Jasmina Lukic is a Professor in the Department of Gender Studies at Central European University (CEU). She serves as the Principal Investigator for the HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Network project EUTERPE (2022-2026), focusing on European Literatures and Gender in Transnational Perspective. Her academic work spans transnational feminism, post-Yugoslav literature, and interdisciplinary research methodologies. Education: Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, University of Belgrade. Research Areas: Gender Studies, Transnational Literature, Post-Yugoslav Societies, Interdisciplinary Methods. Projects: EUTERPE (2022-2026), STINT (2016-2019), Research Integration (2004-2006). Courses: Traveling Concepts in Gender Studies, Narrating Worlds, Feminism and Community, Strategies of Reading. Her recent publications explore themes such as feminist transnational convergences, literary transduction, memory politics in Dasa Drndić’s work, and gendered approaches to realism. Articles like The Transnational Turn and Scherezade in Exile (forthcoming, 2023) emphasize cross-border solidarity and feminist reinterpretation of literary genres. Her work bridges feminist theory, comparative literature, and post-conflict analysis. Notable affiliations include co-editing Times of Mobility: Literature and Gender in Translation (2019) and contributing to debates on War, Literature, and Ethics (2019). She actively engages in academic events like the book launch Soul, Body, and Gender in Late Antiquity (2024) and feminist conferences.
Professor Imre Hamar, holding a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree, serves as Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies and Head of the Department of Chinese Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). He earned his PhD in 1997, habilitated in 2004, and became a full professor in 2008. His academic leadership spans multiple institutions, including directing the ELTE Confucius Institute since 2006. Doctor of Science (DSc) - Institute of East Asian Studies Professor - Department of Chinese Studies Director - Confucius Institute (since 2006) A leading scholar in Chinese Buddhism with a specialization in Huayan philosophy, Hamar has dedicated decades to studying Tang Dynasty religious thought, Buddhist exegesis, and classical Chinese texts. His research traces the development of Buddhist doctrines in China and their cross-cultural transmission through Central Asia. He has taught Chinese religious history, classical Chinese texts, and Buddhist philosophy across undergraduate and postgraduate levels at ELTE. His academic publications focus on the Huayan tradition , Avatamsaka-sutra interpretations, and Yogacara-Huayan synthesis . Recent works examine syncretism in Chinese Buddhist commentaries and the cult of Mount Wutai, reflecting his ongoing engagement with Buddhist sacred geography. Scientific recognition includes: Pro Universitate Award (Gold Level, 2010) Excellent Confucius Institute Director Award (2011) Fulbright Fellowship (University of Virginia, 2008-2009) Numata Guest Professorship (Hamburg University, 2010) He has received multiple research grants from the Japan Foundation, DAAD, and Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. His editorial work includes co-editing Reflecting Mirrors: Perspectives on Huayan Buddhism (2007) and several volumes in the ELTE Sinological Workshop series.
Matthias Riedl is Associate Professor in the Department of Historical Studies at Central European University (CEU), where he is also a member of the Center for Religious Studies and the Doctoral School of History. He holds affiliations with the Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies and has taught extensively in comparative political thought and religious history. His academic career includes prior roles as Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Visiting Assistant Professor at Duke University, and Visiting Lecturer at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. His educational background includes an M.A. and Ph.D. (summa cum laude) from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. His research lies at the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on intellectual history, apocalypticism, and radical religious movements from late antiquity to the early modern period. He has a strong interest in comparative frameworks, including non-Western political thought and religious dissent across cultures. Riedl’s recent publications explore themes such as apocalyptic violence, the political theology of Thomas Müntzer and Joachim of Fiore, and the secularization of religious concepts in modern ideologies. His work bridges historical analysis with philosophical inquiry, often engaging with theorists like Eric Voegelin and Karl Löwith. The articles reflect a consistent focus on millenarian thought, revolutionary agency, and the symbolic continuity of apocalyptic traditions across epochs. Among his scientific contributions are numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes on topics ranging from the ordering of time to the city as a symbolic center. Though no formal awards are listed, his extensive publication record and international academic engagements reflect scholarly recognition. Riedl has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s students on diverse topics including church-state relations, religious violence, and comparative theology. He has directed multiple international summer schools on religion and politics, often in collaboration with institutions like Duke University. His research is supported by long-term projects and interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly through the Eranos Conferences. He is actively involved in research groups and has contributed to collective works on prophets, time, and the secular sphere in theology. His ongoing monograph on Thomas Müntzer underscores his commitment to understanding revolutionary religious thought in historical context.
