Finbarr Barry Flood is the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of the Humanities and Founder-Director of the Silsila: Center for Material Histories at NYU's Institute of Fine Arts. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Art History from the University of Edinburgh (1993) and a B.A. in Archaeology from Trinity College Dublin (1988). His research focuses on Islamic art and architecture, cross-cultural material culture, and art historical methodologies. Notably, he has held prestigious fellowships such as the Slade Professorship at Oxford and ACLS Collaborative Research Fellowship. His work bridges global art histories, examining topics like medieval Hindu-Muslim encounters, iconoclasm, and the materiality of religious artifacts. Flood’s scholarly contributions include seminal books like Objects of Translation and The Great Mosque of Damascus . His awards reflect both academic excellence and teaching prowess, including NYU's Golden Dozen Award. As director of Silsila, he leads interdisciplinary research into material histories, fostering collaborations across disciplines and regions. His publications span 40+ years, addressing themes from medieval art technologies to modern reinterpretations of Islamic aesthetics.
Julian Millie is a Professor in Indonesian Studies at Monash University, Faculty of Arts, where he coordinates and teaches in the Indonesian Studies program. His academic work bridges anthropology, religious studies, and Southeast Asian studies, with a focus on the social and political dimensions of Islamic practice in Indonesia. His research centers on embodied Islamic routines, including preaching, ritual, and commemoration of regional Islamic figures. He has led major ARC-funded projects such as Preaching Islam: politics, performers and publics and Glocalisation and sub-national Islams , and currently leads the international project Islamic Bureaucracies and Pious Publics in Turkey and Indonesia . Anthropology of Indonesia Islamic Culture and Society Ritual and Religion Public Islam and Preaching Social Change in Muslim Societies Political Anthropology His recent publications (2023–2024) reveal a continued focus on Islamic consumerism, reformist critiques of consumption, ritual embodiment, and the politics of Islamic education. These works span journals like Asian Studies Review and edited volumes on preaching and Malay-Indonesian Islamic studies, showing strong interdisciplinary reach into sociology, cultural studies, and education policy. Julian Millie has contributed to scholarly discourse through editorial roles, including guest editorships for Asian Studies Review (2023) and International Journal of Cultural Studies (2013). His media engagements highlight his commitment to public anthropology, commenting on the state of Indonesian studies in Australia and Islamic education policy. He is actively involved in research grants, including current funding from 2020 to 2025, and has collaborated with scholars across Australia, Indonesia, and Turkey. While no formal advisees are listed, his leadership in research projects suggests mentorship and team coordination. He is a central figure in the study of contemporary Indonesian Islam, contributing to both academic and public understanding.
Professor Eva Haverkamp-Rott holds the Chair of Medieval Jewish History and Culture at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) since 2009. Her work uniquely bridges Medieval History and Jewish Studies, focusing on Jewish life in Europe from the 4th to 16th centuries, with geographic emphasis on the Holy Roman Empire, Italy, France, England, and the Byzantine Empire. PhD in Medieval History (University of Konstanz, 1999) Master in Jewish Studies and Medieval/Modern History (University of Cologne, 1994) Her research explores Jewish-Christian-Muslim interactions, medieval economic systems, numismatics, and the historiography of Jewish persecution during the Crusades. She specializes in analyzing Hebrew chronicles and Latin texts to reconstruct interfaith dynamics. Her recent publications focus on global medieval history, Jewish tombstone symbolism, and economic exchanges between religious groups. She has contributed significantly to understanding Jewish roles in medieval coinage and trade. 2020: Prize for Good Teaching (Bavarian Ministry of Science and Arts) 2006: The Historical Book Prize for 'Hebrew Accounts of the Persecution of the Jews during the First Crusade' 2005: Jon Gillum Teaching Award, Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2004: Ryskamp Research Fellowship, NEH Fellowship 2000: District of Konstanz Prize for promotion of young scientists Professor Haverkamp-Rott has led interdisciplinary projects like the Regensburg archaeological excavations and co-edited cultural guides. Her work emphasizes contextualizing Jewish experiences within broader European historical frameworks.
