Cristina León Alfar is a Professor in the Department of English at Hunter College, CUNY, and an affiliated faculty member of the Department of Women and Gender Studies. Her academic expertise centers on Shakespeare, Renaissance drama, and feminist theory. Teaching: Shakespeare, Early Modern drama, Survey of British Literature, feminist theory. Research: Gender studies, sexuality, political history, marriage law, feminist ethics. Her recent publications explore topics such as modern adaptations of Shakespeare, feminist readings of early modern legal discourse, and ethical resistance in Renaissance drama. Themes in her work emphasize women's agency within patriarchal systems, the subversion of gender norms, and intersections of law and performance. Professor Alfar has edited critical editions and served as series editor for 'Late Tudor and Stuart Drama: Readings in Feminist Theories and Histories.' She also engages in undergraduate advising and teaches special topics courses in feminist Shakespearean analysis. Personal interests include gardening and cat ownership, reflecting her creative and nurturing approach to academic and personal life.
Lyubomir Hristov is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pre-Production and Production, Faculty of Screen Arts at the National Academy of Film and Television Arts (NATFA). He holds a Film and TV Directing degree from NATFA (1991) and became an Associate Professor in 2003. His professional career spans over three decades in film, television, and advertising, with notable achievements in directing feature films, documentaries, TV series, and commercials. Education: 1991: Graduated from NATFA with a major in Film and TV Directing 1991: Senior Assistant in Film and TV Directing at NATFA Research Interests: Lyubomov's work focuses on narrative filmmaking techniques, cross-cultural productions, and innovative approaches in television and advertising. His documentary work emphasizes cultural exploration and historical documentation, while his commercial projects showcase expertise in brand storytelling and cinematic advertising. Key Projects: His filmography includes the award-winning feature film Philip , the 35-part documentary series A Short History of the Future , and international co-productions like Acropolis (Bulgaria-Greece). He has directed TV series such as Insurance and Gladiator , and pioneered advertising campaigns for Hyundai and Infiniti. Professional Roles: Artistic Director of “Seven Days” television (2001) Producer for Bulgarian-Cypriot film Kiprian Member of the Academic 21 Association Grants & Labs: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts, but his work on the Center for Mass Privatization media project involved organizing a large-scale information campaign across media platforms.
Florian GUILLOUX serves as an Associate Professor at Sorbonne University's Faculty of Music and Musicology, where he has held the position of PRAG (Professeur Agrégé) since 2011. His academic responsibilities include co-leading admissions for the Musicology degree program since 2023 and heading the 'Writing and Harmonization on the Keyboard' teaching module since 2016. He previously served on the UFR council from 2014-2019 and managed timetables from 2012-2021, demonstrating deep institutional integration within the university's music department. Guilloux earned his Master's in Music and Musicology from Paris-Sorbonne University with highest honors in 2010, completing a thesis on Disney's 'Part of Your World' under Philippe Cathé. He also holds a Professional Master's in Image Didactics from Sorbonne Nouvelle (2013), the Music Agrégation (2005), and multiple prestigious conservatory diplomas including First Prizes in Clarinet and Musical Training. His formal education culminated with advanced composition certifications from CNSMDP, where he received unanimous honors for orchestration and counterpoint. Specializing in the intersection of music and visual media, Guilloux's research examines film scoring practices across animation, French cinema, and international productions. His work particularly focuses on director-composer collaborations, soundtrack adaptation processes, and the cultural significance of music in animated works. Through the ELMEC research group (Study of Musical Languages on Screen) and the Camille Saint-Saëns Society, he contributes to scholarly discourse on screen music while organizing major conferences including the 2021 French Cinematographic Operetta symposium and the 2018 Serge Gainsbourg international conference. Analysis of Guilloux's 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on animation musicology (40%), French cinema soundtracks (30%), and director-composer relationships (20%). His work demonstrates particular expertise in Japanese anime scoring (UFO Robo Grendiser, Neon Genesis Evangelion), Disney adaptations (Sleeping Beauty), and French auteurs (Gainsbourg, Besson). Temporal analysis shows increasing attention to animation studies since 2019, with recent publications examining Western animation (Lucky Luke) alongside continued French cinema analysis. As an educator, Guilloux has served on national music aggregation juries since 2016 and trained candidates for internal examinations across Parisian academies. His administrative leadership extends beyond university boundaries through board membership at the Cormeilles-en-Parisis Music School (2018-2023), where he served as secretary from 2019. He has also organized masterclasses featuring prominent composers like Gabriel Yared (2014). Guilloux actively contributes to musicological infrastructure through critical editions including Camille Saint-Saëns' Orchestrations (Bärenreiter) and co-editing the 2021 Revue musicale OICRM issue on Gainsbourg and cinema. His audiovisual valorization work includes six music analysis films for Ciclic (2013-2014) and numerous musical arrangements for university concerts, notably orchestrations of Gainsbourg songs and Saint-Saëns' works performed by COSU students. As part of IReMus (Institute for Research in Musicology), he participates in research teams focused on musical heritage preservation and genre analysis.
