Juliet Sugg is an Associate Lecturer affiliated with the London College of Communication at the University of the Arts London. She is a freelance artist specializing in narrative and performance-based work, blending drawing, sculpture, performance, and installation to create immersive 'live' graphic novels. Her practice emphasizes viewer engagement, inviting audiences to interact with confessional and surreal narratives that blur autobiography and myth. Educational Background: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts. Her research focuses on illustration, performance, and sequential art, with a particular interest in folk and confessional art forms. Sugg’s work often challenges categorical boundaries, creating confrontational yet visually inviting imagery. She has been commissioned by institutions like the Whitechapel Gallery, Southbank Centre, and Whitstable Biennale. In teaching, she prioritizes student agency, fostering ambitious voices in contemporary illustration practice and academia. No academic publications or grants are listed in the provided data. She collaborates through her artistic practice and maintains an external website for professional engagements.
Dr. Peter Maber is Head of Faculty and Associate Professor in English at Northeastern University London, where he also serves as Lead on Academic Engagement. He holds a PhD (2005), MPhil in American Literature (2001), and BA/MA in English (2000) from the University of Cambridge. Previously, he taught English and American Literature at Cambridge. His research spans three primary domains: twentieth-century American poets (Delmore Schwartz, Robert Lowell, John Berryman, Sylvia Plath); interdisciplinary poet-painter relationships from early modernism to contemporary practice; and a co-edited volume on Cambridge poet Frances Cornford. Additional scholarly contributions include art criticism for The Times Literary Supplement and entries for the Stanford Global Shakespeare Encyclopedia. Publications reflect deep engagement with literary-artistic intersections, particularly Shakespearean reception, Berryman studies, and St Ives modernists. Recurring themes include verbal-visual communication, confessional poetry, and transatlantic modernism. Current pedagogical development includes founding Academic Writing instruction and creating courses like 'British Drama and the London Stage' and 'Cultures of London'.
Alan Canonica is a Lecturer and Project Manager at the Lucerne School of Social Work (HSLU), leading the Competence Centre for Social Policy and Organization. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Basel (2018) and a Licentiate in History, Religious Studies, and Sociology. His academic career includes roles as a researcher at the University of Basel and the Canton of Zug Social Office before joining HSLU in 2021. Education : 2018: PhD in History, University of Basel 2008: Licentiate in History, Religious Studies, Sociology Research Interests : Canonica focuses on social policy, labor market integration for persons with disabilities, social planning methodologies, and historical analyses of welfare systems. He employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining historical research with contemporary social science methods. Key Projects : Development of a project plan for revising laws on social institutions in Canton Schwyz Needs analysis for disability services in multiple Swiss cantons (Solothurn, Schaffhausen, etc.) Studies on home-based care financing and workplace inclusion policies Grants & Labs : He leads the Competence Centre, coordinating interdisciplinary teams on social policy projects. His work often involves collaborations with cantonal governments and NGOs, focusing on evidence-based policy development.
Eleni Gara is an Associate Professor in Ottoman History at the Department of Social Anthropology and History, University of the Aegean. She holds a PhD from the University of Vienna and has conducted postdoctoral research at Princeton University. Her expertise spans the social and political history of the Ottoman Balkans, early modern Greek society, interreligious relations, and popular protest movements. Education: Bachelor’s in History and Archaeology, University of Athens Postgraduate studies at University of Vienna’s Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies and Institute for Oriental Studies PhD in History, University of Vienna (2001) Research Interests: Focus on Ottoman social dynamics, including interfaith interactions, rural and urban economies, legal frameworks, and popular uprisings. Her work analyzes the lived experiences of diverse communities under Ottoman rule, emphasizing gender, class, and religious identity. Teaching and Affiliations: Teaches courses on Ottoman history, Balkan studies, and early modern social transformations. Active in research networks such as the Comité International d’Études Pré-ottomanes et Ottomanes and the Historiography in Ottoman Europe project (Ruhr-University Bochum). She contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives, including ethnographic studies of language history and kinship dynamics. Recent Research Trends: Recent articles explore Ottoman governance structures (e.g., Sultan-vizier relations), interfaith marriage practices, and the socio-political context of 17th-18th century revolts. Her work bridges micro-historical analysis with macro-structural shifts in the empire. Labs/Teams: Participates in the Research Laboratory for Ethnographic Approaches, Family and Kinship Studies Lab, and Ethnography Lab at the University of the Aegean.
