Dr Helen Gittos is a Senior Lecturer and Fellow in Medieval History at Balliol College and Brasenose College, University of Oxford. She holds a PhD in early medieval history from Oxford, following an undergraduate degree in English Literature at Newcastle University. Her research focuses on medieval church history, liturgy, and the role of language in religious practices, with expertise in archaeological evidence and textual analysis. She teaches British and European medieval history at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including the MSt and MPhil programs in Medieval History. Her major publications include Liturgy, Architecture and Sacred Places in Anglo-Saxon England (2013) and co-edited volumes on medieval liturgy. Current projects explore the use of English in medieval liturgy and collaborative research on Cerne Abbas’s early medieval history with archaeologists. She leads the Oxford Centre for Early Medieval Britain and Ireland and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Worked in Stone project. Dr Gittos actively supervises DPhil students in areas related to her research, with recent advisees focusing on topics like shrines, liturgical charms, and Anglo-Saxon burial practices. She is also a media commentator, appearing in BBC News and podcasts discussing Anglo-Saxon history and archaeological discoveries.
Professor Matthew Treherne is a leading scholar in Italian literature at the University of Leeds, where he holds the position of Professor of Italian Literature in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. He currently serves as Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation, and co-directs the Leeds Centre for Dante Studies. His research bridges medieval and Renaissance literature with contemporary issues such as finance, ecology, and technology. PhD in Italian Literature, University of Cambridge (2007) Diploma in Management Studies, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge (2000) M.Phil in European Literature (Distinction), University of Cambridge (1999) BA in Modern and Medieval Languages (First-class), University of Cambridge (1997) Matthew Treherne's research focuses on Dante and late-medieval religious culture, with a strong emphasis on the liturgical imagination and theological discourse in poetry. He explores how Dante’s work can inform modern debates on the ecological crisis, financialisation, and time. His interdisciplinary approach integrates theology, philosophy, and cultural studies. He leads the project The Cultural Life of Money and Finance , which investigates how the humanities can shape financial futures. His recent publications include Dante’s ‘Commedia’ and the Liturgical Imagination and co-edited volumes on Dante’s theology. His recent scholarly articles and chapters show a consistent engagement with Dante’s theological and poetic structures, Tasso’s religious poetry, and the role of art and liturgy in early modern culture. Themes such as sacramentality, time, vision, and interdisciplinarity recur across his work, reflecting a deep commitment to understanding literature as a living, ethically engaged practice. University Teaching Fellowship Developmental University Teaching Fellowship Faculty of Arts Development Teaching Prize Treherne has supervised numerous PhD students and fosters research-led teaching, notably through projects like Discover Dante and the Leeds Dante Podcast . He has led major research initiatives, including the AHRC-funded Dante and Late Medieval Florence , and collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions. He is also active in public engagement, contributing to BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time and curating podcast series such as Conversations on Dante and Arts and Humanities Futures . He co-leads the Cultural Life of Money and Finance project with Invisible Flock, blending humanities research with creative practice.
Professor Adam Yuet Chau is a Fellow and Director of Studies at St John's College and holds the Professor of the Anthropology of China position at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge . His academic journey includes training at Stanford University (PhD in Anthropology, 2001) and teaching roles at Oxford and SOAS before joining Cambridge in 2008. Focus on Chinese religions and their social dimensions Specializes in ritual theory and cultural transformations Develops comparative frameworks for understanding religious practices His research spans religion under socialism , hosting in political/religious contexts , and ritual polytropy . Recent projects include editing Chinese Religious Culture in 100 Objects and analyzing 'spheres' (界) in Chinese society . Publications like Miraculous Response (2006) and Religion in Contemporary China (2011) establish him as a key figure in religious anthropology. Current and past PhD/MPhil students explore topics from temple festivals in Taiwan to religious subjectification . He actively reviews for leading presses (Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard) and journals ( Ethnos , Modern China ), and participates in international academic workshops.
