Luca Lombardo is an Associate Professor of Philology of Italian Literature at the University of Bergamo, Department of Letters, Philosophy, and Communication. His research focuses on Dante Studies, medieval textual cultures, and the interplay between classical and vernacular traditions. Degree in Modern Literature, University of Palermo (2004) PhD in Italian Studies and Classical-Medieval Philology, Ca' Foscari University of Venice (2010) From 2010–2014, he worked as a Research Fellow at Ca' Foscari on Albertino Mussato's Epistole metrica , and from 2015–2019 as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow/Assistant Professor at Notre Dame on Dante's Florentine vernacular culture. His 2013 monograph Boethius in Dante and 2020 critical edition of Mussato's Epistole metrici established him as a leading scholar in classical-reception studies. Recent publications (2022–2024) explore Dante's metaletterary strategies, Pythagorean philosophical influences, and vernacular theological remakes. He teaches graduate courses on Italian Philology and Dantesque Philology & Criticism , maintaining office hours via email and remote meetings. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2019–2022) As co-editor of thematic volumes, he bridges historical philology with modern critical methodologies, emphasizing manuscript culture's role in shaping literary identity.
David Silkenat is the Richard J. Milbauer Chair in Southern History at the University of Florida. A historian specializing in the American South and the long Civil War era, his work integrates social, cultural, environmental, political, and military history. He previously held roles as Professor of United States History at the University of Edinburgh (2013–2024) and Assistant Professor at North Dakota State University (2008–2013). Silkenat’s research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including finalist nominations for the Frederick Douglass Prize and Abraham Lincoln Prize, as well as the North Caroliniana Society Book Prize for multiple works. His academic contributions extend to editorial roles for journals like the Journal of the Civil War Era and leadership as Chair of the Scottish Association for the Study of America (2018–2022). Silkenat’s scholarship emphasizes the environmental dimensions of slavery, surrender practices during the Civil War, and the intersection of history with digital media, particularly in video games. His recent book Scars on the Land: An Environmental History of Slavery in the American South (2022) redefines understandings of slavery’s ecological impact. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Silkenat’s publications span monographs, journal articles, and edited volumes, with a focus on interpreting Civil War history through modern lenses, including gaming, memory studies, and public historiography. His work bridges academic and popular audiences, offering critical analyses of how historical narratives are constructed and contested in contemporary culture.
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Egelhaaf-Gaiser is a leading scholar in Classical Philology at the University of Göttingen since 2008, specializing in Roman literature from the early Imperial to Late Antique periods. Her research bridges cultural history, religion, and literary form with focus on narrative genres, symposium literature, and intertextuality. Current Research: Biographical self-representation in Roman letters (Horace, Seneca), genre innovation in Flavian epic, materiality of texts, intermediality in ancient literature Key Projects: Epistolary Visions of Transformational Leadership (Co-PI, DASHE funded), Religious Knowledge in Educational Compendia (SFB 1136), Heroes and Spheres in Aeneis (STRATA) Her award-winning scholarship includes two monographs on Apuleius and symposion literature, with a strong focus on religious communication, urban cult spaces, and textual hybridity. Recent articles explore Vergil's intertextual triumphs, Horace's authorial strategies, and Late Antique textual memory practices. She has lectured internationally (France, Greece, Italy, USA) and contributed to major academic edited volumes. Her teaching includes Erasmus exchanges in Thessaloniki and Crete. Scientific Awards: Wolfgang-Mittermaier-Preis for teaching excellence (2005)
David Hovemeyer is an Associate Teaching Professor at the Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University . He holds a PhD (2005) and MS (2001) in Computer Science from the University of Maryland and a BA (1994) from Earlham College. Prior to joining JHU in 2019, he taught at Vassar College and York College of Pennsylvania. Education : PhD, MS, and BA in Computer Science Research : Focuses on static analysis , systems software , and computer science education Projects : FindBugs, CloudCoder, ProgSnap2, FunWithSound His recent work includes frameworks for declarative autograders , formats for programming process data , and tools for educational software development . He has been recognized with Excellence in Teaching Awards and contributes to open-source educational platforms like GitHub. Scientific Awards : 2024 Whiting School Teaching, Advising, and Mentoring Award Excellence in Teaching Award (multiple years) David maintains an active role in the academic community through peer instruction , programming contests, and recommendation letter advising . He also develops tools like FreePoll and Declarative Autograder Framework to enhance teaching efficiency.
