David Quinter is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta, holding a 50/50 joint appointment between the Department of East Asian Studies and the Program in Religious Studies. His primary research focuses on medieval Japanese Buddhism, particularly the Shingon Ritsu movement and its engagement with the Mañjuśrī cult. He examines intersections of narratives, rituals, and material culture in devotional practices, with special attention to outcasts and social welfare in Japanese religion. Teaching areas include East Asian religions, Japanese Buddhism, and methodological approaches to the study of religion. He has taught courses such as 'East Asian Religions,' 'Buddhism in Japanese History,' and 'Lived Religion in Asia.' Quinter's publications include the monograph From Outcasts to Emperors: Shingon Ritsu and the Mañjuśrī Cult in Medieval Japan (Brill, 2015) and numerous articles on topics like Eison's role in religious innovation, Manjusri iconography, and medieval Buddhist material culture. His work bridges textual analysis with material and ritual studies, emphasizing how religious practices shaped social and political dynamics in premodern Japan.
Hugh Curran is a Lecturer in the Peace & Reconciliation Studies Program at the University of Maine’s College of Education and Human Development. He holds affiliations with the Morgan Bay Zendo (board member) and Friends of Morgan Bay (founder), focusing on mindfulness practices and environmental stewardship. His career includes directorship of a homeless shelter in Downeast Maine and co-authorship of a Maine history book with Esther Wood. He has presented at international venues including Oxford University and the Global Council on Tolerance and Peace in Malta. Education: Undergraduate studies at Nova Scotia (specific institution unspecified). Extensive Zen monastic experience and global pilgrimage. Teaching specialties include Buddhism, nonviolence, ecology-spirituality linkages, and peace pedagogy through courses like PAX 201 and PAX 350. Research integrates contemplative traditions with social justice issues, addressing animal ethics, homelessness advocacy, and environmental spirituality. Recent work emphasizes Buddhist perspectives on ethics and interfaith peacebuilding. Active in organizing regional peace conferences and public radio discussions on socio-political topics. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Morgan Bay Zendo’s retreat programs and Friends of Morgan Bay’s nature conservation initiatives. Engaged in interdisciplinary peace studies collaborations across UMaine departments.
Gerald P. Boersma is a Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University and a Humboldt Fellow at the University of Tübingen. His work focuses on Augustinian and Thomistic theology, patristics, and medieval Christian thought. He previously taught at St. Bonaventure University and has held fellowships at Villanova University and the University of Tübingen. Education: B.A., Christianity and Culture, Trinity Western University M.A., Theology, Ave Maria University Ph.D., Theology, University of Durham Boersma’s research interests include Augustine’s doctrine of the imago Dei, Aquinas’s virtue ethics, and Greek patristic theology. His publications include Augustine’s Early Theology of Image (Oxford, 2016) and numerous articles on Augustinian and Thomistic thought. Recent work explores themes like Eucharistic miracles, Dante’s theological symbolism, and the intersection of classical philosophy with Christian theology. His articles analyze topics such as the metaphysics of Eucharistic miracles, Aquinas’s contemplative theology, and Augustine’s influence on Dante. These contributions highlight his expertise in patristic exegesis and systematic theology. Scientific Awards: Humboldt Fellowship (University of Tübingen) Boersma’s academic leadership includes directing Ave Maria’s Theology M.A. program and advising on grants related to patristic studies. His scholarly activities involve interdisciplinary engagement with literature, philosophy, and early Christian texts.
Dr. Anne Raine is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts. Her research bridges modernist literature, ecocriticism, and climate justice, focusing on intersections between literary aesthetics, scientific discourse, and environmental activism. She holds a PhD in American Literature from the University of Washington (2002), an MA in Feminist Theory from the University of Leeds (1994), and a BA in English Literature from Simon Fraser University (1991). Her work examines how modernist texts engage with environmental discourses and contemporary climate crises, emphasizing contemplative pedagogy as a tool for addressing ecological anxiety. She is a member of the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE), Modernist Studies Association, and Association for Literature, Environment and Culture in Canada (ALECC). Raine supervises graduate students, including Bahare Yousefi (focused on Environmental History and Climate Change Activism). Her publications explore topics such as feminist modernism, ecocritical theory, and mindfulness in education, with recent contributions to Contemplative Practices and Anti-Oppressive Pedagogies and Modernism/Modernity Print Plus .
