Prof. Dr. Sakibe Nalan BÜYÜKKANTARCIOĞLU is a Professor at Çankaya University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies (English). She previously served as Professor (2007–2019), Associate Professor (2000–2007), and Assistant Professor (1997–2000) at Hacettepe University, Department of English Linguistics. PhD in English Linguistics (Hacettepe University, 1991) MA in English Language Teaching (Middle East Technical University, 1985) BA in English Teaching (Istanbul University, 1978) Her research spans Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Discourse Analysis, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Translation Studies , with a focus on figurative language, interjections, political discourse, and endangered languages. She received the European Language Award (2011) and has supervised numerous PhD and MA theses, including work on Turkish idioms, gender representation, and language awareness. A prolific editor and conference participant, she has contributed to interdisciplinary projects and publications on Turkish sociolinguistics.
Loli Kim is a Lecturer on Modern Korea at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford, with a Leverhulme Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2022–2025). She specializes in cross-cultural multimodal analysis of Asian communication systems, particularly Korean cinema, folklore, and representation in media. Education: DPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (2019–2022), University of Oxford Research Focus: Multimodal discourse analysis, foodscaping theory, haenyeo women’s communication Editorial Roles: Assistant Editor of European Journal of Korean Studies; General Editor of 'Foodscaping Asia' series Her work develops the Segmented Film Discourse Representation Structures (SFDRS) methodology for analyzing Korean films' narrative conventions, including violence in revenge cinema and socio-pragmatic dimensions of fashion. She collaborates globally as a visiting lecturer and conference organizer. Kimi’s recent publications examine multimodal translation gaps, cultural representation in children’s literature, and the sociocultural implications of foodscaping. She has delivered keynote talks at institutions including Edinburgh University and SOAS, and co-organizes the Translating Squid Game talks series.
Prof. Nurten BİRLİK is a faculty member at the Middle East Technical University (METU), affiliated with the Department of Foreign Language Education under the Faculty of Education. She holds a Professor academic rank and maintains an active affiliation as of the last update in April 2022. Her educational background includes a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from Hacettepe University (1992, 1995, 2000), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick (2004-2005). Research interests focus on literary analysis across multiple traditions and theories: British Modernist Poetry , Romantic Poetry , Contemporary Literary Theory , Lacanian Criticism , Ecocriticism , and the study of Modern Turkish Novel and Poetry . These areas reflect her expertise in both comparative literature and critical theory. While no recent articles are listed in the provided materials, her research trends suggest ongoing engagement with interdisciplinary literary studies, poststructuralist theory, and cultural analysis through the lens of environmental criticism and psychoanalytic frameworks. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the profile. She has not listed formal advisees in the provided information, though her role as a professor likely involves teaching and mentoring responsibilities. Affiliated with the Department of Foreign Language Education, her work contributes to language pedagogy and literature curriculum development in higher education contexts.
Lisa L. Wynn is Professor in the School of Social Sciences (Discipline of Anthropology) at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She serves as Associate Editor of American Ethnologist (2022-2027) and previously held leadership positions including President of the Australian Anthropological Society (2020) and membership on the AAS Executive Committee (2018-2021). Wynn earned her PhD in 2003 from Princeton University's Anthropology Department, followed by postdoctoral positions at Princeton's Office of Population Research and Center for Health and Wellbeing. Her research program centers on gender, reproductive health technologies, sexuality, and religion, with continuous fieldwork in Egypt since 1998. More recently, she has expanded her work to examine ethics review bureaucracies, lay understandings of infectious disease, and young adult vaping behaviors in Australia. Her methodological approach combines deep ethnographic engagement with critical analysis of how power structures intersect with medical technologies and bodily experiences, particularly among marginalized communities. Analysis of her recent publications reveals an evolving trajectory that maintains her foundational interest in Middle Eastern contexts while increasingly addressing digital spaces (as seen in studies of online fatwas) and contemporary health crises (including pandemic responses and vaping culture), with consistent attention to bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. Her significant scholarly contributions have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards: Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award from Macquarie University (2009) Australian Award for Teaching Excellence (2012) OLT National Teaching Fellowship (2012-2014) Leeds Honor Prize from the Society for Urban, National, and Transnational/Global Anthropology (2008) Wynn actively mentors graduate researchers specializing in gender, sexuality, medicine and technology, with particular emphasis on sexual and reproductive health. Her research program has received substantial funding from the Social Science Research Council, Australian Research Council, Office of Learning and Teaching, and Hort Innovation. Notably, she co-led a major international project to develop multilingual sexual and reproductive health resources that have reached millions of users across 208 countries. She also created a free online ethics training program for humanities and social sciences researchers at Macquarie University. Through collaborations with Cambridge Reproductive Health Consultants and other partners, Wynn has successfully translated academic research into accessible public resources, including evidence-based information on medication abortion available in six languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Turkish, and Farsi).