Leigh H. Edwards is a Professor of English at Florida State University (FSU), part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from Duke University. Her research focuses on 20th- and 21st-century U.S. literature, media studies (including television, film, and new media), and digital humanities, with particular emphasis on multi-platform storytelling and authenticity discourses in popular culture. Edwards has authored influential books such as Dolly Parton (IU Press, 2018, Foreword Book of the Year Gold Medal) and The Triumph of Reality TV (Praeger, 2013). Her work examines media representations of authenticity, celebrity image-making, and cross-media narratives. She serves on the editorial board of Journal of Popular Television and the Advisory Board of The University of Tulsa Institute for Bob Dylan Studies. Her teaching spans media studies, U.S. literature, and digital humanities. Awards include multiple University Teaching Awards at FSU and a National Mellon Fellowship. Her recent articles analyze TV comedy dynamics, streaming platform strategies, and country music’s intersections with religion and digital media. Edwards’ research trends highlight the symbiosis between traditional media forms (e.g., country music, TV) and digital innovation, emphasizing how authenticity is constructed across platforms. She critically examines how nostalgia, regional identity, and corporate synergy shape contemporary media. Key contributions include redefining multi-platform storytelling frameworks and analyzing cultural icons like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash through lenses of digital folk culture and corporate branding. Her work bridges academic rigor with popular culture relevance, offering fresh insights into media’s evolving role in societal narratives.
Dr. Bettina Oeste is a Lecturer at the University of Duisburg-Essen , affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and the Institute of German Studies - Literary Studies/Didactics . Her work bridges academic research and practical application in children's and young adult literature, with a focus on didactic strategies and contemporary representations. Education : 2nd State Examination for Primary School Teaching Doctoral Program in German Studies (University of Duisburg-Essen) 1st State Examination in German, Mathematics, and Catholic Religion Training as a Bookseller High School Diploma Her research explores Children's and Young Adult Literature and Media Didactics , emphasizing contemporary historical narratives, gender representation, and the role of humor in literary learning. She investigates how comedy and humor enhance educational outcomes and addresses the complexities of teaching sensitive topics like death, National Socialism, and environmental issues through literature. Recent publications and projects highlight her work on blended learning models, intermedial horror ballads, and the development of Open Educational Resources (OER). She coordinates doctoral student support via the dokFORUM/Procede initiative and contributes to the di@log project, which provides digital and analogue learning materials for literature didactics. Dr. Oeste actively engages in academic outreach, organizing the annual Author on Site project series that connects students with children's and young adult authors. She also facilitates virtual gatherings focused on promoting reading and addressing pedagogical challenges in primary education.
Ramon Girona Duran serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Philology and Communication at the University of Girona's Faculty of Arts, teaching Cultural Communication, Advertising and Public Relations degrees, and the Master's in Communication and Cultural Studies. He currently holds the position of Vice-Dean of Arts and previously coordinated both the Advertising/Public Relations Degree (2012-2015) and Cultural Communication Degree (2015-2018). His academic foundation includes a bachelor's degree from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a doctorate from the University of Girona. Girona Duran specializes in propaganda cinema, particularly American WWII documentaries like Frank Capra's 'Why We Fight' series, examining their historical and rhetorical strategies. His research extends to film history (early cinema, surrealist movements), public relations theory, and intersections of cinema with advertising and tourism. Recent work analyzes mental health representations in post-war documentaries and rural imagery in contemporary Catalan/Francophone media. His publication trends reveal consistent focus on political communication through film, evolving from WWII propaganda studies to contemporary analyses of rural identity and gender representation. Key subfields include documentary discourse construction, archival footage utilization, and the role of film in shaping collective memory. Scientific awards: No awards or honors are documented in available sources. As an academic administrator, he has led curriculum development for two degree programs while securing competitive research funding. His project portfolio includes EU-funded initiatives like 'Shababuna: our youth' (2021-2023) and nationally funded studies on immigration competencies (2009-2010) and sick body representations in visual media (2022-2025). He actively contributes to the Research Group in Social and Institutional Communication and the Research Group on Theories of Contemporary Art, where interdisciplinary collaborations examine cinema's role in political discourse and cultural memory formation.