Professor Jacek Wojtysiak (b. 1967) is a distinguished faculty member at the Faculty of Philosophy , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) , holding the title of Professor since 2015. He has taught philosophy, epistemology, and logic at KUL since 1992, engaging with students across multiple faculties including Theology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Education : M.A. in Philosophy (1992) and Ph.D. (1999) from KUL, habilitation thesis on "Why is there something rather than nothing?" (2009) Research Focus : Ontology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Religion, Existential Expressions, and Ecumenical Dialogue Scientific Contributions : Authored/co-authored 12 books, over 50 articles, with notable works including O słowie BYĆ (2005) and In Praise of Curiosity (2003) Scientific Awards : First Prize for philosophical work (1989) Foundation for Polish Science Scholarship (1997) Leuven Research Fellowship (2002-2003) Rector's Awards for Ph.D. and Habilitation (1999, 2009) He has served as academic tutor in the College of Interdisciplinary Individual Humanistic Studies (2001-), coordinated Lublin Science Festival, and held editorial roles in academic journals. His work bridges analytic philosophy with phenomenology, emphasizing existential questions and educational philosophy.
Eric M Greene is a faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University, specializing in Chinese Buddhist studies with a particular focus on meditation practices, textual history, and the cultural transmission of Buddhism from India to China during the early medieval period (200-600 CE). Dr. Greene's research reveals how early Chinese Buddhists approached meditation primarily as a means of gaining visionary experiences that were interpreted as indicators of spiritual purity and progress toward liberation. His work demonstrates that these early meditation practices were fundamentally integrated with repentance rituals (chanhui) and divination practices, forming a distinctive religious culture that differed significantly from later Chan (Zen) traditions. Through meticulous analysis of meditation manuals, including newly discovered Dunhuang manuscripts, he reconstructs how Buddhist contemplative practices were transmitted from India and Central Asia to China and adapted within the Chinese religious context. His scholarship spans multiple methodological approaches, combining textual criticism, historical analysis, and phenomenological examination of meditation experiences. A consistent theme in his work is the examination of how early Chinese Buddhists interpreted their visionary experiences and the authority they ascribed to these experiences within their religious framework. His research challenges established narratives about the development of Chinese Buddhism by utilizing newly discovered manuscript evidence that provides fresh perspectives on textual transmission, doctrinal development, and religious practice. Dr. Greene has made significant contributions through his two major monographs published by the University of Hawaii Press: The Secrets of Buddhist Meditation (2021) and Chan Before Chan (2021), which provide comprehensive studies of early Chinese meditation texts along with English translations. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly productivity across multiple prestigious journals in Buddhist studies, religious history, and Asian studies, establishing him as a leading scholar in the field of early Chinese Buddhist meditation history.
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.
Dr. Izabela Jurasz is a researcher at the Institute of Classical Philology at Humboldt University of Berlin, specializing in ancient philosophy, Syriac texts, and early Christian theology. She holds a doctorate and is affiliated with the Greek Studies section. Her work focuses on figures like Bardesanes, Plotinus, and Alexander of Aphrodisias, exploring themes such as cosmology, dualism, mysticism, and exegesis of ancient texts. Affiliations: Humboldt University of Berlin (Institute of Classical Philology), AvH Professorship project Research Interests: Syriac philosophy, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, ancient cosmology, biblical exegesis, and the interplay between Greek and Syriac intellectual traditions. Her publications analyze Bardesanes’ cosmological systems, Plotinus’ metaphysics, and the philosophical debates in late antiquity. She participates in workshops on ancient medicine and philosophy, such as the 'Medical Puzzles' and 'Galen as Commentator' events at Humboldt University. She also contributes to projects like 'Visions of the History of Greek Philosophy in Late Antiquity.' Grants & Collaborations: Involved in DFG long-term projects and international symposia on ancient philosophy and Syriac studies. She leads or co-leads initiatives on Platonizing Sethianism and the reception of Greek philosophy in Syriac contexts.