Charles Yang is a Professor of Linguistics and Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania , where he also directs the Cognitive Science Program. His research integrates computational models with studies of language acquisition, processing, and evolution. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, MIT, 2000 Yang's work spans language acquisition , computational linguistics, and the evolution of cognition. He has authored The Price of Linguistic Productivity (2016), which received the Leonard Bloomfield Award from the LSA. Recent publications focus on large language models as cognitive models, the Chinese aspectual system , and statistical approaches to linguistic patterns. His 15 most recent articles (2025-2021) demonstrate a trajectory from computational models of language change to machine translation and multiword expression analysis . Yang has received significant funding from the National Science Foundation and the Guggenheim Foundation . He co-directs the Integrated Language Science and Technology group with John Trueswell and mentors students in linguistics, computer science, and psychology.
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. Hannah Zdansky is an Assistant Professor of English at Belmont Abbey College, specializing in medieval languages, literatures, and manuscript studies. Her research focuses on cross-cultural connections in medieval Britain and Ireland, particularly exploring multilingualism, religion in literature, and medieval reading practices. She holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.A. from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Her expertise spans Old and Middle English, French, Irish, Welsh, and Latin, with a methodological focus on digital humanities and the history of the book. Dr. Zdansky’s work examines how medieval literary and material cultures were shaped by multicultural interactions, including studies on medieval manuscripts, the role of women in literary production, and the intersection of religion with secular narratives. Her recent scholarly engagements include presentations on topics like the transnational dimensions of medieval texts, the interplay between sacred and secular themes in works such as Gui o Bharbhuic , and comparative analyses of Welsh and English manuscript traditions. Her publications span peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries, and book reviews, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary medieval studies. Dr. Zdansky teaches a wide range of courses, from Old English Language and Literature to Irish History, emphasizing close textual analysis and historical context. She has advised numerous students through independent studies and thesis work, fostering academic rigor and intellectual curiosity in her classroom.
Julie Orlemanski is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Chicago. She holds a Ph.D. and MA from Harvard University (2010) and a BA from the University of Georgia (2004). Her scholarly work bridges late medieval literature with contemporary theoretical debates in literary criticism, the history of science, and the philosophy of fictionality. Harvard University - Ph.D. and MA (2010) University of Georgia - BA (2004) Her research focuses on medieval medical discourse, the poetics of literary personhood, and the historiography of fiction. She is currently completing Making Literary Persons: A Poetics of Voice in Chaucer , which explores Chaucerian narratology, and developing a book on Bernard of Clairvaux's Sermons on the Song of Songs , considering how medieval writing virtualized embodied speech. Her 2019 monograph Symptomatic Subjects examines medical causation in pre-modern literature. Julie serves as Book-Review Editor for Exemplaria: Medieval, Early Modern, Theory (2025–) and has edited special issues on trans-regional medieval studies. Her recent publications analyze medieval fictionality, personification, and the ethical stakes of literary voice. She has presented at the English Institute Annual Conference and organized graduate research symposia.
