Laurent Bricault is a Professor of Roman History at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, affiliated with the ERASMUS research team (Reception of Antiquity: Sources, Memory, Issues) under the Heritage, Literature, History (PLH) unit. His academic career spans institutions like the University of Poitiers (Master's 1986), Sorbonne (Doctorate 1994, HDR 2006), and Toulouse (since 2008). He specializes in the history of ancient religions, particularly Egyptian cults in the Roman world, provincial coinage, and Lagid/Roman Egypt. University of Poitiers - Master's in Ancient History (1986) Sorbonne - Doctorate in Egyptology (1994) Sorbonne - Habilitation to Direct Research (2006) Bricault's research explores the diffusion of Isiac cults, religious syncretism, and numismatic evidence for ancient beliefs. His recent publications focus on Mithraic studies, Egyptian deities in the Mediterranean, and domestic religious practices. He organizes international conferences and edits the Bibliotheca Isiaca series, contributing to the understanding of polytheistic traditions. Bricault co-edits the Supplements to the Bibliotheca Isiaca and collaborates on the Roman Provincial Coinage project. He curated the international exhibition Rome and the Mystery of Mithra (2021-2023) and maintains the RICIS online database for Isiac cult inscriptions. His work bridges epigraphy, numismatics, and cultural history to analyze religious networks across the Roman Empire.
Professor Tamsin Bradley is a leading academic in International Development Studies at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature. Her research focuses on ending violence against women and girls, social inclusion, and harmful cultural practices. She holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and has held roles at institutions like the University of East Anglia and London Metropolitan University before joining Portsmouth in 2011. She was promoted to Professor in 2017. Her work is supported by grants from the British Academy, ESRC, and AHRC. Bradley is also a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. She currently supervises two PhD students on ESRC-funded projects and collaborates with organizations like Plan International and Stop Domestic Abuse. Her research integrates applied social anthropology with policy-relevant outcomes, addressing issues such as FGM, breast ironing, and gender-based violence in South Asia and Africa. Education: Bachelor's in Politics and Study of Religion (SOAS, 1996) MA in Social Anthropology of Development (SOAS, 1997) PGCE (University of Cambridge) PhD (SOAS, 2006) Research Focus: Ending violence against women and girls, harmful cultural practices, gender and social inclusion in South Asia/Africa, humanitarianism in conflict zones. Key Grants: £300k from British Academy (2018) for the 'Art Heritage, Resilience and Humanitarianism in South Sudan' project. External Roles: Council member of British Association of South Asian Studies (2014–2016), Editorial Board member of African Identities . Media Availability: Actively engages with media on gender-based violence and development topics. Bradley’s work bridges academic research and practical solutions, emphasizing community-led approaches. Her recent publications highlight intersections between culture, conflict, and gendered violence, with a focus on marginalized communities in South Sudan, Sudan, and South Asia.
Ayesha Jalal is a distinguished Professor of History at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences and holds a joint appointment at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She currently serves as the Mary Richardson Professor and directs the Center for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies. With a career spanning over three decades, Professor Jalal has established herself as a leading scholar in South Asian history, particularly focusing on Pakistan studies, the partition of India, and Muslim political thought in the region. Professor Jalal's academic journey began with a double major in History and Political Science from Wellesley College in 1978. She then pursued doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, earning her PhD in History in 1983. Her early career included prestigious fellowships at Trinity College, Cambridge (1980-84), the Centre of South Asian Studies (1984-87), the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars (1985-86), and the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies (1988-90). Professor Jalal's research primarily centers on South Asian history with special emphasis on Pakistan, the partition of India, and Muslim political thought. Her work explores the complex interplay between religious identity, nationalism, and state formation in the region. She has made significant contributions to understanding democratic development in Pakistan, sectarian dynamics in South Asia, and the historical connections between the Indian subcontinent and the wider Indian Ocean world. Her recent scholarship has focused on 'Oceanic Islam,' examining transregional Muslim networks and universalist aspirations that transcended colonial boundaries. Professor Jalal's extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on South Asian political history, with particular attention to Pakistan's formation and development. Her recent works show a progression from studies of partition and state formation toward broader examinations of Muslim intellectual history and transregional connections. The 2020-2024 publications reveal a sophisticated engagement with themes of democratic erosion, sectarianism, and the historical roots of contemporary political challenges in South Asia, while also exploring more cultural and religious dimensions through works on Muslim enlightened thought and oceanic connections. Patrus Bukhari Award for the best English language book, The Pity of Partition , Academy of Letters, Government of Pakistan (2015) Britannica Book of the Year recognition (2015) MacArthur Fellowship (1998-2003) As an educator, Professor Jalal has mentored numerous graduate students through thesis supervision and directed research projects. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on Modern South Asia, Contemporary South Asia, Islam and the West, and specialized seminars on South Asian history. She has taught at several prestigious institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia University, and Harvard University before joining Tufts in 1999. In her role as Director of the Center for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies, she has fostered interdisciplinary research and provided guidance to emerging scholars in the field. Professor Jalal directs the Center for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies at Tufts University, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on South Asia and its connections to the wider Indian Ocean world. The center facilitates collaborative projects, hosts visiting scholars, and organizes events that bridge historical, political, and cultural perspectives on the region. Under her leadership, the center has become a prominent institution for South Asian studies, promoting dialogue between academic research and contemporary policy issues.
Dr David Grumett is a Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity. He holds a BA(Hons), MPhil, and PhD, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). His research focuses on theology, ethics, and philosophy, with particular attention to themes like sacramental theology, animal welfare, and historical theologians such as Henri de Lubac and Teilhard de Chardin. **Education**: BA(Hons) MPhil PhD SFHEA **Responsibilities**: Convener, Divinity Research Ethics Committee Academic cohort lead for Philosophy and Theology External roles include Assessor at the Office for Students and membership in the AHRC Peer Review College His work bridges theological theory with practical ethics, including animal ethics and liturgical studies. He has published extensively on sacramental theology, biblical interpretation, and contemporary ethical issues in Christianity.
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.
Walid A. Saleh is a Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Toronto , holding appointments in both the Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations department and the Department for the Study of Religion . His scholarship focuses on the Qur’an , Quranic exegesis (Tafsir), Islamic apocalyptic literature , and Biblical reception in Islam . PhD from Yale University (2001) Recipient of Mellon New Directions Fellowship (2014) and Konrad Adenauer Fellow (2017) Editor of the Routledge Qur’an Series His research analyzes Quranic chronology , manuscript traditions , and Islamic intellectual history . Recent publications examine periodization in Sunni tafsir, late Ottoman book culture, and the reception of al-Bayḍāwī's Anwar al-tanzīl . Articles explore topics from Quranic death narratives to medieval Islamic cosmology . Key article themes: Quranic identity formation , Islamic manuscript studies , exegetical methodology He has edited critical texts like al-Biqa`i's Bible treatise and serves on editorial boards for the Journal of the American Academy of Religion and Journal of Qur'anic Studies . His teaching includes advanced courses in Arabic paleography and Quranic hermeneutics .
Wendy Gay Pearson serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Western University. Her academic work spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a particular focus on identity, citizenship, and belonging through the lenses of gender and sexuality. Professor Pearson's research interests encompass gender and sexuality studies, queer theory, feminist theory, critical race theory, and cultural studies. She approaches these topics through postmodernist and postcolonial theoretical frameworks, with emerging intersectional approaches to race, ethnicity, and diaspora. Her work specifically investigates these issues within science fiction, Canadian literature and film, and Indigenous film, examining connections between seemingly disparate areas such as analyzing Eden Robinson's Monkey Beach through both science fiction and Indigenous studies perspectives. Professor Pearson's scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly intersectional analyses, particularly in the most recent publications that bridge Indigenous studies with gender and sexuality frameworks. Her work consistently explores how science fiction functions as a space for imagining alternative gender and sexual possibilities, while simultaneously examining how Canadian cultural production engages with queer identities. The publications reveal a growing emphasis on Indigenous perspectives in film and literature, with multiple forthcoming 2024 contributions to the Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Film . As evidenced by her extensive editorial work including The Routledge Companion to Gender and Science Fiction (2023) and Reverse Shots: Indigenous Film and Media in an International Context (2014), Professor Pearson has established herself as a significant contributor to scholarly conversations at the intersection of gender studies and speculative fiction. Her book Zero Patience (2011) with Susan Knabe demonstrates long-standing engagement with queer cinema. Professor Pearson's academic supervision extends across multiple disciplines, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Her work has been supported through various academic channels that enable her to explore connections between Indigenous film, queer Canadian culture, and science fiction, though specific grant details are not provided in the available information. Her research methodology combines close textual analysis with theoretical frameworks from queer studies, feminist theory, and critical race theory, creating innovative approaches to understanding how cultural texts negotiate complex identity formations. This integrative approach is particularly evident in her examination of works by authors like Hiromi Goto, Nalo Hopkinson, and Larissa Lai, where she simultaneously considers sexuality, gender, race, and science fiction elements.
