Aydogan Kars is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at Monash University, affiliated with the Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies. His research focuses on medieval and modern Islamic mysticism, Sufi theology, and interreligious dialogue. Kars has led or co-led seven major research projects, including studies on Sufi genealogies, religious literacy, and the intersection of AI with human selfhood. He holds prestigious awards such as the Monash Faculty of Arts Dean’s Research Award (2021) and a Doctoral Fellowship from the Orient-Institut (2015). Kars actively contributes to academic governance as an editorial board member for the Journal for the Academic Study of Religion and peer reviews for journals like Religions and Journal of Islamic Ethics . His research interests span Islamic philosophy, mystical texts, and comparative theology, with notable work on apophatic theology in medieval Islam. Kars supervises PhD students and collaborates internationally on projects exploring Sufi traditions across Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and modern contexts.
Marcelle Freiman is an Associate Professor in the School of Humanities at Macquarie University, Australia. Her research focuses on Creative Writing pedagogy, theory, and practice, with specialties in ekphrasis, cognition in creative processes, and postcolonial creativity. She has published extensively in journals like TEXT , AXON , and New Writing , and authored three poetry collections: Spirit Level (2021), White Lines (Vertical) (2010), and Monkey's Wedding (1995). Her work has been recognized with awards including the ASAL Mary Gilmore Award (Highly Commended) and a shortlisting for the Newcastle Poetry Prize (2021). Freiman has supervised 14 PhD and 6 MRes theses, with two recent doctoral works receiving Vice-Chancellor's Commendations. She has led research projects like Transformations of Writing: A Cognitive Approach to Creative Writing Process, Practice, and Technologies (2015) and Creative Writing, Literature, Cognition: Analysing Jean Rhys’ Writing Practices (2019). Her interdisciplinary work bridges creative practice with cognitive theory, examining how extended mind frameworks apply to writing processes. Key research areas include the intersection of poetry and visual art (ekphrasis), postcolonial creativity, and the evolution of the sonnet form. She actively publishes in literary journals globally and has contributed book chapters to volumes such as the Cambridge Guide to the Sonnet . Current projects explore distributed cognition in creative processes and the role of material objects (e.g., Patrick White’s briefcase) in shaping literary practices.
Dr. Joseph Azize is an Honorary Associate in Studies in Religion at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Despite the university website indicating "There is no academic staff / higher degree research student with the URLID joseph.azize," his active publications through 2024 confirm his ongoing scholarly engagement. He holds multiple degrees from the University of Sydney including BA, LLB, MA qualifying, M.Phil, and PhD. Dr. Azize's research spans multiple domains within religious studies, with particular expertise in: Gurdjieff studies and Fourth Way teachings Ancient Near Eastern religions, especially Phoenician solar theology Early Christian studies and patristics Comparative mysticism and esoteric traditions Religious symbolism and contemplative practices His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with complex religious phenomena across historical periods. His publications reveal a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that bridges textual analysis, historical investigation, and phenomenological examination of religious experience. Particularly notable is his sustained focus on G.I. Gurdjieff's teachings, which he examines not merely as historical subject matter but as living spiritual tradition with contemporary relevance. Dr. Azize has published in numerous prestigious journals including Religions , Postscripts , Aries , and Correspondences . His work shows increasing specialization in Gurdjieff studies in recent years, while maintaining connections to his earlier work on Ancient Near Eastern religions. The thematic evolution in his scholarship suggests a trajectory from historical and textual studies toward more phenomenological and experiential dimensions of religious practice. Among his notable achievements are: Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, and Exercises (Oxford University Press, 2020) The Phoenician Solar Theology (Gorgias Press, 2005) Co-editing Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Supplement 21: Gilgames and the World of Assyria (2007) As an Honorary Associate, Dr. Azize appears to maintain active research and publication activities without a formal teaching position. His work bridges academic religious studies with practical spiritual concerns, offering scholarly perspectives on traditions often marginalized in conventional religious studies.
Cheryl Taylor is a literary scholar affiliated with James Cook University, specializing in Australian literature, medieval studies, and regional cultural analysis. Her work focuses on Queensland writers like Thea Astley, feminist literary criticism, and contemplative texts such as The Cloud of Unknowing. PhD thesis: Rolle, Hilton, and The Cloud of Unknowing (1998) Research spans Australian modernism, tropical cultural studies, and postcolonial themes Her publications include critical analyses of literary transitions, gender politics in Australian fiction, and interdisciplinary studies of historical and mystical texts. She has contributed book reviews to journals like Parergon and Australian Historical Studies, covering diverse topics from Renaissance poetry to Sufism. Though no formal awards or teaching roles are explicitly documented, her scholarship highlights regional identity in literature and the interplay between poetry and fiction in Queensland contexts.
