David Gilmartin is a Professor of History at North Carolina State University, affiliated with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research focuses on modern South Asian history, particularly the intersection of British imperialism, environmental history, and the evolution of political institutions. He holds a Ph.D. in South Asian History from the University of California, Berkeley (1979), following degrees from the University of California, Berkeley (M.A., 1972) and the University of Michigan (B.A., 1971). His work explores colonial and postcolonial legal frameworks, the Indus River Basin's role in political dynamics, and India's electoral systems. Notable publications include Blood and Water: The Indus River Basin in Modern History (2015) and South Asian Sovereignty: The Conundrum of Worldly Power (2020). Current projects investigate India’s electoral institutions and the legacy of partition. Gilmartin teaches courses on South Asian history, imperialism, and world history. He is affiliated with the Department of History’s Legal and Environmental subfields and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives on Middle East Studies.
Dr. Anna Izdebska is a researcher at the Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Religious Studies at Jagiellonian University. She holds a PhD in Arabic Studies (2017, University of Warsaw) and has conducted extensive research abroad at institutions like Freie Universität Berlin, Princeton University, and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. Her work focuses on the intersection of Greek and Arabic philosophical traditions, particularly the Greco-Arabic translation movement and late antique Greek philosophy through Arabic sources. Education: M.A. in Philosophy and Arabic Studies (University of Warsaw) PhD in Arabic Studies (University of Warsaw, 2017; distinction) Research Interests: Islamic classical period, Muslim philosophy, ancient philosophy, late antiquity, Greco-Arabic translation movement, comparative intellectual traditions. Key Projects: 2015–present: Member of CNRS project on pseudo-Pythagorean texts 2012–2017: Led MNiSW Diamond Grant on Pythagoreanism in Arabic 2011–2013: Coordinated international project on medieval intellectual transmission Awards: PhD with distinction (2017). Grants & Labs: Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (ongoing); extensive international collaborations with Oxford, Princeton, and others.
Peter Grund is a Senior Lecturer at Yale University, holding a split appointment in the English Department and the Divinity School. He holds a Ph.D. in English Linguistics from Uppsala University (2004), along with an MA (1998) and BA (1997) from the same institution. Previously, he served as a Professor of English Language Studies at the University of Kansas, recognized as an award-winning teacher. His research focuses on the sociocultural contexts of language use in historical periods, particularly analyzing depictions of language in witch trials and early modern England. He has authored/co-authored influential monographs and edited volumes, including *The Sociopragmatics of Stance* (2021) and *Speech Representation in the History of English* (2020). His teaching emphasizes language variation, change, and sociolinguistic implications, encouraging students to critically assess linguistic norms and their societal impacts. Courses explore language’s role in identity, discrimination, and social justice. Grund has collaborated extensively, co-editing volumes such as *Studies in the History of the English Language VIII* (2020) and *Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt* (2009). His work bridges historical linguistics and sociocultural analysis, offering insights into language’s dynamic role across time and contexts.
Andrea Kibler Maxwell is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Lead Undergraduate Advisor in the Department of History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Her interdisciplinary background merges art history with clinical psychology, emphasizing holistic student mentorship. She specializes in premodern and early modern Italian art, particularly the interplay between religious discourse and visual rhetoric in Northern Italy (1475–1550). Her research examines how anti-Jewish and anti-Protestant imagery shaped communal identities. A Mental Health Champion, she prioritizes student wellbeing and employs innovative pedagogy in global art surveys. Education: PhD (University of Pittsburgh), MA/BA in Art History (Kent State, Mary Baldwin), MA in Clinical Psychology (East Carolina), BA in Psychology/Sociology (Concord) Her teaching focuses on thematic, anti-canonical approaches to art history, emphasizing student agency. Recent publications include reviews of works on Baroque Italy and Renaissance art theory, along with catalog entries for the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Awards include the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship and Elizabeth Baranger Excellence in Teaching Award. Conferences: Presentations on Romanino’s visual sermons, Lorenzo Lotto’s divine imagery, and ungrading pedagogy in academia.
