Tatjana Marković is an Austrian Academy of Sciences researcher and Adjunct Professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where she leads the FWF project on music historiography at the Habsburg Monarchy's southern borders (1750–1914). As editor of TheMA journal and chair of the IMS Study Group Music and Cultural Studies, she specializes in reconstructing pluricultural musical life along the Austro-Ottoman frontier. Adjunct Professor, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna Head, FWF Discourses on Music project Editor, TheMA – Theatre, Music, Arts Chair, IMS Study Group Music and Cultural Studies Her research intertwines musicology with cultural studies, focusing on Southeast European musical traditions and their representation in Habsburg and Ottoman contexts. Key areas include diplomatic music exchanges, military border cultural dynamics, and gendered perspectives in regional music history. Recent publications address microregional musical networks, operatic diplomacy, and 19th-century battlefield commemorations through music. She contributes to international conferences on Balkan musicology and Austro-Ottoman cultural interactions, with editorial roles in multiple academic series.
Laura Meyers is a Clinical Professor in the College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) at Georgia State University, serving as Program Coordinator for the Master of Arts in Creative and Innovative Education (MACIE). She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University, an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Hollins University, and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Presbyterian College. Her work focuses on arts-infused instruction, social justice education, and cross-cultural learning. Dr. Meyers integrates dramatic and visual arts to address social justice issues like racism, gun violence, and mental health through collaborations with Atlanta-based artists. She created the Tiles for Social Justice curriculum and leads study abroad programs in China and Mexico. Notable accolades include the 2023 GSU Instructional Innovation Award and the 2020 George M. Sparks Award. Her teaching spans introductory courses (e.g., PERS 2001, ECE 3385) and innovative graduate courses like Art as Activism and (Re)centering Well-being. She actively contributes to academic and artistic communities through films, theatre productions, and international recognitions such as her Honorary Teacher title from Sichuan Normal University (2015).
Amanda Morris is a Research Professor and Director at the CDU Academy of the Arts within Charles Darwin University's Faculty of Arts and Society, specializing in Creative Industries and Innovation. She holds a PhD from The University of Sydney (1989) and a Graduate Diploma in Direction from The National Institute of Dramatic Art (1984). Her research integrates performing arts, interdisciplinary studies, and emerging technologies, focusing on pedagogical systems design, screen-based drama, and ecological arts. She has supervised postgraduate research and led innovative projects such as CellF, a neuron-driven synthesiser in performance. Education: PhD (University of Sydney), Graduate Diploma in Direction (NIDA) Key Roles: Editorial board member for The New Platform Papers , Member of Creative Industries Ministerial Advisory Council Notable Activities: Organised Voice and Speech Teachers Association (VASTA) conference (2017), delivered invited talks on online learning design (2021) Her awards include multiple Gold Medals for interactive multimedia (1998–2000) and recognition for educational technology innovations. Morris’s work bridges arts, technology, and pedagogy, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education.
Professor Sos Eltis is a Fellow and Tutorial Fellow in English at Brasenose College, University of Oxford. He has held significant academic roles, including English Faculty Chair (2007–2010, 2014–2015) and Academic Co-ordinator for the Humanitas Professorship of Drama. His teaching focuses on Victorian, modern, and contemporary literature, with a special interest in drama and performance studies. Education: M.A., M.Phil., D.Phil. (Oxford). Research Interests: Victorian and Edwardian performance, Oscar Wilde, gender and sexuality in theatre, women’s suffrage, and the intersection of theatre with politics and social movements. His current project, Ingenious Theatres , explores Victorian performance through the lens of contemporary theatre scholarship, examining themes like democracy, technology, labour, and gender binaries. Professional Affiliations: Member of Oxford University Dramatic Society, Oxford Playhouse Board, and convenor of the Drama in Performance seminar series. Publications: Author of Revising Wilde (1996), Acts of Desire (2013), and editor of George Bernard Shaw’s works (2021). Recent articles span topics like suffrage writing, decadence in theatre, and Beckett’s direction. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary critical frameworks.