Dr. Ellen Posman is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion at Baldwin Wallace University, Ohio. She also chairs the Faith & Life program and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from Stanford University. Her research focuses on comparative religion, particularly Asian religions and Judaism, with specialties in exile/diaspora studies, Buddhism, and religious violence. She has conducted ethnographic research in India, Nepal, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Taiwan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, exploring topics like Theravada Buddhist nuns' ordination rights and the intersection of religion with globalization. Posman’s teaching spans introductory religion courses to specialized topics such as Asian religions, religion and violence, and women in religion. She led a study-abroad initiative to India (2007–2008) examining religion’s role in poverty and development. Her work emphasizes civic engagement pedagogy, including contributions to the Spotlight on Teaching section of Religious Studies News. She co-edited a special journal issue on religious communities in exile and has published widely on Buddhism, interfaith dialogue, and religious pedagogy. Posman’s research has been funded by grants, including an NEH summer seminar on classical Buddhist texts. She is featured in the documentary Bhikkhuni: Buddhism, Sri Lanka, Revolution , highlighting her expertise on Theravada nuns. Her academic service includes roles as a reviewer for the American Academy of Religion and collaborative projects on transnational pedagogy and interfaith engagement.
Prof. Cornelia Richter is a Professor of Systematic Theology and Hermeneutics at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the University of Bonn since 2012. She serves as Chair of the Senate of the University of Bonn since 2024 and has held leadership roles such as Dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology (2020–2024). Born in 1970, she earned her doctorate (summa cum laude) from the University of Marburg in 2002 and habilitation in 2010. Her research focuses on Philosophy of Religion, Hermeneutics, and Resilience in Religion and Spirituality, notably leading the DFG-funded project FOR 2686. She has held visiting professorships in Zurich and Giessen and contributed to theology through editorial roles in journals like International Journal of Philosophy and Theology . Her work bridges theology with interdisciplinary studies, addressing modern challenges like pandemic resilience and interfaith dialogue. Education: PhD (2002), Habilitation (2010) – University of Marburg Studies in Protestant Theology and Philosophy – Universities of Vienna and Munich Research Fellowship – Center for Subjectivity Research, Copenhagen (2003–2005) Research Interests: Her work explores hermeneutical approaches to religious meaning, resilience in crises, and the interplay between theology and modern challenges. Key areas include: - Critical analysis of resilience frameworks in theology and philosophy - Theological engagement with modern existential issues (e.g., hope, fear, powerlessness) - Interdisciplinary dialogue on religion’s role in human sciences. - Resilience studies in healthcare and pandemic contexts. Grants & Projects: DFG-FOR 2686 “Resilience in Religion and Spirituality” (2019–2022) Editorial leadership in multiple theological journals and book series Co-director of the Bonn Institute of Hermeneutics Labs/Teams: Department of Systematic Theology, University of Bonn; interdisciplinary research groups on resilience and theology.
