Tom McEnaney is an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Spanish & Portuguese at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of the Berkeley Center for New Media (BCNM). He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese and serves on the Executive Board of UC Cuba. He is affiliated with the Center for Cultural Analytics, the Program in Critical Theory, the Center for Science, Technology, Medicine and Society, and the Data Science Lab (D-Lab). His research focuses on the history of media and technology, Argentine, Cuban, and U.S. literature, sound studies, linguistic anthropology, computational humanities, and new media studies. His book Acoustic Properties: Radio, Narrative, and the New Neighborhood of the Americas (2017) explores the interplay of radio and narrative in Argentina, Cuba, and the U.S., analyzing populism, state socialism, and the reimagining of the vox populi through listening practices. McEnaney’s work has appeared in journals such as diacritics , PMLA , and Representations , and media outlets like The New York Times and Public Books . He is a Mellon New Directions Fellow (2020–2023) in cultural analytics and leads a project on tape technology’s impact on testimonial writing, rock nacional, electronic music, and audiobooks in the Americas. Previously an Assistant Professor at Cornell University, he founded the Latin American Journals Project, an online archive of digitized literary journals from Latin America and the Hispanophone Caribbean. His current affiliations emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding access to cultural archives globally.
Elizabeth McCracken is a Professor in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches creative writing courses including Advanced Fiction Workshop (CRW 355F), Literature for Writers (E 380F), and Fiction Writing (CRW 325F). She also teaches in the low residency MFA program at Bennington College. McCracken received her M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in 1990. Her academic career has been distinguished by numerous grants and fellowships from prestigious organizations including the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Her creative interests focus on Creative Writing , particularly Fiction , Short Stories , and Autobiographical Writing . McCracken's work explores complex human relationships, grief, memory, and the transformative power of storytelling. Her writing is characterized by its emotional depth, wit, keen observation of human nature, and ability to blend the comic with the heartbreaking. McCracken's publications have established her as a significant voice in contemporary American literature. Her work has been widely recognized for its originality and emotional resonance, appearing in prestigious collections such as The Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and The O. Henry Prize Stories. Winner of The Story Prize for Thunderstruck & Other Stories (2015) Finalist for the National Book Award for The Giant's House (1996) Named one of the 20 Best Young American Novelists by Granta Recipient of grants from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEA, American Academy in Berlin, and other prestigious organizations As an educator, McCracken has mentored numerous writing students through her positions at the University of Texas and Bennington College. Her teaching emphasizes both technical craft and emotional authenticity, encouraging students to find their unique voices while developing strong writing techniques. Her 2023 novel The Hero of This Book has been named a Top Ten Best Book of the Year by Time and People magazines, further cementing her reputation as one of America's finest contemporary writers.
Nathan Martin is an Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre & Dance. He joined in 2015 after postdoctoral fellowships at Columbia, Harvard, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, and Yale. He holds a PhD from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music (2009). His research focuses on the history of music theory and musical form analysis, particularly the works of Jean-Philippe Rameau and their reception among Enlightenment thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He integrates intellectual history with practical analytical methods, emphasizing both contextual and emic perspectives. Recent interests include adapting empirical social science and linguistics methods to study musical form. Key publications include articles on Rameau’s harmonic concepts, Rousseau’s musical writings, and global music theory history. His 2014 article on Rameau’s supposition/suspension theories earned the Society for Music Theory’s Outstanding Publication Award. He co-edited Formal Functions in Perspective (2015) and served as co-editor of Music Theory & Analysis until 2019. Professional highlights include the Edward T. Cone Membership at the Institute for Advanced Study (2018–2019) and a 2023 visiting researcher role at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary empirical approaches, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in music theory.