Makoto Harris Takao is an Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with an affiliated appointment in East Asian Languages and Cultures. He holds a joint PhD in History and Musicology from the University of Western Australia and has held postdoctoral positions at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the Freie Universität Berlin. His research bridges Japanese religious history, global music historiography, and the history of emotions, focusing on transcultural dynamics in early modern Japan and contemporary East Asia. Education: B.A. (Japanese Studies), B.A. Hons (Asian Studies), and Ph.D. (History and Musicology) from the University of Western Australia. Research interests include Kirishitan (Japanese Christian) transculturation, global baroque music, and the interplay between music and colonial/postcolonial politics. His current book projects explore 16th-century Japanese Christian soundscapes and the Okinawan singer Amuro Namie’s entanglement with postcolonial pop politics. He also performs on the viola da gamba in revival projects of early modern Japanese-Christian music. Awards include the Bruce Mansfield Prize in Religious History and an honorable mention from UIUC’s Humanities Research Institute. He serves on the American Musicological Society’s Education Committee and the editorial board of Early Music . Teaching focuses on global music history, the Baroque era, and Japanese popular music. Courses include Global Baroque: Music, Power, and the ‘European’ Tradition and History of Japanese Popular Music .
Prof. Anja Müller-Wood holds a Professorship in English Literature at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2003. She earned her Ph.D. (1995) from Philipps-Universität Marburg and completed her Habilitation (2002) at the University of Trier. Her research focuses on early modern English literature (16th-17th centuries), 19th-20th century English literature, and interdisciplinary fields like narratology, stylistics, and literary linguistics. She teaches advanced BA/MA courses on these topics and co-leads core modules like 'Introduction to Literary Studies' and 'Colloquium' for literature and education students. Her work explores intersections between literature and cultural identity, particularly in post-Reformation religious dynamics and narrative form. She actively supervises theses aligned with her research areas. Her recent publications include analyses of Jacobean drama, cognitive approaches to narrative, and studies on Angela Carter and Ian McEwan. She serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Literary Linguistics and maintains academic profiles on ResearchGate and academia.edu. Research emphasizes cognitive narratology, examining how literary forms interact with human cognitive processes. She also investigates transnational cultural exchanges in early modern and modern British literature, blending historical analysis with contemporary theoretical frameworks.
Thor Holt is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Ibsen Studies, University of Oslo. He specializes in interdisciplinary investigations of Ibsen’s works, focusing on intersections between aesthetics, politics, and sociocultural contexts. His research integrates literary and film theory with historical analyses, employing social philosophy and disaster discourses. Education: PhD in Ibsen Studies and German Film (University of Oslo, 2020); MA in Literary Studies (University of Copenhagen, 2012). International experience includes visiting roles at UC Berkeley (2021–22) and Humboldt-Universität, Berlin (2015–16). Teaching responsibilities include courses on Ibsen studies, Scandinavian film, and theoretical methodologies. Holt serves as Teaching Coordinator at the Centre for Ibsen Studies (2024–) and co-edits Ibsen Studies . His publications explore adaptation theory, trauma aesthetics, and historical film adaptations. Research interests span Ibsen’s global reception, intermediality, and cultural history. Notable works analyze Nazi-era Ibsen adaptations, silent film interpretations, and allegorical film receptions.
