Marija Todorovska is a Full Professor at the Institute of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. She teaches undergraduate courses (Introduction to Philosophy, Philosophical Terminology, Ontology, Theories of Religion, Philosophy of Religion) and graduate courses (History of the Notion of God, Theories of the Existence of God). She also co-teaches doctoral electives. Education: BA in Philosophy (2008) MA in Philosophy of Religion (2010) PhD on 'The Diabolical Nature of the Sacred' (2013) Advanced Certificate in Research Ethics (2013) Her research explores: The concepts of divinity across ancient and medieval traditions. Apophatic theology in Hellenistic, Gnostic, and early Christian texts. Ambivalence of the sacred in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Byzantine demonology. Philosophy education and curriculum development. Her publications emphasize: Negative theology in Philo of Alexandria and early Church Fathers. Sacred-profane dynamics in contemporary society. Cross-cultural analysis of evil in ancient religions. She serves on editorial boards for Filozofska tribina (Macedonia), Synthesis philosophica (Croatia), and Filozofija (international). As coordinator of the CEEPUS network 'Philosophy and Interdisciplinarity,' she fosters academic collaboration across Europe. No awards or specific grants are noted.
Dr. Immo Warntjes is the Ussher Associate Professor in Early Medieval Irish History at Trinity College Dublin's Department of History. His research focuses on early medieval scientific thought, particularly computus (time-reckoning), the transition from Latin to Arabic science, and the role of vernacular languages in monastic education. He also examines Irish kingship, hagiography, and medieval burial practices, including the separate burial of organs in European nobility. Warntjes has held academic positions at the University of Greifswald (2007–2013) and Queen’s University Belfast. He teaches courses on early Irish Christian history, medieval chronology, and palaeography. His edited volumes include key works on computus scholarship and medieval burial practices. His research outputs include monographs and articles analyzing manuscripts like the Munich Computus and Computus Einsidlensis, exploring their impact on Carolingian science and Irish-Frankish intellectual exchanges. He emphasizes the continuity of late antique learning into the early medieval period, particularly through Irish scholarly milieus influencing Bede and the Carolingian Renaissance. Warntjes' work bridges multiple disciplines: history of science, cultural history, and textual analysis. His studies on Visigothic scientifica and the transmission of Easter tables reveal cross-cultural knowledge transfer mechanisms in pre-modern Europe.
Peter K. Bol is the Charles H. Carswell Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. His research focuses on China's cultural elites from the 7th to 17th centuries, geospatial analysis, and digital humanities projects including the China Historical Geographic Information Systems (CHGIS) and China Biographical Database (CBDB). His research interests include: Intellectual transitions in Tang and Sung China Neo-Confucianism and its historical context Geospatial analysis in historical research Biographical database development Digital approaches to Chinese history Bol has led significant university-wide initiatives including the establishment of Harvard's Center for Geographic Analysis in 2005 and has served as Vice Provost (2013-2018) overseeing HarvardX, the Harvard Initiative in Learning and Teaching, and online learning research.
Scott Mandelbrote is a Fellow, Director of Studies in History, and Perne Librarian at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge. His research explores early modern intellectual history with emphasis on the history of scholarship, science, and biblical interpretation. Mandelbrote teaches courses on the history of the book, nature and knowledge, and the politics of knowledge. He serves as Editorial Director of The Newton Project and General Editor for the Oxford Bibliographical Society. His current projects include digital approaches to watermark analysis using Isaac Newton's manuscripts and studies of early modern Hebrew books in Cambridge collections. Mandelbrote has published extensively on Isaac Newton, biblical scholarship, and early modern intellectual networks. His work bridges history of science, religious studies, and book history across Europe from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment.
Kenneth Garden is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences. His work focuses on medieval Islamic thought, Sufism, and contemporary Muslim religious discourse, particularly in Egypt. He has held administrative roles such as Director of the Middle Eastern Studies Program and Chair of the Department of Religion. PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (University of Chicago, 2005) BA in Comparative Literature (University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1991) Research interests include the development of Sufism in North Africa and Muslim Spain (12th-13th centuries), al-Ghazali’s influence, and comparative religious traditions. His 2014 book, The First Islamic Reviver , examines Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s Revival of the Religious Sciences . Articles span topics like theological critiques, Qur'anic exegesis, and medieval travel literature. Professional engagements include presentations on Muslim communities in Europe/North America, Sufism’s modern challenges, and refereeing for journals like Intellectual History of the Islamicate World . He has taught courses on Islam, Sufism, and religious roots of the modern world.