Anna Bigelow is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Graduate Studies at Stanford University. Her research focuses on Islamic Studies, South Asian and Middle Eastern Religions, emphasizing material culture and sacred spaces. She holds a BA from Smith College, MA from Columbia University, and PhD from UC Santa Barbara. Current projects include a comparative study of shared sacred sites in India and Turkey, exploring secularism's intersection with religious practices. Her notable works include Sharing the Sacred: Practicing Pluralism in Muslim North India (2010) and Islam through Objects (2021). She co-edited a special issue on Material Islam for the journal MAVCOR . Her research has been supported by the Carnegie Scholars Program and the Social Science Research Council. Bigelow advises graduate students on contemporary topics like Muslim minority populations, sacred space, and secularism. She emphasizes interdisciplinary methods combining ethnography, archival work, and cultural analysis. She collaborates with the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies and the Center for South Asia at Stanford. Her articles analyze themes such as material religion, Sufi shrines, and postcolonial identities. She actively critiques the academic job market’s challenges, advising applicants to consider program fit and financial realities.
Norma Claire Moruzzi is an Associate Professor in Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She also serves as Director of the International Studies Program and Co-Chair of the Middle East and Muslim Societies Cluster at UIC. Her research focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, and nationalism, with particular emphasis on Iran and the Middle East. She employs political theory, feminist theory, archival research, and ethnographic methods in her work. Education: PhD in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University (1990). She conducted extensive fieldwork in Iran from 1998-2008, collaborating with women’s groups and contributing to local journals. Her forthcoming book Tied Up in Tehran: Women, Social Change, and the Politics of Daily Life in Postrevolutionary Iran (Cambridge University Press, 2025) examines transformations in Iranian women’s lives since 1979. Research Grants and Fellowships include: UIC Great Cities Faculty Scholar Fellowship (2009-2010), UIC Humanities Institute Fellowship (2005-2006), and a NEH community grant (2013-2014) for public programming on Muslim cultures. Her work has been recognized with the 2002 Gradiva Award for her book Speaking through the Mask: Hannah Arendt and the Politics of Social Identity . Professional Roles: Associate Editor of Iranian Studies , former chair and editorial committee member of Middle East Report . Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, affiliated with UIC’s History and Art History departments. Her scholarship bridges theory and practice, addressing topics like feminist cinema, revolutionary movements, and the politicization of daily life.
Thibaut d’Hubert is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of South Asian Languages & Civilizations . His research focuses on Middle Bengali poetry and Indo-Persian literature , with an emphasis on textual criticism, literary hermeneutics, and multilingualism in premodern South and Southeast Asia. Specializes in Bengali-Persianate literary interactions Co-organizer of Middle Bengali language/literature retreats Recipient of Zukunftsphilologie fellowship (2013-14) His monograph In the Shade of the Golden Palace (2018) examines Middle Bengali poet Ālāol’s translation practices, while Meaningful Rituals (2022) explores Persian-Arabic-Bengali multilingualism through the Nūrnāma tradition. Current projects include critical editions of Ālāol’s epic Saẏphulmuluk Badiujjāmāl (supported by NEH grant) and annotated translations of Persian ghazals. Supervises students in premodern South Asian literature Teaches courses on Bengali/Sanskrit/Persian literatures Works on musicology and text performance His research interests span: Perso-Arabic poetics in Bengal History of literary multilingualism Sufi and Gauḍīẏa Vaiṣṇava literature Cultural interactions between South/Southeast Asia Traditional philology and scribal practices Didactic/ritual uses of Persian texts in rural Bengal Key scientific awards : Zukunftsphilologie fellowship (2013-14) NEH Scholarly Editions and Translations grant
Berrak Burçak Della Fave is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Bilkent University. She holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University (2005) and specializes in the history of Ottoman-Turkish modernization and the political history of modern Turkey. Education : Ph.D., Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University, 2005 Her research intersects Ottoman history , gender studies , and science-society relations . Key themes include: Fashion and health as expressions of identity (e.g., ‘The question of the corset’ in late Ottoman history) Hygienic beauty standards in the Hamidian era Diplomatic history through the lens of the Ottoman embassy institution Urban symbolism in Ankara's political development Recent publications (2022–2023) explore global intellectual histories , including critiques of Orientalism at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. She contributes to journals like British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies and Middle Eastern Studies .