Kata Gyuris is an Assistant Professor at Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Department of English Studies, specializing in African literature, gender studies, and trauma theory. She holds a PhD in comparative African literature with a focus on violence in contemporary Anglophone and Francophone fiction, currently adapting her dissertation into a book. Visiting scholar at University of Kwazulu-Natal’s School of Oriental and African Studies Co-organized 2019 conference on Performativity in Contemporary Culture Co-authored Turning the Page: Gendered Identities in Contemporary Literary and Visual Cultures (2018) Her research intersects African literature with gender studies , trauma analysis , and postcolonial discourse , examining how violence and identity are represented in works by authors like Coetzee, Adichie, and Le Clézio. Her recent articles explore feminist narrative structures in African coming-of-age stories and ethics of reconciliation in apartheid literature. While no explicit scientific awards are documented, her scholarly output spans critical essays on postcolonial allegory, queer theory, and intertextuality across Hungarian, English, and French contexts.
Attila Simon is a Professor at the Department of Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest. He earned his Ph.D. with a thesis on Aristotle’s aesthetics and holds the title of Doctor of Science (DSc). His academic work focuses on ancient Greek drama, literary theory (both ancient and contemporary), and intersections of culture and media. Education: Ph.D. in Aristotle’s aesthetics; Doctor of Science (DSc) status. Simon’s research explores themes like classical reception , media history , and biopoetics , often bridging philosophical and literary analysis. His publications address Aristotle’s political philosophy, Cicero’s oratory techniques, trauma in modern literature, and the cultural implications of ancient texts. His recent studies include analyses of Plato’s Phaedrus and Cicero’s De Oratore , alongside contributions to edited volumes on biopoetics and media theory. Key collaborative works include co-edited volumes with scholars like Zoltán Kulcsár-Szabó and Roland Végső. Scientific Awards: DAAD grant (2018) for research on Plato’s Phaedrus. NKFIH grants (120375, 128492) for media history studies. Funding from Aktion Österreich-Ungarn for 2022 research.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Eva Banki is an Associate Professor at the Department of Ancient and Classical Hungarian Literature, Institute of Hungarian Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Previously, she served as a Lecturer at ELTE BTK (Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Arts). Her academic career spans medieval literature, world literature, and creative writing. Banki earned her PhD in Romance studies/world literature from ELTE BTK in 1999 with a dissertation titled "Lyrical temporal relations in Provençal troubadour poetry." She completed her MA in Hungarian language and literature – Portuguese language and literature at ELTE BTK in 1991-92. She has advanced proficiency in Portuguese, intermediate in German, and reading comprehension in Spanish, Italian, and French. Her research focuses on medieval literature, particularly Provençal troubadour poetry, world literature, and creative writing. She has made significant contributions to the study of hard-boiled crime fiction in Hungarian literature and courtly literature. Her scholarly work explores themes of identity, time, cultural memory, and political discourse across historical periods and literary traditions, bridging medieval studies with contemporary literary analysis. Banki's recent publications demonstrate a scholarly trajectory examining Arthurian legends, chivalric romances, and medieval poetry while engaging with modern Hungarian authors like Tar Sándor and Bodor Ádám. Her work consistently explores the intersections of identity, politics, and literary form across historical periods, with particular attention to narrative structure and symbolic representation. Fiction Observer Award (2004) Mikes Kelemen Award (2008) Fiction Writers Award (2021) Attila József Award (2024) Literary Magazine Award (2024) Banki has been actively involved in doctoral education, serving as an opponent at doctoral defenses for topics including female characters in French literature, gender and structure in Bernardim Ribeiro's novel, and contemporary Brazilian literature. She co-founded the Creative Writing specialization at her institution with István Géher in 2014 and has served as subject manager for multiple courses including World Literature and Translation in Culture. She participates in several research groups including the Latin America Research Group (KRE), the Hungarian Branch of the International Courtly Literature Society, and the Contemporary Central European Novel Research Group (KRE), reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to literary studies across historical periods and cultural contexts.