Marina Rustow is the Khedouri A. Zilkha Professor of Jewish Civilization in the Near East and Professor of History at Princeton University. She serves as Director of the Princeton Geniza Project , focusing on medieval Middle Eastern history through documentary sources, particularly the Cairo Geniza . Her work bridges Islamic law , Jewish history , and material culture . Education : BA in Literature, Yale College PhD in History, Columbia University (advisor: Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi) Her research explores how medieval Jewish communities in Egypt and Syria navigated state power, social cohesion, and religious identity. She has pioneered the study of Fatimid state documents preserved in the Geniza, challenging assumptions about premodern Islamic archival practices. Her books include The Lost Archive (2020) and Heresy and the Politics of Community (2008). Recent projects include editing and translating Indian Ocean trade documents from the Geniza (2024 NEH grant). Her publications span Islamic legal documents , geniza fragment analysis , and medieval Jewish-Muslim interactions . Scientific Awards : MacArthur Fellowship (2015) Guggenheim Fellowship (2014) Rome Prize (2006-7) NEH and ACLS grants She advises PhD students in medieval Middle Eastern and Jewish history , emphasizing collaborative learning in Princeton’s Geniza Lab. Her work also intersects with digital humanities and manuscript studies .
Dr. Anne Rogerson is a Senior Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Vere Gordon Childe Centre. She holds a BA and BSc from the University of Sydney and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Her research centers on Virgil’s Aeneid , its cultural reflections, and its reception in art and literature across eras, including analyses of late antique to modern commentaries. Current projects include a book exploring how female novelists like George Eliot and Margaret Atwood engage with Latin learning, and an Australian Research Council-funded study on Vandal North African Latin literature. Education: BA and BSc, University of Sydney PhD, University of Cambridge Research Interests: Virgil’s Aeneid and its narrative dynamics Commentary traditions on Virgil Classical reception in modern literature and art Gender studies in classical contexts Grants: ARC-funded project: The Vandal Renaissance: Latin Literature in Post-Roman Africa (435-534CE) Media Engagement: Regular contributor to ABC Radio’s Self Improvement Wednesday and This Week in History , discussing topics such as ancient Roman culture, classical literature, and historical parallels. Labs/Teams: Member of the Vere Gordon Childe Centre Editor of Classicum (Classical Association of NSW journal)
Professor Sue Niebrzydowski holds a professorship in Medieval Literature at Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language. She serves as Dean of Postgraduate Research and previously directed the Graduate School for the College of Arts and Humanities. Her scholarly work focuses on medieval women's writing, devotional practices, and the intersections of gender, material culture, and life course studies. PhD supervision in medieval women's literature Director of Stephen Colclough Centre for History and Culture of the Book Editorial leadership in Yearbook of English Studies Research themes include: Medieval women's engagement with literature Materiality of devotional texts Ageing and female representation Marian devotion in lay contexts Recent publications examine: Chaucerian manuscript traditions Medieval book of hours practices Global medieval women's writing Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales Fellow of the English Association Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Ayşe Zişan FURAT is a Professor of Eurasian Studies at the Research Institute of Turkology, Istanbul University, a position she has held since February 2022. She is affiliated with the Department of Eurasian Studies and previously served in the Faculty of Theology and the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Her institutional base is the Türkiyat Araştırmaları Enstitüsü, located in Beyazıt, Istanbul. Education: B.A. in History of Science, Istanbul University, 2001 M.A. in Religious Education, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Istanbul University, 2004 Ph.D. in Religious Education, same department, 2009 Her research focuses on religious and cultural transformation across Eurasia, with particular attention to the history of science and education in Islamic and Turkic contexts. She investigates the interplay between religious institutions, educational systems, and cultural evolution in Anatolia, the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Ottoman Empire. Her work bridges humanities, religious studies, and historical sociology, emphasizing cross-cultural exchanges and knowledge transmission. The most recent publications reflect a strong thematic continuity in studying religious education, manuscript cultures, scientific traditions, and interfaith dynamics across Eurasia. Her scholarly output spans from the medieval to modern periods, combining historical analysis with cultural theory. Keywords across her articles include Religious Studies, History of Science, Eurasian Studies, and Cultural History, indicating a multidisciplinary approach grounded in the humanities. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: 115 publications indexed in Web of Science H-index of 12 (WoS), 14 (Google Scholar), 31 (TrDizin) Participation in 48 research projects Supervision of 14 theses Active contributor to UN Sustainable Development Goals through humanities research Ayşe Zişan FURAT has made significant contributions to academic advising and collaborative research. She has supervised numerous graduate theses and participated in extensive research projects, reflecting a strong commitment to academic mentorship and interdisciplinary inquiry. While specific grants are not listed, her high project count suggests active engagement in funded research. She is a key figure in advancing Turkic and Eurasian studies within the Turkish academic landscape. She is affiliated with the Research Institute of Turkology, a leading center for Turkish and Eurasian studies at Istanbul University. The institute supports interdisciplinary research on Turkic peoples, languages, religions, and cultures across Eurasia, and she contributes to its mission through her scholarship and academic leadership.