Thomas Schlag is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Zurich , with research foci in religious education, church theory, and pastoral theology . He directs the university-wide research focus "Digital Religion(s): Communication, Interaction and Transformation in the Digital Society" , exploring the intersection of theology and digital culture. His career includes roles as Chairman of the Center for Church Development (ZKE) and Dean of the Faculty of Theology (2014–2016). Key Research Areas : Digital religion, public theology, interreligious education, confirmation work, church development, and socio-political theology. Academic Leadership : Directed international studies on confirmation work, co-edited interdisciplinary theological compendiums, and contributed to debates on state religious education and digital ethics. Recent Publications (2024–2025) examine digital media in religious education, Swiss church reform, theological responses to polarization, and interfaith educational models. His "Digital Religion(s)" program analyzes church-state-civil society dynamics in digital societies. He teaches courses on existential religious education , digital transformation , and ecclesiological-practical semesters . Collaborations include the European Network for Confirmation Work , International Academy of Practical Theology , and projects with Swiss and international theological institutions. His work bridges digital innovation , democratic education , and pastoral care in virtual environments .
Dr. Mukesh Kumar serves as a lecturer and Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) senior fellow at the University of Zurich, conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of history and anthropology. His work centers on socio-cultural, economic, and religious encounters between diverse traditions in South Asia, with particular emphasis on syncretic practices and marginalized communities. His educational background includes: PhD from the University of Technology in Sydney (2019) Dr. Kumar's research explores South Asian Religions, Religious Conversion, Devotional Hinduism, Social Mobility, Caste and Music, Yoga, Tantra, and Sacred Spaces. He investigates how religious practices dynamically interact with caste structures, economic systems, and cultural exchanges, revealing complex identity formations through ethnographic and historical analysis of syncretic traditions. His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on Hindu-Muslim relations, religious conversion, and sacred geography across historical and contemporary contexts. Recent works examine the Laldas tradition, Basel Mission impacts on lower-caste communities, urban religious orders, and digital democracy, reflecting methodological diversity spanning archival research, ethnography, and textual analysis. His research has been recognized through prestigious awards: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (2019-21) ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021-23) Swiss National Science Foundation Senior Fellowship (2024-28) As principal investigator of the SNF-Project "Caste Religion and Social Mobility in India," Dr. Kumar leads contemporary research on religious and social dynamics while contributing to academic discourse through his monograph Between Muslim Pīr and Hindu Saint (Cambridge University Press, 2024) and numerous journal articles. His current research trajectory involves two book projects examining Billava communities and the Sant Rampal order in Delhi, advancing understanding of religious pluralism within India's evolving social landscape.