Daniel M. Stuart is an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina in the Department of Religious Studies . He specializes in South Asian Buddhist traditions, meditation practices, and textual cultures. Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley Research areas: Buddhist meditation, Sanskrit/Pāli texts, Yogācāra philosophy, mindfulness historiography His research explores the interplay between Buddhist practice, textual production, and cosmological theories. He focuses on the Saddharmasmṛtyupasthānasūtra , a transitional text linking early meditation with later Mahāyāna developments. His work also examines the global institutional history of S. N. Goenka’s Vipassanā movement, analyzing tensions between traditional Buddhist frameworks and postcolonial secular reinterpretations. Recent publications highlight Buddhist multispecies epistemologies, karmic interdependence of humans and animals, and the evolution of meditative power concepts. Articles analyze canonical debates on mindfulness of breathing, ethical cultivation in monastic law, and the role of materiality in meditative cognition. Stuart’s methodology combines textual analysis with ethnographic insights, emphasizing historical contexts of meditation lineages. He contributes to critical editions of Buddhist manuscripts and interdisciplinary dialogues between religious studies and cognitive science.
Mora Campbell is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University . Her research focuses on how temporal understandings and practices influence ethical relations with nature. She integrates contemplative practices like yoga and meditation into her teaching and research. Education: PhD in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo. Research Interests: Environmental Ethics, Philosophy of Time, Spirituality & Nature, Contemplative Inquiry. She explores how temporal frameworks shape environmental ethics through phenomenological and narrative methodologies. Publications: Her work spans journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters addressing topics like embodied ethics, temporal dynamics in education, and yoga as a metaphor in environmental studies. Recent publications emphasize pedagogical innovations in environmental thought. Awards & Grants: No specific awards or grants mentioned in the text. She actively engages in interdisciplinary research and teaching collaborations within her faculty. Labs & Teams: No specific lab affiliations listed, but her work aligns with broader initiatives in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.
Professor Eduardo López Hortelano is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Theology at Comillas Pontifical University, specifically within the Department of Moral Theology and Praxis of Christian Life. A Jesuit priest, he has been actively teaching at the university for nine years and is deeply engaged in research related to Ignatian spirituality, the history of the Society of Jesus, and medieval literature and spirituality. His academic journey began with a degree in Primary Education from the University of Barcelona, followed by a Bachelor of Humanities from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. After two years of teaching at non-university levels, he pursued theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned his Bachelor of Theology. He continued his education at the Centre Sèvres (Jesuit Faculties of Paris), obtaining a degree in Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology. In 2013-2014, he completed an Ignatian Master's Degree at Comillas Pontifical University, and in 2016, he defended his doctoral thesis on imagination in Ignatian spirituality. Professor López Hortelano's research centers on Ignatian spirituality, particularly focusing on the role of imagination and visual elements within spiritual practices. His work explores the connections between medieval literature, Christian mysticism, and contemporary spiritual formation. He has made significant contributions to understanding how Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises can be applied in modern contexts, examining themes of prayer, discernment, and the transformative power of spiritual practices. His scholarship bridges historical analysis with practical theological application, offering insights into both the academic study of spirituality and its lived experience. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on Ignatian spirituality, theological aesthetics, and the intersection of visual culture with religious experience. Recent works explore the visual dimension of Trinitarian theology, the application of Ignatian principles to ordained ministry, and the historical context of Jesuit missionaries in Latin America. His scholarship reveals a deep engagement with both primary Ignatian texts and their contemporary relevance, showing particular interest in how spiritual practices can address modern challenges of vulnerability, freedom, and discernment. ANECA Certification - Assistant Doctor Professor (2022) ANECA Certification - Contracted Doctor Professor (2022) ANECA Certification - Professor of Private University (2022) Sexenio Campo 11 - Philosophy, Philology and Linguistics (2017-2022) With nine years of teaching experience at Comillas Pontifical University, Professor López Hortelano has instructed numerous courses related to spiritual theology, Ignatian spirituality, and Christian ethics. His teaching portfolio includes subjects such as 'Spiritual Theology and Priesthood,' 'Systematic Spiritual Theology,' 'The Praxis of Ignatian Spirituality,' and 'Discernment and election in the second week.' His pedagogical approach reflects his research interests, emphasizing the integration of theological understanding with spiritual practice. Professor López Hortelano is actively involved in the University Institute of Spirituality, where he contributes to research projects exploring the historical and contemporary dimensions of Christian spirituality. His work connects with broader scholarly conversations about the role of religious experience in modern society, particularly through the lens of Ignatian spiritual practices and their capacity to address contemporary spiritual needs.