David Parisi is the Dibner Family Professor of the History and Philosophy of Technology and Science and an Associate Professor in the Department of Technology, Culture, and Society at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. His research focuses on the history and future of digital touch, haptic interfaces, and media archaeology. Education: PhD from New York University’s Department of Media, Culture, and Communication, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University. His work bridges media studies, science & technology studies, and critical theory. Research Interests: Haptics, cybernetics, interfaces, media archaeology, digital touch ethics, and the cultural history of tactile technologies. Publications include Archaeologies of Touch (2018) and over 30 articles on haptic media, video game historiography, and the sociology of touch. His work has been featured in venues like Real Life , Logic , and Flash Forward . Lab/Team: Engaged with NYU’s interdisciplinary technology studies community, focusing on ethical design of haptic systems and digital interaction frameworks.
Dr. Ramazan Kozan is a full-time faculty member in the Department of General Surgery at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine since 2019. His primary affiliations include professional memberships in organizations such as the Turkish Surgical Society, Turkish Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and the National Endoscopic Laparoscopic Surgery Society. Colorectal Surgery Pelvic Floor Disorders Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgery da Vinci Robotic Console Surgeon His research focuses on surgical interventions for colorectal diseases, pelvic floor disorders, and robotic laparoscopic techniques. He has contributed to the validation of clinical tools and surgical outcomes in colorectal cancer, and his work includes experimental studies on surgical physiology and postoperative complications. The article trends highlight his expertise in colorectal surgery , minimally invasive techniques , and surgical responses to emerging infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2. His work bridges clinical practice , experimental research , and cross-disciplinary collaboration in surgical innovation. FACS : Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (2023) FEBS-Coloproctology : European Board Qualification in Colorectal Surgery (2024) He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and actively contributes to editorial and review processes in national surgical journals. His certifications include Endoscopy Training from the Turkish Surgical Society and da Vinci Robotic Console Surgeon accreditation.
Thorsten Jarz-Sand is a Professor at the Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark (Styrian College of Teacher Education), specializing in Secondary Vocational Teacher Education. His work focuses on integrating advanced IT systems into educational environments, emphasizing practical technical guidance for schools and organizations. He holds a Magister degree and teaches courses on network infrastructure, system administration, and programming. His research interests include Windows operating systems, server management, and educational technology applications. Key areas of expertise include Active Directory, Hyper-V virtualization, network security, and programming languages like C# and VB.NET. Dr. Jarz-Sand has authored over a dozen technical manuals, including guides for Windows Server 2022, Windows 11, and foundational network technologies. His books emphasize hands-on learning through exercises and real-world case studies, making complex IT concepts accessible for educators and IT professionals. He maintains an active presence in academic and professional circles through his publications and contributions to didactic IT education. Contact him via email or visit his website for resources.
Dr. Karolina Szymborska serves as Assistant Professor at the Department of Cultural Anthropology within the Faculty of Cultural Studies at the University of Białystok. Her academic work bridges literary anthropology and interdisciplinary child studies, focusing on historical and contemporary representations of childhood across cultural domains. Her research interests span child studies , literary anthropology , and affective philosophy of childhood . Key areas include postmodern fairy tales, child thanatology, boyology, pedology, cultural memory, and children's film. She develops educational frameworks like the prefigurative method and exopedagogy, emphasizing child agency in cultural production and pedagogical innovation. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2013-2022) reveals consistent focus on childhood representation across literary, cultural, and philosophical contexts. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration, particularly between literary theory, cultural anthropology, and educational practice, with recurring themes of child agency and cultural memory construction. She actively coordinates research initiatives including the international "Together for Education" project (2017-2023), implementing pedagogical innovations in Polish schools worldwide through Ministry of Education funding. Since 2022, she executes the Henryk Sienkiewicz "Writings" critical edition grant. As editor of the "Children Studies. Literature-Theory-Life" publishing series, she facilitates international scholarly dialogue on child studies methodology. Szymborska directs cultural-educational activities through "Wspólnota Polska" Association, developing programs that engage students in co-creating educational materials. Her work extends to Polish diaspora communities across 15 countries, emphasizing child-centered cultural production and transnational educational exchange.