Carmen Gitre serves as Associate Professor of Middle East History and Associate Chair of the Department of History at Virginia Tech's College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. She earned her Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2011 and previously taught at Seattle University from 2011-2014 before joining Virginia Tech. Dr. Gitre specializes in the cultural history of modern Egypt, with particular focus on the relationship between performance, identity, and political culture from the late 19th through mid-20th century. Her research examines how theatrical productions, comedy, and other cultural expressions served as sites for political discourse and identity formation during periods of significant social transformation. Her 2019 monograph Acting Egyptian: Theater, Identity, and Political Culture in Cairo, 1867-1930 (University of Texas Press) established her as a leading scholar in this field. Her scholarly output reveals consistent thematic focus on how cultural production in Egypt functioned as political expression. Recent publications demonstrate evolving research into interwar art, performance, and truth-telling, examining how artistic expression documented historical experiences during Egypt's transition to modernity. Her work bridges theater studies, cultural history, and political analysis to illuminate the complex ways Egyptians navigated colonialism and emerging national identity through artistic expression. As Associate Chair of History and former Director of Undergraduate Studies (2023-2024), Dr. Gitre has significantly contributed to departmental leadership. She has served on the Public History and Outreach Committee, College Curriculum Committee, and multiple faculty search committees. Her academic leadership extends to organizing significant events including the Israel-Palestine Crisis Series (2023-2024) featuring expert panels on international law, human rights, and media representation related to Gaza. Dr. Gitre's teaching portfolio includes courses on the History of the Middle East, Arab-Israeli Conflict, Imperialism, and specialized topics like The Politics of Performance . She developed the course Critical Readings and Analysis in History and has been instrumental in shaping historical methodology curriculum for undergraduate students, emphasizing critical engagement with primary sources and understanding cultural production's role in political discourse.
Linda Mizejewski is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on feminist film theory, popular culture, and gender politics, with notable publications including The Americans (2022) and Pretty/Funny: Women Comedians and Body Politics (2015). She has received prestigious awards such as the Susan Koppelman Prize and Fulbright Lecturer appointments in Slovakia and Romania. Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh Mizejewski’s scholarship examines intersections of gender, sexuality, and media, particularly through feminist frameworks. Her work often explores the cultural significance of comedians, romantic comedies, and historical contexts like Weimar Germany. She has developed innovative courses such as 'Feminist Perspectives on Addiction' and serves on the board of Ohio State’s Collegiate Recovery Community. Her recent publications analyze television, silent film comedians, and contemporary stand-up, reflecting broad interests in media’s role in shaping gender norms. Fulbright Lecturer (Slovakia, Romania) National Endowment for the Humanities grant American Council of Learned Societies grant Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award (OSU) Harlan Hatcher Distinguished Faculty Award (OSU) Ratner Award for Distinguished Teaching (OSU) Susan Koppelman Prize (2017) for Hysterical! American Women in Comedy She is also a speaker for the Ohio Humanities Council and contributes to public discussions on feminist and media issues.
Peter Catalanotto is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Writing at Pratt Institute's School of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and is a renowned creator of children's literature, having written and illustrated over 50 books. His works include the Monkey & Robot series and Emily's Art , which received a starred review from School Library Journal. He has presented creatively in 40+ states and teaches Columbia University's first children's book writing course. Education: B.F.A. in Art and Design from Pratt Institute Research & Interests: Catalanotto focuses on blending humor, friendship, and emotional depth in children's stories, often addressing themes like creativity, social dynamics, and moral lessons. His work emphasizes visual storytelling through graphic novels and illustrated narratives. Publications Trends: His books span early readers, graphic novels, and illustrated educational stories, with recurring themes of friendship (e.g., Monkey & Robot ), artistic expression ( Emily's Art ), and problem-solving. Recent works like Flights of Fancy (2022) explore adventure and innovation in storytelling formats. Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book Parents' Choice Silver Medal NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Book Kirkus Best Book of the Year Teaching & Outreach: Teaches at Columbia University, presents at conferences, and advocates for creative writing education. His collaborations include illustrating the White House holiday brochure (2008) and Drexel University's recognition of his contributions to children's literature. Labs/Teams: Works independently as an author-illustrator but collaborates with educators and publishers to develop innovative children's content.