Dr. Hannah Crawforth is a Reader in Early Modern Literature at King's College London, based in the Department of English within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. She has been affiliated with King's since 2009, following her PhD from Princeton University. Her research focuses on Early Modern English Literature, Poetics, Greek tragedy, and the works of John Milton, with a particular interest in transhistorical dialogues between early modern texts and contemporary African-American poetry. Her current projects include exploring the political dimensions of Greek tragedy in revolutionary contexts and analyzing African-American poets' engagements with early modern works. She has co-authored influential publications such as Shakespeare's London and edited volumes like The Sonnets: The State of Play . Crawforth actively collaborates with institutions like Shakespeare's Globe and contributes to public engagement through radio appearances and festival committees. Her teaching spans Early Modern poetry, classical reception, and race/gender studies, including supervising MA and PhD students. She co-convenes an MA in Early Modern Literature with the British Library. Research grants include the Leverhulme-funded project A European English: Milton and the 'questione della lingua' . Education: PhD in English Literature from Princeton University (2009) Key Collaborations: With Elizabeth Scott-Baumann on Shakespearean poetry projects and the Globe's Shakespeare and Race festival. Her work bridges historical and modern literary analysis, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to Early Modern texts and their contemporary resonances. Recent publications include articles on Spenser and DuBois, C.H. Sisson's anachronistic poetics, and Shakespearean sonnet criticism.
Dimitri Scarlato serves as Area Leader in Masters Programmes in Composition for Screen and Doctoral Supervisor at the Royal College of Music's Faculty of Composition. Holding a Doctorate in Composition from the RCM (2014) alongside prior studies at Guildhall School of Music & Drama (2004) and Rome's Conservatorio di Musica S.Cecilia, he maintains active roles in academic leadership and doctoral supervision while continuing professional creative work. His research spans film composition, opera, and contemporary classical music with specialized focus on screen-based media. Key interests include soundtrack production techniques, cross-cultural narrative scoring, and innovative vocal composition for modern contexts. His work integrates academic rigor with industry practice through film scores, operatic productions, and multimedia performances that bridge traditional and contemporary forms. Scarlato's recent creative output demonstrates consistent thematic development in audiovisual storytelling, with increasing sophistication in emotional resonance and cultural contextualization across film and opera formats. His projects frequently explore Italian cinematic traditions while incorporating international perspectives from collaborations at venues like Berlinale Talent Campus and Royal Opera House. 2nd Prize, Opera Harmony Digital Opera Festival (2020) for 'A Life Reset' Award for Soundtrack to Short Film 'Intolerance' (2021) RCM Rising Star Selection (2010) As Doctoral Supervisor, Scarlato guides emerging composers through rigorous academic and creative development, emphasizing practical industry integration. His professional engagements include conducting premieres of contemporary operas across Europe and high-profile collaborations such as coaching Sir Michael Caine for the film 'Youth' (2015). Current projects focus on expanding composition techniques for digital media platforms while maintaining strong connections to traditional performance venues.
Professor Beata Wróblewska is a distinguished conductor, composer, and pedagogue at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where she serves as Professor in the Faculty of Choral Conducting, Church Music, Artistic Education, Rhythmics and Jazz. Appointed professor in 2019, she has been employed since 2013 and currently holds the position of Deputy Director of the Institute of Choral and Oratorio-Cantata Conducting and Head of the Composition, Arrangement, and Music Education Studio since 2016. Her academic journey includes studies in Music Education and Choral Conducting (1989), Music Theory (1994), and Composition (1995) at the Academy, followed by Doctor of Musical Arts from the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań (2001) and a postdoctoral degree in conducting (2013). Professor Wróblewska's research focuses on Polish and world a cappella choral music and vocal-instrumental music, with particular emphasis on cross-cultural collaborations. Her creative work demonstrates a unique synthesis of Polish choral traditions with international influences, especially evident in her compositions that incorporate Chinese musical elements and UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage. She actively participates in doctoral and habilitation committees and serves on juries for national and international music competitions. Her recent compositions reveal a strong trend toward international collaboration, particularly between Polish and Chinese musical traditions. Works like 'Mu Guiying Takes Command of Troops' (2019) and the 'Damit sie alle eins sind/May all be one' project demonstrate her commitment to using music as a vehicle for cultural exchange and peace promotion. Her compositions often integrate traditional instruments from different cultures and draw inspiration from UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Gold Badge of Honor from the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras (2014) Diploma of Recognition from Puebla, Mexico (2019) Gold Medal for Long Service (2021) Scholarship from Sopot City Council for promoting Polish choral music in Israel (2022) Multiple Rector's Awards from both Pomeranian University in Słupsk and Academy of Music in Gdańsk Professor Wróblewska maintains an active conducting career with the Festival Choir of the Sopot Academy of Applied Sciences, Mundus Cantat, with which she has won numerous international awards. She also serves on doctoral committees and as a jury member for music competitions worldwide, contributing significantly to the development of emerging musical talent. Her international collaborations span performances in Italy, Vatican, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Romania, Northern Ireland, Greece, Lithuania, Mexico, Israel, Canada, and China.
