Marco Maggi is Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Italian Switzerland (USI), affiliated with the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society. He co-directs the Master's program in Italian Language, Literature, and Civilization and previously served as Vice Dean (2020–2022). His editorial roles span multiple international series, including Crossovers: New Perspectives on CompLit and Diomira. Studi teorici sull'intermedialità , and he curates the Lea Ritter Santini Collection at the Natalino Sapegno Foundation. Marco Maggi's research delves into Literary intermediality, particularly between literature and visual culture Comparative literature, focusing on European Baroque and modernity Reception studies of classical texts in contemporary contexts Cultural transfer mechanisms in historical and artistic frameworks His 2020–2022 Images in Question project at USI's Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society exemplifies his commitment to interdisciplinary visual analysis. His publications portfolio, Walter Benjamin and Dante (2017) Visual Modernity of The Betrothed (2019) Intermediate Forms (2025) reveals a trajectory from Baroque textual theory to contemporary ecocriticism projects exploring natural inscriptions. Scientific recognition includes Italian national scientific qualification (2017) and fellowships at Naples' Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies (1999–2001) and Paris' Institut d'Études littéraires (2005). As curator of documentary exhibitions like Affioramenti (2018), and regular contributor to L'Indice dei Libri del Mese and antinomie.it , he bridges academic research with public intellectual discourse through frequent media appearances and cultural curation.
Tanja Forderer is a Research Fellow at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Protestant Theology, affiliated with the Institute of New Testament under Prof. Dr. Michael Tilly at the IAJ. Her work centers on New Testament exegesis, with emphasis on Pauline epistles, gender dynamics, and the Book of Revelation's socio-political context. Her academic journey includes: 2008-2014: Protestant Theology studies at Universities of Tübingen, Hamburg, and Berlin 2014: First Theological Service Examination (Diploma equivalent) 2020: Doctorate from University of Hamburg Dr. Forderer's research explores intersections of ancient power structures, gender, and biblical interpretation. She investigates how early Christian communities navigated Roman imperialism, particularly through Paul's rhetoric in 1 Corinthians and Thessalonians. Her current habilitation project compares narrated violence in Revelation with ancient discourses on domination, revealing how marginalized groups subverted imperial ideologies. This work bridges historical criticism and contemporary theological ethics. Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on Pauline communities, divorce jurisprudence, and peace ethics. Recent works analyze Persia's influence on Corinthian church dynamics (2023) and the Lord's Prayer's socio-historical roots (2022), showing progression from textual analysis to broader cultural critique. She has received recognition through: Doctoral Program in Humanities Scholarship, University of Hamburg (2015-2016, 2017-2020) Dr. Forderer's research assistant roles since 2014—including Hamburg's 'Creation and Gender in Early Judaism' project—highlight sustained engagement with gender hermeneutics. She actively contributes to academic discourse through memberships in the European Society of Women in Theological Research and the Association of New Testament Assistants.
Alicia Hein is a Research Fellow in the Department of Literary History of the Old Testament at the Faculty of Protestant Theology, University of Tübingen, since August 2023. Previously, she completed her PhD in Old Testament at the University of St. Andrews in June 2024, with prior teaching experience at institutions in Canada and St. Andrews. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Evangelical Theology (2010-2014), Caroline, Canada Master of Theological Studies (2016-2020), Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary, Cochrane, Canada PhD in Old Testament (2020-2024), University of St. Andrews, Scotland Dr. Hein's research focuses on Old Testament studies, particularly the Elijah narratives, intertextuality, and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Her work delves into the literary and theological aspects of biblical texts, with a special interest in the Book of Malachi and the reception of Elijah in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity. She employs literary criticism and rhetorical analysis to explore allusion and intertextuality in the Bible. Her recent publications examine the role of Elijah in biblical theology and the rhetorical use of allusion in the Chronicles. These works highlight a trend towards interdisciplinary approaches combining literary theory, historical criticism, and reception history in biblical scholarship. Dr. Hein has not received any scientific awards mentioned in the provided text. Regarding advising and grants, Dr. Hein does not have any listed advisees. She was offered a DAAD fellowship for doctoral studies in 2023 but declined the award. Dr. Hein participated in the Lautenschläger Azekah Expedition in Israel in 2023, contributing to archaeological excavations at Tel Azekah.