Professor Rachel Muers is the Chair of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, a historic position she became the first woman to hold. Her work bridges disciplinary, confessional, and institutional boundaries, focusing on 20th-century Christian theology and contemporary theological responses to urgent societal questions. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2002), where she also served as Margaret Smith Research Fellow. Previously, she held academic roles at the University of Exeter and the University of Leeds, achieving a personal chair in 2018. Her research explores intersections between theology, ethics, and social practice, with notable focus on Quaker theology, environmental stewardship, and ecumenical dialogue. She serves on the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission and is affiliated with organizations like the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics. Her teaching emphasizes practical theology and ethical discernment. Key themes in her scholarship include liturgical practices, pacifism, and the relevance of theology to modern challenges. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches, integrating anthropology and the social sciences into theological inquiry. Her publications reflect a commitment to actionable theology, addressing issues from climate change to interfaith relations.
Eyal Aharoni is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Georgia State University's College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2009) and bachelor's degrees in psychology and religious studies from the same institution. Dr. Aharoni's research program bridges psychology, neuroscience, and legal studies with particular focus on: Risk models for antisocial behavior Application of neuroscience to legal contexts (neurolaw) Impact of emotion and cognitive bias on criminal, moral, legal, and political decision making Psychopathy and criminal justice outcomes His scholarly work demonstrates a consistent interdisciplinary approach to understanding the psychological and neurobiological underpinnings of criminal behavior and legal decision-making. Through experimental, longitudinal, and neuroimaging methodologies, Aharoni investigates how cognitive, behavioral, evolutionary, and neurobiological factors influence criminal justice outcomes and potential reforms. Dr. Aharoni maintains an active research laboratory and welcomes PhD students in psychology, with potential funding opportunities in neuroethics. His current research interests include ethical implications of neuroscience technologies and associated issues in cognitive neuroscience, moral psychology, legal psychology, and forensic psychology. His professional experience includes: Research Associate at the RAND Corporation Postdoctoral fellowship at The MIND Research Network for Neurodiagnostic Discovery and the University of New Mexico Psychology Research positions at the Research Center for Virtual Environments and Behavior Research positions at the Institute for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research
Joseph Roso is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, specializing in the practices and political activities of religious congregations and leaders. His work examines how religious institutions adapt to 21st-century challenges, including technological integration and political polarization. Roso holds a PhD from Duke University, where he also completed his MA, and a BA from Vanderbilt University, all in Sociology. He teaches courses on quantitative methods, multivariate statistics, and sociological principles. His research focuses on congregational adaptation, clergy activism, and the intersection of religion and politics. Education: PhD in Sociology, Duke University MA in Sociology, Duke University BA in Sociology, Vanderbilt University Roso's research interests center on religious organizations' responses to societal changes, including technology adoption (e.g., streaming services pre-pandemic), political polarization impacts, and clergy-lay dynamics. His recent studies highlight tensions between religious leaders and their congregants on political issues, as well as institutional disaffiliation trends in denominations like the United Methodist Church. His articles analyze topics ranging from evangelical rhetoric on immigration to clergy political activism, leveraging data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders. He has contributed to debates on congregational technological readiness and worship practice evolution. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with projects like the National Congregations Study and National Survey of Religious Leaders, emphasizing large-scale survey methodologies to map religious institutional trends.
Mahmoud Abdallah is a Researcher at the Center for Islamic Theology , University of Tübingen, where he has worked since 2020. His career includes roles as Senior Scientist at the University of Innsbruck (2019–2020), Project Leader at ZITh (2016–2019), and Post-Doc researcher (2013–2018). He also held guest lectures at Marmara University (2017) and served as an Arabic Editor (2012–2013). Education : PhD in Comparative Linguistics (2012, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf), Master’s summa cum laude (2002, University of Minia), State Examination (1998, Al-Azhar University). Research Interests focus on Islamic Theology , Pastoral Care , Interreligious Dialogue , and Religious Institutions in Pluralistic Societies . He explores hermeneutics in Islamic counseling, Ḥisba in public order, and Umma dynamics in multicultural contexts. Recent Publications (2014–2022) analyze Qur’anic ambiguity , interfaith education , religious responses to crises (e.g., pandemic pastoral care), and Islamic social ethics . Key themes include Abrahamic unity , contextual theology , and religious hermeneutics . Scientific Awards : Master’s degree with summa cum laude distinction (University of Minia, 2002). Advising & Projects : Co-editor of Grundlagen muslimischer Seelsorge (2020) and Theologie des Zusammenlebens series (2017–2022). Led the 2016 project Scientific Education and Social Responsibility (Baden-Württemberg Ministry). Currently working on books about Prophetic Hermeneutics (2023) and Religious Transformations in Crisis (2022). Committee Memberships : Member of the German Islam Conference (since 2018), Scientific Advisory Boards at Zukunftsforum Islam e.V. (since 2017), and the DAVO (German Working Group on the Middle East, since 2009).