Peter Struck is the Vartan Gregorian Professor of the Humanities and Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also serves as Stephen A. Levin Family Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago and MA in Divinity. His research explores ancient theories of signs and interpretation, with focus areas in Greek and Roman mythology, divination practices, and the history of allegorical thought. His cognitive historical approach examines how ancient Mediterranean cultures developed systems for interpreting signs in nature and texts. Professor Struck has authored influential works including 'Divination and Human Nature' and 'The Birth of the Symbol,' and co-edited 'The Cambridge Companion to Allegory.' His scholarship traces connections between ancient symbolic systems and modern interpretive practices.
Michela Gardini is a Full Professor of French Literature at the University of Bergamo, Department of Languages, Literatures and Foreign Cultures, where she also serves as Coordinator of the PhD Program in Transcultural Humanities (2024–2027). She teaches French Literature and Intercultural Imaginaries in both undergraduate and master’s programs, including the international track in Intercultural Studies in Languages and Literatures. Her academic work is deeply rooted in interdisciplinary and transcultural approaches to French literary studies. Her research focuses on 19th- and 20th-century French literature, particularly the novel, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and transcultural perspectives. Key areas include literature and religion, myth rewriting (e.g., Joan of Arc), literature and justice, word-image relationships (especially the motif of the portrait), intertextuality, metatextuality (with attention to the translator as a literary figure), narratives of place, intercultural imaginaries, and Maghrebian Francophone writings. These interests reflect a commitment to understanding literature as a dynamic site of cultural negotiation and transformation. The analysis of her recent publications (2020–2025) reveals a consistent engagement with French literary figures such as Georges Bernanos, Théophile Gautier, Léon Bloy, André Gide, and Maurice Barrès, often through the lenses of religion, identity, myth, and cultural memory. Her work spans original scholarly chapters and articles, as well as critical reviews in leading journals like French Studies and Revue d’Histoire Littéraire de la France , demonstrating both creative and evaluative scholarly contributions across French literary and cultural studies. Michela Gardini has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. She advises PhD students as Coordinator of the Transcultural Humanities PhD program and is actively involved in academic mentorship and curriculum development. While specific grant details are not listed, her sustained publication record and leadership role suggest active research funding and institutional support. She teaches core courses in French literature and intercultural studies, shaping the next generation of scholars in transcultural literary analysis. Michela Gardini is affiliated with the Department of Languages, Literatures and Foreign Cultures at the University of Bergamo, where she contributes to research, teaching, and doctoral supervision. She is part of a scholarly community focused on modern foreign languages and literatures, with particular strength in French studies and transcultural humanities.
Courtney Bickel Lamberth is a Lecturer in the Study of Religion and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Harvard University. She holds academic affiliations with the Harvard Divinity School and the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations. Her roles have included Resident Tutor at Dudley House, Assistant Senior Tutor, Allston Burr Senior Tutor (Resident Dean) of Winthrop House, and Assistant Dean in the Office of Undergraduate Education. Education: BA in Philosophy (Columbia College, 1987), MTS (Harvard Divinity School), PhD in Study of Religion (Harvard University, dissertation: “A Willing Heart: Kant’s Idea of Freedom as Spontaneity and Receptivity in Operation”). Her research focuses on Kantian philosophy, moral theology, and the intersection of religious studies with ethics. She has taught at Fordham University and Mt. Holyoke College, emphasizing theological and philosophical frameworks for understanding human freedom and moral agency. Her administrative contributions span residential life, undergraduate education policy, and academic advising. She currently oversees the undergraduate Study of Religion concentration and teaches in Harvard’s Expository Writing Program.