Adrian Blevins is a Professor of English and Creative Writing at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where she also directs the Creative Writing Program. Education: M.F.A. in Poetry, Warren Wilson College (2002) M.A. in Fiction, Hollins University (1990) B.A. in English, Virginia Intermont College (1986) Current Courses: EN279 Poetry Writing I EN322 American Poetry Now: Edgy Post-Confessional Strain Research Expertise: Blevins specializes in Contemporary American Poetry , particularly post-confessional styles, Appalachian cultural narratives, and the intersection of poetic form with personal memoir . Her work often explores themes of motherhood , regional identity , and emotional resilience . Scientific Awards: Wilder Prize (Two Sylvias Press) Kate Tufts Discovery Award Rona Jaffe Writer’s Foundation Award Publications: Recent books include Status Pending (Four Way Books, 2023), Appalachians Run Amok , and Walk Till the Dogs Get Mean (co-edited collection of Appalachian essays).
Professor Sumita Choudhury holds the Evalyn Clark Chair in History at Vassar College, where she has taught since 1997. She specializes in gender, political culture, and religion in early modern France, with a focus on sexual abuse and institutional power dynamics. Her research bridges religious history, gender studies, and legal history, analyzing how marginalized voices shaped societal structures. Education: BA, Haverford College (1985); MA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1988); PhD, Northwestern University (1997). Her major works include Convents and Nuns in Eighteenth-Century French Politics and Culture (2004), The Wanton Jesuit and the Wayward Saint (2015), and a co-edited volume on Enlightenment France (2019). Current projects examine sexual abuse in the French Catholic Church. She has received NEH fellowships and the Millstone Prize, and will hold an IAS fellowship (2025–26) to complete her book The Silent Chain . Teaching includes courses on the French Revolution, early modern Europe, and gender/sexuality studies. She serves on the editorial board of French Historical Studies and frequently contributes to media discussions on historical parallels to modern issues like AI ethics and sexual misconduct. Grants/Fellowships: NEH Fellowships (x2), IAS Membership, Millstone Prize Public Engagement: Media commentary on Epstein case, Kavanaugh hearings, Iranian protests
Karl O'Hanlon is a Lecturer in English at Maynooth University's Faculty of Arts and Humanities. He serves as Research Postgraduate Coordinator and contributes to the Faculty Research Committee (2021-2024). His work bridges modern and contemporary poetry with political, cultural, and theological dimensions. Education BA Hons in English (Queen's University Belfast, Esther Ballantine Prize) PhD (University of York) Postdoctoral: Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at University of Leeds Grants: Fulbright (Georgetown), RIA Charlemont, Provost's Grant Research Interests : • Modern and contemporary poetry with emphasis on Irish, British, and U.S. traditions • Poetry and politics (revolution, state violence, feminism, decolonialism) • Translation studies and transatlantic literary networks Publication Trends : His scholarship focuses on intersections between modernist poetics and political history, including analyses of Yeats, Berryman, Hill, and mid-20th century migrant writers like Ferdinand Levy. Recent work explores decolonial cosmopolitanism and Irish poetry beyond regionalism/nationalism. Scientific Awards : Roman Ingarden Fellowship (2023) Faculty Early Career Researcher Award (2022) Provost's Grant for archival research (2023) Shortlisted for Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award (2023) Advising & Grants : Supervises MA dissertations on topics including H.D., Yeats, Irish women's poetry, and creative prose. As PI for the €169,501 BRAN project (2022-2025), he fostered cross-border collaboration with Queen's University Belfast and delivered symposia in Dublin/Belfast. Labs & Teams : Co-founder of Maynooth's ECR/Postdoctoral Network. Collaborates with Special Collections on archival acquisitions (Tom O'Brien papers) and public poetry initiatives like Poetry Jukebox installations.
Niels De Nutte is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), specializing in History and Ethics. His academic roles include serving as Associate Editor of the Secular Studies journal (De Gruyter Brill) and Associate Director of the International Society for Historians of Atheism, Secularism, and Humanism. He holds an unpaid guest professorship in History, Archeology, Arts, Philosophy, and Ethics. De Nutte earned a Master's degree in 2014 from VUB under Prof. J. Tyssens, focusing on euthanasia advocacy in Flanders. His doctoral thesis (2025) explores the right-to-die in Belgium from the 1920s to 1993. He is actively involved in research projects such as the Brussels Centre for Religious and Secular Studies (BCRS) and the Dispersed Heritage of Belgian Secular Periodicals initiative. His research interests center on secular humanism, euthanasia advocacy, Belgian legal and societal attitudes toward death, and the historical interaction between non-religious groups and state institutions. Notable contributions include analyzing murder trials influencing euthanasia debates and tracing secularist funding dynamics in Flanders. De Nutte has received three competitive fellowships: a 2025 grant for conference participation in Kraków, a 2023 short research stay at the University of Chicago, and a 2025 award for interdisciplinary medical-ethical research. He frequently presents at international conferences and contributes to policy debates on secularism and end-of-life ethics. He collaborates with organizations like the Centrum voor Academische en Vrijzinnige Archieven and serves on editorial boards. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary ethical challenges, particularly in Belgium's secular and medical landscapes.