Brita Wårvik is a Professor in the Department of Languages at Åbo Akademi University, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities, Psychology and Theology. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Phil. Dr.) from the same institution, awarded in 2013, and has been actively contributing to linguistic research for decades. Doctor of Philosophy (Phil. Dr.), Åbo Akademi University, 2013 Her research centers on discourse analysis, pragmatics, and historical English linguistics, with a particular focus on Early Modern and Medieval English texts. She investigates discourse interaction, textual structures, and pragmatic conservatism in religious prose, often employing corpus-based and textual analysis methods. Her work bridges micro and macro perspectives in discourse, exploring how semantic units contribute to broader text worlds. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in historical discourse studies, with increasing emphasis on corpus linguistics, manuscript variation, and the evolution of discourse markers. Her editorial work, such as the 2024 volume Structures in Discourse , highlights her leadership in synthesizing interdisciplinary perspectives on language use. Scientific Awards: Teacher of the Year (2001) ÅAU Student Union's Rose (2007) Brita Wårvik actively supervises and mentors academic visitors and collaborators, as seen in her hosting of scholars like Carmen Lee and Lieselotte Anderwald. She is the coordinator of the ongoing Project ICLE (International Corpus of Learner English) , securing research continuity and international collaboration. Her involvement in organizing workshops, such as the ICLE+30 FI-subcorpus Workshop in 2024, underscores her role in fostering academic exchange. In terms of research infrastructure, she is deeply embedded in the ICLE network, contributing to the development of learner language corpora. Her activities reflect strong international collaborations, particularly in the fields of historical linguistics and discourse studies, with a visible presence in both research and academic community-building.
Hakan Özkan is a Privatdozent and Research Associate at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Münster, where he has been working since 2007 in various capacities. He was awarded his Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in November 2019 for Arabic and Islamic Studies with his thesis 'History of Eastern Zajal – Dialectal Arabic Verse Poetry from the East of the Arab World.' His academic background includes a Franco-German doctorate completed in 2006 from Université de Provence and University of Cologne, supervised by Claude Audebert and Monika Gronke, with external reviewers including Wolfhart P. Heinrichs from Harvard University. His educational background includes: 2019: Venia Legendi for Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Münster 2002-2006: Franco-German Doctorate in Arabic Studies and Narratology (Université de Provence and University of Cologne) 1995-2000: Master of Arts in Islamic Studies, Oriental Languages and Literatures (University of Cologne) 2000-2001: Course program in Modern Standard Arabic and Syrian-Lebanese dialect at Institut Français d'Etudes Arabes de Damas Özkan's research focuses on premodern Arabic dialect poetry, particularly zajal and muwashshaḥ forms, narratology, prosimeter literature, socio-literary history, and diachronic dialectology. His interdisciplinary approach bridges linguistic analysis with literary criticism, examining how dialectal forms evolved within Arabic literary traditions across different historical periods and geographical regions. He has conducted extensive field research in Arab countries including Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco, with particular emphasis on the historical development of poetic forms from the Mamluk through Ottoman periods. His publication history demonstrates consistent scholarly contributions to Arabic literary studies, with his 2020 monograph 'History of Eastern Zajal' representing a landmark study in the field. His recent work has expanded to include analyses of religious poetry praising the Prophet Muhammad in zajal form, wine poetry in Arabic literary traditions, and the integration of dialects into Arabic language teaching methodologies. His scholarly output spans monographs, critical editions, encyclopedia entries, journal articles, and book chapters across multiple languages including German, English, French, and Turkish. Among his academic recognitions: 2018: Second place on shortlist for W2 Professorship for Arabic Language and Translation Science, University of Leipzig 2008: Offered Junior Professorship at American University in Cairo (declined) 2007: Second place on shortlist for maître de conférence position at University of Nancy 2007: Official Qualification from National University Council (CNU) for positions as maître de conférence at French universities Özkan has served on numerous academic committees, including appointment committees for professorships in Sinology and Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Münster. He has been a juror for the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding in Doha and has served on the steering committee for the 'Translation for Dialogue' program of the Anna Lindh Foundation. His editorial work includes reviewing for Mamluk Studies Review, Die Welt des Islams, and Middle Eastern Literatures since 2012. His scholarly activities extend to linguistic fieldwork on Pontic Greek dialects in Turkey and organizing significant academic conferences including 'The Race Course of Literature – An-Nawāǧī and His Contemporaries' in 2018 at the University of Münster. His multilingual capabilities (Arabic, Turkish, German, French, English, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and knowledge of Modern Greek) enable his comparative work across multiple linguistic and cultural traditions in the Mediterranean region.