Hanadi Al-Samman serves as Associate Professor of Arabic Literature in the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages & Cultures at the University of Virginia's College of Arts & Sciences. Her academic home within the university structure places her at the intersection of Middle Eastern studies, literary criticism, and gender theory. With regular office hours maintained through Spring 2025 (Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00-3:30 PM in 133 New Cabell Hall), she remains actively engaged in teaching and mentorship. Her educational foundation includes a Ph.D. from Indiana University, where she developed the scholarly framework that would later inform her groundbreaking work on Arab women's literature and trauma theory. This academic training positioned her to bridge Western literary theory with Middle Eastern cultural contexts, creating space for nuanced discussions of identity and representation. Al-Samman's research forms a vibrant tapestry of contemporary Arabic literary production, with particular emphasis on how gender, sexuality, and trauma intersect in diasporic contexts. Her work consistently challenges Western-centric frameworks while simultaneously interrogating patriarchal structures within Arab societies. She has pioneered approaches that center Arab women's voices within global feminist discourse, particularly through her exploration of queer Arab studies and transnational feminist movements. Her scholarship reveals how literary texts become sites of resistance against cultural erasure and political oppression, with special attention to how trauma manifests across generations of displaced communities. Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals a consistent deepening of engagement with queer theory within Arab contexts, evolving from early foundational work on Arab women's literary representation to sophisticated examinations of LGBTQ+ experiences in the Middle East. Her scholarship demonstrates increasing attention to the intersections of religion, gender, and political resistance, particularly evident in her encyclopedia contributions on Islamic perspectives on gender and sexuality. The temporal arc of her work shows movement from literary analysis toward more direct engagement with contemporary political issues affecting Muslim communities globally. College Teaching Fellowship, UVa., 2017-2019 Mellon Humanities Fellowship, UVa., 2015-2016 Mead Honored Faculty, The Mead Endowment, 2012-2013 Woodrow Wilson Career Enhancement Fellowship, 2009-2010 Virginia Foundation for the Humanities Residential Fellowship, 2009-2010 University Teaching Fellowship, 2008-09 As an educator, Al-Samman has received multiple teaching awards recognizing her innovative approaches to presenting challenging material about Arab cultures and literatures to Western audiences. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained institutional support for her research, with continuous University of Virginia funding since 2006 including Summer Research Grants and specialized teaching fellowships. Her leadership extends beyond campus as evidenced by her presidency of the Association for Middle East Women's Studies (2017-2019), where she shaped national conversations about gender and Middle Eastern studies. While not affiliated with a specific laboratory, Al-Samman operates within collaborative academic networks including the Global Encyclopedia of LGBTQ History project and the Association for Middle East Women's Studies. Her scholarly ecosystem thrives through international conference participation (particularly Middle East Studies Association meetings), media engagements, and interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge literary studies with gender theory, trauma studies, and political science. Her work with writer-in-residence programs demonstrates commitment to fostering creative literary production alongside academic scholarship.
Jean Bessette is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English at the University of Vermont (College of Arts and Sciences). Her interdisciplinary work bridges rhetoric and composition, gender/sexuality studies, archival theory, and digital humanities. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh (2013) and has been recognized with awards including the Winifred Bryan Horner Outstanding Book Award (2018) and the Rhetoric Society of America Dissertation Award (2014). Her research examines how marginalized communities, particularly lesbian collectives, leverage archives to shape identity and navigate cultural challenges. Notable works include Retroactivism in the Lesbian Archives: Composing Pasts and Futures (2018) and essays on queer historiography and digital methods. Courses taught include Feminist Critical/Rhetorical Theory, Digital Rhetorics, and Expository Writing. Education: Ph.D. in English, University of Pittsburgh (2013) Bessette’s scholarship emphasizes feminist and queer approaches to pedagogy, historiography, and digital archives. Her articles explore topics like archival ethics, queer temporalities, and the intersections of sound studies with activism. Awards also include the CCCC Lavender Rhetorics Award (2017) and the UVM Excellence in Teaching Award (2018). Awards: Winifred B. Horner Book Award, RSA Dissertation Award, CCCC Lavender Rhetorics Award Her work spans institutional critique, digital humanities methodologies, and the politics of memory. Bessette actively contributes to feminist and queer academic communities through teaching, publishing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Nicole Caswell is a Professor in the English Department at East Carolina University, directing the University Writing Center. She specializes in rhetoric and composition, focusing on writing assessment, queer methodologies, and emotional labor in academic spaces. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing social justice and equity in writing education. Educational Background: B.S., Kent State University M.A., Ball State University Ph.D., Kent State University Research Interests: Emotion and affect in writing practices Queer possibilities in writing assessment Writing center administration as emotional labor Anti-racist praxis in academic spaces Notable Awards: 2017 International Writing Center Outstanding Book Award 2024 CCCC Lavender Rhetorics Award Teaching & Advising: Directs the University Writing Center Teaches graduate/undergraduate courses in writing studies, research methods, and composition pedagogy Professional Contributions: Authored/co-authored key texts on writing center administration and queer assessment frameworks Advances critical methodologies addressing structural inequities in writing education
Jack Delehanty is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Clark University, specializing in the intersection of religion, morality, and social inequality in the U.S. His research examines how religious frameworks justify or challenge social hierarchies, with a focus on faith-based activism for racial and economic justice. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota (2018), an M.A. (2014) from the same institution, and a B.A. in Religion from Carleton College (2009). His research interests include religious conservatism’s impact on national identity, faith-based community organizing, and the role of religious symbols in progressive movements. He teaches courses on sociological theory, inequality, activism, and religion. His work has been published in journals like Social Forces and Sociology of Religion . Recent publications explore topics such as public religion and gendered attitudes, the cultural dynamics of faith-based movements, and the political dimensions of Christian nationalism. While no specific awards are listed, his grants and recognitions reflect sustained scholarly engagement with these themes. Delehanty’s work bridges sociology and religious studies, emphasizing how moral discourse shapes social structures and mobilizes collective action. His research often intersects with contemporary debates on immigration, incarceration, and racial equity.