Goetz Richter is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney’s Sydney Conservatorium of Music, specializing in violin performance and philosophy. He holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of Sydney (2007) and has dual expertise in music performance and academic research. His roles include coordinating violin performance studies and supervising higher-degree students. Richter previously served as Associate Concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (1987–2002), with additional orchestral leadership roles in Australia and internationally. Education and Philosophy: Completed performance studies at Munich’s Hochschule für Musik under Gerhart Hetzel, Max Rostal, Arthur Grumiaux, and Riccardo Odnopossoff. His PhD research explored philosophy of science and music. He initiated the cross-disciplinary 'Elective Affinities' project (2012) linking music and philosophy. Research Interests: Philosophy of music performance, violin pedagogy, ontological aspects of music, and historical performance practices. Notable works include The Congruence of Philosophy and Music (2008) and translations of Eugen Fink’s writings on Nietzsche. Recent research explores musical interpretation through phenomenology and hermeneutics. Publications/Contributions: Over 30 scholarly works including books, journal articles, and conference papers. Key topics: Plato’s aesthetics, Nietzsche’s philosophy, and pedagogical innovations in string performance. Active in editorial roles for String Praxis and international music journals. Teaching and Leadership: Chair of Strings at Sydney Conservatorium since 1997, mentoring students who excel in international competitions. Founded the Camden Haven Music Festival and Kendall National Violin Competition. Guest faculty at the Euro Arts Festival (Leipzig) and visiting professor at Wuhan Conservatorium, China. Orchestral Advocacy: Played key roles in musicians’ unions and industry reforms, including negotiating the 1995 Musicians’ Enterprise Agreement. Served on the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Board (2007–2016) addressing sustainable orchestral practices and artist well-being. Performance Projects: Collaborations with leading artists (Hermann Baumann, Jeanell Carrigan) and global recitals spanning Australia, Europe, Asia. Active in chamber music ensembles like Trio Novalis and the Sydney Schubert Society.
Dr. Tamara Ditrich is an Adjunct Lecturer in Sanskrit, Pali, Indian and Buddhist Studies at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of Queensland (Studies in Religion) and a BA (Hons) in Linguistics from the University of Ljubljana. Her research spans thirty years across European and Australian academia. Her expertise includes Pali/Sanskrit textual analysis, Vedic philology, and Theravāda Buddhist studies with particular focus on meditation theory, gender roles in early Indian texts, and dual deity roles in the Ṛgveda. She has taught widely on Vedic language, Theravada Buddhist practices, and Hindu traditions. Recent research emphasizes ethical dimensions in Buddhist cognitive models (2022), Theravāda perspectives on emptiness (2025), and textual analysis of the Kuthodaw Pagoda inscriptions (2021). Her work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary applications, including mindfulness in disaster research (2015). Key grants include collaborative work on Myanmar's Kuthodaw Pagoda inscriptions (2014). She has contributed to numerous edited volumes and journals including Asian Studies and Poligrafi , and published monographs like Anguttaranikayapuranatika (2012).
Rachel Annemarie Ulrike Elizabeth Davies serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry within the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at Australian Catholic University. Her scholarly work bridges historical theology and contemporary spiritual practice. Her research centers on theological interpretation of Scripture , particularly through the lens of Mother Teresa's mystical engagement with John 19:28 , and Bonaventurian aesthetics of salvation . Key interests include: Reception history of biblical texts in modern sanctity Embodiment and poverty in Christian spirituality Medieval-modern theological dialogues Hermeneutics of suffering and interiority Davies' publications reveal a consistent trajectory exploring how classical theological frameworks inform contemporary spiritual formation, with emphasis on the intersection of aesthetics, embodiment, and scriptural reception. Davies maintains active research output through monographs and edited volume contributions, primarily focusing on Catholic theological traditions and their practical applications in spiritual life.
Sharn Rocco is affiliated with James Cook University, where they have contributed to academic research since at least 1997. Their work spans early childhood education, gender studies, and feminist theory, with a focus on reflective practice in education and discourse analysis. Rocco holds a PhD in Discourse and Gender Studies from James Cook University (1999). Their research often intersects with poststructuralist theory and explores themes like mental health in schools, curriculum innovation, and educational equity in contexts such as Kenya. Education - PhD in Discourse and Gender Studies, James Cook University, 1999 Research Interests Rocco’s interdisciplinary work addresses gender socialization, early childhood pedagogy, and the discursive construction of identity. They investigate how institutional policies (e.g., school uniforms) and interventions (e.g., meditation programs) shape educational experiences. Their feminist approach emphasizes narrative analysis and collective methodologies to uncover silenced voices in education and psychology. Awards & Grants No specific awards or grants are listed in the provided texts. Advising & Collaborations While no advisees are explicitly listed, Rocco has collaborated with scholars such as Bronwyn Davies, Kym Simoncini, and Mary Kimani on projects related to teacher education, gender studies, and early childhood policy. Labs/Teams No dedicated labs or research teams are mentioned in the publications list.