Grace E. Wetzel is an Associate Professor in the Department of English, Writing and Journalism at St. Joseph’s University. Her teaching focuses on connecting reading, writing, and public engagement to foster critical citizenship and socially responsible writing. She emphasizes civic learning through community partnerships, believing students thrive when invested in societal issues. Education: B.A., Loyola University Maryland (2004) M.A., University of South Carolina (2006) Ph.D., University of South Carolina (2011) Research interests include feminist historiography, rhetorical education in 19th-century women’s journalism, contemplative writing practices, and the intersection of literature and domestic spaces. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary pedagogical innovation. Selected grants include the St. Joseph’s University Morris Grant (2016) and Summer Research Grant (2014). Her publications span rhetorical theory, composition studies, and literary analysis, with a focus on gendered narratives and public discourse. Her advising and grant activities reflect a commitment to service learning and mutuality, though specific student advisees are not listed. No labs or formal research teams are mentioned in the text.
Dr Edward Clarke is a Lecturer in Lifelong Learning (English Literature and Creative Writing) at the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. He combines academic teaching with creative practice as a published poet and literary critic. Education: PhD (Dublin), MA (Oxford) His research and teaching interests span English literature, literary criticism, creative writing, and the intersection of art history with poetic and architectural symbolism. He has published extensively on modernist poetry and contemporary interpretations of sacred texts. Recent publications include: The Secret Mind of Art (2023) analyzing western art/architecture Divine Themes and Celestial Praise (2023) - edited poems by Henry Vaughan and George Herbert Cherubims (2022) - poetry collection He has been recognized as a Fellow and Ordinary Fellow, and his documentary Clarke's Psalter was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between literary studies and visual culture.
Ian H. Solomon is Dean and Professor of Practice of Public Policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia. He leads a multidisciplinary faculty dedicated to creating new knowledge, developing ethical and effective leaders, and advancing solutions to humanity’s greatest policy challenges. His leadership spans academia, government, and international organizations. Education: AB, Harvard University JD, Yale Law School Research and Professional Interests: Ian Solomon is a trained lawyer and devoted scholar of negotiation and conflict resolution. His work integrates insights from public policy, leadership, domestic and international affairs, and global development. He is particularly focused on private-sector development in Africa, ethical leadership, and the application of contemplative science in policymaking and education. His interdisciplinary approach bridges theory and practice. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While no formal list of advisees or grants is provided, Solomon has mentored students through core programs like UVA’s Public Service Pathways and taught courses such as Democracy and Public Service. His leadership has secured institutional growth, including expanded academic offerings and faculty recruitment at the Batten School. He has also led initiatives connecting leadership with contemplative practice and global human development. Labs and Teams: Solomon collaborates with UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center and leads institutional initiatives such as the 'Fridays at Batten' series. He has facilitated high-level panels like the African Human Capital Summit and works with international scholars and practitioners, including through engagements with the Dalai Lama and global policy leaders.
Dr. Karen O'Brien-Kop is a Lecturer in Modern Asian Religions at King’s College London’s Department of Theology & Religious Studies within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. She holds a PhD from SOAS University of London, focusing on intertextual studies of early South Asian mind-body philosophies. Previously, she served as Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS and lecturer at the University of Roehampton. Her research focuses on Hinduism and Buddhism, particularly Sanskrit texts like the Patanjalayogasastra and Yogacarabhumisastra. Key interests include mind-body practices, decolonial theory, and the philosophy of religion. She has published extensively in journals such as Journal of Indian Philosophy and co-edited the Routledge Handbook of Yoga and Meditation Studies . Education: PhD in Religion from SOAS University of London Grants: British Academy Small Grant (2025): 'Plant ontologies, material practices, and knowledge circulations in Ayurveda' British Academy Grant (2022–2023): 'Asian Cultural Mobilities' Her recent work explores transreligiosity in South London, Samkhya ontology, and Asian cultural heritage. She advises PhD students on topics like Tibetan Buddhist ontology and somatic experiences in contemplative traditions.