Prof. Magdalena Steciąg is a full-time faculty member at the University of Zielona Góra, affiliated with the Institute of Polish Philology and the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Her research spans ecolinguistics, discourse analysis, multilingualism, and media studies, with a focus on conceptual metaphors, lingua receptiva, and gendered language in public protests. Key Research Trends: Ecological discourse in public debates and media Polish-Czech cross-border communication via lingua receptiva Gender studies in journalistic and feminist discourse Anthropocene-era linguistic analysis Contact: msteciag@g.elearn.uz.zgora.pl | ORCID: 0000-0002-6360-2987
Stephen Tuffnell is an Associate Professor of Modern United States History at the University of Oxford, based at St Peter's College and affiliated with the Department of History. His research focuses on the global and imperial history of the United States in the nineteenth century, particularly transnational histories of US imperialism, migration, and transimperial connections in Africa. He is the author of *Made in Britain: Nation and Emigration in Nineteenth-Century America* (2020), which examines American migration to Britain and its role in US nation-building. His current project explores American professional diasporas within the British Empire, analyzing collaborations between American professionals and British imperial interests in Africa. Tuffnell teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on US global history, imperialism, and Atlantic relations. He is a member of the Oxford Centre for Research in United States History (OxCRUSH) and the Oxford Centre for History of Science, Medicine and Technology. His work has been featured in media outlets like the BBC and ABC Australia, discussing topics such as gold rush histories. Tuffnell currently supervises two DPhil students and actively seeks to mentor researchers in global US history. His research methodologies emphasize transimperial frameworks, recentering US history within broader global contexts.
David Pascoe is a Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Humanities, where he serves in the Department of Languages, Literature and Communication. He is affiliated with the Institute for Cultural Inquiry, specializing in Modern and Contemporary Literature research. His academic focus includes literary modernism, intertextual analysis, and cultural theory. Research interests span: Modernist authors like James Joyce and Samuel Beckett 18th-century literature (Laurence Sterne) Genre studies including spy fiction Poetic theory and media materiality Cross-period literary connections His recent publications explore recurring themes of paradox, intertextuality, and cultural transitions, with methodological emphasis on close reading and historical contextualization across literary periods from Renaissance to contemporary works. Professor Pascoe teaches in both the Bachelor's program (English Language and Culture) and Research Master's program (Comparative Literary Studies), covering courses such as: Brave New Worlds: Literature in English 1850-1950 The English Lyric, in Theory and Practice Literary research methodologies He leads the Modern and Contemporary Literature research group and has organized major academic events including the XXIV International James Joyce Symposium.
Sarah Schneewind is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Her research focuses on the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), exploring themes such as political institutions, state-society relations, and daily work dynamics. She holds degrees from Cornell, Yale, and Columbia Universities. Research Interests: Ming political culture, community schools, living shrines, and historiography. Notable Works: Shrines to Living Men in the Ming Political Cosmos (2018), The Social Drama of Daily Work (2024), and edited volumes such as Long Live the Emperor! (2008). Leadership: Former President of the Society for Ming Studies and founder of the Ming History English Translation Project . Teaching: Courses on Chinese history, East Asian surveys, and historical pedagogy. Her work bridges historical analysis with digital tools, exemplified by the Late Imperial Primer Literacy Sieve . She also authored poetry, including the Cumberland Poetry Review -recognized "Our Dead" (1997), which won the Robert Penn Warren Poetry Competition. Awards: Second-place winner of the Robert Penn Warren Poetry Competition (1997).