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Thomas Cooper holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Indiana University (2003) and an MA in Central Euro-Asian Studies (1998). He is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of English Literatures and Cultures. Previously, he served as Associate Professor at Eszterházy Károly College and Assistant Director at Columbia University's Institute for Comparative Literature and Society. Cooper's research focuses on literary history, translation theory, and the interplay of culture and narrative. His recent articles explore topics such as storytelling techniques, cultural mediation in translation, and the literary impact of 20th-century historical events like the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. His work also intersects with musicology, analyzing tonal innovations in Ferenc Liszt's compositions. Scientific Awards: György Ránki Award (1998) Cooper has held guest teaching and research roles, including at Columbia University (2006), and presented at the United Nations Study Group on Languages (2015). His linguistic expertise includes near fluency in French, German, and Hungarian, alongside native English proficiency.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Csaba Horvath (born 1967) is an associate professor at the Department of Modern Hungarian Literature and Comparative Literature within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár Reformed University. He holds a habilitation from ELTE (2017) and earned his PhD from ELTE in 2002 with a dissertation on 'Education and narration in the European novel.' Previously, he worked as a senior research fellow at the Petőfi Literary Museum and as a secondary school teacher at Óbudai Gimnázium. His educational background includes an MA in Hungarian language and literature from ELTE (1993) and a Diploma in advanced studies from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris (1994). Horvath's research focuses on contemporary Hungarian literature, 20th century Hungarian literature, aesthetics, literary theory, and popular culture, with particular emphasis on post-postmodern and epimodern literary theory. Horvath has published extensively from 1995 to 2025, with recent work exploring epimodern Hungarian literature, contemporary narrative structures, and the relationship between literature and philosophy. His publications reveal a consistent engagement with Hungarian literary modernity and its evolution through postmodern and epimodern phases, examining how contemporary Hungarian authors navigate historical consciousness, narrative form, and aesthetic innovation. National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) Project No. 150051: 'Researches of ERA (Epimodern Research Atelier)' Contemporary Central European Novel Research Group Hungarian Literary History for Foreigners MTA-ELTE Elegy research group Lajos Grendel research group Biofiction Research Group Horvath has served as a doctoral supervisor for Adam Barta (ELTE, 2023) and as an opponent in doctoral defenses for Janos Fejes (2018), Deák Szebeni Imola (2024), and András Pikó (2025). He has held numerous guest professorships across Europe including at Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris (2006, 2012), Charles University in Prague (2019, 2022), Nouvelle Sorbonne in Paris 3 (2021, 2023), and the University of Warsaw (2023).
Éva Péteri is an Associate Professor at the School of English and American Studies , Department of English Studies , Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest. Her academic work bridges literature, art history, and cultural studies, with a focus on Victorian visual culture and its intersections with Hungarian artistic traditions. Academic Rank: Associate Professor Institution: Eötvös Loránd University Contact: peteri.eva@btk.elte.hu Her research explores Pre-Raphaelite art, Shakespearean visual adaptations, and the cultural memory of British literature in Hungary. She has extensively analyzed Victorian religious imagery, interlibrary cooperation systems, and the socio-political dimensions of 19th-century British painting. Key article trends include: Victorian art's symbolic and moral dimensions Intermedial adaptations of literary works Cultural exchange between British and Hungarian art Documentation of urban and historical narratives in painting Periodical monitoring systems for academic resources Her publications also address library science challenges, including interlibrary loans and digital resource management (2008-2018), though no formal scientific awards are listed. She has not provided student advisement records in available texts.
