Andrew Connor is a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and Ancient History at Monash University. He specializes in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt, papyrology, and the social and religious history of ancient Egyptian communities. His research focuses on Egyptian temples during the Roman period, ancient economic practices, and the editing and publication of documentary papyri. Connor has particular expertise in the Fayum depression and Dakhleh Oasis regions. Connor's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on Egyptian religious institutions, economic systems, and textual evidence from archaeological sites. His recent work includes publications on temple administration, Greek papyri, and digital archaeology. He has received multiple teaching awards including the Faculty Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2017), Faculty Citation for Overseas Programs (2018), and Vice Chancellor's Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2018). Connor teaches courses on Greek and Roman history, archaeology, and ancient languages at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He serves as Honours Coordinator for the School of Philosophical, Historical, and International Studies.
Cynthia Gabbay is a researcher at the Institute of Cultural History and Theory, Humboldt University of Berlin, and is completing her Habilitation at the University of Orléans, France. She is a multilingual poet, translator, and editor specializing in Jewish and Romance languages with primary affiliations in Jewish studies and Latin American research. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and ongoing Habilitation research at the University of Orléans. Ph.D.: Hebrew University of Jerusalem Habilitation: Rémélice Laboratory, University of Orléans Gabbay's research explores Jewish diaspora experiences in Latin America through interdisciplinary lenses of translation studies, multilingualism, and historical memory. She investigates how cultural legacies are preserved through literature and bibliographic projects, with particular focus on Argentina's Jewish communities and transnational connections to Iberian history. Her work bridges literary analysis, archival research, and creative practice as a poet and translator. Recent publications demonstrate a trend toward examining traumatic historical events through Jewish cultural frameworks, connecting Argentine Jewish settlements with Spanish Civil War narratives. This reflects growing scholarly interest in comparative diaspora studies and the role of literature in reconstructing fragmented histories. Scientific recognition includes: Maurice Amado Foundation Fellowship at University of Pennsylvania German Research Foundation Project Grant for 'The Jewish Library in Argentina' New Frontiers in Contemporary Jewish Life Fellowship (2025-2026) Gabbay coordinates the Network for the Study of Jewish Translation and Multilingualism and serves on the administrative board of the Latin American Jewish Studies Association (LAJSA). As editor-in-chief of the Latin American Jewish Studies Series (De Gruyter), she oversees scholarly publications while co-editing the journal Lingua Franca: The History of the Book in Translation . Her upcoming event 'Figuring Dystopia in 'Ho! Literary Magazine' (November 2025) continues her exploration of literary responses to historical trauma. She founded and coordinates Simania: Salon Readings, creating platforms for multilingual literary exchange within the Latin American Jewish Studies Association framework.
Dr Melanie Brunner is a Lecturer in Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds, affiliated with the School of History and the Institute for Medieval Studies. She holds a PhD in Medieval Studies from the University of Leeds and an MA in History and English from Universität Augsburg. Her research focuses on late medieval ecclesiastical history, papal administration, and the history of mendicant orders, particularly the Franciscans. She has contributed to major projects like the International Medieval Bibliography and led research networks such as the DFG-Netzwerk Imitation and Stilus Curiae. Her work explores political culture of the Avignon papacy, canon law dynamics, and religious reform movements. Education: PhD (Medieval Studies, University of Leeds), MA (History and English, Universität Augsburg). Professional affiliations include the Ecclesiastical History Society and Mediävistenverband. She supervises doctoral students in areas like Franciscan history, papal politics, and medieval book culture. Current projects include editorial direction of the International Medieval Bibliography and leadership of the MA Medieval Studies program. Research Interests: Late medieval papal governance, mendicant orders' institutional development, theological debates on poverty, and decision-making mechanisms in the Avignon Curia. She examines how theology, law, and political strategy intersected in medieval church administration. Advising & Grants: Supervises 4 current PhD students and has completed 6 theses. Involvement with EU-funded COST Action IS1301 and White Rose Collaboration Fund projects. Collaborates internationally with institutions like the Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften and Universität Zürich. Labs/Teams: Core member of research groups including Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) and Politics, Diplomacy, and International History at Leeds. Active in interdisciplinary medieval studies networks.