Timothy J Geiger serves as a Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature within the University of Toledo's College of Arts and Letters. He teaches specialized courses in Creative Writing, Poetry, and Letterpress Printing and Book Design, while also directing the Aureole Press letterpress imprint housed at the university since 1997. His educational background includes dual MFA degrees in Poetry and Letterpress Printing from the University of Alabama (1994), establishing the foundation for his integrated creative and technical practice. Geiger's research centers on contemporary poetry creation and the material art of letterpress printing. His work explores nature imagery, philosophical inquiries into existence, and the intersection of scientific concepts with poetic form. The Aureole Press represents a significant scholarly contribution, producing limited-edition poetry volumes that bridge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary literary expression. His creative methodology emphasizes precise imagery, formal innovation, and thematic depth across ecological, mathematical, and metaphysical domains. Recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate sustained engagement with ecological themes through nature poetry, experimental structural approaches using mathematical and scientific metaphors, and philosophical explorations of perception and existence. These works consistently appear in prestigious literary journals including Poetry , Tar River Poetry , and Mid-American Review , reflecting his prominence in contemporary poetry circles. Geiger's scholarly recognition includes major awards in literary achievement: Pushcart Prize XVIII for exceptional poetry Holt, Rinehart and Winston Award in Literature Vern Rutsala Poetry Prize (2019) for Weatherbox Finalist for State of Ohio Poet Laureate (2019) Sundress Academy for the Arts Writer's Residency Through his teaching and direction of the Aureole Press, Geiger mentors students in both poetic composition and book arts craftsmanship. His creative work has been supported by state and local grants across Alabama, Minnesota, and Ohio, enabling sustained production of poetry collections and letterpress editions that contribute significantly to literary culture. The Aureole Press stands as Geiger's most distinctive scholarly contribution - a letterpress imprint established in 1989 that produces finely printed limited editions of contemporary poetry. Housed at the University of Toledo since 1997, its collections reside in major special archives including Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book Collection, SUNY-Buffalo, and the University of Alabama, cementing its importance in preserving and advancing the art of letterpress poetry publishing.
Jürgen Brune is a Professor in the Mining Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines. With a career spanning three decades in mining engineering, he has held leadership roles such as Research Director at Edgar Experimental Mine and Associate Department Head. Previously, he worked at NIOSH, Consol Energy, and RWE-Rheinbraun, focusing on mine safety, ventilation, and disaster prevention. Dr.-Ing., Mining Engineering (Technical University Clausthal, 1994) MSc, Mining Engineering (Colorado School of Mines, 1983) Dipl.-Ing., Mining Engineering (Technical University Clausthal, 1981) His research focuses on mine safety and health, particularly methane explosion hazards, CFD modeling of mine ventilation systems, and spontaneous combustion prevention. He has pioneered innovations in refuge chamber safety, gob ventilation optimization, and proximity detection systems for explosive gas clouds. His recent publications from 2022-2025 explore AI-driven methane prediction, sub-micron particle toxicity, octree-based geotechnical modeling, and dust monitoring technologies. These works bridge mining engineering, environmental health, and computational modeling. Distinguished Member of SME (no. 407850RM) Councilor of MMSA (QP no. 1367) MSHA Approved Instructor for mine safety training Brune has mentored numerous graduate students in mine ventilation and safety projects. His patented pneumatic dust sampling instrument (U.S. Patent 10,371,605) and leadership in mine disaster prevention research demonstrate his commitment to advancing mining safety practices globally.
Andrea Tarnowski is an Associate Professor of French and Italian at Dartmouth College, specializing in medieval and early modern French literature with a focus on Christine de Pizan, allegory, and Franco-English relations during the Hundred Years' War. She serves as Director of Humanities 1 & 2 and contributes to critical theory and translation studies. Expertise in medieval women writers Editor of teaching guides for Pizan's works Specialist in 14th-15th century political literature Active in material culture analysis and manuscript studies Her research explores the intersection of textual and material culture, examining how medieval allegory functioned as both literary form and political instrument. Current projects include analyzing Christine de Pizan's epistolary strategies and Mézières' peace proposals. Andrea Tarnowski's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on late medieval French authors, particularly Christine de Pizan and Philippe de Mézières, with methodological approaches spanning critical theory, translation analysis, and manuscript studies.