Amy Hollywood is the Elizabeth H. Monrad Professor of Christian Studies at Harvard Divinity School (HDS), where she has served since 2005. Her academic work bridges philosophy of religion, religion and literature, and feminist and gender studies. She holds an AB from Bryn Mawr College and an MA/PhD from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on medieval Christian mysticism, gendered religious experiences, and the intersections of literature and theology. Key publications include *The Soul as Virgin Wife* (1995), *Sensible Ecstasy* (2002), and *Acute Melancholia and Other Essays* (2016). She co-edited *The Cambridge Companion to Christian Mysticism* (2012) and contributes to interdisciplinary projects like *Representations*’ special issue on prayer and literature. Hollywood has received the Otto Grundler Prize (1995) for her work on medieval mysticism. Her courses explore topics in Christian thought, religious literature, and feminist theology, taught at both HDS and Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She is currently on leave during Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Mayra Rivera is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Religion and Latinx Studies at Harvard University's Harvard Divinity School. Her work bridges philosophy of religion, postcolonial theory, and Caribbean thought, focusing on how discourses shape embodiment and socio-material ecologies. She earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, followed by an MTS and PhD from Drew University. Her research explores intersections of coloniality, race, gender, and theology. Key works include *Poetics of the Flesh* (2015), analyzing 'flesh' as a metaphor for social-material embodiment, and *The Touch of Transcendence* (2007), examining divine otherness and human difference. Current projects address colonialism and Caribbean ecological thought. Rivera served as President of the American Academy of Religion (2022). She is on leave in Spring/Fall 2025 but remains active in teaching and scholarship. Her work engages interdisciplinary dialogues between theology, critical theory, and postcolonial studies.
Dr Alastair MacDonald is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History within the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History at the University of Aberdeen. He is actively involved in research and teaching, with a strong focus on later medieval Scottish history, particularly Anglo-Scottish relations, warfare, and frontier societies. He is currently accepting PhD students and maintains an active research profile. Research Interests: Anglo-Scottish relations in the later Middle Ages Military history of medieval Scotland War and society in the later Middle Ages Frontier societies and border nobility Espionage and intelligence in medieval diplomacy Scottish military leadership and soldierly experience His recent publications explore themes such as guerrilla warfare, brutality in battle, courage and fear among soldiers, and the cultural dimensions of war. These works reflect a deep engagement with both military and social aspects of medieval conflict. Notably, his research combines traditional historiography with digital humanities, as seen in the Aberdeen Burgh Records Database . Scientific Awards and Recognition: No formal scientific awards listed in available sources. Advising and Grants: Dr MacDonald is currently accepting PhD students in History and encourages prospective candidates to contact him to discuss research ideas. While specific grant funding is not detailed in the provided texts, his sustained publication record and involvement in collaborative digital projects suggest active research support. He has served as an editor for Northern Scotland (2014–2019) and provided expert commentary on the Wars of Independence, indicating recognition as a subject-matter expert. Labs and Research Teams: He was a key contributor to the Aberdeen Burgh Records Database , a collaborative digital history project involving multiple scholars at the University of Aberdeen. This reflects his engagement with interdisciplinary and team-based research in the digital humanities.
Josslyn Jeanine Luckett is Assistant Professor in the Department of Cinema Studies at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. She is also affiliated faculty of NYU's Asian Film and Media Initiative. Her interdisciplinary background bridges film, Africana studies, ethnic studies, and theology, positioning her at the forefront of critical media scholarship. Her educational journey includes a PhD in Africana Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School, and a BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Luckett’s research centers on media studies, jazz and improvisation, and comparative Ethnic Studies, with a focus on race, media, and social justice. She investigates representations of Afrodiasporic spiritual practices in film and television and is currently working on a book project about the pre-history of the L.A. Rebellion through the lens of UCLA’s Ethno-Communications Program. Her scholarship appears in Film Quarterly , Public Books , World Records Journal , Rebel Musics , and the Los Angeles Times . Her creative work includes writing the teleplay for the MTV Original Movie Love Song and serving on the writing staff of Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar for its seventh season. Her recent appointment to the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress underscores her national impact in film preservation and scholarship. Fellow, Sundance Institute Screenwriters and Playwrights Labs Fellow, Film Independent Directing Lab Member, Macondo Writers Workshop Member, Writers Guild of America (since 1998) Luckett has mentored emerging writers through institutional and creative affiliations. While no formal advisees are listed, her role as a professor and creative practitioner involves significant guidance to students. She has not received direct grant mentions in the text, but her fellowships and editorial roles indicate sustained research support. She contributes to the academic and cultural mission of NYU through her teaching, research, and public engagement.