Timothy Hampton is a Professor of French and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley , and serves as Director of the Doreen B. Townsend Center for the Humanities . He was previously the Director of the Designated Emphasis in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies and co-chairs the Democracy, Free Speech, and Values study group. His research explores intersections of literature and politics , poetry and song , and the history of emotion and diplomacy in Renaissance and early modern periods. Recent projects include a 2022 France-Berkeley Fund grant on poetry translation and a Diebold Foundation grant for interdisciplinary cultural studies. Notable publications include Bob Dylan: How the Songs Work (2019) and Cheerfulness: A Literary and Cultural History (2022). Upcoming works address premodern colonialism and American education through memoir and cultural critique. His scholarship appears in MLN , Critical Inquiry , and public venues like Salon and Aeon/Psyche .
Dr. Mathew Todres is a Senior Lecturer in Management at the School of Business, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Wollongong. His research focuses on Management, Change Management, International Business Management, and Strategic Management, with a particular emphasis on Social Entrepreneurship and Workplace Value Congruence. He has conducted action research in Social Enterprise Development and published in journals such as the Social Enterprise Journal and Journal of Business Ethics . Dr. Todres currently supervises PhD candidates Douglas Opoku Agyeman (Micro Entrepreneurship in West Africa) and Grant Hughes (Sports Management). He has received a University of Wollongong Faculty of Business Start-Up Grant (2018). His peer-reviewed work spans organizational behavior, narrative analysis, and social enterprise innovation. His research interests include autoethnographic analysis, narratological analysis, and the application of social theory to entrepreneurial practices. Dr. Todres has contributed to journals such as Medical Education and serves as a reviewer for Journal of Spirituality, Leadership, and Management , among others. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in organizational dynamics and social impact initiatives.
Ksana Blank is a Senior Lecturer at Princeton University’s Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. She coordinates the Russian Language Program and directs the Princeton-in-Petersburg Program, fostering academic exchange and interdisciplinary research. With a PhD in Russian Literature (Columbia University, 1997) and a BA in French Philology (St. Petersburg State University, 1979), her academic career spans over two decades at Princeton, preceded by teaching roles at Hunter College and Middlebury College Russian Summer School. Education: PhD, Russian Literature, Columbia University (1997) BA, French Philology, St. Petersburg State University (1979) Her research centers on Russian literature, emphasizing stylistic analysis and interdisciplinary connections with music, visual arts, folklore, and religious philosophy. Notable works include studies on Dostoevsky’s dialectics, Gogol’s The Nose , and the interplay between Russian modernism and Western art movements. She has authored multiple books and articles, many translated into Russian, and has published in academic journals across Russia, Europe, and China. Recent publications explore Dostoevsky’s paradoxes, Gogol’s linguistic innovation, and the intersection of Russian literature with music (Shostakovich), art (Malevich), and philosophy. Her 2023 book Парадоксы классики expands traditional interpretations of classic works through interdisciplinary lenses, while her 2021 The Nose guide deciphers Gogol’s wordplay and its narrative function. Earlier works address Tolstoy’s spiritual crisis and Bakhtinian dialogism in Russian literary theory. While no scientific awards are listed, her contributions to pedagogy include advanced Russian language courses and graduate-level Tolstoy studies. She currently works on Leo Tolstoy’s The Prisoner of the Caucasus and teaches courses on Russian literature, spirituality, and translation.
Wenhu Chen is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo's Computer Science Department and a CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute. He also holds a part-time role as a Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind (20% allocation). His research focuses on natural language processing, deep learning, and multimodal reasoning, with contributions to models like MAmmoTH, OpenCoderInterpreter, and VISTA. He received awards including the Canada CIFAR AI Chair (2022) and the UCSB CS Outstanding Dissertation Award (2021). Education: PhD in Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara (under William Wang and Xifeng Yan). Research interests include complex reasoning, controllable GenAI, and multimodal benchmarks like MEGABench and MMMU. Grants include CIFAR AI Chair Funding (2022-2027), NSERC Discovery Fund (2023-2028), and multiple NRC Canada grants. He directs the TIGER Lab, advancing generative models in text, images, videos, and music. Recent talks include presentations on multimodal reasoning at Apple and NeurIPS workshops.