Prof. Dr. Milan Jazbec is an Ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and a Professor of Diplomacy at the University of Ljubljana and New University in Kranj. He has served as Slovenia's ambassador to North Macedonia, Turkey, and other nations, and held roles such as State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and Director of Policy Planning at the Foreign Ministry. Jazbec earned a PhD in the Sociology of Diplomacy from the University of Klagenfurt, Austria, and has lectured globally, including at Columbia University and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. His research interests span diplomacy, international relations, and the sociology of diplomacy, with a focus on diplomatic practices, negotiation, and cultural dimensions. He has published extensively, including over 130 articles in 14 languages and multiple books on diplomatic theory and practice. Notable works include Diplomacy and Globalization and Sociology of Diplomacy: Initial Reading . Education: PhD in Sociology of Diplomacy (University of Klagenfurt, Austria). Awards: Grand Golden Decoration of Honour with Star for Merit of the Republic of Austria. Memberships: Slovenian Association of International Relations, Slovenian PEN Centre, editor of European Perspectives . Jazbec's career bridges diplomacy, academia, and literature. His articles often analyze diplomatic strategies, environmental policy, and historical contexts of diplomacy. He advocates for the integration of cultural and social perspectives into diplomatic studies.
Tony Scott is an Associate Professor in the Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research examines the intersection of composition, academic labor, and writing program administration within political and economic contexts. Research focuses on how economic factors shape composition instruction and assessment, particularly examining the status of students and teachers within institutional hierarchies. Recent work explores cosmopolitanism in education, transnational writing administration, and critical approaches to assessment. His scholarship advocates for making political economy central to composition research. Awards and Honors: Richard Braddock Award for best article in College Composition and Communication (2014) Council of Writing Program Administrators' Outstanding Scholarship Award (2014) Scott has held leadership roles including chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Curricular Committee and service on editorial boards for major composition journals.
Professor Rhiannon Ash is a renowned academic specializing in Roman historiography and Latin literature, particularly the works of Tacitus. She holds a position at the University of Oxford's Department of Classics and serves as a Fellow and Tutor at Merton College. Her research focuses on analyzing the syntax and narrative techniques of Latin imperial prose authors, with a deep engagement in Tacitus' representation of Roman emperors and civil wars. She co-authored Fifty Key Classical Authors (Routledge 2002) and a children’s book, Mystery History of the Roman Colosseum (Aladdin 1997), emphasizing accessibility in classical studies. Currently, she is working on a monograph exploring Pliny the Elder’s Natural History as a lens for Flavian imperial power. Education: MA DPhil, University of Oxford MA, University of Toronto Research Interests: Professor Ash's work spans Latin prose literature of the imperial era, Roman historiography, and ancient epistolary studies. She examines how Tacitus’ linguistic choices shape historical interpretation, and her recent project reinterprets Pliny the Elder’s marine biology writings (Book IX of Natural History ) to reflect broader imperial dynamics. She also studies Greek and Roman biography, battle narratives, and the interplay between rhetoric and historiography in ancient texts. Publications Trends: Her recent articles highlight thematic consistency: exploring political symbolism (e.g., The Fasces ), analyzing Tacitus’ narrative techniques (e.g., Heralding a Proem in the Middle ), and deconstructing civil war tropes through spatial and rhetorical frameworks (e.g., Tiberius in Space ). These works underscore her focus on textual innovation and historiographical bias in the transition from Republic to Principate. Awards: R.D. Milns Visiting Professor (2017), University of Queensland Teaching and Grants: She teaches Latin literature modules for Oxford’s Mods and Greats programs, including Tacitus and Tiberius special subjects. While no explicit grants are noted, her roles at Merton College and academic staff status suggest institutional support. Her collaborative works with Dr. Alison Sharrock exemplify interdisciplinary approaches to classical education. Labs/Teams: Engages in Oxford’s Classics department research networks, contributing to textual commentaries and historiography projects. Her current monograph project involves cross-disciplinary analysis of Pliny’s Natural History , blending literary and imperial studies methodologies.
Christine Garcia is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Eastern Connecticut State University. Her research focuses on Rhetoric & Culture, Latinx Rhetoric, First Year Writing, and First Year Introduction programs. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico, with prior degrees from Angelo State University. Her work emphasizes mentorship, belonging in academia, and Latinx Studies. Key publications include contributions to Latina Leadership: Language and Literacy Education Across Communities (2021), exploring solidarity among junior scholars and leadership narratives. She also engages with Gloria Anzaldúa’s interdisciplinary approaches to pedagogy and border studies. Publications highlight themes of identity, rhetoric, and educational equity. During Spring 2025, she is on sabbatical leave, with inquiries directed to the department secretary.