Tyrone R. Simpson is an Associate Professor of English at Vassar College, serving as Director of the Urban Studies Program. He also teaches in Africana Studies, American Studies, and Urban Studies. His research focuses on American nationalism, immigration, black intellectual thought, and critical race theory. He has held fellowships at the University of Virginia’s Carter G. Woodson Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Program in Princeton. Education: BA (University of Virginia), MA (Boston College), MA (Xavier University), PhD (Indiana University-Bloomington). Joined Vassar in 2004. Research emphasizes intersections of race, politics, and literature, including imprisonment narratives, black comedy, and the politics of confessional storytelling. His book Ghetto Images in Twentieth Century American Literature (2012) examines fictionalized ghetto experiences. Current projects explore black autobiography and racial politics in Kansas. Awards and recognitions include prestigious fellowships and contributions to interdisciplinary programs. Active in campus initiatives like the Buildings and Belonging project documenting African American history at Vassar.
Mary Marlene Karr serves as Trustee Professor and Jesse Truesdell Peck Professor of Literature in the Department of English at Syracuse University's College of Arts & Sciences. An award-winning poet and best-selling memoirist, she has established herself as a leading voice in contemporary American literature through her critically acclaimed works including The Liars' Club , Cherry , and Lit . Karr also served as the weekly poetry editor for the Washington Post Book World's 'Poet's Choice' column. Her educational background includes an M.F.A. in Poetry from Goddard College (1980) and undergraduate studies at Macalester College (1975), followed by an honorary Doctor of Letters from Syracuse University (2015). Karr's research and creative work centers on memoir writing, poetry, and spiritual exploration, with particular emphasis on personal narrative, family dynamics, and Southern cultural identity. Her approach blends confessional honesty with literary craftsmanship, creating works that resonate with readers through their raw authenticity and masterful storytelling. She has developed a distinctive voice that merges vernacular language with poetic precision, earning recognition for her ability to transform personal trauma into universal insights. Analysis of Karr's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on spiritual exploration and personal transformation, with increasing attention to religious themes following her conversion to Catholicism. Her work spans multiple genres including poetry collections, memoirs, and literary criticism, demonstrating remarkable versatility while maintaining thematic continuity around memory, identity, and redemption. The evolution from her early poetry collections to her later memoirs and critical works shows a maturing perspective that balances personal vulnerability with literary sophistication. Whiting Writer's Award NEA grant Radcliffe Bunting Fellowship Guggenheim Fellowship Pushcart Prizes for both poetry and essays PEN prizes Texas Institute of Letters prizes As a dedicated educator, Karr has taught at Syracuse University's MFA program for many years, mentoring numerous writers who have gone on to successful careers. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes authentic voice and rigorous self-examination, principles that have made her The Art of Memoir a seminal text in creative writing programs nationwide. Karr's Syracuse commencement address 'Now Go Out There (and Get Curious)' gained widespread attention for its insightful, irreverent wisdom about intellectual curiosity and creative living.
Lanta Davis is a Professor of Honors Humanities and Literature at the Honors College of Indiana Wesleyan University. Her research focuses on the intersection of imagination, spirituality, and literature, particularly in shaping ethical and theological formation. She holds a Ph.D. in Religion and Literature from Baylor University (2013), an MA in Bible and Theology from Sioux Falls Seminary (2006), and a BA in English from South Dakota State University (2004). Key research interests include the role of the imagination in Christian spirituality, Irish literature (especially works addressing the Troubles), medieval studies, and virtue ethics. Her book Becoming by Beholding explores how imaginative engagement with beauty and art fosters spiritual growth. She has been awarded a Fulbright to Northern Ireland and has published in venues like Christianity Today and National Geographic. Awards include Christianity Today finalist recognition and an Honorable Mention from the Southwestern Journal of Theology. Her teaching emphasizes great texts, rhetoric, and the sacramental imagination, aiming to cultivate wonder and critical thinking in students.