Margus Pärtlas is Professor of Music Theory and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Research at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). He earned his Doctorate from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1992 with a dissertation on Eduard Tubin's symphonies. His career includes positions as Associate Professor (1993-2003), Senior Teacher (1987-1993), and Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of North Texas (1999-2000). Pärtlas's research focuses on music analysis methodologies , specializing in the works of Eduard Tubin and Richard Strauss. Key areas include symphonic form, tonal transformation in Romantic music, semiotic analysis of choral works, and cultural identity in exile compositions. His publications consistently explore structural innovation in 19th-20th century European music. His recent articles reflect a thematic emphasis on Estonian musical heritage , institutional development of music academies, and analytical studies of concerti/symphonies. A significant trend involves examining how composers negotiate cultural identity through structural elements. Awards & Honors: Fulbright Visiting Scholar Grant (1999) Best Music Article Award from 'Teater. Muusika. Kino' (1992) Academic Leadership: Chaired accreditation committees internationally (Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Armenia), serves on editorial boards of Res Musica and Eduard Tubin's Complete Works, and organized major conferences including 'Eduard Tubin 100'. Doctoral Supervision: Guided 4 PhD students in music analysis and interpretation, focusing on topics like Tubin's piano sonatas, Estonian song traditions, and analytical approaches to contemporary performance.
Andreas Stoehr is a renowned Austrian conductor and professor at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna, leading the conducting department and symphony orchestra since 2013. His career spans prestigious engagements including the Paris Opéra Comique, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and St. Gallen Theatre, focusing on operatic repertoire from Monteverdi to modernism. He is celebrated for reviving neglected works like Meyerbeer’s Emma di Resburgo and Gluck’s Ezio , emphasizing historical performance practices. His research explores stylistic transitions in music history, blending baroque precision with modern innovation. Education: Trained at Vienna's former Conservatory (now University of Music and Performing Arts), studying piano under Alfred Kremela, conducting with Gennadij Rozhdestvenskij, and musicology at the University of Vienna. Key mentors included David Lutz (accompaniment) and Reinhard Schwarz (conducting). Research Interests: Explores interdisciplinary connections between diverse musical eras, such as Bach’s influence on Schoenberg, and advocates for vocal-orchestral balance in historical repertoires. Projects include CD recordings of Amanda Maier-Röntgen and Andrea Tarrodi’s works, nominated for Swedish Grammis. Awards: Grammy nomination (2016) for Amanda Maier-Röntgen’s Violin Concerto recording. Recognized for innovative stagings of operas like Berg’s Wozzeck and Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande . Teaching & Leadership: As professor and symphony orchestra director, Stoehr mentors young conductors. Notable collaborations include the Langenlois Castle Festival (2012–2019) and interdisciplinary projects like Heart and Mouth, and Deed and Life blending Bach with sociological texts. His teaching emphasizes 21st-century conductorship as collaborative architecture, prioritizing emotional engagement over technical authoritarianism. Labs/Ensembles: Leads the MUK Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with ensembles like the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège. His work bridges academic research with performance practice through projects like the Styriarte Festival’s Schubert revival.
Casey Reas is a Professor of Design Media Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), within the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor at Interaction Design Institute Ivrea (2001–2003). His academic background includes a BSc in Design from the University of Cincinnati (1996) and an MSc in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT (2001). Reas co-created the open-source programming language Processing with Ben Fry, revolutionizing visual arts and education globally. He is renowned for blending art and technology, creating generative works exhibited in institutions like the Centre Georges Pompidou and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His research focuses on computational aesthetics, algorithmic art, and digital media's intersection with music and design. Education: Bachelor of Science in Design, University of Cincinnati, 1996 Master of Science in Media Arts and Sciences, MIT, 2001 Research Interests: Reas explores the synergy between code and creativity, emphasizing generative systems, real-time visualization, and interactive installations. His work often addresses themes of randomness, pattern formation, and human-computer interaction. Notable projects include Processing language development, music video collaborations with The National, and immersive installations like Sketch Machine and Warm Up . Recent Collaborations: Music videos for The National’s Sleep Well Beast (2017), blending algorithmic visuals with Grammy-winning music. Interactive installations such as Impure Functions (2017) and Warm Up (2017), co-created with UCLA’s Conditional Studio. Public commissions like Sketch Machine (2018), an open-source drawing tool for GIPHY. Awards: Contributor to The National’s Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album ( Sleep Well Beast , 2018). Labs/Teams: Reas leads the Reas Studio and collaborates with UCLA’s Arts Conditional Studio, focusing on experimental software, generative art, and interdisciplinary projects.