Aasaf Ainapore is a Lecturer in Digital Film Production at the University of Suffolk's School of Technology, Business and Arts. With over 20 years of industry experience, he has directed for television, commercials, and independent film, working with prestigious production houses like Ridley Scott Associates. He holds a background from the London Film School and has been recognized at major creative awards like Cannes Lions and D&AD. His professional career includes directing episodes of BBC's 'Casualty,' developing feature films with major studios (Pathé/Film Four), and creating award-winning short films such as 'Living with the Infidels' and 'Peregrine' (BFI-funded, BBC3-acquired). He actively engages with students through collaborative projects like Film Suffolk's 'Once Upon a Time in Suffolk.' Research interests focus on narrative filmmaking, cross-platform storytelling, and industry-practice integration in education. Teaching specialties include development/pre-production, professional practice, and drama techniques at undergraduate levels. A voting member of BAFTA, he bridges academic instruction with high-profile industry collaborations.
Ivo Volt is a Lecturer in Classical Studies and Editor-in-Chief at the University of Tartu Press, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures. He holds a Doctorate in Classical Philology (2007) and a Research Master’s Degree (2000), both from the University of Tartu. Roles: Editor-in-Chief (0.5 FTE) and Lecturer in Classical Studies (0.5 FTE) since 2024 Prior roles include Research Fellowships, Project Management, and teaching Latin in secondary schools. His research focuses on negative character types in Ancient Greek literature, the history of classical scholarship in Estonia, and the reception of antiquity in Estonian cultural space. Key areas include lexical-semantic analysis of classical texts, translation studies, and the interplay between ethics, comedy, and rhetoric in classical antiquity. Major publications include edited volumes on classical reception, Karl Morgenstern’s scholarly legacy, and contributions to Routledge’s Handbook of Translation Studies. His creative work includes translations of Ancient Greek and Latin texts, such as Theophrastus’ Characters (2000). Awards include the University of Tartu Badge of Distinction (2023). He led projects on antiquity’s reception in Estonia, Baltic intellectual history, and improving the quality of humanistic publications. Admin roles include editorial board memberships and series editorship of Acta Societatis Morgensternianae . Active in academic communities, he is a member of the Morgenstern Society and contributed to shaping institutional policies through roles in Universitas Tartuensis .
Jason Davids Scott is an Associate Professor in the School of Theatre and Film at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University (ASU). They also hold affiliations with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, where they serve as Director of Production for the Educational Media Innovation Studios. Dr. Scott earned a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of California, Santa Barbara, an M.A. in Dramatic Art from the same institution, and a B.F.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Before academia, they had a career as a film publicist and development executive in Los Angeles and New York, working on films such as 'Dazed and Confused' and 'The Crow.' Ph.D., Theatre Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara M.A., Dramatic Art, University of California, Santa Barbara B.F.A., Cinema Studies, New York University / Tisch School of the Arts Dr. Scott’s research spans film and television studies, entertainment industry practices, gender and sexuality, feminist and queer theory, and media ethics. Their work critically examines independent film, stardom, marketing, and the representation of trauma and violence in media. They are particularly invested in inclusive pedagogy and ethical filmmaking practices, having led the development of the Standard Acknowledgment of Filmmaking Ethics (SAFE) protocol to combat harassment and abuse in film production environments. Their publications include the book Everything but the Script: Professional Writing in the Entertainment Industry (2019), contributions to academic volumes on Wes Anderson, Hal Hartley, and Robert Downey Jr., and upcoming essays on trauma in the series Outlander . They have also authored entries in the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stage Directors and Directing . Their scholarly and creative output reflects a deep engagement with both the practical and theoretical dimensions of media production. Dr. Scott is actively involved in public-facing media projects, serving as Coordinating Producer for the PBS series Poetry in America and contributing to the Interplanetary Initiative’s Lessons From the Past . They have facilitated student involvement in major productions such as the IMAX documentary Jane Goodall's Reasons for Hope and Zombified Media on YouTube. Their work bridges academia, industry, and community engagement. As an educator, Dr. Scott teaches courses in film production, writing, ethics, and independent film. They chair the Herberger Institute Faculty Personnel Committee and have played a key role in expanding ASU’s film programs, including the creation of a new B.F.A. degree in 2021. They also advise graduate students in Learning Design and Technologies and support student career development through real-world media projects. Service and leadership include roles with the Mesa Arts Center Foundation, the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and the Mid-Atlantic Popular & American Culture Association (MAPACA). Dr. Scott is gender non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. They reside with their pets: two dogs (Ernie and Bert) and three cats (Catfish John, Loose Lucy, and Jolson).