Noah D. Gardiner serves as Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan (2014), followed by positions as Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Michigan and a postdoctoral fellowship at Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn. Gardiner's scholarly focus centers on Islamic thought and culture with particular emphasis on Sufism, esotericism, occult sciences, and manuscript culture in the 12th-15th century Arabic-speaking Mediterranean. His research explores the 'science of letters and names' (ʿilm al-huruf wa-al-asmaʾ), religious cosmology, and apocalypticism, examining how mystical ideas move between religious margins and centers. His work reveals significant connections between Islamic occult traditions and other esoteric systems like Jewish Kabbalah. His extensive publication record includes the monograph Ibn Khaldūn versus the Occultists at Barqūq's Court (2020), co-editing the special issue Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives (2017), and numerous articles in leading journals. His current research focuses on the 13th-century Sufi occultist Aḥmad al-Būnī and the broader occult renaissance in 14th-15th century Cairo. Gardiner actively contributes to the scholarly community through his role as co-organizer of the international online workshop 'Islamic Occult Studies on the Rise' and administrator of the scholarly resource site islamicoccult.org, which showcases emerging scholarship in Islamic esotericism. He teaches courses spanning foundational religion studies to specialized topics including Islam, Qur'an, Hadith, Islamic Theology, Sufism, and Religion and the Fantastic.
Arthur Weststeijn is an Assistant Professor in Political History at Utrecht University, specializing in the history of the Dutch Republic and its colonial empire, the history and contemporary politics of Italy, and the history of Spain and Latin America. He is affiliated with the Department of History and Art History within the Humanities faculty and is part of the Research Institute for History and Art History, focusing on International and Political History. Dr. Weststeijn's educational background includes: PhD in History, European University Institute, Florence (2010) RMA in History, European University Institute, Florence (2006) MA in Philosophy, University of Amsterdam (2005) MA in History, University of Amsterdam (2004) Erasmus Exchange, Universidad de Sevilla (2000-2001) His research focuses on the intellectual history of power, particularly examining ideas that express and contest political authority through two main themes: colonialism (how ideas have shaped European colonialism and resistance against it) and republicanism (how resistance to autocratic rule has given rise to ideas of liberty, citizenship, and democracy). His work spans early-modern Dutch colonialism, anticolonial thought, the history of democracy, and connections between ancient and modern forms of settler colonialism. He has published extensively on early modern republicanism, the political uses of classical heritage, and the making of modern Italy. Weststeijn's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersections between political thought, colonial history, and republican theory. His work often examines how historical ideas continue to shape contemporary political discourse, particularly regarding democracy, citizenship, and colonial legacies. He frequently engages with both European and transatlantic intellectual traditions, showing particular expertise in Dutch and Italian political thought. His notable awards and fellowships include: Fellow, Huntington Library, San Marino, California (Summer 2022) Fellow, John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island (Spring 2019) Director of Historical Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (2011-2017) Dr. Weststeijn has served as a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions including the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and University of Padua. He frequently appears as an expert commentator on Italian culture and politics in Dutch media and maintains an active public intellectual presence. He is involved in multiple research initiatives including the IOS research themes on Contesting Governance, Futures of Democracy, and Longtermism and Institutional Change. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists, classicists, and scholars from various humanities disciplines.