Aiyub Palmer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies at the University of Kentucky. His affiliations include cross-disciplinary ties to Folklore & Mythology and Modern & Classical Languages, Literatures & Cultures. His research centers on sainthood, authority dynamics, and social movements in early Islam, alongside innovations in Arabic language pedagogy, particularly in digital learning environments. Education PhD in Islamic Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2015) MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2009) MS in Education with TESOL specialization, California State University, Fullerton (2001) BA in History, University of California, Los Angeles Research Focus Palmer’s scholarship examines the socio-theoretical foundations of authority in early Islam through figures like al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi, analyzing how pre-Islamic Arab social structures influenced the conceptualization of sainthood and legitimacy. His monograph project traces the evolution of Islamic authority from the Prophet’s time through the 4th Islamic century, focusing on al-Tirmidhi’s Kitab al-Hikma manuscript to show how Sufi discourse interacted with broader power negotiations in Islamicate societies. Current work bridges medieval mysticism with modern pedagogical practices, emphasizing accessible Arabic language learning. Advising & Grants No formal advisees listed. Grants and funding details not specified in available text. Labs/Teams No dedicated research labs or collaborative teams explicitly mentioned. Collaborations likely occur through departmental and university networks.
Dr. Meredyth Winter is a Lecturer in Early Islamic Arts at The Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. She specializes in medieval Islamic craft traditions, focusing on artistic knowledge transmission and technical art history in Iraq and Iran. Her work bridges material culture and art history to reconstruct historical labor networks through analysis of materials and techniques. Winter earned a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies and Art History from Harvard University and a Master’s from the Bard Graduate Center. She was a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2021–2024), researching textiles from Erich Schmidt’s excavations at Rayy. Education: PhD in Middle Eastern Studies and the History of Art & Architecture, Harvard University MA in Material Culture, Bard Graduate Center (New York) Research Interests: Meredyth Winter’s research emphasizes technical analysis of art-making processes, from weaving to brick masonry. She examines how artisans learned and preserved skills, and how craft traditions influenced technological and artistic developments. Her studies highlight interdisciplinary approaches to reconstructing historical labor practices and material networks. Awards: Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Costume & Textiles (2021–2024) Teaching & Grants: Teaches courses on Islamic ornamentation, medieval craft, and art history at The Courtauld Supported by grants from the Aga Khan Program, the American Institute for Iranian Studies, and Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies Research Projects: Her Mellon Fellowship involved analyzing textiles from Rayy, Iran, excavated by Erich Schmidt. This work contributes to understanding medieval textile production and cultural exchange.
Zachary Wright is Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor in Residence in the Liberal Arts Program at Northwestern University in Qatar, with joint appointments in History and Religious Studies. He holds a PhD from Northwestern University, an MA in Arabic Studies/Middle East History from the American University in Cairo, and a BA in History from Stanford University. His research focuses on Islamic intellectual history in West and North Africa, emphasizing Sufism, legal traditions, and the interplay between Islam and African decolonization. Wright's fieldwork spans Senegal, Morocco, and Mauritania, utilizing Arabic, French, and Wolof sources. He is affiliated with Northwestern’s Program of African Studies (PAS), Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program. Teaching includes courses on Islam in Africa, medieval Muslim empires, and African liberation struggles. Notable awards include the 2020 Northwestern University Provost Grant and a 2008-2009 Fulbright-Hays Dissertation Research Grant. Wright’s publications include Realizing Islam: The Tijaniyya in North Africa and the Eighteenth-Century Muslim World (2020) and Living Knowledge in West African Islam (2015). His research explores Islamic revivalist networks, medieval West African empires, and the role of Sufi scholars in shaping African history. Recent work addresses transcontinental Islamic scholarly exchanges and the evolution of esoteric knowledge systems.
