the role of treaties in conflict resolution. Notable works include International Law in Europe, 700-1200 (2022) and Peacemaking in the Middle Ages (2011). Awards include a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship (2023-24) and a Senior Fellowship at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (2024-25). She leads collaborative projects like 'Little Birds: Spies and Espionage in the Medieval World' and the international 'Voices of Law' network. Grants and collaborations include funding from the Leverhulme Trust and partnerships with institutions in Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Her current projects explore medieval espionage and the legal frameworks of early medieval diplomacy.
Robert G. Ingram is a Professor of Humanities and Associate Director of the Robert M. Beren Program on Jewish Classical Education at the University of Florida’s Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education. His research focuses on the early history of liberal democracy in the English-speaking world, particularly the intersections of religion and politics. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Virginia (2002), an M.A. in History (1995), and a B.A. in History from the University of the South (1993). Affiliations: Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education, Robert M. Beren Program on Jewish Classical Education Key Roles: Co-editor of the book series Ideas and Practices, 1300–1850 , editor of Capitalism: Histories (forthcoming 2025) His research interests include the Reformation’s legacy in post-revolutionary England, Enlightenment debates on religion and politics, and the role of religious identities in shaping modern political thought. Ingram has authored or co-edited influential works like Reformation Without End (2018), Religious Identities in Britain, 1660–1832 (2017), and Freedom of Speech, 1500–1850 (2020). Ingram’s current projects include a book on The Religion of the State: Sovereignty, Pluralism and Constitutionalism, 1890–1920 and a co-edited volume Liberal Democracy and the Age of Revolution . He also collaborates on scholarly editions of historical texts, including John Lord Hervey’s memoirs and Conyers Middleton’s Free Inquiry into the Miraculous Powers . Awards and Recognition: 2020 Ohio University Presidential Research Scholar Slater Fellow at Durham University (2020) Ingram’s teaching includes courses on God and Science and Civil Discourse and the American Political Order . He actively contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like the Hamilton Center’s programs on classical education and Jewish studies.
Lisa Zehnter is a Researcher at the Center for Civil Society Research within the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, where she contributes to the Manifesto Project—an international initiative analyzing election manifestos from over 60 countries to map party positions and preferences. Her role centers on political communication research using computational text analysis methodologies. Her academic background includes: Doctorate in Populist Political Communication, Humboldt University Berlin Master's Degree in Social Sciences, Humboldt University Berlin Bachelor's Degree in German Literature and Social Sciences, Humboldt University Berlin (with a semester abroad at the University of Gothenburg) Zehnter specializes in the intersection of populism, political discourse, and computational social science. Her work employs advanced text analysis to dissect election manifestos and political communication strategies, particularly examining populist rhetoric, gender-fair language usage, and crisis responses like the pandemic. She develops hybrid methodologies combining manual and automated coding to enhance analytical precision in large-scale textual datasets. Her 2021-2025 publications reveal a concentrated focus on German politics—especially the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party—and cross-national manifesto analysis through the Manifesto Project. Key trends include methodological innovations in text analysis, scrutiny of populist communication during crises, and longitudinal studies of party positioning in European democracies. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. No information regarding student advising or research grants was provided in the available text. She actively participates in the Manifesto Project (MARPOR), the Observatory of Political Texts in European Democracies (OPTED), and a collaborative initiative on hybrid text analysis coding techniques, working within international research teams to advance political text analysis frameworks.
Professor L.M. Bogad is a prominent figure in political performance at the University of California, Davis, serving as Professor of Theatre & Dance and Director of the Center for Tactical Performance. A Guggenheim Fellow and co-founder of the Clown Army, his work integrates performance art with activism, addressing themes like labor rights, climate justice, and social movements. He has performed globally, including at SF MOMA and the Hemispheric Institute, and led workshops in over 20 countries, notably during Egypt’s 2011 revolution. His research focuses on tactical performance strategies, documented in seminal works like *Electoral Guerrilla Theatre* (2020), *Tactical Performance* (2013), and *Performing Truth* (2021). He has secured major grants, including the $150,000 Creative Work Fund/San Francisco Foundation Creative Corps Grant (2023) for *Sinfonia de la Justica*, a farmworker-led performance project. Awards include the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency (2025) and a Wolfsonian Creative Fellowship (2025) to adapt his screenplay *Orwell’s War* into a play. Bogad’s projects often collaborate with nonprofits, such as North Bay Jobs With Justice. His work spans performances like *ECONOMUSIC* (musicalizing economic data) and *Delivering Democracy* (engaging voters via public art). He chairs UC Davis’ Theatre & Dance department and hosts the *Plague* podcast on societal crises. His contributions bridge art and activism, emphasizing humor and radical memory to challenge power structures.