Stephen F. Teiser is the D.T. Suzuki Professor in Buddhist Studies and Professor of Religion at Princeton University. He holds the Old Dominion Research Professor title in the Humanities Council (2022-2023). His work focuses on Buddhist rituals, Chinese religious history, and the intersection of Indian and Chinese religious traditions. Teiser delivered lectures at Fudan University, shaping his research into broader scholarly discourse. His book Ritual and the Study of Buddhism (2022) explores Buddhist rituals in Chinese contexts, emphasizing cross-cultural and methodological insights. His research bridges medieval Chinese religious practices with modern academic frameworks, addressing topics like funerary rituals, lay communities, and textual interpretation. His academic contributions span Buddhist historiography, ritual studies, and East Asian religious history. Notable works include analyses of the Ghost Festival, Dunhuang liturgies, and comparative religious texts. Teiser’s interdisciplinary approach highlights the adaptation of Buddhism in Chinese culture and its global scholarly relevance. Awards: Old Dominion Research Professor (2022-2023) Teiser’s research also engages with collaborative international projects, such as co-editing volumes on divination and East Asian manuscripts. His work emphasizes the importance of language and cultural context in interpreting religious practices, making his scholarship foundational for understanding Buddhism’s evolution in China.
Professor Bennett Zon is a faculty member at Durham University’s Department of Music , with affiliations to the Centre for Catholic Studies . He founded and directs the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies and the Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies International . His editorial roles include Nineteenth-Century Music Review , Yale Journal of Music and Religion , and multiple book series. Research Focus : Music's intersections with religion and science in the long nineteenth century, including liturgical traditions, evolutionary discourse, and colonial representations of non-Western music. Key Publications : Four monographs on plainchant revival, musicology's metaphorical frameworks, non-Western music representation, and evolution's impact on Victorian musical culture (2000–2017). Academic Leadership : Co-founder of the International Network for Music Theology and International Nineteenth-Century Studies Association .
Professor Jinhua Chen (PhD, McMaster University, 1997) is a leading scholar in East Asian Buddhism at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts. Holding a Canada Research Chair (2001-2011) and inducted into the Royal Society of Canada (2020), his work spans trans-regional Buddhist narratives, monastic institutions, relic veneration, and technological innovations in medieval Asian religions. Key Affiliations: UBC Buddhist Forum (Director), Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies (Resident Scholar), and editorial roles in Brill Book Series on East Asian Religions and Studies in Chinese Religions . Research Themes: Combines textual analysis with interdisciplinary methods to explore Buddhist sacred sites, doctrinal transmissions, and church-state dynamics. His projects include From the Ground Up (SSHRC Partnership Grant 2016-2023), examining East Asian religions through multi-media sources, and studies on ruixiang (propitious signs) in medieval Chinese prognostication. Scientific Awards: Royal Society of Canada Fellow, Canada Research Chair, SSHRC Insight Grants, Humboldt Research Fellowship, and Max Planck Institute funding. Publications: Over 30 book chapters and journal articles (2000-2016), including monographs on Fazang, Shingon-Tendai conflicts, and Buddhist sacred geography. Teaching: Courses on Chinese thought, Chan/Zen Buddhism, and Buddhist text interpretation, emphasizing methodological rigor and cross-cultural analysis. Projects: Directed international collaborations on Buddhist manuscripts, palace chapels, and relic cultures, with grants totaling over $4 million CAD.