Vicky Angelaki is a Professor at Mid Sweden University’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences since January 2020. With 15 years of full-time academic experience in the UK (University of Reading, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University), she specializes in interdisciplinary literary and theatre studies, focusing on societal/political intersections, environmental humanities, cultural sociology, and contemporary British drama. BA (Hons) English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2003) MA Drama & Theatre, Royal Holloway (2005) PhD Drama & Theatre, Royal Holloway (2009) Her research explores theatre’s role in addressing climate crisis , digital environments, and sociopolitical issues. Recent projects include Performing Interspaces: Social Fluidities in Contemporary Theatre (RJ-funded monograph, 2022) and co-editing the Palgrave Macmillan series Adaptation in Theatre and Performance . She leads the Political Literatures research network at Mid Sweden University. Recent publications and presentations analyze environmental dystopias , gendered geopolitics in classical adaptations, and pandemic-era theatre pedagogy. Her work synthesizes ecocritical frameworks with performance studies, emphasizing interdisciplinary methodologies and international collaboration . RJ Sabbatical Grant (2022) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2018) She teaches courses on Literature and Crisis , Contemporary Anglophone Theatre , and Political Literatures , supervising PhD candidates in collaboration with the University of Reading. Professional affiliations include the European Theatre Research Network, International Federation for Theatre Research, and assessment roles for Uppsala University’s KoF24 research evaluation.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Deckert serves as Professor of Innovation and Production Management at Hochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences within the Faculty of Mechanical and Process Engineering. He leads the WIM (Business Information Systems and Management) program and teaches courses including Basics of Business Administration, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Technology Management, Innovation and Technology Management, and Operations Management, along with electives in Sustainable Logistics and Behavioral Economics. Dr. Deckert's research focuses on the intersection of cultural influences and innovation capacity at both national and organizational levels, sustainable logistics systems, engineering creativity, and social innovation. His work examines how cultural dimensions such as collectivism, performance orientation, trust, and tolerance impact a nation's ability to innovate. He has pioneered research on measuring engineering creativity and comparing it with artificial intelligence capabilities, while also exploring sustainable logistics solutions including micro-depots for urban parcel delivery and underground cargo transport systems. His extensive publication record of 117 publications with over 57,000 reads demonstrates significant scholarly impact across multiple disciplines. The recent articles reveal a clear research trajectory examining cultural determinants of innovation, sustainable logistics solutions for urban environments, and creativity in engineering education. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical business applications, often presented through detailed case studies on topics ranging from synthesizer development to rap music commercialization. Dr. Deckert actively supervises bachelor's and master's theses in areas including cultural influences on innovation capacity, creativity in engineering, social innovation, sustainable logistics, and behavioral economics. He encourages students to submit inquiries regarding thesis supervision with details about their degree program, expected supervision period, preferred subject areas, and academic transcripts. His research projects include the assessment of the ecological and economic implementation of the CargoCap system at the Bergisch Gladbach site, demonstrating his commitment to practical, sustainable logistics solutions.
Deborah L. Jaramillo is an Associate Professor in the Film and Television Studies Program at Boston University. She teaches courses such as Television Theory & Criticism , Critical Television Industry Studies , and Feminist Television Studies . Her research focuses on television history, cable news, and media branding. Education BS, University of Texas at Austin MA, University of Arizona PhD, University of Texas at Austin Jaramillo’s work examines the intersection of television programming and media regulation, particularly in her book The Television Code: Regulating the Screen to Safeguard the Industry (2018), which analyzes early U.S. television censorship. She also authored Ugly War, Pretty Package: How CNN and Fox News Made the Invasion of Iraq High Concept (2009). Her recent publications explore topics like NBC Sports Network and the 1980s war on drugs in television. She has contributed to journals including Popular Communication and Television and New Media , and served as co-editor for a special issue of Popular Communication on podcasting in 2019. Scientific Awards Two-time Ford Fellow Finalist for the Theatre Library Association’s Robert Wall Memorial Award (2019) Jaramillo is actively involved in academic organizations such as the Communication Research Center, the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI), and Console-ing Passions, a feminist media studies group.
Martien Halvorson-Taylor is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia . Her scholarship focuses on the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Babylonian exile, diaspora literature, and the reception history of biblical texts. She has authored the monograph Enduring Exile: The Metaphorization of Exile in the Hebrew Bible and is co-editing The Oxford Handbook on Biblical Exile and Forced Migration (2025). Her courses include large lectures on the Hebrew Bible and specialized seminars on Job, Genesis, and the Song of Songs. Research Highlights : Exile and diaspora as metaphors in prophetic literature, literary analysis of Song of Songs and Job, interdisciplinary global humanities projects. Leadership : Directed UVA’s Pavilion Seminars (2015–2020) and co-directed the Religion, Race, & Democracy Lab (2018–2024), producing the award-winning podcast Sacred & Profane . Public Scholarship : Wrote Writing the Bible (Audible/Great Courses, 2021) and contributed to Bible Odyssey . Recent Publications explore interdisciplinary intersections such as flora/fauna symbolism in the Song of Songs (2024), prophetic visions of restoration (2021), and diasporic identity in Esther (2012). Her work bridges biblical exegesis, literary theory, and modern cultural analysis. Awards & Grants : NEH Media Projects grant for Sacred & Profane podcast Recognized for excellence in teaching at UVA Collaborative Efforts : Co-founded the Religion, Race, & Democracy Lab, fostering interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Formerly co-directed the Jefferson Global Seminars (2013–2018), a partnership between UVA and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