Daniel Medin serves as Professor at The American University of Paris within the Department of Comparative Literature and English History and Politics, joining the faculty in January 2010 after teaching positions at Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Free University Berlin. His academic credentials include: PhD, Washington University in St. Louis MA, Washington University in St. Louis BA, University of Connecticut Professor Medin's research centers on contemporary international fiction and the global reception of Franz Kafka , with significant contributions to Central European literary studies. His scholarly focus extends to autobiographical writing , editorial practices for translated fiction , and small prose forms , consistently examining cross-cultural literary exchange through interdisciplinary lenses that bridge literature, history, and translation theory. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced trajectory toward edited volumes spotlighting global literary voices across European, Asian, and Latin American traditions. His work demonstrates sustained engagement with translation as cultural mediation and Kafka's enduring legacy in contemporary writing, frequently connecting literary analysis with musical composition through collaborations with composers and musicians. His distinguished recognition includes: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship As director of the Center for Writers and Translators and editor of the Cahiers Series, Professor Medin cultivates transnational literary networks through institutional leadership rather than traditional grant-funded research. His extensive involvement with literary prizes—including the International Booker Prize and European Union Prize for Literature—complements his editorial work at publications like Music & Literature and Schreibheft. He actively shapes contemporary discourse through the Center for Writers and Translators, organizing events that connect authors, translators, and scholars across linguistic boundaries. His recent festival appearances at Cheltenham, Bergen, and Dublin highlight ongoing commitment to examining Kafka's relevance and fostering dialogue about global literary trends.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Butz is a Full Professor and Chair for Human-Computer Interaction at the Department for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich). He leads the Media Informatics Group, focusing on innovative interaction techniques and interfaces in immersive environments like VR/AR, automotive systems, and smart spaces. His research emphasizes perceptual user interfaces, social robotics, and designing systems that balance invisibility with transparency. Key research areas include: Virtual/Augmented Reality interfaces for productivity and social interaction AI-driven decision support in safety-critical domains (aviation, healthcare) Haptic and wearable interaction technologies Automotive UI design for driver assistance systems Principles of explainable AI and human-AI collaboration His work bridges theory and practice through projects like: VR-based movement training systems AI trust calibration mechanisms Multi-modal interaction frameworks for automotive environments Systems for analyzing long-term music listening behavior Recent articles explore topics ranging from AI support in pilot decision-making to haptic wearables and creative writing interfaces. His team collaborates with industry partners on electric vehicle information systems and in-car interaction challenges.
Aisha Durham is a Professor of Communication at the University of South Florida's College of Arts and Sciences, with affiliations in Humanities & Cultural Studies and Women's & Gender Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2007) and has held academic positions at Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on Black feminist thought, autoethnography, and media/cultural studies. She is the award-winning author of Home with Hip Hop Feminism: Performances in Communication and Culture and a co-editor of Home Girls Make Some Noise! Key research areas include Hip Hop Feminism, intersectionality, and qualitative methodologies. Durham has received prestigious awards such as the NCA Marsha Houston Award and the Ellis-Bochner Award for autoethnography. She contributes to public scholarship through podcasts, media analyses, and international talks for outlets like CNN and NPR. Her work emphasizes democratizing knowledge and addressing systemic inequities in academia and culture. Professional activities include editorial board roles, advisory positions (e.g., Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap), and keynote speaking at institutions worldwide. Her recent publications explore pedagogical resistance, hiphop literacies, and Black feminist mentorship frameworks.