Dr. Thalia R Goldstein is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Developmental Psychology at George Mason University (GMU). She directs the PLAY Lab and co-directs the National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab (MasonARC). Her research focuses on children’s social-emotional development through pretend play, theater, and imaginative activities. Dr. Goldstein holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Boston College (2010), with postdoctoral training at Yale University (2010–2012) and a prior faculty role at Pace University (2013–2017). Her education includes a BA from Cornell University (2002), MA (2007), and Ph.D. (2010) from Boston College. Research grants include funding from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and the John Templeton Foundation. She serves on editorial boards for journals like Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts and is an APA Division 10 Fellow. Current research explores topics such as the impact of theater education on empathy, longitudinal learning in acting, children’s understanding of fictional characters like Santa Claus, and adult engagement in pretend activities. Her book Why Theatre Education Matters (2024) synthesizes findings on arts’ cognitive and social benefits. Key awards include a 2019 poster award at the Cognitive Science Society conference. Dr. Goldstein advises students on projects involving dance, video games, and moral understanding in pretend play. She teaches courses on developmental psychology, creativity, and social-emotional learning. Her work bridges developmental science and the arts, with media features in The New York Times , NPR, and the National Endowment for the Arts podcast. Labs: PLAY Lab (playlab.gmu.edu), Mason Arts Research Center (MasonARC). Office: David J. King Hall DK3055.
Mauro Calcagno is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in opera studies, early modern music, performance studies, critical theory, and digital humanities. He holds a Ph.D. in Music from Yale University (2000) and previously taught at Harvard University (until 2008) and Stony Brook University (until 2013). His research focuses on Baroque opera, Monteverdi’s works, and digital editions of early music. Notable publications include From Madrigal to Opera: Monteverdi's Staging of the Self and contributions to the Journal of the American Musicological Society . His edition of Cavalli's Eliogabalo has been internationally performed and critically praised. He co-directs the Marenzio Online Digital Edition (MODE), funded by a NEH grant, and is involved in initiatives like the Bibliotheca Dantesca online journal and the Music in the Pavilion concert series. His awards include the Alfred Einstein Award for an essay on 17th-century vocal aesthetics. At Penn, he directs undergraduate education in the Music Department, chairs the Center for Italian Studies (2017–2021), and co-leads the Rodin Arts Collective. His teaching spans doctoral seminars on opera theory, Baroque music, and digital editing, as well as undergraduate courses on opera history. He actively collaborates with institutions like the Juilliard School and the Centre for Baroque Music in Versailles, offering workshops on Baroque performance practices. His current projects include a book on modern stagings of Baroque opera and a comparative literature initiative through Penn’s graduate programs.