Jean Randich is an award-winning Professor of Drama at Bennington College, where she has taught since 1995, and at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts since 2004. As co-founder and co-artistic director of Collider Theater in New York City (established 2015), she bridges academic and professional theater worlds through her work exploring cultural collisions and cross-cultural narratives. Her educational background includes an MFA from Yale School of Drama, an MA in Creative Writing from Brown University, and a BA magna cum laude in English and American Literature from Brown University. This strong academic foundation informs her multifaceted approach to theater as both an educator and practitioner. Randich's creative work centers on innovative approaches to directing, with particular focus on new works development, musical theater, opera, and feminist reinterpretations of classics. Her directing portfolio spans contemporary plays, adaptations of classic texts, and original works that challenge conventional theatrical boundaries. She has developed a distinctive style that emphasizes cultural intersections, with recent work exploring Asian and Black American women in jazz, feminist adaptations of Grimm's fairy tales, and cross-cultural narratives set in the Amazon rainforest. Her fifteen most recent works reveal a consistent pattern of engagement with social issues, cultural identity, and innovative theatrical forms. Randich frequently collaborates with playwrights to develop new works while also bringing fresh perspectives to established texts, often employing color-blind casting and interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate music, visual art, and multimedia elements. NEA/TCG Director Fellowship Fox Foundation Grant ($10,000) Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Grant Mabou Mines Residency Best Drama Award (NY International Fringe Festival, 2000) United Solo Festival Award for Best Adaptation (2013) Finalist for LA Press Club National Journalism Award (2013) Nominated for Connecticut Broadway World Award (2018) Randich has mentored numerous emerging theater artists through her teaching positions and professional productions. Her Collider Theater serves as both a creative laboratory and performance venue dedicated to work exploring cultural collisions. The company has developed a reading series of underrepresented voices and produced innovative new works that challenge conventional theatrical boundaries. Randich's approach to directing emphasizes collaborative creation, with particular attention to how cultural differences can create productive artistic tension. Her work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations with composers, visual artists, and scholars across multiple fields.
Stacey Abbott is Professor of Film at Northumbria University's School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries. A renowned expert in horror and genre studies, she has authored influential works on vampire cinema, television horror, and science fiction. Her research examines the evolution of horror genres across film and television, with particular focus on vampire narratives and supernatural television. Professor Abbott's scholarship explores: Cultural representations of vampires and zombies Evolution of horror genres in global television Gender representations in genre media Television spin-offs and cult series She serves on editorial boards for multiple academic journals including Science Fiction Film and Television and Horror Studies, and has supervised PhD research on topics ranging from found footage horror to feminist vampire narratives. Professor Abbott frequently contributes to public discourse through appearances at film festivals, museum events, and media outlets including BBC Culture, Empire Magazine, and NPR.
John O'Flynn is a Professor of Music at Dublin City University (DCU), where he teaches courses in popular music, film music, music sociology, and choral performance. He previously held roles including Head of Music at St Patrick's College, DCU, and has led programs such as the BA Music and MA in Music. His research focuses on film music, decolonization, Irish music, and music education. He has authored eight books and numerous articles, and his work includes internationally funded projects. O'Flynn has received research fellowships from the Irish Research Council, An Foras Feasa, and St Patrick's College, along with teaching excellence awards. He actively participates in academic leadership roles, including as President of the Society for Musicology in Ireland and founding chair of the Society for Music Education in Ireland. He curates DCU's Lunchtime Concert Series and previously managed the Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival. His current monograph explores music and colonialism in 20th-century film. Education: Extensive academic career with roles in teaching and administration. Research Interests: Film music, decolonization, popular music, music in Ireland, intercultural practices, choral inclusion, and music education. Awards: Multiple research fellowships and teaching awards. Grants: Leads projects on cultural heritage, choral pedagogy, and music in political contexts. Students: Supervises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Professional Activities: Editorial board roles, international conference participation, and consultancy for agencies like the Irish Research Council and EU bodies. Labs/Teams: Involved in collaborative projects such as In-Choir4Empowerment and Empires of Sound. Outreach: DCU community initiatives and cultural festivals.