Elaine Treharne serves as the Roberta Bowman Denning Professor of Humanities at Stanford University, holding primary appointment in the Department of English with courtesy appointments in German Studies and Comparative Literature. She concurrently acts as Senior Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Director of Curriculum, while directing Stanford Text Technologies—a major initiative exploring textual transmission across historical periods. Her leadership extends to co-directing SILICON and spearheading NEH-funded projects that redefine digital approaches to manuscript studies. Her academic foundation includes a B.A. in English Language and Literature (First Class Honors) from the University of Manchester (1986), a Master of Archive Administration from the University of Liverpool (1987), and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Manchester (1992). This archival training underpins her dual expertise in traditional manuscript scholarship and digital innovation. Treharne's research pioneers intersections between medieval materiality and contemporary technology, investigating the haptic experience of medieval books, AI applications for manuscript analysis, and the long history of text technologies. She challenges conventional periodization through projects like 'Disrupting Categories, 1050-1250' while developing computational frameworks for fragmentology and textual distortion. Her work consistently bridges paleography with digital methodology to examine how writing systems shape cultural memory. Recent publications reveal a decisive shift from foundational medieval scholarship toward integrative digital-humanities frameworks, with increasing emphasis on phenomenological approaches to both physical and digital texts. This trajectory culminates in current projects applying machine learning to manuscript transmission patterns and developing ethical guidelines for digital archival tools. Her scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Honorary Lifetime Fellow of the English Association (former Chair and President) Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales American Philosophical Society Franklin Fellow Princeton Procter Fellow Fellow of the Stanford Clayman Institute for Gender Studies Treharne actively supervises graduate students in early literature, Book History, and Digital Humanities while securing major grants including NEH funding for Stanford Global Currents, AHRC support for the Production and Use of English Manuscripts project, and Stanford Impact Labs fellowship for archival tool development. She maintains commitment to ethical scholarly environments through her leadership in VPUE initiatives and digital pedagogy. She directs the Stanford Text Technologies initiative hosting the annual Collegium series, co-directs SILICON for internet longevity research, and leads specialized projects including 'Digital Ker' for Anglo-Saxon manuscript cataloging and 'Medieval Networks of Memory' analyzing mortuary rolls. These interconnected efforts form a comprehensive ecosystem for advancing textual scholarship across temporal and technological boundaries.
Dr. Brady D. Lund is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of information science, artificial intelligence, and ethics. His work addresses AI adoption in libraries, data privacy, academic integrity, and international development. He holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. from Emporia State University and Wichita State University. Education: Ph.D., Emporia State University M.S., Emporia State University B.S., Wichita State University Research Interests: Dr. Lund explores how AI impacts information seeking behaviors, data privacy literacy, and library services. His work emphasizes ethical AI deployment in academic and clinical settings, with a focus on marginalized communities. Key areas include AI-driven library systems, blockchain applications for academic integrity, and the societal implications of generative AI. Research Trends: Recent publications analyze AI's role in health information, cybersecurity threat intelligence, and library leadership in minority-serving institutions. He critiques AI authorship policies, evaluates large language models, and advocates for equitable AI access in developing countries. Labs & Teams: Leads the Computational Humanities and Information Literacy Lab and the CyberCrews initiative, focusing on AI ethics, digital literacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr David Pratt is a Fellow in History at Downing College, University of Cambridge , where he also serves as Archivist and Keeper of Art and Artefacts. His academic career focuses on early medieval political thought and court culture, particularly in Anglo-Saxon England and the Carolingian world. Academic Rank: Research Fellow Honors: FRHistS (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society) Research Interests center on the political ideology of King Alfred the Great, the origins of English coronation rituals, and broader themes of kingship, law, and social order in the later Anglo-Saxon period. His comparative approach highlights interactions between Anglo-Saxon and European medieval traditions. Recent Publications include English Coronation Ordines in the Ninth and Early Tenth Centuries (2023) and studies on Alfredian texts, taxation systems, and monastic reform. These works emphasize textual analysis, royal authority, and cross-cultural influences. Scientific Awards: FRHistS
Professor Alberto Rigolio is a scholar of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University, specializing in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Roman and Late Antique periods. He focuses on Syriac literature, Greco-Roman intellectual traditions, and the reception of classical texts in early Christian and Islamic contexts. Rigolio holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University and has held prestigious fellowships at Harvard, Princeton, and All Souls College, Oxford. He serves as Chair of the Board of Examiners at Durham and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His research explores the transformation of classical dialogue forms in late antiquity, the transmission of Greek texts into Syriac and Arabic, and the cultural intersections between Greco-Roman, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Key works include Christians in Conversation (Oxford UP, 2019), which examines late antique dialogue literature, and a forthcoming book on the emergence of Syriac literature supported by British Academy and Princeton IAS fellowships. Education: BA/Milan, D.Phil./Oxford, Postdoctoral Fellowships at Harvard and Princeton Affiliations: Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Durham Rigolio's articles analyze Syriac translations of Aristotelian works, Plutarch, and Themistius, revealing how Greco-Roman thought was adapted to meet religious and cultural needs. His projects include studies on Syriac rhetoric, the Roman household in late antique conflicts, and para-biblical narratives. He supervises postdoctoral researchers and PhD students on topics ranging from Syriac literary culture to late antique religious identity. Awards: British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2024), All Souls College Visiting Fellowship (2024) Grants: Leverhulme Trust, British Academy, American Philosophical Society He directs research labs examining Syriac intellectual culture and co-ordinates interdisciplinary projects on late antique translation movements. Rigolio is actively involved in public outreach, offering talks on Roman religion, Palmyrene military identity, and the Graeco-Syro-Arabic textual tradition.