Hermine May is a Romanian-born mezzo-soprano and faculty member at the University of Music and Drama in Rostock since 2020. She has established herself internationally through performances in dramatic opera repertoire, notably portraying roles like Carmen, Amneris, and Ortrud at prestigious venues such as La Scala di Milano and opera houses in Copenhagen and Shanghai. Her artistic collaborations include work with renowned conductors like Zubin Mehta, Raffael Frühbeck de Burgos, and Teodor Currentzis. She has achieved significant success on the concert platform, performing works by Mahler, Verdi, Brahms, and Wagner. Specializes in dramatic mezzo-soprano roles Active in international opera and concert stages Teaches vocal performance at the university level Collaborated with major orchestras and conductors
Fahiem Bacchus is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, within the Faculty of Arts and Science. His research is centered on foundational problems in Artificial Intelligence, particularly in reasoning, representation, and algorithm design. Institution: University of Toronto School: Faculty of Arts and Science Department: Department of Computer Science Email: fbacchus@cs.toronto.edu His work spans key areas including constraint satisfaction, satisfiability (SAT), automated planning, Bayesian inference, and constraint optimization. He focuses on developing algorithms that exploit domain-specific knowledge and structural properties to improve performance. His research has led to significant contributions such as the TLPlan planning system, which won the AIPS2002 international planning competition, and the 2clseq SAT solver, which demonstrated that extensive binary clause reasoning can dramatically improve solver efficiency. His work on preprocessors like Hypre further advanced formula simplification techniques. The recent articles reflect a strong focus on improving search algorithms through richer reasoning mechanisms, particularly in SAT solving and non-clausal logic. His publications show a consistent trend toward enhancing DPLL-based solvers with advanced inference techniques, reducing search space through preprocessing, and leveraging structural knowledge in logical theories. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Bacchus has supervised research and developed educational materials, with involvement in teaching and academic conference organization. While specific grants are not listed, his software releases (2clseq, Hypre, NoClause) suggest externally supported research activity. He has contributed tutorials, talks, and online teaching resources, indicating an active role in academic dissemination and mentoring. His research group has produced several software systems available for non-commercial research use, including 2clseq, Hypre, and NoClause, reflecting a strong applied and experimental component to his work. These tools are used in SAT solving, preprocessing, and non-clausal reasoning, and are documented with detailed technical information and usage instructions.
James Moran is Professor of Modern English Literature and Drama in the School of English at the University of Nottingham. He serves as the Lead for Cultures and Communication Global Research Theme at the university, coordinating interdisciplinary research across various fields. With a career spanning since 2004 at Nottingham, Moran has established himself as a leading scholar in modern Anglophone literature and theatre. His academic background includes an MA and PhD from the University of Cambridge. His scholarly journey has led him to significant academic recognition and diverse collaborations both within and beyond academia. Moran's research primarily focuses on modern anglophone literature with particular interest in twentieth-century Irish and British theatre. His work reevaluates famous writers like DH Lawrence, George Bernard Shaw, and WB Yeats while also recovering writings of less well-known figures such as Kate O'Brien. He examines cultural, political, and social contexts of literary works, with recent projects exploring modern tragedy, fake news, and theatrical modernism. His approach is deeply interdisciplinary, working with scholars from varied methodological backgrounds and external partners including the BBC and the National Theatre. His publication record shows a consistent engagement with Irish drama, particularly the works of Sean O'Casey, and British modernist theatre. Recent work explores intersections between literature, performance, and contemporary social issues including pandemic experiences and disinformation. His scholarship bridges historical analysis with pressing contemporary concerns. Moran has received significant recognition for his work: Philip Leverhulme Prize winner British Academy Mid-Career Fellow Member of the collaborative board of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Throughout his career, Moran has been actively involved in academic leadership and public engagement. He has held numerous administrative roles including director of research, deputy-head of school, senior tutor, and head of drama and creative writing at Nottingham. His work extends beyond traditional academia through regular media appearances, including a decade-long monthly book-review feature on BBC Radio Nottingham (2010-2020), appearances on BBC TV's Who Do You Think You Are?, and collaborations with cultural institutions like the Royal National Theatre. He has directed theatre works including the US premiere of D.H. Lawrence's play 'Altitude' at the Taos Center for the Arts. Moran maintains an active international scholarly presence with visiting fellowships at Harvard University, University of Maynooth (2024-25), University of New Mexico (2022), and University of Texas at Austin (2019). His work demonstrates a commitment to making literary scholarship relevant to contemporary social and political concerns while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