Vera Benczik serves as Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department of American Studies at Eötvös Loránd University's School of English and American Studies in Budapest. She is a founding member of the EASPop popular culture research group and maintains active roles in both institutional leadership and scholarly communities. Her academic foundation includes: Studies in English and Assyiriology at Eötvös Loránd University PhD in American Studies (2011) focusing on journey motifs in Ursula K. Le Guin's science fiction Dr. Benczik's research centers on science fiction with specialization in post-apocalyptic narratives and Ursula K. Le Guin's works . She explores intersections of space/place dynamics , gender studies , and environmental themes within speculative fiction, while maintaining parallel expertise in Margaret Atwood's writings and Canadian women's literature. Her current project examines spatial representations in post-apocalyptic science fiction. Her publication trajectory reveals consistent engagement with Hungarian cultural contexts through analyses of local interpretations of American science fiction, particularly regarding apocalyptic themes. The body of work demonstrates evolving focus from Le Guin studies toward contemporary post-apocalyptic discourse with strong environmental humanities dimensions. Her scholarly recognition includes: Fulbright Research Scholarship at Notre Dame University (2017) ESSE Research grant for Liverpool University (2013) CEACS Conference grant (2011) As Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs, Dr. Benczik shapes departmental research direction while leading the EASPop research group. Her academic profile reflects sustained commitment to bridging Hungarian and international scholarship through comparative analyses of science fiction's cultural implications, with particular attention to how apocalyptic narratives function as social commentary in Central European contexts.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Joop van der Horst is an associate professor at Károli Gáspár Reformed University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, specializing in Dutch Studies. Previously, he held professorial roles at KU Leuven and the University of Amsterdam. PhD in Linguistics (University of Amsterdam, 1986) MA in Dutch Language and Literature (Leiden University, 1975) His research spans historical linguistics, focusing on grammaticalization, collocations, and language change, as well as descriptive linguistics (syntax, morphology) and sociolinguistics. He has extensively studied fixed verb constructions, Dutch-French grammatical comparisons, and long-term language-society interactions. His publications and conference contributions from 2002-2013 highlight trends in Dutch syntax evolution, comparative German-Dutch verb patterns, and the decline of Renaissance language culture in Europe. Key themes include grammatical theory, European multilingualism, and language education reforms. LOT Publication Award Our Language Award He has supervised PhD students Freek Van de Velde, Judith Schonenboom, and Bert Cappelle, while serving as an opponent in doctoral defenses including Evie Coussé and Rinaldo Neels. His guest professorships include institutions in Berlin, Maastricht, Cologne, Münster, and Wroclaw.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Miklos Peti is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Literatures and Cultures at the Institute of English Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest, Hungary. With a PhD in English literature from the University of Szeged (2007), his academic career spans multiple institutions including the University of Pécs and József Attila High School. His scholarly work focuses on the intersections between early modern English literature, classical reception, and Milton studies, with particular expertise in the reception of Greek epic and lyric in Renaissance literature. PhD (2007) : English literature, 'Homeric interpretations in 16th–17th century English literature' from University of Szeged MA (2002) : Ancient Greek from University of Szeged MA (2001) : Comparative literature from University of Szeged MA (1998) : English language and literature from University of Szeged Peti's research centers on early modern English literature with a special focus on the reception of classical works, particularly Greek epic and lyric poetry, in 16th-17th century England. His scholarship explores Milton's engagement with classical traditions, examining how Homeric elements were transformed in Paradise Lost and other works. He investigates textual criticism through the lens of hypertextuality and orality-literacy transitions, while also examining Milton's reception in various historical periods including the Augustan age and modernism. His work bridges literary analysis with cultural history, particularly regarding how classical traditions were transmitted and transformed across centuries. Analysis of Peti's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Milton studies, particularly examining Paradise Lost through multiple lenses including classical reception, translation history, and performance studies. His work demonstrates growing interest in Cold War-era Milton reception in Eastern Europe, as seen in his 2022 book 'Paradise from behind the Iron Curtain.' The publications show interdisciplinary connections between literary studies, theater history, and cultural politics, with increasing attention to Hungarian contexts of literary reception. His scholarship combines close textual analysis with broader cultural and historical frameworks. Publication of the year KRE BTK (2020) Instructor of the Year KRE BTK (2019) 3rd place, youth performance competition (2013) ESSE Bursary (2014, 2017, 2020) Peti has served as an opponent in doctoral defenses for dissertations including 'The 1608 King Lear Quarto in Context' (2010) and 'Protean Vicissitude and Milton's Paradise Lost' (2012). His research has been supported by significant grants including the János Bolyai Research Scholarship (2011-2014) and the OTKA-funded project for the critical edition of the Hungarian translation of Paradise Lost (2012-2016). He has coordinated international research projects, including a joint initiative between the University of Hull and University of Szeged (2000-2001), demonstrating his capacity for collaborative scholarship across national boundaries. As a member of the editorial board for The AnaChronisT , Peti contributes to academic publishing in English studies. His professional affiliations include the Hungarian Society for the Study of English (HUSSE), Milton Society of America, Hungarian Society of Ancient Studies, and Renaissance Society of America, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work. He has organized significant academic events, notably the 'Milton Through the Centuries' international conference in 2008, and has presented his research at numerous international venues across Europe and North America.