Susan Smith-Peter is a Professor of History at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York, specializing in Russian history beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. Her research focuses on regional identity, civil society development, and imperial governance in 19th-century Russia, with particular attention to Siberia and provincial dynamics. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. from Ohio University. Her work analyzes how Tsarist administrative frameworks fostered subnational identities through statistical bureaus, agricultural societies, and provincial newspapers. Notable contributions include *Imagining Russian Regions* (2018), which argues that autocracy’s civil society initiatives inadvertently fueled revolutionary movements. Her research has been supported by grants from the Fulbright Program, American Historical Association, and IREX. Professor Smith-Peter’s publications span journals like *Slavic Review* and *Kritika*, exploring topics from sugar beet industries to colonial Alaska. She has translated key texts into Russian and edited historical documents such as *The Great Republic Tested by the Touch of Truth*. She serves on campus committees and previously chaired Columbia University’s Seminar on Slavic History and Culture. Key Awards: Fulbright Fellowship, American Historical Association Grant, IREX Grant Grants: Fulbright-Hays Fellowship, University of Illinois Grant, CUNY Grant Her interdisciplinary approach bridges economic, cultural, and political history, emphasizing regional agency within imperial contexts. Ongoing projects explore Siberian historiography and the legacy of 19th-century provincial activism.
France Bouthillier is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at McGill University's School of Information Studies. She holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and multiple advanced degrees in library science, administration, and education from Quebec institutions. Her research focuses on competitive intelligence, healthcare information systems, and small business information needs. She has led major grants including a SSHRC-funded study on children’s cyber-safety and CIHR projects on evidence dissemination in healthcare. Education: PhD, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto MBSI, École de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l'information, Université de Montréal C. Admin, Département des sciences de l'administration, UQAM BEd, Département des sciences de l'éducation, UQAM Research Interests: Dr. Bouthillier investigates digital resource assessment in healthcare, cross-cultural competitive intelligence practices, and information needs of marginalized communities. She emphasizes collaborative information monitoring and user-centered design in information systems. Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing gaps in evidence-based decision-making. Grants & Awards: Competia Award (2003) for co-authored book on CI software assessment SSHRC Standard Research Grant (2005-2008) on CI technology use CIHR grants for healthcare evidence dissemination (2006, 2008) Professional Involvement: Editorial Board member of the Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice, ASIST member, and SSHRC grant reviewer. She co-developed the eSRAP system for patient-oriented research monitoring. Her lab focuses on interdisciplinary projects in information visualization and collaborative tools.
Thomas Herron is a Professor in the English Department at East Carolina University (ECU). His research focuses on early modern poet Edmund Spenser, Irish plantation history, and connections to figures like Sir Walter Raleigh and Thomas Harriot. He also specializes in Shakespeare, medieval and early modern Irish history, archaeology, and literature surveys. Herron earned a B.A. from Carleton College, followed by an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His publications include the monograph Spenser’s Irish Work: Poetry, Plantation and Colonial Reformation (2007), co-edited volumes on Ireland in the Renaissance, and articles in journals such as Spenser Review and South Atlantic Review . He co-curated the Folger Shakespeare Library exhibit Nobility and Newcomers in Renaissance Ireland (2013) and edited the journal Explorations in Renaissance Culture . Teaching interests span Spenser, Shakespeare, Milton, Joyce, and Irish literature. He has developed courses on Renaissance literature, literary surveys, and digital humanities projects like Centering Spenser , a resource reconstructing Kilcolman Castle. His work integrates historical archaeology with literary analysis, emphasizing colonial dynamics and cultural memory.