Bruce Michelson is a Professor of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he previously directed the Campus Honors Program from 1995 to 2013. His academic career focuses on American literature, particularly Mark Twain, literary humor, and publishing history. Michelson holds a Ph.D. (implied by his faculty role) and has held distinguished roles such as President of the Mark Twain Circle of America and the American Humor Studies Association. His research interests span Twain’s works, the evolution of American humor, and the intersection of literature with psychological and technological contexts. Michelson is the author of multiple books, including Wilbur’s Poetry , Mark Twain on the Loose , and Printer’s Devil: Mark Twain and the American Publishing Revolution , as well as a translator of Georges Clemenceau’s writings on art. His recent scholarship (2020–2024) examines Twain’s legacy in the context of Gen AI, his final years, and the psychological underpinnings of humor. Michelson’s articles frequently analyze Twain’s autobiographical work, publishing practices, and the role of irony in American literature. He has also contributed to educational initiatives, such as serving as an on-screen commentator for the American Passages video series and exploring interdisciplinary teaching methods in science communication. Micelson has received significant recognition, including two Fulbright Professorships (at Belgian institutions) and designation as a Fulbright Ambassador. His awards reflect his scholarly contributions to Twain studies and American humor, alongside his academic leadership roles.
Dr. Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Systems and International Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Her research focuses on Baltic security dynamics, national minorities' resistance strategies, and Russian influence mechanisms. She has led projects like 'ENMinResCE' examining minority resistance in Central Europe and contributed to studies on China's engagement in Lithuania. Key research areas include: Post-Soviet monument policies and security implications Disinformation countermeasures for NATO resilience Baltic transport infrastructure development Ethnic minority digital inequalities Recent work analyzes Russian-speaking communities' reactions to monument removals and explores Lithuania-China relations during the pandemic. She actively participates in international conferences (e.g., Baltic Studies in Europe, International Congress of Religious Studies) and serves as editor for Baltic-focused sections in academic journals. Her achievements include coordinating EU-funded research (Erasmus+, Three Seas Initiative) and receiving the Rector's Award IV degree. Current projects involve investigating Sino-Baltic economic ties and the social dimensions of Baltic security challenges.
Mikhail Dolbilov is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Maryland's College of Arts and Humanities. His research examines imperial Russia, focusing on tsarist bureaucracy's mentality and statecraft, interconnections between state reforms and symbolic representations of autocracy, political loyalty dynamics, and ethno-confessional politics in borderlands during the rise of nationalism. His research expertise includes: Russian imperial administration systems Religion and state relations in borderlands Russo-Polish historical relations Nationalism in Western borderlands 19th-century reform movements Dolbilov has authored and co-authored significant scholarly works including Russian Country, Foreign Faith: Empire’s Ethno-confessional Policy in Lithuania and Belarus under Alexander II (2010), The Western Borderlands of the Russian Empire (2006), and A Reverse Union: An Episode from the History of Relationship between Catholicism and Orthodoxy in the Russian Empire, 1840–1873 (2010). He has held editorial positions and international visiting scholar appointments at Columbia University and Hokkaido University. He teaches courses on Russian Civilization, Empire and Nationalism in Russia, and the Origins of Ethnic Cleansing in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union.
Jesse Spohnholz is a Professor of History at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. He serves as Director of the History for the 21st Century initiative, a global educational project offering innovative curricula. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa (2004), an M.Litt. from the Reformation Studies Institute at the University of St. Andrews (1999), and a B.A. from Reed College (1996). Spohnholz’s research focuses on Reformation-era Germany and the Netherlands, emphasizing toleration practices, refugee experiences, and historical memory. His major publications include The Tactics of Toleration (2011), The Convent of Wesel (2017), and Ruptured Lives: Refugee Crises in Historical Perspective (2020). A recent collaborative book, Dutch Reformed Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire (2024), examines 16th-century religious exile communities. His work bridges academic scholarship and public education, with projects funded by the NEH and Dutch Research Council. He has received prestigious teaching awards, including the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award (2022) and University Distinguished Teaching Fellowship (2017). His research explores themes like confessional coexistence, refugee networks, and the intersection of history with contemporary issues such as migration and memory. Grants and collaborations include a seven-year Dutch Research Council project (€750,000) with Mirjam van Veen. His advisory work has influenced curricula development, emphasizing student-centered approaches in world history education. Spohnholz actively participates in international academic networks, serving as Scholar in Residence at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2013–2014).