Professor Wolfgang Vondey serves as Professor of Christian Theology and Pentecostal Studies in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, where he directs the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies. A classically trained systematic theologian with expertise spanning philosophy, linguistics, and ethics, Vondey teaches in the Master of Arts programme in Evangelical and Charismatic Studies while maintaining an active research agenda that bridges academic theology with practical ecclesial concerns. His academic journey includes: MA in Japanese Studies, Japanese Linguistics, and Media Science from Philipps University Marburg, Germany (1994) MDiv from Pentecostal Theological Seminary, USA (1999) PhD in systematic theology and ethics from Marquette University, USA (2003) Postdoctoral fellowship at Boston College Faculty position at Regent University Divinity School (2005-2015), where he founded and directed the Regent Center for Renewal Studies Vondey's research focuses on Pentecostal and Charismatic theology with particular emphasis on pneumatology, ecclesiology, ecumenical theology, and the intersection of theology and science. His scholarly work spans diverse theological traditions from Catholic to postmodern thought, exploring ritual and liturgical studies, theological method, Christology, soteriology, and political theology. With a multilingual background (German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese), he brings international perspective to his analysis of global Pentecostalism. His publications reveal consistent engagement with contemporary Pentecostal theological challenges, examining political dimensions of glossolalia, corporate embodiment in Pentecostal tradition, synodality, and the public nature of Pentecostal ecclesiology. Vondey's work demonstrates how Pentecostal theology navigates tensions between mainstream and extreme expressions while maintaining theological coherence in global contexts. As an academic leader, Vondey co-edits the 'Christianity and Renewal – Interdisciplinary Studies' book series with Amos Yong and serves as founding chair of the ecumenical studies group of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. His supervision of numerous PhD students across diverse topics—from Pentecostal orality in Denmark to Word of Faith theology in Bolivia—demonstrates his commitment to developing the next generation of Pentecostal scholars worldwide.
Dr. Joseph Bosco Bangura is a Senior Researcher in Religious Studies & Missiology at the Evangelical Theological Faculty (ETF Leuven) and Senior Researcher in Intercultural Theology at the Protestant Theological University, Groningen. He serves as a Part-Time Lecturer at Aachen University and has held roles at institutions in Sierra Leone, Germany, South Africa, and Uganda. His work bridges Pentecostalism, missiology, and intercultural theology across Africa and Europe. Education: Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies (ETF Leuven & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 2013) M.Th. (ETF Leuven, 2007) M.Phil. (Fourah Bay College, 2004) Post-Graduate Certificate in Ecumenical Studies (Ecumenical Institute Bossey, 2001) B.Th. (Evangelical College of Theology, 1997) Research Interests focus on African Pentecostalism, contextual theology, secularization in Africa and Europe, interfaith engagement, and the cultural adaptation of migrant churches. His work explores the intersection of religion with environmental disasters, gender dynamics, and digital media in African Christianity. Selected Articles highlight eco-theology in Sierra Leone, gender and leadership in diaspora churches, and the impact of secularization on Pentecostal communities. His publications also address urban missiology, transnational practices, and the historical evolution of African churches. Academic Memberships: European Academy on Religion and Society American Society of Missiology GloPent Research Network Lamin Sanneh Institute (University of Ghana)
Elizabeth (Lisa) Alexandrin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at the Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba . Her academic work bridges Islamic Studies , Sufism , and gender theory , with a focus on visual and textual representations of mysticism. Education: PhD in Islamic Studies, McGill University (2006) MA in Anthropology, University of Toronto (1993) BA in Anthropology, Boston University (1993) Research Interests: Islamic intellectual history Sufism Ismaili thought Body histories Visual piety Key Themes in Publications: Apocalyptic narratives in Fāṭimid Ismāʿīlī thought Qurʾanic calligraphy as spiritual practice Symbolism of walāyah (sainthood) in Sufi texts Intersection of dreams and mystical exegesis Awards: SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2018-2022) Explore SSHRC/University of Manitoba grant (2021-2022) SSHRC standard research grant (2011-2012)
Alberto Cantera Glera is a Professor at the Institute of Iranian Studies within the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on Zoroastrian studies, Avestan language and literature, Iranian linguistics, and manuscript studies. He teaches courses on Young Avestan, Pahlavi, Zoroastrian rituals, and Iranian literature, with office hours held on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Professor Cantera Glera's research interests center on Zoroastrian religious practices, particularly the Long Liturgy, Avestan textual criticism, and the transmission of Zoroastrian texts through manuscript traditions. His work bridges linguistic analysis with religious studies, examining how ritual practices evolved from ancient to medieval Iran. He has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between oral performance and written transmission in Zoroastrian traditions, as well as the linguistic features of Avestan and Middle Persian texts. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Zoroastrian ritual structures, particularly the Long Liturgy, with increasing attention to the relationship between textual manuscripts and ritual performance. The articles show progression from linguistic analysis of Avestan texts toward broader studies of ritual practice, sacred geography, and the historical development of Zoroastrian religious authority. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of manuscript evidence with ritual theory and historical linguistics. PRIX ROMAN ET TANIA GHIRSHMAN 2021 Professor Cantera has supervised numerous PhD students including Nils Purwins, Stefan Härtel, Yusef Saadat, Jaime Porro, Soheil Delshad, and Xue Li. His research has been supported through various academic projects related to Zoroastrian manuscript studies and Avestan textual criticism, contributing significantly to the field of Iranian studies at Freie Universität Berlin.