Regula Forster is a Professor of Islamic History and Culture at the University of Tübingen, where she has served since 2020. She currently holds the position of Vice Dean for Research of the Faculty of Humanities. Previously, she was Professor of Arabic Studies at Freie Universität Berlin (2018-2020) and an SNSF professor at the University of Zürich (2016-2018). Her academic journey includes a junior professorship at Freie Universität Berlin (2008-2018) and post-doctoral research at the University of Oxford (2007-2008). PhD (Dr. phil.) from University of Zurich (2005) Habilitation from Freie Universität Berlin (2015) Studied German, Arabic, and Philosophy at Universities of Zürich, Tübingen and Birzeit (1994-2000) Professor Forster's research focuses on the intersection of literature, science, and religion in the Islamic world. Her primary areas include Arabic alchemy, particularly the works of Ibn Arfa' Ra's, knowledge transmission through literary forms, Quranic exegesis, and cultural exchanges between East and West. She examines how scientific knowledge was conveyed through dialogues, poetry, and other literary forms in medieval Arabic texts. Her publication record shows a strong focus on alchemy in the Islamic world, with numerous articles analyzing alchemical poetry, manuscripts, and the relationship between religious scholarship and scientific practice. She has also made significant contributions to understanding the transmission of Aristotelian knowledge through texts like the Sirr al-asrār/Secretum secretorum across cultural boundaries. Professor Forster has organized and participated in numerous international conferences and workshops on Islamic studies, alchemy, and manuscript culture. She serves as editor for the 'Islam' section of Orientalistische Literaturzeitung since 2009 and has edited special issues on alchemy in the Islamicate world. She leads a major research project on the Alchemist Ibn Arfa' Ra's and his poetry collection Šuḏūr aḏ-ḏahab ('The Gold Splinters'), examining how traditional religious scholarship in the Arab-Islamic world was reconciled with 'secret science' such as alchemy. This project involves extensive manuscript research across multiple institutions worldwide.
Dr. Christopher Bahl serves as Associate Professor of South Asian History in the Department of History at Durham University, a position he has held since 2020 after previously working as a research associate at the Orient-Institut Beirut (Max Weber Foundation) in Lebanon. His academic credentials include a PhD in History from SOAS, University of London (2018), an MA in Historical Research Methods from SOAS (2014), and a Magister Artium in Islamic Studies and South Asian History from the University of Heidelberg (2013). His educational journey also encompassed studies at Damascus University and Hyderabad's Central University during 2010/11. Dr. Bahl's research investigates early modern South Asia's connections with the western Indian Ocean through Arabic manuscript circulation (15th-17th centuries), with particular emphasis on cultural transmission and learned networks. His work bridges South Asian History , Islamic Manuscript Cultures , and Transoceanic Exchange , revealing how textual practices shaped regional identities across Egypt, the Red Sea, and the Deccan. Analysis of his recent publications shows consistent focus on scribal networks, prosopography, and the movement of knowledge across maritime boundaries. His scholarship demonstrates growing interest in shrine cities and political mobility within Indian Ocean communities, with increasing methodological sophistication in analyzing manuscript colophons and Arabic philological traditions. His scholarly recognition includes: German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, 2008-2013) Erika and Ekmar Schoeneberg Foundation (2013-2014) SOAS Research Fellowship (2014-2017) Isobel Thornley Fellowship, Institute of Historical Research (University of London) Dr. Bahl currently supervises doctoral candidate Amira Al Harthi (researching Omani merchants in Zanzibar's textile trade) and has secured significant research funding enabling extensive archival work across Cairo, Istanbul, London, and India. His ongoing monograph "Mobile Manuscripts" represents the culmination of this internationally supported research program. While no dedicated laboratory or research team is specified, his work inherently involves transnational collaboration through institutions including the Orient-Institut Beirut and multiple archival networks across the Indian Ocean region.
Jeffrey F. Hamburger is the Kuno Francke Professor of German Art & Culture at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, within the Department of History of Art and Architecture. His research focuses on medieval art, particularly illuminated manuscripts, diagrams, and the interplay between art, mysticism, and theology. He has held visiting professorships at institutions such as the University of Zurich and the University of Fribourg. Prof. Hamburger has curated major exhibitions, including Krone und Schleier (2005), Imperial Splendor (2021), and contributed to collaborative projects like the Unter Druck exhibition series (2015–2016). His academic achievements include fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEH, and the Humboldt Foundation. He is a member of prestigious societies such as the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Recent scholarly contributions include work on Nicholas of Cusa's diagrams, medieval authorship practices, and the art of female monasticism. He delivered the 2022 Panizzi Lectures at the British Library on Diagrams in Medieval Art and Thought . Prof. Hamburger's teaching spans the High Middle Ages to the Renaissance, emphasizing text-image relationships and the history of visual culture. He has advised numerous graduate students and contributes to editorial boards for journals like Umění/Art Journal and series such as Image—Text—Context .