Danette Day is an Associate Professor in the Education Department at Fitchburg State University. With over 30 years of experience in diverse educational settings, she specializes in school leadership, diversity pedagogy, educational psychology, curriculum development, and cultural competency. Her teaching includes courses like FYE Seminar: Cultivating Resilience and Developing Culturally Proficient Educators for a Democratic Society . Ed.D. in Teacher Education and School Improvement (2014), University of Massachusetts Amherst CAGS in Educational Leadership and Management (2007), Fitchburg State College M.Ed. in Instructional Technology (1999), Lesley University M.A. in Teaching (1990), Simmons College Research Focus : Danette investigates cultural proficiency , student sense of belonging , and mindfulness-based inclusive practices . She co-led a NSF DRK12 proposal (2020) on mindfulness in Early College High Schools and studied library access for underrepresented students via a 2020-21 Special Projects Grant. Contributions : As a Faculty Academy member, she redesigned curriculum for active learning. Her publications span topics like social justice in statistics education, mindfulness in classrooms, and leadership feedback mechanisms. 2020-2021 Special Projects Grant (collaboration with Connie Strittmatter) Faculty Academy, Fitchburg State University (1st cohort)
Prof. Dr. Dimitrije Ćeranić is an Associate Professor of Civil Law at the Faculty of Law, University of East Sarajevo. He has been a faculty member since 2005 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. His primary teaching focuses on Inheritance Law, Family Law, Property Relations of Spouses, Children's Rights, and Notarial Law across undergraduate and graduate programs. He also guest lectures at the University of Belgrade and teaches Social Work at the Faculty of Philosophy in East Sarajevo. Education: LL.B. (2005) from University of East Sarajevo. Master’s (2008): University of Belgrade on will validity. PhD (2016): University of Kragujevac on inheritance effects of adoption. Research Interests: Civil Law with emphasis on family law, inheritance rights, adoption law, property rights, and legal conventions. He has published 42 articles, a monograph on inheritance legal consequences of adoption (2020), and a co-authored handbook on domestic violence protection (2021). Administrative Roles: Vice Dean for Research (since 2018), Head of Civil Law Department (since 2022), Editorial Secretary of the Faculty Yearbook, and former Library Board President. He actively contributes to legal reforms in Republika Srpska, including drafting family law and higher education legislation. Professional Activities: Member of national/international legal associations, trade unions, and supervisory boards. Serves as a reviewer for legal journals and proceedings. Fluent in English and Russian.
Professor Matthew Jones is Professor of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he joined in 2013. He previously held academic positions at the University of Nottingham and Royal Holloway, University of London. He was appointed Cabinet Office official historian for the UK strategic nuclear deterrent in 2008. University: London School of Economics and Political Science School: Department of International History Academic Rank: Professor Email: m.c.jones@lse.ac.uk Office: SAR.3.09 Office Hours: Wednesday 1-2pm, Thursday 4-5pm Education: Undergraduate Degree: University of Sussex DPhil in Modern History: St Antony’s College, Oxford Professor Jones’s research focuses on 20th-century international history, particularly Post-WWII British Foreign and Defence Policy , Cold War Nuclear History , and British Decolonization in Southeast Asia . His work explores Anglo-American relations, nuclear strategy in Asia, and the political history of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. He has a sustained interest in the Vietnam War and US foreign relations after 1941. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in official historical analysis of nuclear policy, especially through his two-volume Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent , based on full access to classified government records. His scholarship combines diplomatic, strategic, and political history with deep archival research, often uncovering new insights into high-level decision-making during the Cold War. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Appointed Cabinet Office official historian of the UK strategic nuclear deterrent and Chevaline programme (2008) Recipient of grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, JFK Library, LBJ Library, Gilder Lehrman Institute, and Eccles Centre Professor Jones has supervised multiple PhD students, including Grant Golub, Alexandra Penler, and William King. His research is supported by major grants from national and international funding bodies. He has also served as Head of the Department of International History at LSE from 2017 to 2020. He is actively involved in public engagement, having delivered talks at institutions such as the Woodrow Wilson Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Royal United Services Institute. His work bridges academic scholarship and policy-relevant historical analysis.