Sara Toth is an Associate Professor at the Department of English Literatures and Cultures within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest, Hungary. With a PhD in Literary Studies from ELTE (2004), her academic career spans decades of research at the intersection of literature, religion, and cultural studies. Prior to her academic appointment, she served as Editor-in-Chief at Harmat Publishing House, bringing practical editorial experience to her scholarly work. Dr. Toth earned her MA in English Language and Literature from ELTE in 1991 before completing her doctoral studies there in 2004. Her dissertation, The Other Side of Imagination: Literature and Religion in the Critical Work of Northrop Frye , established the foundation for her ongoing research into the relationship between literary theory and religious thought. Her research focuses on the intricate connections between 18th-20th century British literature, literary theory, and religious studies, with particular expertise in Northrop Frye's critical framework, Protestant spirituality, and the works of contemporary American author Marilynne Robinson. Dr. Toth has made significant contributions to understanding how religious experience manifests in literary form, exploring themes of sacramentality, transcendence, and the sacred-profane dialectic. Her scholarship demonstrates how literary works can serve as vehicles for theological reflection and spiritual exploration, particularly within the Protestant tradition. Analysis of Dr. Toth's recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a sustained engagement with Protestant spirituality, particularly through the lens of North American literature. Her work consistently examines the interplay between literary narrative and theological concepts, with a strong emphasis on Marilynne Robinson's fiction and Paul Tillich's theology. The publications demonstrate increasing sophistication in analyzing how literary form conveys religious experience, with growing attention to specific religious practices (baptism, preaching) and theological concepts (forgiveness, restoration, the sacred). Publication of the Year (shared) - Gaspar Karoli Reformed University (2015) Dr. Toth has served as an opponent at doctoral defenses, including for Palatinus David Levente's dissertation on "Framing the Body, Staging the Gaze" (PPKE, 2009) and Ruth Karin Lévai's work on "The Concept of Truth in Four Works" (ELTE BTK, 2020). She participates in the Fundamentalism research group (2020-present) and the Canadianist research group, contributing to interdisciplinary scholarly conversations. Her language proficiency in English and Spanish supports her international scholarly collaborations and research. As a member of the Central European Association for Canadian Studies, Dr. Toth contributes to cross-cultural academic dialogue. Her current research activities within the Fundamentalism research group demonstrate her ongoing commitment to understanding the complex relationship between religion, literature, and contemporary cultural phenomena. Her work bridges literary scholarship with theological reflection, creating a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to studying the spiritual dimensions of literature.
David Brakke is the Joe R. Engle Chair in the History of Christianity and Professor of History at The Ohio State University's Department of History, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences. His expertise spans ancient Christianity, with a focus on asceticism, monasticism, Gnosticism, biblical interpretation, and Egyptian Christianity. Brakke earned his B.A. in English from the University of Virginia (1983), M.Div. from Harvard University (1986), and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University (1992). Before joining OSU in 2012, he was a professor and department chair at Indiana University's Religious Studies Department. His research explores the social and cultural dimensions of early Christian practices, including monasticism’s role in forming virtuous identities and the definition of Gnosticism. Brakke has authored influential books like *The Gnostics* (2010) and *Demons and the Making of the Monk* (2006), recognized with academic accolades such as the Choice Outstanding Academic Title and Guggenheim Fellowship. He currently serves as president of the North American Patristics Society and contributes to scholarly publications like the *Journal of Early Christian Studies*. His current projects include studies on early Christian scriptural practices and translations of Nag Hammadi texts. Brakke’s work integrates textual analysis with historical context, examining how early Christians navigated theological debates, institutional hierarchies, and cultural shifts. He has held grants from the NEH and National Humanities Center, among others. His professional network includes leadership roles in global scholarly organizations, reflecting his impact on Patristics and Coptic Studies. Despite being on leave during the 2023–2024 academic year, his contributions to understanding early Christian history remain foundational.