Andrew Gordon is Professor of Renaissance Literature and Culture in the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture at the University of Aberdeen. He is Co-Director of the Centre for Early Modern Studies and serves as REF co-lead for English, demonstrating active leadership in research and academic governance. BA from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) MA from University of Sussex PhD from Queen Mary's, University of London His research centers on early modern literature and culture, with a focus on textual transmission , letter-writing , cultural memory , and material texts . He explores how literature interacts with cultural practices, especially in early modern London. His current project, Renaissance Cultures of the Foot , innovatively examines the cultural and literary significance of the foot, drawing on anthropological perspectives to analyze embodied experience in print and manuscript culture. The recent scholarly articles and books reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary humanities, combining literary analysis with historical, material, and gender studies. His work frequently engages with manuscript culture, epistolary networks, and the social functions of memory, particularly in post-Reformation England. His scientific recognition includes the Hunter-Caldwell award for directing The Correspondence of Robert Beale . Hunter-Caldwell award He actively supervises graduate research and welcomes PhD students in areas related to early modern texts, cultural mobility, memory, and community. While specific grants are not listed, his funded project indicates successful grant acquisition. He has also engaged in creative collaborations with theatre professionals, bridging academic research with performance. Andrew Gordon is a central figure in Aberdeen’s Centre for Early Modern Studies, contributing to an interdisciplinary research environment that fosters collaboration across historical periods and methodological approaches.
Dr. Simon A. Morrison is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Communication, Screen & Performance within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Chester. He serves as Programme Leader for the Music Journalism degree, which he helped design, build and deliver from its first cohort in 2014. With 25 years of experience as a writer, broadcaster, and academic, Morrison brings extensive industry knowledge to his teaching and research, having worked as a music journalist reporting from locations worldwide including Beijing, Brazil, Moscow, and Marrakech. Dr. Morrison holds a PhD from the University of Leeds (completed 2018), an MA from the University of Manchester (1995-1997), and a BA Hons from the University of Manchester (1989-1992). Prior to his position at Chester, he worked as an Associate Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (2012-2014) and as a Visiting Lecturer at Leeds University (2011-2013). His academic journey follows a substantial career in media where he presented TV for Rapture TV, hosted radio shows in Ibiza, produced and presented for Kiss Radio, and appeared on BBC Breakfast and BBC 5 Live. Dr. Morrison's research centers on the intersection of words and music , with particular focus on Popular Music , Musico-Literary Intermediality , and Electronic Dance Music Culture . His work explores how music subcultures, particularly rave and dance music scenes, are represented in literature and journalism. He examines the connections between different countercultural movements, notably drawing parallels between the Beat Generation writers and contemporary 'Chemical Generation' authors who write about club culture. His research also investigates the relationship between music journalism and subcultural movements across different historical periods. His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory connecting historical dance music developments across continents and eras. Morrison's work traces the evolution of electronic dance music from its American roots in Chicago and Detroit through its transatlantic journey to Europe and back again, examining how cultural exchange shaped musical innovation. His analyses of Pink Floyd demonstrate how rock bands interact with media landscapes, while his investigations of music journalism document the changing nature of music criticism in digital eras. The recurring theme across his scholarship is the examination of how subcultural experiences are translated into written form, whether through journalism, fiction, or academic analysis. Dr. Morrison actively supervises undergraduate dissertation projects and Negotiated Study production projects across all three years of undergraduate study. He has successfully supervised an MRes project to completion and examined PhDs (including one internal and two external, one being an Australian PhD by Artefact & Exegesis). He has served as an External Examiner for Music Journalism programs at Southampton Solent University (2016-2019) and BIMM London, Birmingham and Manchester (2016-2020). His teaching spans modules including Introduction to Journalism, Live Journalism, Dancing About Architecture: Popular Music Media, Histories and Technologies, The Cultural Politics of Music Journalism, The Politics of Social Media, Magazine Publishing and Music PR and Promotional Writing.