George Goldman II is a Professor at the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University. He teaches courses in New Testament, Greek, and Faith & Culture. His academic affiliations include Lipscomb University (B.A. 1988, M.A. 1991), Harding University Graduate School of Religion (M.Div. 1993), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Ph.D. 2002). Education: B.A., Lipscomb University (1988) M.A., Lipscomb University (1991) M.Div., Harding University Graduate School of Religion (1993) Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (2002) His research interests focus on New Testament studies, Greek language, and the intersection of faith with contemporary culture. Dr. Goldman is actively involved in college ministry and attends Otter Creek Church of Christ. He resides in Franklin, TN, with his family. No scientific awards or notable grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Mike Williams is a Professor at the College of Bible at Lipscomb University. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona (1986), a Master of Divinity from Abilene Christian University (1991), and a doctorate in New Testament from Emory University. His teaching focuses on freshman Bible courses, New Testament texts, and Greek language instruction. Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Arizona (1986) M.Div., Abilene Christian University (1991) Doctorate in New Testament, Emory University His research and teaching interests center on New Testament textual analysis, biblical languages (particularly Greek), and effective pedagogy in religious education. Prior to his academic role, he served as Senior Minister at the Fourth Avenue Church of Christ in Franklin, Tennessee. He resides with his wife Tania and their two children, Jeremy and Rachel.
Prof. Dr. Nils P. Heeßel is a University Professor at the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Philipps University of Marburg. His research focuses on Babylonian-Assyrian culture, divination practices, Mesopotamian medicine, and demonology. He serves as the Speaker of the DFG Graduate College 2844 "Inszenierung religiöser Atmosphäre in antiken Kulturen" (2023–2024) and has held leadership roles at the Marburg Centre for Ancient World Studies and the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (2022–2024). He has published extensively on cuneiform medical texts, astrological omens, and Assyrian scribal culture. His recent editorial work includes co-editing Legitimising Magic (2023) and kullat ṭupšarrūti (2023). His academic affiliations span organizations like the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft and the International Association of Assyriology.
Piero Capelli is a Full Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, where he specializes in Hebrew language and Jewish studies. His academic work spans biblical interpretation, rabbinic literature, Jewish mysticism, and medieval interreligious polemics. University: Ca' Foscari University of Venice Department: Department of Asian and North African Studies Academic Rank: Professor Email: piero.capelli@unive.it Capelli’s research focuses on the development of Jewish thought from antiquity through the medieval period, particularly in areas such as apocalyptic literature, the problem of evil, textual transmission, and the interaction between Jewish and Christian intellectual traditions. He has published extensively on topics including Ezekiel’s Merkavah vision, the figure of Satan in early Judaism, and the interpretation of Deuteronomy in late antique sources. His scholarly interests also extend to the cultural and theological dimensions of Jewish-Christian polemics in the Middle Ages, especially concerning figures like Nicolas Donin and Pablo Christiani. His recent publications demonstrate a sustained engagement with both primary textual analysis and broader thematic explorations. From 2023 to 2025, his work includes studies on apocalyptic texts like 1 Enoch, 2 Baruch, and 4 Ezra, as well as critical editions and translations of rabbinic and mystical writings. He has also contributed prefaces, introductions, and editorial leadership to journals such as Skenè and Humanitas , curating special issues on Jewish theatres and demonic traditions in Western culture. While no formal awards are listed in the provided text, his prolific output and editorial roles indicate significant recognition within the academic community. Capelli has advised on bibliographic projects and contributed to collective volumes, showing strong mentorship and collaborative engagement. He has not supervised any named students in the data provided, but his role as a professor implies teaching and guidance responsibilities. He leads no named labs or research teams in the available information, but his editorial and curatorial work suggests leadership in scholarly networks and academic publishing. His career reflects deep commitment to advancing the study of Jewish texts and their reception across historical and cultural contexts.