Erin Stiles, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno, specializes in the intersections of religion, law, and gender. Her ethnographic work in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa, and Utah examines Islamic family law, legal pluralism, and Mormon spiritual experiences. Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis M.A., University of Colorado, Boulder A.B., Duke University Stiles' research explores: Islamic legal reasoning in marital disputes and inheritance law Gender dynamics in LDS fundamentalist and Irish Traveller communities Spirit-world encounters in Utah Mormonism Comparative legal practices across sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Her recent publications focus on global Islamic divorce mechanisms, LDS spiritual ethics, and postcolonial legal adaptations in East Africa. She teaches courses ranging from introductory cultural anthropology to specialized topics in African studies and Islamic law. Stiles actively mentors graduate students working on: Healing practices among LDS fundamentalists Marriage customs in Irish Traveller communities Islam and migration in Japan LGBTQ+ affirming Protestant groups
Irving Chan Johnson is an Associate Professor in Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. A graduate of the Southeast Asian Studies Programme (now Department) in 1996, he earned his PhD from Harvard University in 2004. His academic journey has focused on cultural dynamics of borderland communities, particularly Thai Buddhist communities in Malaysia's Kelantan state, examining how they navigate identity at the intersection of Buddhist and Muslim traditions. Dr. Johnson's research spans social anthropology, visual arts, and cultural studies with particular focus on: Social anthropology of Southeast Asia Visual arts and traditional performance Buddhist communities in borderland regions Cultural identity and marginality Traditional dance and mask traditions in Bali Thai mural painting traditions His scholarly work reveals a consistent thread examining how cultural communities maintain identity through artistic expression, religious practice, and historical narrative. Early publications focused on Malaysian-Thai borderlands, while recent work has expanded to Balinese performance traditions, particularly mask-related arts. His 2013 book The Buddha on Mecca's Verandah represents a significant contribution to understanding cultural identity formation in border regions. As an active cultural practitioner, Dr. Johnson founded Eka Suwara Santhi, Singapore's only Balinese dance group, and volunteers painting Buddhist murals at Wat Uttamayanmuni, a Thai temple in Singapore. His teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning, incorporating field trips to Thailand and Bali where students engage directly with cultural contexts through his specialist classes on Thai traditional art (SE3224) and traditional dance in Southeast Asia (SE2224).
Hugh Kennedy , Professor at SOAS University of London within the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, is a leading scholar in early Islamic history. His research spans political structures, military systems, and cultural transitions in the Islamic world. Fields of Interest : Early Islamic History, Abbasid Caliphate, Sacred Space, Historical Geography, Islamic Law. Research Trends : His work explores the evolution of Islamic political terminology, frontier interactions, and the socioeconomic impacts of Muslim rule. He has published extensively on the Ḥajj, urban development, and manuscript production in the Abbasid era. Supervised Theses : Tanaka (zandaqah), Ye (ʿAbbāsid mysticism), Habib (sacred space), Khatun (trade networks), Manstetten (madrasa origins), Lodhi (hijra law), Webb (Arab origins).
Ida Zilio-Grandi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, where she specializes in Arabic Language and Literature (SSD L/OR-12). She also holds teaching responsibilities in Islamic Thought and Theology (SSD L/OR-10) and has been actively involved in multiple interdisciplinary programs, including Master’s degrees in Interfaith Dialogue, Islamic Philosophy, and Mediterranean Studies. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting her deep engagement with cultural diplomacy. Education Graduated in Oriental Languages and Literatures (Arabic) from Ca' Foscari University of Venice. PhD in “Studies on the Middle East and the Maghreb from the founding of Islam to the Present day” at the University of Naples “L’Orientale”. Research Interests Her scholarly work centers on Quranic studies, Islamic ethics, and Arabic literature. She investigates religious figures in the Quran (e.g., Mary, Cain, Pharaoh, Jonah), Islamic moral concepts such as gratitude (šukr), patience (ṣabr), tolerance, and mercy, and the ethical dimensions of employment, speech, and hospitality. Her research draws on classical exegesis, adab literature, and contemporary Islamic thought, bridging historical analysis with modern applications. She also explores interfaith dialogue, particularly between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and cultural relations between the Islamic world and the West. Publication Trends Her recent publications (2020–2025) reflect a sustained focus on Islamic virtues, ethics, and Quranic interpretation. These include monographs on the moral life of Muslims, studies on Sufism in the UAE, Abraham’s legacy, and environmental ethics in Islam. Her work combines rigorous philological analysis with philosophical insight, often published in high-impact journals and academic volumes. Scientific Service and Recognition Member of the “Committee for Islam in Italy” at the Ministry of Interior (since 2015). Member of the Scientific Committee of the “Dialogue méditerranéen sur la modernité et le religieux” at Collège des Bernardins, Paris. Sits on the editorial boards of Annali di Ca’ Foscari , Islamo-Christiana , and L’opera Comune . Invited Researcher at the Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica (PISAI), Rome (since 2017). Advising, Grants, and Leadership She has coordinated several Master’s programs at Ca' Foscari, including the LM “Languages, Economies and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa (LEISAAM)” and the international LM “MIM – Crossing the Mediterranean.” She is the Erasmus+ Coordinator for partnerships with the University of Jordan and Mohammed V University in Rabat. She led the research project The Languages of the Absolute (2011–2015), funded by Ca' Foscari University. Though no formal students are listed, her mentorship is evident through her academic leadership and editorial roles. Labs and Research Groups She is affiliated with several research centers, including the Ca' Foscari Center for Studies on Human Rights (CESTUDIR), the Center for Contemporary Middle East Studies (CEM), and the Religion, Law and Economy in the Mediterranean Area Center (REDESM). She is also a member of the Arab-Christian Research Group (GRAC) and the Lay Association for Biblical Culture “Biblia.”