Professor Holly Thorpe is a Professor of Sociology in Te Huataki Waiora / School of Health at the University of Waikato, specializing in Sport and Human Movement. She serves as Associate Dean Research in the Division of Health PVC Office and is an internationally recognized sociologist of sport, physical culture and gender whose work has earned prestigious fellowships and awards including Fulbright, Leverhulme, and Royal Society honors. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Waikato and Papa Reo Level 1 certification from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, reflecting both academic excellence and cultural engagement with Māori language and knowledge systems. Professor Thorpe's research centers on equity and inclusion in sporting cultures, with particular attention to women's health and wellbeing, sport and gender, and the impact of social media on athletic experiences. She employs critical and feminist theoretical frameworks with expertise in qualitative methods to examine how sport, physical activity, and health intersect in rapidly changing social landscapes. Her work spans gender studies, feminist methodologies, sports science, sociology of health, and digital media studies within sporting contexts, with a strong commitment to community-engaged research. Her extensive publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on contemporary issues including menstruation in sport, digital technologies and athlete experiences, pandemic impacts on wellbeing, and the gendered dimensions of mega-sport events. Her work frequently employs intersectional analysis and collaborates across disciplines to address complex questions about embodiment, identity, and social change in sporting cultures, particularly as they relate to women and marginalized communities. Professor Thorpe's significant scholarly recognition includes: Royal Society Early Career Research Excellence Award for Social Sciences (2018) Fellow of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (2018) Royal Society James Cook Fellowship for a two-year project focused on women's wellbeing through and beyond pandemic (2021) She actively supervises students and has secured substantial research funding including the Te Punaha Matatini CORE Research Institute project 'Youth Wellbeing in Uncertain Times: The Voices of Rangatahi from Flood-Effected Tairāwhiti Gisborne' (2023-2025). Professor Thorpe collaborates extensively with international and national sports organizations including the International Olympic Committee, High Performance New Zealand, Sport New Zealand, Skateistan, and Voice in Sport to ensure her research has real-world impact on policy and practice. She serves as Series co-editor for 'New Femininities in Digital, Physical and Sporting Cultures' and maintains active media engagement through The Conversation and other outlets. Professor Thorpe leads several significant research initiatives including 'Reimagining Fields of Play' (2023) and co-organized the 'Gender, Health and Wellbeing Symposium' (2022), demonstrating her commitment to creating spaces for critical dialogue about sport, gender, and health while advancing culturally responsive methodologies that center Indigenous and diverse perspectives.
Prof. Bahire Efe Özad is a Professor in the Department of Television and Film Studies at Eastern Mediterranean University's Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. She holds a PhD and multiple master's degrees in education and English language teaching. Her research focuses on media studies, social media impact, communication theory, environmental sociology, cinema analysis, and intercultural communication. She has supervised over 80 PhD and Master's theses, reflecting her extensive academic mentorship. Her notable works include analyses of sacred defense cinema, pandemic governance in Northern Cyprus, and systematic reviews on fake news scholarship. She has conducted impactful studies on marital sustainability during the pandemic, Nigerian election media framing, and digital natives' social media use. Her research spans diverse areas including ICT's environmental impact, romantic relationship dynamics, and blog reader engagement. Prof. Özad has led projects like analyzing communication barriers for African students and exploring original scores in film. She maintains an active academic presence through Google Scholar and has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals. Her teaching and research activities emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to media, communication, and social dynamics.