Tijana Krstic is a Professor in the Department of Historical Studies at Central European University (CEU), where she conducts research and teaches on the early modern Ottoman Empire and its religious, cultural, and social dynamics. She is affiliated with the Doctoral School of History and the Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies and the Center for Religious Studies at CEU. From 2015 to 2021, she led the ERC-funded OTTOCONFESSION project, which explored the formation of Sunni orthodoxy in the Ottoman Empire and its connections with Christian confessional developments in Europe. PhD in History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1998–2004) MA in History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1998–1999) B.A. in History and Southeast European Studies, American University in Bulgaria (1994–1998) Her research focuses on religious conversion, confessionalization, Ottoman-Muslim identity, and cross-cultural interactions in the early modern Mediterranean. She examines how narratives of conversion shaped imperial identity and religious orthodoxy, and how Ottoman intellectual and religious life evolved in dialogue with broader Eurasian developments. Her work often draws on understudied sources, including conversion narratives, polemical texts, and diplomatic records. Her recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with the themes of religious identity, orthodoxy, and interconfessional dynamics. She has published on Morisco refugees, Ottoman catechisms, intertextuality in religious polemics, and the role of interpreters in imperial diplomacy. Her research demonstrates how the Ottoman Empire was deeply interconnected with early modern European religious transformations. European Research Council Consolidator Grant (OTTOCONFESSION project, 2015–2020) Krstic has advised and collaborated with numerous scholars and research teams. She currently represents CEU on the Board of Directors of the Cluster of Excellence 'Eurasian Transformations' (EurAsia), funded by the Austrian Science Fund, coordinating research and teaching with international partners. Her work continues to shape the field of Ottoman and early modern religious history.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Péter Balla is a distinguished University Professor and current International Relations Vice-Rector at Károli Gáspár Reformed University (KRE), where he has served since 1994. He is Head of the New Testament Department at the Faculty of Theology and has held numerous leadership positions including Rector (2011-2019), Religious Vice-Rector, and previously served as Deputy Dean. His academic journey began with theological studies at the University of Edinburgh, where he earned his PhD in 1994 with a dissertation on New Testament theology. Ball has made significant contributions to New Testament scholarship with his research focusing on Pauline studies, New Testament canon history, biblical exegesis, and the child-parent relationship in biblical context. His major publications include commentaries on Galatians and 2 Corinthians, as well as foundational works on New Testament writings and theology. His scholarly approach combines rigorous textual analysis with historical contextualization and contemporary application. Ball's academic output demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical theological questions and practical biblical interpretation. His works span from detailed linguistic studies of New Testament Greek to broader examinations of New Testament theology's coherence and relevance. The trajectory of his scholarship shows increasing focus on the practical application of biblical texts in contemporary contexts while maintaining scholarly rigor. Bolyai Plaque (2009) from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Pro Universitate Award (2019) from KRE Soli Deo Gloria Award (2019) from Nagykőrösi Reformed Church Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary (2024) As a dedicated educator, Ball has supervised numerous doctoral students and served on various academic committees. His research has been supported by prestigious grants including multiple MTA Bolyai János Research Scholarships and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards. Internationally, he has maintained significant academic connections, particularly with Stellenbosch University in South Africa where he served as Research Fellow and Research Associate for over a decade. His work bridges Hungarian Reformed theological tradition with international scholarly discourse in New Testament studies.
Petra Bozsoki is a Lecturer at the Institute of Hungarian Literature and Cultural Studies , Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest. She serves as an editor for the Verso Journal of Literary History and contributes to academic discourse on 19th-century Hungarian women's literature and intellectual history. Her research focuses on women's history-writing , gender roles , and feminist theory , particularly analyzing the works of Emília Kánya, Hungary's first female journal editor. Her publications explore the intersection of gender , national identity , and market strategies in 19th-century Hungarian periodicals. Key trends in her 2023–2013 publications include: methodological innovations in women's history gendered editorial strategies cultural memory of feminist pioneers analysis of patriotic women's roles critique of gender narratives in literature