Stephen Spector is a Professor of English at Stony Brook University since 1972, with a PhD from Yale University (1973). His work bridges medieval literature, religious studies, and language history. He has held visiting positions at the Hebrew University (Jerusalem, 1996–97) and fellowships at the National Humanities Center and Wesleyan University. His research focuses on medieval English literature, particularly mystery plays and biblical texts, alongside modern topics like Christian Zionism and the Ethiopian Jewish rescue operation (Operation Solomon). He has authored influential books such as Evangelicals and Israel (2009), which won the London Book Festival Prize, and Operation Solomon (2005), honored with the JDC-Herbert Katzki Award. Education: B.A. in English and Psychology from Penn State University (1968), M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Yale University (1973). He has taught courses ranging from the history of the English language to medieval literature and the Bible as literature. Research highlights include pioneering studies on anti-Semitism in medieval mystery plays, textual editing of the N-Town Play, and modern analyses of religious-political intersections. His recent work explores biblical prophecy’s influence on US foreign policy and contemporary grammar usage guides. Awards include the Van Courtlandt Elliott Prize (1980) for medieval scholarship, National Endowment for the Humanities grants, and SUNY Research Foundation fellowships. He has also contributed op-eds on topics like Sarah Palin’s religious influences and Israel-Evangelical relations. Grants and fellowships span decades, including directing NEH summer seminars on Jewish presence in early English literature (1993, 1996). His work often integrates historical methodologies with contemporary cultural analysis. Labs/Teams: Not explicitly listed, but his research collaborations are evident in co-edited volumes like The Olde Daunce (1991) and contributions to interdisciplinary projects like the Early English Text Society.
Alina Sajed is an Associate Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at McMaster University, where she joined in September 2013 after serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2010 to 2013. She earned her PhD in Political Science from McMaster University in 2008, following academic work at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and French Language and Literature from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Master of Arts from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Master of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University PhD in Political Science from McMaster University (2008) Professor Sajed's research critically examines international relations through decolonial and postcolonial lenses, with particular focus on colonialism, decolonization, anticolonial theory, and Third Worldism as global political projects. Her work centers on North Africa and the Middle East, exploring political violence, political Islam, and the unrealized potential of Third Worldism beyond rigid nationalist boundaries. She investigates how Algerian intellectuals engaged in translocal solidarity with other decolonization projects worldwide. Dr. Sajed has received significant recognition for her scholarly contributions, including: ISA's 2024 Theory Award for special issue 'Anticolonial Connectivity and the Politics of Solidarity' President's Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision (2022) As an educator, she teaches courses including International Relations: North-South, Non-Western International Relations, and Politics of the Global South. She serves as Associate Editor at Contexto Internacional: Journal of Global Connections and has guest edited issues for South Atlantic Quarterly and Postcolonial Studies, demonstrating her leadership in advancing decolonial approaches to international relations scholarship.
Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures, specializing in archaeology and art history with a focus on cultural heritage and transnational trade routes. She holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and has served in prestigious roles including Board Chair of The New York Historical Society and Co-chair of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Objects Conservation Committee. Her academic contributions span UNESCO missions, international film collaborations, and co-founding institutions like the Tang Center for Early China and Silk Road Studies. Education: BA (Bryn Mawr College, Classical Languages & English Literature), MA (University of Pennsylvania, East Asian & Middle Eastern Studies), PhD (University of Pennsylvania, 2004). Research interests include early Chinese cartography, Silk Road cultural exchanges, and the intersection of art history with imperial geography. Her work bridges archaeology, art, and policy, addressing illicit cultural trafficking and heritage preservation. She has produced award-winning documentaries and serves on global arts and museum boards. Her publications explore topics such as ancient mapping techniques and Silk Road heritage. Awards recognize her academic and leadership roles in cultural preservation. She co-founded the Tang Centers and Hsu-Tang Library, advocating for interdisciplinary scholarship and global cultural dialogue.
Katrin Bromber is a German Researcher at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, where she has led the research group "Progress and its Discontents: Ideas, Practices, Materiality" since 2014. Her career spans senior research roles at ZMO and academic teaching positions at the University of Vienna. Nationality: German. Language skills: Native German, fluent English/Swahili, moderate Amharic, good reading knowledge in French/Russian, basic Tigrinya. Habilitation (2009–): African Studies, University of Vienna PhD (1993): African Linguistics, University of Leipzig MA (1988): Swahili Studies, University of Leipzig Katrin Bromber's research interrogates intersections of body politics , sports history , Swahili linguistics , and Ethiopian modernity . Her work traces how physical culture, media representation, and colonial/imperial narratives shape national identities across Africa and Asia. Current focus: "Progress" as contested concept in Ethiopian and Gulf urbanism. Key article trends reflect her translocal methodology: 2017 studies on Ethiopian stadiums and fitness culture ; 2014-2013 publications analyzing East African military press , sports branding in the Gulf , and Swahili poetry ; 2007-2000 works on colonial linguistic politics , Indian Ocean slavery , and German colonial Swahili promotion . Recurring sub-fields: body as political text, translocal modernity, media historiography. Scientific Awards: Research Grant of the Berlin City Council (1999-2000): Gendered Slavery study Service to the Scientific Community: Chairwoman, Academic Association for Horn of Africa Studies (2012–) Editorial Advisory Board - Stichproben. Vienna Journal of African Studies (2015–) Editorial Advisory Board - Studies of Department of African Languages and Cultures (2015–) Teaching Experience: Textlinguistics, Mediacommunication, African Linguistics, Swahili (elementary/advanced), Swahili Literature, Swahili in Arabic Script at Leipzig, Humboldt-Berlin, Free Berlin, and Vienna universities Anthropology of the Body at Mekelle University Summer School Field Research: Tanzania (1993-2003): Swahili Poetry, Intellectual History Kenya (2005): Indian Ocean WW2 UAE/Bahrain (2009): Sports and Body Cultures Ethiopia (2009-2015): Sports, Body Politics
Dr. Lincoln Z. Shlensky is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Victoria, situated on the traditional territories of the WSÁNEĆ and Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples. His research focuses on postcolonial literature, diaspora studies, and media studies with emphases on the Caribbean, Jewish studies, and film. He holds degrees from Brown University (BA), UC Berkeley (MA/PhD). Teaching: Undergraduate courses in film rhetoric, postcolonial studies, and cultural theory Service: Chair of Caribbean Studies Association's 2010-11 Technology Task Force (awarded President's Distinguished Service Award) Administration: English Department webmaster since 2006; Senate Committee on Academic Standards representative 2010-2013 Research explores postcolonial memory through modernist literary influences, with an upcoming manuscript Islands of Memory: The Literary Politics of Aftermaths . His work appears in Callaloo , Prooftexts , and Qui Parle , focusing on authors like Edouard Glissant, Jamaica Kincaid, and Aharon Appelfeld. He supervises graduate students in postcolonial theory and global cinema. Has produced student films including a departmental history for UVic's 50th anniversary and instructional content for first-year writing. Maintains active academic website at shlensky.com .