Lee C. Bollinger is Columbia University's President Emeritus and Seth Low Professor of the University, holding full-time faculty status. He earned a B.S. from the University of Oregon (1968) and J.D. from Columbia Law School (1971). His career spans over five decades in academia and legal leadership, marked by transformative initiatives in higher education. As Columbia's longest-serving Ivy League president (2002–2023), he spearheaded projects like the Manhattanville campus expansion, the Columbia Climate School, and global engagement through the Columbia Global Centers. A renowned First Amendment scholar, Bollinger authored influential works on free speech and affirmative action, notably leading the landmark Grutter v. Bollinger case. His academic contributions are complemented by institutional innovations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute and the Data Science Institute. Bollinger has received prestigious awards for his advocacy in civil rights and educational equity, including the Clark Kerr Award and Alexander Hamilton Medal. Education B.S., University of Oregon, 1968 J.D., Columbia Law School, 1971 His research focuses on constitutional law, free speech, and higher education policy. He has pioneered interdisciplinary academic programs and global partnerships while championing affordability and diversity in university admissions. Bollinger’s leadership extended to infrastructure development, including award-winning sustainable buildings like the Manhattanville campus and the Vagelos Education Center at Columbia’s Medical Center. His recent writings explore the intersection of universities, free speech, and authoritarianism, reflecting his ongoing commitment to academic freedom. Major grants and initiatives under his tenure include the Columbia World Projects and the revival of Columbia’s intercollegiate athletics program. His legacy encompasses over 10 authored/co-edited books and extensive media engagement, addressing contemporary legal and societal challenges. Bollinger currently teaches courses on free speech at Columbia Law School while maintaining roles in public policy and governance.
Gastón Espinosa is the Arthur V. Stoughton Professor of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College, a leading scholar in the study of Latino religions, religion and politics, and American religious movements. He has held prestigious visiting positions, including as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Politics at Princeton University and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Münster, Germany. His leadership extends across the Claremont Colleges, where he chaired the Religious Studies Department and the intercollegiate Religious Studies Program. Education: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara Master's, Harvard University Master's, Princeton Theological Seminary Fellow, Dartmouth College His research focuses on American Religions , Latino Religions , Religion and Politics , Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements , and Religion and Civil Rights . He has pioneered large-scale national survey research on Latino religious and political life, directing eight major surveys since 1998, including the landmark Hispanic Churches in American Public Life study funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts. His work bridges theology, sociology, and political science, with a strong emphasis on civic engagement and social justice. His publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of faith, identity, and power. From studies on William J. Seymour and the origins of Pentecostalism to analyses of Latino Muslims and the religious dynamics of presidential elections, his scholarship explores how religion shapes public life, particularly within marginalized communities. His books, published by Harvard, Duke, Oxford, and Columbia University Presses, are foundational in the field. Scientific Awards and Honors: National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship Dartmouth College César Chávez Dissertation Fellowship Princeton Woodrow Wilson Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship Yale Pew Program Summer Fellowship Huggins-Quarles Award (OAH) California Council for the Humanities Grant UC Santa Barbara Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Gould Center Grant Distinguished Visiting Professor, Münster University Espinosa has secured significant research funding and directed major projects, including a $1.3 million Pew-funded initiative and the ongoing Latino Religions and Politics National Survey . He has advised or mentored numerous students, though specific names are not listed. His influence extends through public scholarship, with over 200 presentations at institutions like Harvard, Yale, and the BBC, and frequent citations in major media such as the Los Angeles Times and NPR . He is currently finalizing a new book, Latino Religions and Politics in American Public Life , and serves as co-editor of The Columbia University Press Series in Religion and Politics , shaping the next generation of scholarship in the field.
Ayhan Kaya is Professor at Istanbul Bilgi University's European Institute and Center for Migration Research, specializing in migration, populism, and identity politics. His research analyzes right-wing populism in Europe, diaspora engagement, and EU-Turkey relations, with publications examining civilizational identity construction and migrant labeling processes. Recent work includes studies on Syrian refugees in Turkey, Islamophobia, and the de-Europeanization of migration policies. He directs projects on highly skilled migration and has assessed vulnerability among refugee populations in Istanbul. His books explore transnational identities and the legacy of social movements like #Occupygezi.
Cedric Burrows is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Arizona State University (ASU), specializing in cultural rhetorics, Black rhetoric, and their interpretations in mainstream culture. Previously, he held the same rank at Marquette University. His research explores the intersection of race, rhetoric, and cultural representation, culminating in his award-winning book Rhetorical Crossover: The Black Presence in White Culture (2020), which examines how Black cultural expressions are received and misinterpreted in white-dominated spaces. He has also received the 2020 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Award from Marquette. Education: Ph.D. in English from the University of Kansas, M.A. in English from Miami University (Ohio), and B.A. in English from Alcorn State University. Research interests include African American Studies, Civil Rights history, and decolonial pedagogical practices. His work challenges systemic inequities in education and media representation, emphasizing the 'Black tax' faced by marginalized communicators in white spaces. His scholarship bridges historical analysis (e.g., Malcolm X and MLK narratives) with contemporary issues like textbook bias and microaggressions in academia. Key contributions include critiques of composition textbooks’ handling of non-white voices and advocacy for inclusive curricula. His teaching focuses on the African American Rhetorical Tradition and Black Freedom Movement studies, described as transformative by colleagues.