PD Dr. Jens Wolff is a German theologian and researcher at the Faculty of Theology, University of Rostock . His work bridges image theory , cultural hermeneutics , and negative theology , with a focus on Lutheran theology and its intersections with literature and art . Education : Studied at Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle/Wittenberg, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Academic Timeline : 1995–1998 Heidelberg Academy researcher, 1998–2002 assistant at Münster's Faculty, 2003 PhD, 2005 ordained pastor, 2009–2012 DFG project on Sigmund von Birken, 2012–2015 DFG project on Image Theory, 2015 habilitation. Wolff's research explores image and media theory through theological lenses, interrogating figurative knowledge , religious rhetoric , and intercultural hermeneutics . His work connects Baroque literature (e.g., Klopstock, Hamann) with contemporary philological and deconstructive methods , examining tensions between sacralization and secularization . His recent publications analyze the word of God as performative polysemy in Lutheran thought, death and utopia in Stefan Andres' work, and iconic anthropology in Reformation contexts. He co-edited the two-volume Bild und Tod (2016), a foundational text on image-death relations. Awards: Martin-Luther-Preis für den akademischen Nachwuchs (2005) for his dissertation on Metapher und Kreuz . Wolff's advising and collaborative work focus on interdisciplinary image studies , including DFG-funded projects and symposia like the Image and Sound conference (2014). He maintains links to institutions in Bratislava , Frankfurt , and Brazil .
Professor Andrew Kirkman holds the Peyton and Barber Chair of Music at the University of Birmingham's Department of Music. He leads the Centre for Early Music Performance and Research, directing the University Chamber Orchestra and professional ensemble The Binchois Consort. His roles include teaching Renaissance music, 1960s music studies, and supervising PhD topics ranging from post-communist Poland to late medieval music historiography. Research focuses on fifteenth-century sacred music’s cultural context, particularly the Mass Ordinary in late medieval Europe. His 2010 book The Cultural Life of the Early Polyphonic Mass and 2020 monograph on Saint-Omer’s music culture exemplify this. Recent work explores music-alabaster intersections and late-medieval liturgical practices. His recordings with The Binchois Consort earned Gramophone awards, including the 2017 'Early Music Recording of the Year.' Notable performances include Music for the Hundred Years' War (2017) and collaborations with pianist Clipper Erickson. Awards reflect both scholarly and performative excellence. Advising emphasizes late medieval/renaissance music, while grants supported research on Saint-Omer’s musical legacy. He co-founded The Binchois Consort in 1995, producing Hyperion recordings that revive rarely performed repertoires. His work bridges performance, scholarship, and interdisciplinary cultural studies.
Laura Quick is an Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow of Theology and Religion at Worcester College. Her academic work bridges biblical studies with comparative ancient Near Eastern literary culture, focusing on the intersection of language, gender, and ritual in the Hebrew Bible. Research Focus: Beauty and aesthetics in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near East; body symbolism in biblical and Dead Sea Scroll texts; philological gender analysis; ritual and liturgical studies Academic Roles: Editorial Board, Hebrew Studies; Steering Committee, Philology in Hebrew Studies (SBL); External Member, Sheffield Institute for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies Recent publications examine topics ranging from cosmetic practices in Esther and Ruth to the mythological background of Isaiah 14. Her scholarship frequently engages with Deuteronomy, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Septuagint studies, employing comparative methods to analyze textual strategies and cultural exchange. She teaches Hebrew poetry, ritual, and liturgy, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate theological education at Oxford.