Martin Aranguren is a CNRS Junior Professor affiliated with the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS) at Sciences Po. His research bridges micro-level social interactions and macro-level social inequalities, employing diverse methodologies including field experiments, interviews, and statistical analysis. He holds a PhD from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and earned his HDR in 2024, qualifying him to supervise doctoral research. His research interests include: Social Interaction Nonverbal Communication Emotions Discrimination (racial, religious, ethnic) Health Disparities and Mental Health Inequalities Field Experiments and Behavioral Measurement Bayesian Statistics His recent publications reveal a strong focus on discrimination in urban public spaces, particularly examining how race, religion (e.g., Islamic headscarves), and health behaviors (e.g., mask-wearing) influence everyday interactions. His work often uses field experiments in cities like Paris, Brussels, and Vienna to measure subtle forms of bias. A recurring theme is risk compensation during the pandemic, where adopting one safety measure (e.g., masks) leads to reduced adherence to others (e.g., distancing), with significant gender differences observed. His scientific contributions include leading major research projects such as: MIDI (2018–2021) : Studied misrecognitive discrimination using field experiments. GERICO (2021–2022) : Funded by ANR, investigated risk compensation during Covid-19. He also contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles and peer reviewing. He serves on the editorial board of Appartenances & Altérités and has reviewed for journals including Annals of Behavioral Medicine , Ethnic and Racial Studies , and PLoS ONE . He teaches quantitative methods, including Research Design and Regression Analysis, in the Sociology Master’s program at Sciences Po. His methodological rigor and interdisciplinary approach position him as a leading figure in contemporary sociological research on inequality.
Prof. Dr. Jos de Kock is a theologian and educator specializing in Practical Theology and Youth Ministry. He is currently Chair of the Department of Practical Theology at ETF Leuven (Evangelische Theologische Faculteit) and will hold a Research Fellow position at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Theology starting in 2025. His career spans multiple institutions, including the Protestantse Theologische Universiteit (PThU) and Evangelische Hogeschool Amersfoort. Master of Business Administration (2021–2023), Vlerick Business School PhD (2005), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Master in Theology (2003–2008), Universiteit Utrecht University Teaching Qualification (2014) His research focuses on religious identity development among Christian and Muslim youth, catechetics, and the intersection of education and theology. He explores how learning environments, liturgical practices, and digital culture shape faith formation. Recent articles analyze Bible use in schools, children’s participation in worship, and theological reflection in youth ministry. His recent work emphasizes empirical approaches to youth ministry, with a particular interest in normativity, agency, and the role of parents and communities. He has contributed to journals like Journal of Youth and Theology , International Journal of Practical Theology , and Religious Education . De Kock serves on editorial boards for International Journal of Practical Theology , Religions , and Journal of Youth and Theology . He has held leadership roles in organizations such as the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM) and the Religious Education Association.
